Finding ways to incorporate nature into interior design, by Christine Lyon Bringing the spirit of the great outdoors inside doesn't have to involve chinked log walls or mounted deer heads.
There are much more subtle ways to incorporate elements of Mother Nature into the home and, when done properly, an outside-inspired interior can create a pleasantly tranquil atmosphere.
"It's a very Zen feeling, it's very relaxing, it's calming. Anything that reminds us of nature makes us feel good," says Teresa Cain, principal designer at Interior Solutions Design Group in North Vancouver.
Cain says many of her Vancouver-area clients are after a contemporary West Coast style, a theme that lends itself to incorporating touches of nature.
"We like a lot of natural stone, or at least things that look like natural stone," explains Cain. "We like tile that looks like limestone or marble. Even when people select quartz instead of granite now for countertops, a lot of them prefer a stony sort of a look to their quartz."
One popular forest-inspired trend is faux bois, a simulated grain pattern named after the French words for "false wood." "We're seeing that in a lot of fabric as a pattern," says Cain, adding it's being used on items such as pillows and ottomans.
She says a lot of high-end product designers have released home collections featuring the faux boix motif on wallpaper, upholstery and rugs.
Meanwhile, authentic wood in the form of hardwood flooring remains sought-after.
"Oak is probably one of the most popular and we're seeing a scraped oak and oiled oak. People are really going toward that more natural finish," says Cain.
Also in vogue are more economical alternatives that mimic the look of hardwood, such as vinyl or textured tile, both of which are available in a variety of lengths and widths.
In bathrooms, Cain has seen plenty of "open faucet" sinks, where the water cascades over the top of the faucet creating a waterfall effect.
While this area is celebrated for its natural beauty, it is also known for its grey skies and damp climate. Sometimes even the largest windows don't seem to let enough light inside.
"The neutrals and the earth tones do get kind of dreary when we have our long, rainy winters," says Cain.
One way to break up the grey is to add a splash of colour in the form of floral prints, which can create a cheerful focal point.
"In a contemporary setting, a little insert of floral can look spectacular," she " says.
To avoid an outdated look, Cain suggests choosing an oversized print in a bright shade of pink, orange or yellow. Just a touch will add a "wow factor" to an otherwise toned-down room.
"Everything else is neutral and then you might have some coordinating toss pillows to create a bit of balance for they eye," she says.
"We're also seeing people bringing in traditional elements and combining them with more contemporary clean lines," she adds. "You might find a really traditional framed chair and then it's got this super contemporary bright floral pattern on it."
Of course, there is always the option of quite literally incorporating nature into the home in the form of houseplants. But Cain admits that she isn't fond of them.
"They're never the right size or shape for the space," she explains, but adds that the choice to keep real plants and flowers in the house is really a matter of personal taste.
"Definitely if you're following any feng shui then you want to have real plants in the space," she says. For a maintenance-free alternative, Cain says there are a number of high-quality faux plant products on the market that look just as good as the real deal, but won't ever outgrow their space.
