Decorating
4 Nature-inspired Trends That Bring the Outside In
Earthy palettes and organic materials signalled a return-to-nature trend at Vancouver’s top design show
Creating a connection with nature in today’s digital world was an overriding theme at Interior Design Show Vancouver 2019, which showcased top designers and new products, furniture and concepts. Exhibitors displayed pieces featuring organic shapes and textures, earthy palettes, botanicals and handcrafted wood, emphasising a back-to-nature direction for design.
The show, held at the end of September in Vancouver, Canada, included more than 220 exhibitors from 17 countries. Read on to learn how cues from nature dominated designs at the show.
The show, held at the end of September in Vancouver, Canada, included more than 220 exhibitors from 17 countries. Read on to learn how cues from nature dominated designs at the show.
Vector ceramic tiles from the Timber series, Saloni.
Another modern take on natural beauty at the show were these eye-catching ceramic tiles, the Vector by Saloni, from the Spanish company’s Timber series, which is inspired by wood from Australian eucalyptus forests. The modern pattern repeat of Vector elevates its look.
Another modern take on natural beauty at the show were these eye-catching ceramic tiles, the Vector by Saloni, from the Spanish company’s Timber series, which is inspired by wood from Australian eucalyptus forests. The modern pattern repeat of Vector elevates its look.
Bloom coffee table Style No 3.4, MTH Woodworks.
This coffee table by MTH Woodworks is called Bloom and is made from tree stumps salvaged from logging industry waste. Designer and company owner Michael Host dries the stumps for a year, then burns them using shou sugi ban, a Japanese technique that makes the pieces durable and fire-resistant.
The white top is made from a non-toxic resin and all the hardware is created from scrap metal. Even the wood chip waste produced in making the tables is used: it’s mixed with beeswax to create natural fire-lighters.
Need help with your home renovation? Find the right people to help in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
This coffee table by MTH Woodworks is called Bloom and is made from tree stumps salvaged from logging industry waste. Designer and company owner Michael Host dries the stumps for a year, then burns them using shou sugi ban, a Japanese technique that makes the pieces durable and fire-resistant.
The white top is made from a non-toxic resin and all the hardware is created from scrap metal. Even the wood chip waste produced in making the tables is used: it’s mixed with beeswax to create natural fire-lighters.
Need help with your home renovation? Find the right people to help in the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Column Oval boardroom table, Union Wood Co.
2. Wood craftsmanship
Furnishings and flooring at this year’s IDS Vancouver proved that makers are embracing solid, handcrafted wood. Seen here is the Column Oval boardroom table from East Vancouver-based Union Wood Co. It comes with a top in solid ash, oak, walnut or reclaimed fir and can work both as a dining table or in a modern office space.
2. Wood craftsmanship
Furnishings and flooring at this year’s IDS Vancouver proved that makers are embracing solid, handcrafted wood. Seen here is the Column Oval boardroom table from East Vancouver-based Union Wood Co. It comes with a top in solid ash, oak, walnut or reclaimed fir and can work both as a dining table or in a modern office space.
Reclaimed heart pine flooring, Craft Floors.
British Columbia-based Craft Floors featured flooring made from century-old beams and decking salvaged from historic buildings across North America. The company restores the wood by hand to expose its natural patina and authentic features, such as nail holes, wood plugs and patches and hand-chiselled bevels. It can supply customers with information on precisely where the floors originated.
British Columbia-based Craft Floors featured flooring made from century-old beams and decking salvaged from historic buildings across North America. The company restores the wood by hand to expose its natural patina and authentic features, such as nail holes, wood plugs and patches and hand-chiselled bevels. It can supply customers with information on precisely where the floors originated.
D4 lounge chair, Atelier Dimopoulos.
Handcrafted wood furnishings by designer Stefane Dimopoulos appeared like curated art on the show floor, reminiscent of Danish design classics. This photo shows his D4 lounge chair. Rather than concealing the mechanics of the chair, Dimopoulos exposes joints that would typically be clad with upholstery, allowing the workmanship to become a design feature.
“I try to explain how I make my furniture to strangers without using any words,” Dimopoulos says. “This gives added value to the consumer, as they can see the quality of the work and how I’m not trying to hide any cheap tricks.”
Handcrafted wood furnishings by designer Stefane Dimopoulos appeared like curated art on the show floor, reminiscent of Danish design classics. This photo shows his D4 lounge chair. Rather than concealing the mechanics of the chair, Dimopoulos exposes joints that would typically be clad with upholstery, allowing the workmanship to become a design feature.
“I try to explain how I make my furniture to strangers without using any words,” Dimopoulos says. “This gives added value to the consumer, as they can see the quality of the work and how I’m not trying to hide any cheap tricks.”
Bohemia pendants, Marset.
3. Earthy colours
Earthy palettes were predominant at IDS Vancouver, highlighting a connection to nature through the use of colour. Marset’s new Bohemia pendant was a striking example of how earth tones – here, green and orange, as might be found in a garden – have made their way into unexpected finishes. The large-scale pendant is made of polycarbonate and is also available in a berry hue.
