Kerena Berry, Head of Interior Design at Designbx, gives us some helpful tips on how to use nature as your best Décor tool.
At Designbx we’re always shouting the praises of indoor plants, and the reason is simple: mother nature is the ultimate designer. As interior designers it’s easy to get caught up in decisions about palettes, furniture and finishes, but plants shouldn’t be an afterthought, especially considering how versatile they are and how beautifully they enhance all interior design styles. In many cases they can be the entire basis of a design or the feature piece that brings together the look of your space.
- Wall Gardens
Yes they’re high-maintenance, but the rewards are more than worth it. Wall Gardens are spectacular, and quite simple to set up. Select your favourite greens and blooms to create a vivid feature that is half art, half monument. If you’re concerned about the time it takes to keep your natural work of art maintained, try removable pots, vines or a self-watering module. - Macramé planters
Everything old is new again, and that adage certainly applies to macramé, which is on trend right now. If you’re looking for space-saving ideas that have loads of visual charm, these hand-crafted creations are ideal. If you’re shopping for macramé you’ll find plenty of woven designs, but this is a craft that is fun for DIY buffs, so why not try your hand at making your own planter? They work well in the kitchen or bathroom where a little extra space is always handy. - Staghorn ferns, not stags
As the name suggests, Staghorns bear a striking resemblance to deer antlers. When it comes to interior design, this may be the ultimate revenge on hunters – all the bold and statuesque shape of mounted stags without any harm to nature. These distinctive ferns have been a mainstay for indoor plant lovers for decades, and being low maintenance they can thrive in almost any interior space. - Bookshelf bandits
We’re certainly not challenging the aesthetic appeal of books, but endless spines along a bookshelf can get a little monotonous. Try breaking up the uniformity by adding some natural pizzazz in the form of plants that drape or dangle. This technique can provide a stunning focal piece that compliments the timeless charm of a full bookshelf. As anyone who collects books will know, there are always a few empty spots to fill on shelves, so try potted succulents or concrete planters as cute bookends to fill the gaps.
- Growing centrepieces
Terrariums are the perfect year-round centrepiece for any dining table. Like a constantly evolving feature item, these miniature gardens are mesmerising and unlock the owner’s creativity. You’ll be limited to plants that love moisture and shade but there are enough options to give you the freedom of growing a unique terrarium. If you’re not a fan of the popular domed variety, try a planter, or even grow a sustainable herb garden so dinner guests can pick their favourites, fresh from the dining table!Every indoor space benefits from the addition of well-placed and maintained indoor plants. Urban interior design styles need that touch of nature for a healthy balance while styles that are traditional, minimalist or closely connected to nature often use plants as centrepieces or key feature items. While colour, patterns and materials are understandably addictive elements of the design process, don’t miss the opportunity to let nature play a starring role in your interior design.
The Carousel would like to thank Kerena Berry, Head of Interior Design at Designbx for this article.
