Trends 2007: The Nurturing Naturalist
{This is a huge post, so I'll give you time to read through it and return tomorrow with more goodies before I head out for the weekend. See you Friday!}
Another trend that rolled over into '07 is botany obsession and a love of insects, birds, and beach finds - like shells and bird feathers or a vintage birdcage (with a plant inside if you are a pet-free home). This trend seems to appeal to those who have the eye of a natural history museum curator and a real attachment to the natural world around them. Think antiqued prints of flora and fauna, once living things lovingly preserved (starfish, cotton complete with stem), items precious and kept beneath glass domes, or framed, or resting peacefully on a table - a large clamshell to catch your keys, for instance.
To ensure the look is fresh and doesn't appear too dusty (or dated), you'll need to set the background with light, modern, hues and be mindful that less is more. Dark green or jewel tones will depress, as will too much black. Opt for lots of faded colors - soft blues, creamy butter yellow, soft gray, and lots of white (in its many shades). Dot some red (maybe a coral paperweight or pillow) around a faded blue room to add a modern touch and a bit of punch if you like, but don't OD on saturated hues. Even a splash of teal will work, but use with caution... Go easy! Remember, this trend isn't about sparkle or saturated colors, it's faded, somewhat neutral, very focused on collections well placed, and lots of natural textures and patterns. You can go casual with it, or more traditional. Just have fun and remember, don't take design too seriously. Decorating your home shouldn't be stressful. If it is, you need to take some time out and refocus. Pull in a few friends with homes you love and have a "Help Me" party. Friends love to give decorating advice!
Furniture tips: For furniture, look for slipcovered sofas and chairs for a relaxed feel, or go for rolled arms, a high angled back, or tufted sofas for a more traditional look. For a look that is more casual, try using wooden trunks, worn walnut end tables, glass top tables with rusty legs (flea market finds), vintage suitcases stacked and topped with a lamp, tufted velvet headboards in faded prints or solids (complete with burnished-brass nail head trim). Wood with white-washed or chalk finishes, metal or rusty metals, glass, distressed leathers, anything worn or fades... Key is to mix new purchases with flea market finds. There's nothing to it! The Grant chair and the Jasper from Room and Board work well too. The Jasper (try ordering it in Danish Linen for a more natural look) is modern and casual and the Grant is more vintage style. I tend to look for furniture with soft edges, but the Jasper still works somehow.
I love these pieces from Oly Studio. Yum. Isn't that coral chair a great find? I first spotted it in Canadian House + Home and immediately added it to my look book.
Thomaspaul linen pillows are fabulous, don't you think? The Emmet Trunk from Pottery Barn is nice (not shown), and I like their Spencer Sofa too (especially in linen, velvet, or ticking stripe - above).Accessories to consider (also shown in first image above): The ceramic Sea urchin votive from Good, vintage photography by Karl Blossfeldt (shown aspidium filix mas and cirsium canum cirse). Tip: DIY your own photos by spending a day outdoors snapping photos of pinecones and ferns on a flat smooth surface. Photoshop them into Sephia or Black and White and frame. I also love this white coral lamp or this shell-filled cameo box from Anthropologie. I'm also thinking a meditation hourglass on a stack of books would blend nicely. The eve glass tea light holder looks like a sea urchin, so I just love it, from Lille in Chicago. And just try to say no to this twig easel from Anthropologie.
Some beautiful d?coupage finds from the amazing John Derian fit this look perfectly. Visit his NYC store for the ultimate experience - it's gorgeous!
You can mix in a little toile as long as it doesn't depict the typical country scene (Victorian ladies lounging by a pond). The Bird Toile Quilt and Sham from Pottery Barn is perfect from color to it's floral and fauna pattern. Their framed bird prints are pretty and fit this look very well, too. Don't forget glass domes! Jars with screw tops (think old mason jars) are great filled with vintage photos, buttons, thread, even fabric scraps that are rolled like mini scrolls and tied with vintage satin or velvet ribbon. You can also incorporate this vintage-style photo carousel as both a functional, and artistic, centerpiece in your room. Other trend-worthy accessories (not shown) include the Marine candle holder and the coral coasters, all from ZGallerie.
