Bringing the outdoors in with organic textures and nature-inspired colors is nothing new. In fact, our spring 2020 trend spotlight was titled “Return to Nature.” As the days grow shorter and cooler, however, our desire to surround ourselves with reminders of the natural world grows, as we seek a haven from the demands of our fast-paced, increasingly digital lifestyle.
This autumn in particular, though, is about much more than that. For most of us, the past months limited our ability to discover, explore, and reconnect with art and culture firsthand. So now we’re hungry to reinterpret nature’s beauty through the lens of classic design and time-honored craftsmanship—or if you prefer, to savor classical elegance through a veil of nature.
Below we show how you can bring home the organic-meets-urbane trend no matter what your style. Even if you don’t consider yourself a New Traditionalist, an Eclectic, a Naturalist, or a Curator—the four most popular styles of our audience—you’re sure to pick up some ideas on how to find your ideal balance of the natural and the classical. And that, more than anything else, is what transforming your home into a haven is all about.
Sea-grass doors in a classic rush weave bring organic allure to an otherwise simple mahogany sideboard. Elements such as the amphora-inspired vase and the classical bust atop the sideboard, the pedestal bowl on the table, and the botanical art on the wall show how beautifully Old World elegance complements earthy textures.
The New Traditionalist’s Haven
New Traditionalists love the classics, from chinoiserie urns to Louis-style chairs. But they also appreciate innovative interpretations of classic style. So their organic-meets-elegant haven will include earthy materials such as rattan, sisal, sea grass, and wood incorporated into timeless shapes and motifs. A chandelier, for instance, might have swags of wood beads in lieu of crystals; a table, étagère, or nightstand with a classic shape might be wrapped in abaca rope; a diamond pattern can be rendered on a sisal rug. The simplest way a New Traditionalist can bring the outdoors in? By adding some botanical art to the walls or a no-maintenance faux-floral arrangement to a tabletop.
A zebra-print hide rug, hand-thrown table lamps, a Dawn Wolfe chinoiserie print next to a Slim Aarons photograph, a sleek bench topped with a toasty sheepskin and a bevy of pillows (including the dotted Dahlia in two colorways): What do they have in common? Stellar craftsmanship, classic themes, and an emphasis on quality materials that allow them to work beautifully together.
The Eclectic’s Haven
Eclectics are all about the mix, and this season encourages plenty of mixing. Partially unglazed pottery and highly polished metal, live-edge tables and abstract art: If you love ’em, they’ll work together. That goes for colors too. Feel free to incorporate the sun-warmed yellows and ocean blues of summer as well as the crimsons and golds of autumn foliage—Mother Nature’s palette is foolproof. And make room for a dash of whimsy. Chandeliers with arms shaped like tulips, sunburst mirrors framed in wood rather than gold, and rugs made from scraps of hide stitched together to form Pop Art patterns are just a few ways to do so in a naturally elegant (or elegantly natural) way.
Faux-fur throws, leather pillows, and animal prints show how luxurious natural influences can be. Items shown above include the Further pillow (far left and far right), the Evie lumbar pillow (center), the Mia Faux-Fur Throw in timber wolf, and on top of the throw, the Abby lumbar pillow.
The Naturalist’s Haven
Naturalists were the first to bring the outdoors in via rattan and rush baskets, grass-cloth wall coverings, and jute and sisal rugs. Now’s the time to elevate the look with luxe touches. After all, the past few months have been challenging, and we could all do with some pampering. For the Naturalist that could mean wrapping yourself in a plush faux-fur throw while relaxing outdoors in the glow of a fire table or sinking your feet into a hide or sheepskin rug layered atop the jute floor covering that served you well throughout the summer.
Made of sustainably sourced horns from kudus, a type of African antelope, this handcrafted floor lamp has a sculptural presence, making it ideal for the Curator. Also shown above: Figure I by Hayley Mitchell; the Bridget Swivel Club Chair in ivory linen with a reclaimed-wood base that leans into the organic theme; and a faux-fur pillow that looks and feels like Tibetan lambswool.
The Curator’s Haven
For the Curator, only the best will do. In terms of materials, that means the lushest velvet upholstery, the plushest alpaca and cashmere throws, the most richly figured mahogany and walnut furniture. Artisanal touches are important too, especially when they incorporate nature themes, such as embroidered garlands and laurels adorning crisp cotton sheets and thirsty towels. Above all, the Curator embraces bold lines and strong silhouettes. These include sculptural organic elements, such sustainably sourced horns adorning a coffee table, and natural materials such as alabaster, marble, or teak sculpted into geometric trays, lamps, or objets.
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