3. Earthy colours
Earthy palettes were predominant at IDS Vancouver, highlighting a connection to nature through the use of colour. Marset’s new Bohemia pendant was a striking example of how earth tones – here, green and orange, as might be found in a garden – have made their way into unexpected finishes. The large-scale pendant is made of polycarbonate and is also available in a berry hue.
Primordia engineered quartz surface, Caesarstone.
Caesarstone showed off Primordia, a new addition to its Metropolitan line of engineered quartz. The slab has a matt finish and is leathery smooth to the touch, much like weathered river rock. On a light grey base, off-whites and rusty browns are blended with hints of yellow and green for a deliberately imperfect look.
Caesarstone showed off Primordia, a new addition to its Metropolitan line of engineered quartz. The slab has a matt finish and is leathery smooth to the touch, much like weathered river rock. On a light grey base, off-whites and rusty browns are blended with hints of yellow and green for a deliberately imperfect look.
The Benjamin Moore booth at IDS Vancouver.
Echoing the trend for earthy browns and soft neutral tones was paint company Benjamin Moore’s palette for its IDS Vancouver booth, shown here.
Echoing the trend for earthy browns and soft neutral tones was paint company Benjamin Moore’s palette for its IDS Vancouver booth, shown here.
From left: Spiced Rum, Jet Black, Cloud Cover and Collingwood paint colours, all Benjamin Moore.
The colours that bedecked the booth are reminiscent of clay, soil and cloudy skies.
The colours that bedecked the booth are reminiscent of clay, soil and cloudy skies.
Tōrō smart self-watering planter, MiMOKO.
4. Low- and no-maintenance botanicals
Bringing nature into the home in ways that work with today’s busy lifestyles and shrinking living spaces was a theme found in the botanical-inspired designs at the show. Monique Skelton, founder of MiMOKO, showcased her new Tōrō smart, self-watering planter at the prototype exhibit.
The planter has a floating water level sensor connected to a micro-controller computer in the wooden stand. The sensor sends out an LED signal once it hits the bottom of the water reservoir. MiMOKO is developing the second phase of this product, which will be an app. Eventually, the device will send information to the app notifying the homeowner when the reservoir is low.
4. Low- and no-maintenance botanicals
Bringing nature into the home in ways that work with today’s busy lifestyles and shrinking living spaces was a theme found in the botanical-inspired designs at the show. Monique Skelton, founder of MiMOKO, showcased her new Tōrō smart, self-watering planter at the prototype exhibit.
The planter has a floating water level sensor connected to a micro-controller computer in the wooden stand. The sensor sends out an LED signal once it hits the bottom of the water reservoir. MiMOKO is developing the second phase of this product, which will be an app. Eventually, the device will send information to the app notifying the homeowner when the reservoir is low.
Moss wall art design, Greenstems.
Designer Heather March, owner of Greenstems in Vancouver, showed maintenance-free green walls composed of multiple moss species in various colours and textures. The design seen here features a mix of pole, reindeer and sheet moss.
The frames are custom-made by a fabricator in Vancouver, then layered with moss, which lasts five to seven years without any light, watering or misting. Clients can replenish the frames with new moss when the time comes.
Designer Heather March, owner of Greenstems in Vancouver, showed maintenance-free green walls composed of multiple moss species in various colours and textures. The design seen here features a mix of pole, reindeer and sheet moss.
The frames are custom-made by a fabricator in Vancouver, then layered with moss, which lasts five to seven years without any light, watering or misting. Clients can replenish the frames with new moss when the time comes.
Blooming Citrus wallpaper, Anewall Decor.
Large-scale floral wall coverings had a playful presence at this year’s IDS Vancouver. The Blooming Citrus wallpaper seen here is by Anewall Decor. The punchy pattern is printed on a PVC-free wallcovering with a smooth, matt finish. The combination of citrus and flowers delivers a pretty and fun daily dose of vitamin C.
Tell us…
Would you embrace any of these nature-inspired trends in your own home? Let us know or share your photos in the Comments section.
Large-scale floral wall coverings had a playful presence at this year’s IDS Vancouver. The Blooming Citrus wallpaper seen here is by Anewall Decor. The punchy pattern is printed on a PVC-free wallcovering with a smooth, matt finish. The combination of citrus and flowers delivers a pretty and fun daily dose of vitamin C.
Tell us…
Would you embrace any of these nature-inspired trends in your own home? Let us know or share your photos in the Comments section.
1. Organic shapes and textures
Several designs at this year’s IDS Vancouver drew on organic shapes and textures, offering fresh interpretations of nature.
This photo shows the PoLite candle series and Qualicum Low Tide table by Quake Studio designer Lisa Turner. Both designs were inspired by land and sea. “My goal with Quake is to sculpt the natural elements of the coast into modern yet timeless pieces that bring a new aesthetic to Northwest design,” Turner says.
The candlesticks feature a curved base that mimics the look of pebbles found on the shores of the Salish Sea, off the coast of British Columbia. The top of the Qualicum Low Tide table repeats the shape of the candlestick base and is intended to echo the rhythm of the tides.