5 Ways To Master Serene, Nature-Inspired Interiors
With nature now a perennial influence in the design of our homes, three interior designers share their insights on how to achieve a harmonious indoor/outdoor aesthetic in any space. By KATIE BERRINGTON
“We spend a lot of time removing nature from our world, and that simply isn’t compatible with being human,” considers interior designer Tamsin Johnson of the need and desire for biophilic design principles. “It doesn’t treat the heart and senses well; we pine for Mother Nature and her organic imperfection.”
Seek out materials that mimic the natural world
“With more time spent indoors in recent years, we’re all seeking to strengthen our connection with nature; to move with the rhythm of the natural world,” says design and lifestyle expert Athena Calderone. “As a result, we find ourselves being drawn to the raw, porous and imperfect character of organic materials such as travertine, terracotta, plaster and marble, to mimic the calming and restorative ambience of the outdoors at home.”
Showcase the view as a focal point
“If you’re in the building stage, orienting each room around the view you’ll see every day will make all the difference,” shares designer Jenni Kayne. “For instance, the Jenni Kayne Ranch, in Santa Ynez, is perched on a hilltop surrounded by rolling hills and so much natural Californian beauty… We wanted to blur the line between indoors and out, and consider what you’d see out the windows as much as what we placed inside the home.”
“I love filling my home with decorative branches and large-scale stems in a bid to bring the outside in. To me, the drama and sculptural quality that branches add to a home are unparalleled
”Athena Calderone
Embrace the beauty of botanicals
“The return of plants to indoors is beautiful and comforting. Nothing we can design will match the complexities of something botanical,” says Johnson. “It starts with beautiful pots and vessels, and then the tactful placement of plants as objects: glossy leaves meet the glossy looks of tiles comfortably, for example; fronds of indoor palms cascade into spaces, adding three-dimensionality; while more minimal spaces might benefit from a single sculptural plant.”
Forage for sculptural stems and branches
“I love filling my home with decorative branches and large-scale stems in a bid to bring the outside in. To me, the drama and sculptural quality that branches add to a home are unparalleled. Their slightly wild and unruly nature also adds much-needed contrast and verticality to an otherwise refined space,” explains Calderone. “You’ll often find me foraging outside, clippers in hand, seeking out stylish stems for my vases. Even the dried-out, fallen or dead branches offer life to our homes, imparting movement and textural quality. And it’s free! So, go and forage in nature to see what you can find. If you don’t have access to a yard or greenery nearby, head to your local flower market. I visit the New York Flower Market in the early hours every two weeks or so. You’ll always find the very best of what’s in season. Try to find branches that will dry beautifully, too, so your sculptural arrangement has longevity.”
Celebrate nature across decorative piece
“Nature is the antidote to our busy modern lives. Surrounding ourselves with branch clippings and flowers from the garden, or decorative objects crafted from materials in the natural environment, has a very remedial impact on our health and our mood. It’s visceral,” continues Calderone. “Nature inspires all facets of my work, from developing a recipe and creating a menu to setting a table and decorating a room. I always want to engage in something seasonal at home, whether that’s [curating flora] to display on my kitchen island or adding rosemary from my potted herbs to a dish that I’m making.”