I am allergic to everything and I am not exaggerating. This annoying situation does not prevent me from longing to be outdoors all the time or at least feel like I am close to the outdoors. Everytime I move, and my moves have been considerable, I attempt to modify the latest home environment into a space that is reminiscent of the outdoors.
I need green trees, azure waters, cottony skies, mossy rocks, and delicious breezes.
The problem is that I have city girl allergies and a country girl's wants, so I adapt my spaces to accomodate said issues.
Outside of a giant mural of a waterfall in Hawaii, there are tons of ways to give space some green and sunshine without having to call a paramedic.
Bring some flowers home
I buy a bouquet of fresh flowers often and keep them in a pretty vase in my kitchen. In the spring I keep some on the front porch that are visible through the front room glass.
Try a sisal rug or botanical print pillows
The easiest way to introduce the outdoors into your space is through textiles. Each room in my house has rugs, pillows, upholstery, or drapes that connect me to the wide open spaces. In my old dining room, I hung sheers with embroidered leaves to obscure an unslightly view of the city street. In my guest room, I placed pillows with shells and sealife. The kitchen has a botanical fabric as the basis for roman shades. Maybe for summer I could use cottony white muslin with bright coral pillows. I will be on the lookout for deep green velvet and menswear fabrics in the colors of an evergreen forest for this fall.
Paint your space with the outdoors
I like to pick up the colors from the seasons and repeat them indoors with paint on the walls, ceilings, and furniture too. If the kitchen has nice windows and a beautiful lawn beyond, paint it a lovely soft grass green. Add a pale blue ceiling to the bath or bedroom. You could paint a peice of furniture, maybe a small chest or chair the exact shade of sunset orange. I painted one room the color that reminded me most of fall, so it was dubbed the acorn squash room. In one home, I painted trees on the top half of my dining room walls. For an afternoon project this spring, I think I will paint a small table the hot saturated pink of summer flowers.
Create the sounds with a fountain or move air with a fan
For the sounds of a murmuring brook, purchase a small fountain or buy the parts from the local home improvement store. Keep it simple and add some moss and rocks. In the breakfast room, I have always wanted to have one of those plantation fans that looks like large woven leaves that overlap to move a breeze through the room.
Uncover the windows
By far the thing I encourage most is to open up the drapes or blinds and let the light shine in. The best views should be celebrated with the best window treatments that can be opened and out of the way. I rarely use valances or print fabric drapes, because sometimes over-decorating the windows takes away from the views and looks messy.
Accessorize to reflect your favorite outdoor space
In a pale citrus green room with a white canvas covered sofa, add pillows in bright yellow, citrus green, and charcoal. The rug could be an outdoor rug in a simple jute or natural stripe. Accessorize with white bowls and large glass vases with white or charcoal stones on the coffee table. Then flank the sofa with upcycled green ceramic jar lamps. Under the window, place a vintage desk painted yellow with a vase of fresh flowers and family photographs of ocean vacations on the walls. Faux seagrass in charcoal planters or peace lillies in groups keep it green. Botanical print chairs with sisal and yellow bolsters fill out this sunporch inspired room.
Use art to bring the outdoors in
I select paintings of landscapes such as the oil painting of a Mississippi river with lush green foliage and spanish moss to connect to the outside. A sealife shadowbox, a watercolor of the Appalachians, or a photo of my family at the lake reminds me of sea breezes or mountain air. When I go on vacation, I bring home these art piece treasures as my souvenirs.
So if you need a pick me up, surround yourself with some nature inspired decor to make you feel closer to nature the great outdoors.
Livin' gluten free and fabulous,
Kim
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I need green trees, azure waters, cottony skies, mossy rocks, and delicious breezes.
The problem is that I have city girl allergies and a country girl's wants, so I adapt my spaces to accomodate said issues.
Outside of a giant mural of a waterfall in Hawaii, there are tons of ways to give space some green and sunshine without having to call a paramedic.
Bring some flowers home
I buy a bouquet of fresh flowers often and keep them in a pretty vase in my kitchen. In the spring I keep some on the front porch that are visible through the front room glass.
Try a sisal rug or botanical print pillows
The easiest way to introduce the outdoors into your space is through textiles. Each room in my house has rugs, pillows, upholstery, or drapes that connect me to the wide open spaces. In my old dining room, I hung sheers with embroidered leaves to obscure an unslightly view of the city street. In my guest room, I placed pillows with shells and sealife. The kitchen has a botanical fabric as the basis for roman shades. Maybe for summer I could use cottony white muslin with bright coral pillows. I will be on the lookout for deep green velvet and menswear fabrics in the colors of an evergreen forest for this fall.
Paint your space with the outdoors
I like to pick up the colors from the seasons and repeat them indoors with paint on the walls, ceilings, and furniture too. If the kitchen has nice windows and a beautiful lawn beyond, paint it a lovely soft grass green. Add a pale blue ceiling to the bath or bedroom. You could paint a peice of furniture, maybe a small chest or chair the exact shade of sunset orange. I painted one room the color that reminded me most of fall, so it was dubbed the acorn squash room. In one home, I painted trees on the top half of my dining room walls. For an afternoon project this spring, I think I will paint a small table the hot saturated pink of summer flowers.
Create the sounds with a fountain or move air with a fan
For the sounds of a murmuring brook, purchase a small fountain or buy the parts from the local home improvement store. Keep it simple and add some moss and rocks. In the breakfast room, I have always wanted to have one of those plantation fans that looks like large woven leaves that overlap to move a breeze through the room.
Uncover the windows
By far the thing I encourage most is to open up the drapes or blinds and let the light shine in. The best views should be celebrated with the best window treatments that can be opened and out of the way. I rarely use valances or print fabric drapes, because sometimes over-decorating the windows takes away from the views and looks messy.
Accessorize to reflect your favorite outdoor space
In a pale citrus green room with a white canvas covered sofa, add pillows in bright yellow, citrus green, and charcoal. The rug could be an outdoor rug in a simple jute or natural stripe. Accessorize with white bowls and large glass vases with white or charcoal stones on the coffee table. Then flank the sofa with upcycled green ceramic jar lamps. Under the window, place a vintage desk painted yellow with a vase of fresh flowers and family photographs of ocean vacations on the walls. Faux seagrass in charcoal planters or peace lillies in groups keep it green. Botanical print chairs with sisal and yellow bolsters fill out this sunporch inspired room.
Use art to bring the outdoors in
I select paintings of landscapes such as the oil painting of a Mississippi river with lush green foliage and spanish moss to connect to the outside. A sealife shadowbox, a watercolor of the Appalachians, or a photo of my family at the lake reminds me of sea breezes or mountain air. When I go on vacation, I bring home these art piece treasures as my souvenirs.
So if you need a pick me up, surround yourself with some nature inspired decor to make you feel closer to nature the great outdoors.
Livin' gluten free and fabulous,
Kim
about the author
MORE POPULAR POSTS
to share this post with photo, click on title and choose facebook or other icon