Porcelain vases from Sprout Home in Chicago are perfect for your blooms. This Hammerpress print from Rose + Radish lends vintage charm. You can even mix in a softie or two if you so desire. These owls from Tara Morgendorff have a very loved, slightly worn look to them that I picture on a bed or displayed on a window seat.
These Agnes + Hoss Jellyfish pillows work if you're leaning towards a modern natural vibe. I tend to shy away from using shiny satins or silks for this trend, but these pillows are too lovely to pass up. Hint: If you go with silk elsewhere in the home, try a nubby raw silk. But again, easy on the silk.
The love birds (not shown) from Blue Bell Bazaar are so sweet. I like the Inleaf Geranium Cocktail Napkins, this great Birds of a Feather Mobile from Ige, and did you see this K Studio Branch pillow - Oh so pretty!
Anything from Papa Stour seems to fit the Nurturing Naturalist.
A beautiful set of bird plates for hanging or dining.
Window Tips: For window treatments, think linens, cottons, natural fibers... Solids or patterns work. Think gorgeous prints like these allspice curtains (above) from Anthropologie. If you can find cut natural bamboo reeds that are long enough (I found some at Pier 1), you can use these as curtain rods. Blinds are nice too... Try bamboo or Cypress shades from Target or these natural woven shades from Smith + Noble.
Flooring: Hardwood is great if you have it. If not, try rugs with nature-inspired patterns or made from natural materials - Sisal, for instance. Chenille is another beautiful option. Felt is my favorite, but of course, a much more expensive option. Check Peace Industry for the best selection. The Tulips in gray is somewhat contemporary, but could be used because of it's faded color scheme.
Hardware: Hardware from Anthropologie. Add to kitchen cabinets or your dresser for a fresh new look.
Paint tip: If you are afraid to commit to a color try this. Purchase the Ben Moore minis and 3-4 poster boards. Paint each poster board 2-3 times in one color. Tape a painted poster board to your room, rotating it around the space for one week. (It's important to rotate walls due to lighting.) Sample only one color at a time (vs. placing all 4 on the wall). Try another color a week later. Continue swapping these around for a month. In the end, you'll have narrowed it down to 2 or even your favorite. If not, put your 2 remaining choices on the wall and ponder over them. Bring in the fabrics you'd like to use in the room and hold them against the giant swatch. Invite over a few friends with a good eye for color and ask for their opinion.
Suggested Books: Found Style by Amy Butler, $23. Great tour of her home. Love this book. Junk Style $17, Flea Market Decorating: Creating Style with Vintage Finds $4!!! (amazing price, awesome book), Creating Vintage Style (I reviewed this title here), Shabby Chic: Sumptuous Settings and Other Lovely Things (I appreciate this book for her fabulous faded hues and how she displays her collections, and though I'm not big on her floral patterns, I really like how casual and simple her style is. Just make sure to mix in more natural elements (feathers, botancial prints, etc.) to capture the look of the Nuturing Naturalist. And finally Flea Market Style $18. It's like walking into one giant issue of Living Etc.
Spaces inspired by this trend...
Image from Creating Vintage Style
Image from Found Style
Image from Creating Vintage Style
Image via BBDW in New York (they have amazing furniture).
Image from Elle Decor. This is Thomas O'Brien's personal workspace.
This is more eclectic, but it still works because of the soft lines of the Pantone chair. Image via Domino mag.
Image via Domino magazine. This is a stunning bedroom and another example of mixing trends.
Image via via: Aero Studios.
Psst: Looking for another great source for items that fit this trend? Visit Ballard Designs...
Next trend coming soon... Beachy Keen!