Thursday, October 17, 2013

The Use Of Natural Curiosities In The 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.

Most people no longer relegate these curiosities to cabinets or single rooms. They are carefully displayed in many different rooms, from the living room to the bedroom. Single objects may be used to pull together a vignette adding the perfect organic touch. Objects may be displayed in groups too, such as displaying antlers and twisted branches together on a wall or placing a skull on top of a vintage suitcase with some old books.

One of the most common ways of introducing nature into an interior is by using prints. Bird prints have always been popular but the ocean has increasingly become a source of fascination with enlarged prints of sea creatures like the octopus making an appearance on many walls. Vintage style prints are snatched up with the current addiction to this style.

Grouping a set of prints is very effective, particularly when the subject matter and the color palette of each print in the group is complementary. For example, prints of different stones in colors of black, white, blue and grey can look stunning when grouped. These prints may be bought with identical frames and hung on a wall to create a balanced composition. With the increased use of natural materials like wood and stone in homes, beautiful prints of items found in nature work very well.

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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