Botanical Abode

Using a botanical element in your home, whether it’s big or small, can really make an uplifting difference to your interiors. It’ll give you a constant fresh and light feeling, so that even on a rainy day there’s a little life in your rooms. There are some great ways to get creative with botanical interiors, and something to suit everyone.

Botanical Leaves in Frames from The Lovely Drawer via Pinterest

A collection of cuttings from real plants and bushes is a beautiful way to create a botanical presence in your home and fill a wall or room with some alternative artwork. You could use a whole garden of different types, or stick to one plant, using varied sizes of frames and cuttings for an interesting look. Nkuku have a wonderful selection of glass frames in, Antique Brass, Zinc, Copper and Silver finishes, so you’ll sure to find whatever look your trying to create.

Antique Brass Kiko Frame from Nkuku

Botanical prints are also a great way to introduce the theme into your home. They’d look lovely as a feature in a bathroom or guest bedroom. I love this print found on Pinterest; a vintage find which looks like it straight from a textbook or poster showing the different types of plants. It’s also an interesting look combining the botanical print with real-life plants, giving a 3D and interactive effect.

Vintage Botanical Print from Vibeke Design via Pinterest

These days you can find beautiful vintage prints on places like Etsy, or if you have a good root around some antique shops. I found this colourful print on Etsy, and would make a lovely base to a vintage collection or situated over a writing desk or console.

Botanical Chart from Bonnie and Bell at Etsy

A botanical print doesn’t have to be vintage though; if you’d prefer a contemporary take on the style, you could use something like this eucalyptus print from Desenio. It’s simple and elegant and would look gorgeous put in a set of three on a wall.

Eucalyptus Poster from Desenio

Go one step further than prints and really make an impact with botanical wallpaper. If you want to make a statement in a room a bold botanical print may be just what you need. Little Greene has the most glorious pattern, Upper Brook Street in Minuit will really light up a room. The pink and green really grabs your attention, while the dark background makes it amenable with a larger design scheme.

Upper Brook Street in Minuit from Little Greene

If you’ve fallen in love with the succulent trend that’s been happening over the last few years; take it one step further with this playful wallpaper. It’s got a slight Western feel to it, and would back a great little print for a downstairs loo.

The Rediscovered Paradise Succulents by Mind the Gap from Rockett St George

If that’s all a little too much for you, and you want to take things slow, introducing the theme through some cushions can be a great way to start off. This Fern print cushion from Rose & Grey is cool and contemporary; the perfect companion for a mid-century leather armchair.

Fern Printed from Rose & Grey

Finally, why not create a real life (or almost) botanical display with these faux roots and stems from Angel & Boho. A lovely way to create a unique botanical display in your home.

Rooted Branch Specimen from Angel & Boho

A little bit of botanical charm is good for the soul and your home, so find something that’s perfect for you and enjoy your fun and creative interior.

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Exterior Motives

Interior design is usually about the inside of the home, but it’s important to make sure that you don’t neglect your exterior in the process. Although we will spend little time looking at the outside of our home in comparison to the inside, it’s those small moments when we’re walking to our front door, or pulling up into the driveway that a well-crafted exterior will make all the difference. Sometimes it’s just about making a few small changes in order to create a huge difference, so here are some ideas to get you thinking about any exterior changes you could make.

Updating your lighting fixtures is a great way to give the front of your house a touch of your own character. If you want a wall light, this Calvi light from Astro would make a sweet accompaniment to your front door. It has a good blend of traditional and contemporary elements to it, making suitable for both types of houses, it comes in polished nickel but I think that this matt black is rather lovely.

‘Calvi Wall Light in Black’ from Astro

If you have the right structural elements and can hang a pendant lighting in your porch area you can really turn your lighting needs into a beautiful feature. For a little vintage glamour this Menton Lantern from The French House is a charming piece that’ll give your front door area a strong look.

‘Menton Hanging Lantern’ from The French House

To turn your path or driveway into an exciting feature, some well-placed lighting will do just the trick. John Cullen always have fantastic lighting solutions especially for the exterior of homes, these Kew LED Spotlights are great for helping to make a feature out of a plant border and giving some life to your front garden.

‘Kew Exterior LED Spotlights’ from John Cullen Lighting

When it comes to your exterior, sometimes all you may need to do if spruce up your front door which could just mean a lick of paint. If you love a bold, strong colour, a front door is the perfect place really express yourself; this pink door against the crisp white external walls makes a beautifully sweet but modern statement.

‘Pink Front Door’ by Look Linger Love via Pinterest

If you want to create more of a classic look, then a strong timeless colour will keep your front door looking lovely for years to come. Blue Gray by Farrow & Ball or Dock Blue by Little Greene in the examples below are great classic style staples.

‘Blue Gray by Farrow & Ball’ by Tone on Tone Antiques via Pinterest

 

‘Dock Blue’ by Little Greene

A great way to introduce some of your personal style is by finding some house numbers that suit not only your taste but the features of your home. These French enamel numbers from Willow & Stone are a sweet way to add a vintage feel to your front door, and will look especially great on the front of a small cottage style house, against a white wall.

‘Individual Enamel House Numbers’ from Willow & Stone

House numbers can be more than just a way to help out the postman, and you can really get creative with the way you display them. I found this interesting design in Pinterest which would make a great addition to a contemporarily styled exterior. The thin metal numbers are placed on a dark treat block of wood with a succulent feature added as well. It shows how you can turn a necessary part of your front door area into an interesting feature.

‘House Number’ from Interior Barn Doors via Pinterest

Other small ways you can update your front door is with a new post box or letter plate. This is a really great way to give a hint of your style, or to emphasise the house’s period or design. This Art Deco style letter plate from Grace and Glory Home has some interesting features to it, I especially like the curves in the design and the polished brass finish, all great Art Deco motifs.

‘Art Deco Letter Plate with Clapper in Polished Brass’ from Grace and Glory Home

This vintage post box from Melody Maison is full of style, and will give your front door area its own sense of style. The rustic design will look extra beautiful with some ivy growing up and around the post box.

‘Vintage Mounted Metal Post Box’ from Melody Maison

If you have the space, a few large planters can help to create the perfect exterior to your home, and even if you’re lacking in ground surface, a few smaller planters placed on the window sill or steps leading up to the door will still create a beautiful look. For a contemporary feel, keep it clean and simple with these cement style planters from Iota.

‘Fresco Cube Planter’ from Iota

For something unique, antique planters will really give your exterior an individual look. These planters from Violet Grey are mid-century and have a pretty style, one placed either side of your front will really create a warm, welcoming and glamorous look.

‘Mid-century Planters’ from Violet Grey

Dressing up your exterior is a great way for your home to give off an amazing first impression. Whether you want to play up to the home’s period or a particular style you love, or want to create a coherent and smart looking area, there are all kinds of ways to make sure that the outside is just as beautiful as the inside.

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