Nature-Inspired Living

Surround yourself with the tranquility and beauty of nature. Swap out sustainable décor with the seasons or anytime you want to refresh your space. We talked to local designers and landscapers for tips and strategies to help you increase the natural elements inside your house and out in your yard.

Have Fun with Indoor Foliage

Houseplants are a logical place to start when you’re adding a natural feel inside your home. “We love incorporating greens into our clients' spaces,” note Monica Turchi and Courtney Kelly, owners of SpaceLift LLC. “Even if you don’t get a lot of natural sunlight, succulents and air plants are a great option.”

Besides looking amazing, plants may offer health benefits. Some studies have found that plants can lower stress or increase your attention and productivity. In addition, caring for plants can also be a fun, relaxing hobby. “I have a southfacing window in my house that's full of plants,” says Dennis Hurst, owner of Ryeland Gardens in Womelsdorf. To enhance the natural feel of the space, Hurst showcases his plants on a flagstone table enhanced with driftwood decorations.

“You can display your houseplants in beautiful decorative pottery, and some you can even mount on wood rounds,” explains Alaina Salks, marketing coordinator of Riverview Tree & Landscaping Inc. and Riverview Gardens & Gifts in Temple. “You can hang kokedama plants, which are houseplants whose roots are encased in moss, bound with string and then suspended near a light source.” Salks also recommends taking branches from cherry trees and forsythia and putting them in a vase of warm water to enjoy their beautiful blooms indoors. Wherever possible, Salks also likes to forage for décor while she hikes, provided it’s in an area where she has permission and that she leaves no trace. “It’s a win-win because my body and mind get out into nature, and then I can bring those precious items back into my home to enjoy.”

Earthly Furnishings

Besides incorporating plants, choose natural materials for a more organic feel in your home. “Wood textures can be brought in through natural furniture pieces or bamboo shades, and stone accents are a nice touch as well,” suggest Turchi and Kelly. In addition, “rattan furniture and live-edge wooden shelving are great options for bringing the outdoors in.” “Wood grains and woven elements are the best way to go!” says Lyndsey Hinkle, owner/ principal designer of Wise Interiors. “Instead of an allwhite kitchen, consider a wood grain in a natural finish. Your countertops will also play a role in this natural element. Utilizing stones such as granite or quartzite, which are found in nature, will surely give your space an earthy vibe.” In the living room, Hinkle likes to add in a woven item of furniture such as pieces made from wicker or with caning. “Whether it's a cozy leather armchair or the warmth of hardwood floors, the outdoors always finds its way in,” Hinkle adds. “My secret? Creating a perfect harmony by blending materials like the breeziness of linen fabrics, the earthiness of jute and wool rugs and the cozy charm of woven elements.”

Wall, Window and Shelf Décor

Consider your color choices when creating a nature-inspired design. “Paint packs a powerful punch in incorporating natural elements in your space,” advise Turchi and Kelly. “Different shades of green on the walls can be a neat way of bringing in natural tones.”

“Another of our design go-tos is nature-inspired wallpaper,” adds Hinkle. “We have been known to use botanical wallpaper in bathrooms, pantries, living rooms and one of our favorites: a wet bar! We're still in love with this wall mural from Anthropologie.”

“Window treatments and decor can also provide the texture and serene atmosphere you are looking to obtain in a space. We chose a bold brown for a custom fireplace mantle along with green accents to give off that natural element and cozy feel,” Turchi and Kelly add. “The use of natural stone or brick on walls and backsplashes can enhance the earthy feel of the home as well.”

Windows are also an excellent place to display nature-themed ornaments, notes Alaina Salks, whether they are something you’ve purchased or crafted yourself. “We carry gorgeous dried flower arrangements and a variety of dried seed pods, pine cones, moss, shells and preserved flowers that can be placed in containers around the home or arranged in vases,” she notes. “This is a wonderful way to bring these natural elements into the home in a simple and long-lasting way, giving a huge boost to your mood and the ambience of the space.” Any of these dried elements can also be crafted into wreaths or hung from window or door frames, Salks adds.

