I’m so inspired by natural beauty found on simple paths, flower beds, or while strolling on the beach. A pebble, a fallen leaf, a pinecone… everything so beautifully designed and special that you can’t help but appreciate these free gifts all around us. Often when I need to collect my thoughts or just draw inspiration, I go into the woods on a short hike near my house or I venture to the coast and just walk the beach where the world seems to go on forever as you look over choppy waters as far as your eyes can take you. When I was little I thought that if I looked hard enough, maybe I’d see France!
I’ve been thinking about nature a lot this week because it’s been raining for so many days now, and cold, that there seems to be no end and I can’t get outside as much and I’m starting to feel it in my bones. Like I need to get out and just be with nature! My town does not have sidewalks and I live on a very busy road so I can’t just go do a few laps around town with an umbrella in hand so I’m thinking of just grabbing my raincoat in a moment and head into the apple orchards or the forest to breathe in that fragrant scent of apple, wet wood and brush combined with pine.
Because nature has such a healing power over those who let it work it’s magic and who make time to really enjoy it, I reason that this explains my attraction to bringing the outside in through patterns that mimic nature. I’m a lover of florals and leaf prints, so the moment I saw Simron towels over at the Le Souk Shop I felt an instant attraction to them.
I love their simplicity and beauty, rooms that feel very connected to the outdoors give me a sense of calm but also my mind becomes more centered when I’m around simple beauty and small luxuries. It’s confirmation of the truth that less is more, don’t you think?
What do you like about bringing natural fibers, textures and patterns indoor – what connections to do make, feel, remember from the past that causes you deep appreciation for the natural world?
UPDATE: Daneille from Le Souk just informed me that she’d love to give decor8 readers a discount on the Simrin products that she carries in her shop. She’s giving you a 20% discount, just place your order via email: info AT soukshop.com and she will reply with the total after discount and shipping costs.
(images: simrin and le souk shop)
June 24th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
I grew up in a cabin in the woods in the Pacific Northwest, so I spent hours making forts and climbing through bushes (I was somewhat prissy, but mostly about spiders, not dirt). I loved books about dwarves and fairies, and helped my dad design and build a clubhouse back in the trees. When I moved into my first single apartment out of college, I was very catolog-minded. Everything had to look modern and “grown-up” but two years later I’m really embracing the life that my parents built for us. I have been bringing in flowers, am attracted to hand-built furniture and hand-stitched quilts and linens, and love to open the windows and listen to the birds. I’ll still be a city girl for a while, but I have no doubt that I’ll return to the country rather than the suburbs when I’m ready for a family.
June 24th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I love floral and natural prints and also nature in art. I especially like birds, owls, bambis, and elephants, but I try not to go overboard with them so it doesn’t feel like living in a zoo :) I think nature is very important to me, because here the weather is so crappy most of the year, that when you get those few sunny and warm days you definately want to spend them outside.
June 24th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I really like the tactile quality of my storage baskets. They FEEL like nature, if that makes sense.
We also have wood ceilings in half of our new apartment and it really adds texture and makes it feel so cozy – and it’s only summer now! I can’t wait to feel even cozier in the winter! =)
June 24th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
YES! So perfectly lovely. I completely agree. As an artist, I too, find (almost) all of my inspiration through nature. As a committed urban dweller, it helps to feel that bit of true organic connection as I move about my home. And it reminds me that, even in a city environment, there are sights and sounds to be experienced direct from the natural world. Thanks for the lovely post.
June 24th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I feel like bringing sustainable and natural products into my house gives me more of a feeling of simplicity. It reminds me of the importance of the basics and appreciating the outdoors and creation.
June 24th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
You are in NH and I am in Maine so I totally ‘get’ how this constant rain day after day has just become too much. I actually saw a woman pushing a baby carriage in the pouring down rain today (don’t worry the baby was properly protected) and my first thought was ‘I totally get it’…in fact I almost hollered to her out my car window and simply said ‘I get it!’ We can only take being inside so much and then what once was considered a ridiculous activity (walking a baby or in an apple orchard in the pouring rain) seems like the most necessary activity.
Thanks for sharing these lovely images!
My best,
Tricia – Avolli
June 24th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
i love the black and white prints in the first few posts.
June 24th, 2009 at 4:25 pm
Beautiful!
June 24th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I love all the linens, so simple in design, but bold on the tables and more.
June 24th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
NICE, thanks….i may buy a runner from them…i just LOVE it!
Jen Ramos
‘Cards & Prints You’ll Love…’
http://www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com
-
June 24th, 2009 at 6:27 pm
I love the bathroom towels. They are lovely!
June 24th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Love this idea of bringing the outside in. Graet products.
June 25th, 2009 at 12:11 am
These are lovely. Modern and elegant. Hmm. I am very tempted by the tablecloths. Both of them :-)
June 25th, 2009 at 3:33 am
i love the plates!!
June 25th, 2009 at 11:07 am
oh, i am in love with the large print of the surya linens! thanks so much for posting this, Holly! that’s exactly what i’ve been looking for.
i absolutely agree with you about bringing the outside in. for me, it imparts a sense of harmony and connectedness, especially since i live in an apartment in a fairly urban area. if i had my way, i would live in a house that opened to the outside and spend as much time as possible out.
June 25th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
These trays are so very beautiful!! I love, love them!
xo
Melis
June 25th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
All of these are beautiful!
I love having a sense of nature indoors! I think that is why I’m drawn to natural wood tones in furniture, woodwork, doors, architectural details, etc. (as opposed to painted). I also love to use natural materials in a more raw form in driftwood, rocks, shells, dried flowers, etc. I also love botanical prints!
June 26th, 2009 at 12:29 am
i have that table cloth and i love it! now i just need the rest of the room.
June 30th, 2009 at 10:22 am
The plates are very pretty. I have plain white plates and these would be pretty to coordinate with them.
December 19th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Everything looks great! Makes me want to go shopping and redo my whole kitchen and dining area.
December 27th, 2009 at 8:28 am
The plates are so pretty. They’d make perfect gifts.
March 27th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
I’m a huge fan of the yellow color scheme. I oftentimes get teased for liking such an odd color, but put together like this, I can’t see why anyone wouldn’t like it.
May 3rd, 2010 at 11:42 am
When I moved into my first single apartment out of college, I was very catolog-minded. Everything had to look modern and “grown-up” but two years later I’m really embracing the life that my parents built for us. I have been bringing in flowers, am attracted to hand-built furniture and hand-stitched quilts and linens, and love to open the windows and listen to the birds.I think it is very nice and useful idea. I agree with you and thanks for this nice sharing.