Keeping up with Covid – How to make your home work for you (Part 2)
Following on from my last post (I hope you have all found ways to create cosy spaces to escape), something I know many of us have found comfort in throughout this strange year is the outdoors. Whether that simply be the feeling of freedom that fresh air blowing through your hair gives you, or the great beauty of plants and flowers – a connection to nature is key right now! Depending on where you have been living, it might feel more difficult to get your green spaces fix. Those of us in cities may feel nature is in short supply, but I have some ideas that will help everyone with this, wherever you live.
Creating a connection with nature and the outdoors
‘Bring the outside in’ is a phrase we hear a lot – this does not have to mean huge floor-to-ceiling glazed doors that open up across a whole wall of your house creating a seamless indoor-outdoor kitchen-come-living space. Yes, it would be lovely, especially if British weather was more predictable and included a true summer! As such a large amount of glass and the building work that is required to do this amounts to quite a bit, it is not always an option. Here are some more realistic and creative options for bringing the wonders of the natural world inside your home.
Pattern
Go bold and introduce some nature inspired wallpaper into your space. Lucy Tiffney designs beautiful, striking, hand-painted wallpapers full of colour and botanical influences. Her wallpapers are designed, painted and printed here in the UK – even better!
If you are not quite ready for a whole wall of these botanical patterns, Lucy’s designs can also be found as fabric or as gorgeous blankets that you could use over your bed or sofa, or even hang as a piece of art. Check out all her work at www.lucytiffneyshop.com or follow her on instagram @lucytiffney.
Lagoon Cotton Blanket (180X135CM) by Lucy Tiffney.
Santa Fe wallpaper by Lucy Tiffney.
Colour
If pattern is not your thing, think about using colour to connect with the views outside as I have done for this bedroom – I used the view of the trees with their mix of green tones as reference for the wall colour and fabric accents. Greens work really well with neutral colours keeping a space feeling grounded and providing a space for relaxation and rejuvenation.
A lush green bedroom connecting with the view of the treetops outside.
Design by Amy Keast | Photography by Maciek Platek.
View of the plants in the window of the bridge extension at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge.
Photograph by Amy Keast.
Texture
Perhaps the most obvious option is house plants – they do not involve any permanent changes to the house itself so can work well for more temporary living. Rather than the more traditional incorporation of a select few plants dotted throughout an entire home, why not think bigger? Create your very own little jungle throughout your home or if you have a big window with lots of natural light coming in – this could become your inside garden. A great example can be found at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge. This was the home of Jim and Helen Ede, it is somewhere I find very inspiring. Jim’s appreciation of natural light is evident in this photo – the westerly aspect offers ever changing light, reflections and shadows, perfect for plants!
The combination of architecture, interior styling, furniture pieces and their incredible art collection all create a house that always has something new to offer its visitors. I would really recommend visiting in person when they re-open to get the full experience; but in the meantime they have a virtual tour available on their website to wet your appetite until they re-open.
I hope this gives you all some inspiration to create your very own green spaces and renews your connection with nature in some way. Share your spaces with me on instagram, I would love to see your creations!