Use 'Natural' Instincts To Decorate

More and more people are bringing in the textures and colors that they love most from the great outdoors for a perfect retreat all their own. Mother Nature's earthy influence on the home this season is evident with color palettes of golds, greens and browns, tabletops made of rustic stone or wood, and lots of wicker.

"It is now easier than ever to bring the elements of nature indoors with fabrics, materials and finishes that reflect the soothing qualities found in one's own garden or patio," said Stephanie Voss, of Arhaus Furniture.

Colors Inspired By Nature

The colors of nature truly come into play in this year's fabric selections.

"For upholstery, we're seeing lots of nature-inspired prints such as botanicals and tropical-themed toiles," said Voss.

Also, watch for earth-toned stripes or textures in bold shades of pistachio, lime, celadon, gold, amber or even sky blue.

"We are seeing a lot of fabric mixes with floral cotton slipcovers that are reminiscent of those found in vintage European cottages," she said.

For a soothing, outdoorsy environment, Voss suggests starting with a neutral color palette such as taupe, gray, sand, terracotta, or grass green. Green is a particularly versatile color because of its ability to work with warm or cool hues in a room, and it mixes well with dark or warm-toned woods.

When a room has a neutral backdrop, it is easy to add a variety of nature-inspired accent pieces, such as a stone coffee table, linen slipcover or accessories that bring a hint of the outdoors into the setting.

Natural Materials

Materials such as wood, stone, wicker, copper, linen or cotton, cherished for their natural beauty and earthy colors, can be used to give any room sophisticated variations of tone and texture.

"We're seeing a huge resurgence of natural materials in home décor," said Voss. "Families are looking for furniture that combines easy care with an inviting natural charm."

Voss said wicker furniture is making a big comeback in today's nature-inspired home designs. Typically reserved for the outdoors, this simple, light furniture can be brought into the foyer, breakfast area or bedroom.

Watch for home furnishings with rustic details such as the pits, knots and natural graining found in select hardwoods like cherry, teak, or pine. These inherent, individual characteristics add uniqueness and natural beauty to any room. A family-friendly wax finish on woods allows these natural characteristics to be enjoyed and grow more beautiful with time and use.

Many natural materials, like stone, are easier than ever to incorporate into home décor. Not only is stone durable, it also takes on a beautiful patina with frequent use. Pieces of granite, travertine, and marble are hand-selected and set to mimic the intricate patterns found in Italian mosaic floors.

Metals are also beautiful, durable materials to introduce into any room setting. Copper and wrought iron are a gorgeous combination that creates an earthy elegance.

Natural Lighting

Sunlight is one of the most important elements of a natural setting. To let it in, use a light touch at your windows with bamboo shades or a nubby natural linen fabric. Or dress your windows with wooden shutters to easily control the amount of light filtered into the room.

Decorative lamps are more beautiful than ever this season. Look for table lamps with ornate wooden beads, crystals, or earth-toned silk lampshades in greens or browns. A new trend in lamps includes interesting wrought-iron bases in tree-like shapes or beautiful natural stone pedestals.

Candlelight brings a relaxing atmosphere to the home. Use this natural lighting as a centerpiece, surrounded with fresh moss, flowers, or shells reminiscent of a special outdoor place.