Senin, 14 Oktober 2013

Using Natural Curiosities In Your Home

By Catalina Nielsen


People have always enjoyed bringing fascinating objects from the natural world in their homes. In days gone by this was probably limited to random shell collections and bunches of dried flowers. Today strikingly beautiful natural curiosities are being sold that bring all the mystery and beauty found outside into the home in an inspiring way.

Long ago when explorers discovered a new species, they would have to draw the item as they could not just take a photograph like we can today. These drawings were then engraved onto plates and many of these are still in existence today. These prints are sought after and have found their way into many modern interiors.

Human beings have always had desire to collect items found in nature. It was from Renaissance times that wealthy men began filling cabinets and even whole rooms with these objects. Albertus Seba became very well known for his collection. He commissioned illustrations of every specimen he collected - from snakes, frogs, corals, shellfish to strange plants - and published these in catalogs.

Curiosities are no longer found just in cabinets but are now used in many different rooms, adding an organic feel wherever they appear. Care is taken in how they are displayed to gain maximum impact. A single item can make a difference to a display such as a pair of antlers appearing on a wall together with twisted branches. Items may also be grouped according to age and style, such as a vintage suitcase stacked with old volumes and a vintage print of a bird hanging above it.

A good way to bring nature into the home is through the use of prints. A single print of an octopus, alligator or turtle can create major design impact when enlarged. Botanical prints have always been popular and work well with the variety of natural materials like wood and stone being used in homes.

Prints can work extremely well when grouped together to form a balanced display. Identical frames help to unify the composition. Colors and subject matter must work together. For example, oceanographic prints with a color palette of greys, blues, blacks and whites compliment one another and create a display well suited to a minimalistic interior.

Moss collages and scans of the skeletons of seahorses are some of these unusual items that can add instant fascination to any interior. Some objects like skulls, bones and antlers are considered rather creepy by some people whilst others love them. Antlers have become very trendy of late, being seen in many interiors where they are used in many different ways. Groups of antlers on a wall can have an effective impact, whilst a single pair teamed with other objects from nature like branches can be just as striking. They are even being used in other unusual ways, for example as chandeliers. Skulls and bones with their interesting shapes and neutral color also suit minimalistic interiors.

Natural curiosities have always inspired us. We love looking at them, collecting them and today they add that organic element we desire to our homes. The sources of inspiration for creativity found in the colors and shapes of objects like leaves, flowers, birds and butterflies are endless. These elements may be used individually or combined in interesting ways. Such items are available at interior design stores, many of which can be found online.




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