Thursday, 17 October 2013

Using Natural Curiosities In Your Home

By Catalina Nielsen


Being in touch with nature has always been important to humans so the desire to bring natural curiosities into our homes is easily understood. In the past this was usually in the form of a few shells or some driftwood gathered on a beach but the options now are much wider. Today there are many beautiful items being sold that introduce an organic element into interiors.

Long ago when explorers discovered a new species, they would have to draw the item as they could not just take a photograph like we can today. These drawings were then engraved onto plates and many of these are still in existence today. These prints are sought after and have found their way into many modern interiors.

The urge to collect objects such objects goes back to the beginnings of civilization. From Renaissance times, wealthy individuals would fill cabinets and sometimes even rooms, with beautiful and sometimes bizarre objects from the natural world. These collections included items like skeletons of animals, tusks, horns, minerals and even ethnographic specimens found in exotic places.

Curiosities are no longer found just in cabinets but are now used in many different rooms, adding an organic feel wherever they appear. Care is taken in how they are displayed to gain maximum impact. A single item can make a difference to a display such as a pair of antlers appearing on a wall together with twisted branches. Items may also be grouped according to age and style, such as a vintage suitcase stacked with old volumes and a vintage print of a bird hanging above it.

A good way to bring nature into the home is through the use of prints. A single print of an octopus, alligator or turtle can create major design impact when enlarged. Botanical prints have always been popular and work well with the variety of natural materials like wood and stone being used in homes.

Prints can work extremely well when grouped together to form a balanced display. Identical frames help to unify the composition. Colors and subject matter must work together. For example, oceanographic prints with a color palette of greys, blues, blacks and whites compliment one another and create a display well suited to a minimalistic interior.

Some very unusual items are being sold that can instantly add intrigue to any interior. Items such as scans of seahorse skeletons and collages of moss are just some of these items. Bones and skulls are regarded by some as reminders of death and they do not want them in their homes. However, many others love their bleached white look and interesting shapes.

Natural curiosities have always inspired us. We love looking at them, collecting them and today they add that organic element we desire to our homes. The sources of inspiration for creativity found in the colors and shapes of objects like leaves, flowers, birds and butterflies are endless. These elements may be used individually or combined in interesting ways. Such items are available at interior design stores, many of which can be found online.




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