For a curated display, consider a terrarium. “One product I’m planning on getting in is a glass terrarium that is molded to a piece of wood,” describes Hurst. “It's kind of like a mixture of driftwood with your glass terrarium globe sitting on top.” While Hurst suggests putting a variety of plants inside, he also notes that larger terrariums could likely accommodate a small fish. Salks also recommends terrariums to “design a mini-eco system with tropical plants or air plants.”

Use the Power of Three

When organizing and displaying décor, Hinkle recommends using the number three as your guide. “Try to have natural elements in three places in the room. This could be a rattan chair in one corner, a wicker basket on a shelf and a jute rug by the patio door.” Take advantage of your entire room rather than having these items close together. “This will help your space feel balanced and intentional,” adds Hinkle. “This is the same rule for styling open shelving. Be sure to bounce the eye around and create an imaginary triangle with your natural element.”

Nature Everywhere

“Any room in your house can be a great option for nature-inspired elements,” Turchi and Kelly observe. “It’s not just an option for a sunroom anymore. Even bathrooms can be a great fit for nature.”

Kitchens are a perfect fit for plants, particularly herbs used in your favorite recipes. “Herbs usually require bright light or the addition of a grow light,” explains Salks. “Grow herbs like basil, parsley, rosemary, bay and more right in your home!” She notes that the amount of light is an important factor when you’re deciding where to place different plants. “You can speak to an associate at Riverview if you want to learn more about which plants can be placed in the type of light you have,” or if a grow light is needed.

Outdoor Ideas

As the weather warms up, you can immerse yourself in nature by maximizing your time outside. Enhance your landscaping for a custom-created, relaxing retreat. “Sprucing up your outdoor space is an absolute game-changer,” says Hinkle. “Elevate your exterior because why should the inside have all the fun?” She suggests creating a welcoming space with comfy furniture, a stylish outdoor rug and rattan pendants for lighting. Hinkle also recommends placing pots of lavender and lemongrass in this area for a delightful scent that also deters mosquitoes.

Turchi and Kelly suggest utilizing a collection of unique pots to showcase flowers and greenery and adding rocks, pavers and walkways to divide and organize the space. “Sea grass can also add dimension and texture to your landscaping.” Consider practical elements for comfort and accessibility day or night. “Don’t forget to incorporate some outdoor seating areas and solar lights to create an inviting ambiance to your outdoor spaces,” they add.

Looking ahead to next year, Diane Salks, president of Riverview Tree & Landscaping Inc. and Riverview Gardens & Gifts, advises planning ahead by researching plants. “If you have ideas but don’t know where to start, you can always bring pictures of your landscape into Riverview, and we will help inform you about what elements to consider and which plants might work for your space,” Salks says. “It’s great to know how much direct light a landscape has and in what time frames. If you know what your soil is like, that is helpful information as well (is there good drainage, lots of clay, shale or does it retain water?).”

Hurst is enthusiastic about using early blooming plants like witch hazel and winter honeysuckle. “Witch hazel is very fragrant,” he says. “It smells like spring and it's just amazing. They're not as showy as forsythia, but they're much more sophisticated.” For brilliant color across three seasons, Hurst recommends redbud trees. “The most popular one right this minute is called Flamethrower. I believe it's got hot pink flowers, then followed by some really bright foliage mixture of yellow, orange and burgundy,” he adds.

Both Hurst and Salks recommend using sound to enhance your outdoor landscape. Salks likes the soothing sounds of water in a fountain or pond while Hurst is a fan of windchimes. His nursery carries a large bell from Woodstock Chimes called a Heroic Windbell. “They have a really nice, low tone, almost like a church bell,” he explains. “It’s a really calming sound.

Get Creative & Be Bold

No matter which natural elements speak to you, have fun with the process and experiment to discover what works best for your home. “Don’t underestimate the impact that the colors of nature can have on your living space,” Turchi and Kelly say. “Whether it's through the use of paint colors, decor, window treatments, furniture or all of the above, there are countless ways to bring nature indoors and enjoy the soothing effects it has on our mind, body and soul.”