Bringing The Outside In
As the weather warms up, our thoughts naturally turn to outside entertaining and all the joys that it brings. But we needn't wait for the sun to shine in order to enjoy the great outdoors. This Spring/Summer, the world of interior design is influenced by all things natural, organic, fresh and botanical. We look at some practical and beautiful ways to apply this trend to your home.
Natural Wood Finishes
The outside in trend lends itself perfectly to wooden tables and chairs. But instead of highly planed finishes, think tactile and natural. Designers are leaning towards materials that look ready-chopped, with a natural, warm finish that is reminiscent of log cabins and driftwood. That’s not to say that pieces are badly finished, far from it. These items are lovingly made and finished in lacquer to bring out the beauty of the natural wood underneath – imperfections and all.
Get the look: this Wild Oak Side Table in Natural White Finish is the perfect complement to your spring/summer interiors. Each table is unique, with its own subtle colour variation, leaving nature’s imperfections to take centre stage. The wild oak top is simply beautiful: hand made and solid, with three black metal legs to support vases, drinks or books. Layers of lacquer, lovingly applied, protect the beauty of the wood, bringing out the natural grain while ensuring that your table is well-protected from wear and tear. The Wild Oak Side Table in Black Finish has a stronger look that will work well with a monochrome interior.
"On a recent trip to America we discovered the 1hotel group and were blown away by the ‘outside in’ trend. The shapes and the finishes were simply stunning and it really inspired our thinking with these pieces."
Strong, Natural Design Statements
For a dramatic ‘outside in’ statement, look no further than a column. Inspired by the majestic tree trunks of the rain forest, a column brings height and texture to your home, working perfectly as a statement piece on its own or as a platform for treasures and objects d art.
Get the look: this Teak Wood Column Black Finish is a simple, stunning centrepiece that brings the outside botanical to a dining or living room. The taller column stands just shy of a metre tall and has a surface area of 35cm (dia) – perfect for displaying lovely things, or as a platform on which to rest a rest a glass of something sparkly. Its smaller counterpart, at 40cm high and 40cm wide, works perfectly as a side table. Pair them together for a really dramatic nod to the outside in trend.
Palm & Rattan
Last year’s love of tropical means that more of us than ever don’t just want a palm tree print – we want the real deal. When you literally decide to bring the outside in, just make sure to check the ‘matured height’ of your plant – palms come in different shapes and sizes. The only question remaining is: what is the best planter for my palm? You want it to look and feel natural to complement the outside in trend. We have the perfect piece...
Get the look: We love this all-natural looking Bamboo Palm Basket. The heavy weave has an artisan quality and recalls time spent watching craftsmen perfecting their craft. The look is truly organic, with a natural, matt finish. With a thick, durable liner, you simply need to add your palm to bring the outside in.
Tactile Ceramics
The outside in trends makes itself felt in ceramics too, which have a tactile look more akin to the planters that you would find in the grounds of an established country house. This bold trend is all about a natural, artisan feel with detailing that embraces the textures of the medium used.
Get the look: the Vertas Ceramics Cement Pot Deco is a beautiful ceramic bowl that will bring a touch of botanical elegance to your home. It’s beautiful hand-crafted finish and touchable cross-hatched detail is modern yet timeless. At 36cm (w) x 24cm (h), this is a substantial piece. To bring more of the outside in, fill with cacti or succulents to breathe gorgeous shades of green into your living space.
Hurricane Lanterns
Hurricane lanterns have a romantic quality which evokes times spent travelling, hiking in the forests or breathing in the surf. These elegant pieces allow you to create a beautiful, cosy light while experiencing the joy of life outdoors. Hurricane lanterns are a key look for this spring. Design-wise, they are elegant yet functional, with beautifully shaped, hand-crafted glass.
Get the look: this Glass Vase/ Hurricane on Terracotta Dish by Gommaire is an understated yet stunning centrepiece that doubles up as an elegant vase or hurricane lantern when paired with a candle such as this Olive Candle from our collection. Featuring the distinctive Gommaire ‘G’, this piece embraces the outside in trend in another way too: each piece is mouth-blown, so leaves behind natural air bubbles and slight spirals that only add to the beauty of the piece.
Handwoven Rattan
The outside in trend doesn’t just lend itself to display pieces. Even your most functional items, such as laundry baskets and storage boxes, can now be made from handwoven rattan and bring a touch of the outdoor plantation to your interiors.
Get the look: this Rattan Planter Natural Finish is a beautiful piece that’ll bring a natural, organic feel to your home. True to the outdoor in design trend, this angular planter is handwoven so retains the little imperfections that make your piece unique. Perfect for storing small items or filling with potted natural foliage or mini ferns.
At Creatd, we would love to help you bring the outside in to your home. All of the pieces here are available from our website, with free shipping on orders over £75 (UK mainland).