3 Ways to Bring Natural Texture into Your Home
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If you were to ask us what our favourite thing about interior design is, it would ultimately come down to its dynamism. Although certain elements are deemed classic or timeless, the reality is that styles are constantly shifting, making design such an exciting space to work in! After years of incredibly clean, minimal and contemporary spaces, we’re now seeing a shift toward design that has more depth and visual interest and ranges greatly from earthy to traditional. What all these spaces have in common though is that they exhibit character through the incorporation of liberal use of texture and natural elements.
The design mantra of today is to avoid committing the cardinal sin of creating a design that falls flat but rather layering in various tactile moments that invite touch. To illustrate what we mean, below we dissect 3 examples of how other designers have brought textural and natural elements into their designs for radically different results…
1. Layers of Linen & Plaster
In a living room that was once the stable of a centuries-old French farmhouse, Parisian interior designer, Jean-Louis Deniot and his sister and business partner, Virginie Deniot take cues from the exposed wood beams by adding design elements that both complement this natural element but also create desirable tension. Instead of opting for your typical coat of white paint, as is typical of Parisian designers, they made the bold move to apply a chocolatey hue with a textured plaster application. Linen pinch-pleat window treatments frame the French doors opening up to the yard, while clay pottery serves as vessels for branches, bringing the outdoors in. A cotton-linen upholstered sofa both elevates and grounds the space and is adorned with throw pillows of various textiles and trims to pick up on the stripes of the jute area rug. A three-dimensional plaster art piece hangs on the wall and nods to the home’s previous existence, while a tweed chaise long brings the space into the present day.
2. Layers of Textural Fabrics & Exposed Materials
Meanwhile, in a space that heirs on the side of transitional, a textural broadloom carpet that mimics the texture of sisal sweeps across the living room. Layered on top of it are knobbly boucle armchairs with natural, exposed-wood legs, a linen upholstered bench with a rugged hand and raw steel frame, an iron coffee table styled with a plastered vase of branches and terracotta pottery, and a white oak credenza towards the back. Juxtaposed with the traditional wood panelling painted in an elegant beige hue, the result is surprisingly sophisticated and serene but visually arresting with its natural rugged elements.
3. Layers of Stone & Wood
In a contemporary family room in Sydney, the designers at Alexander & Co. use an old technique to create a fresh look. Like the French farmhouse above, these walls are plastered but in this case, are white with a grey undertone, which complements the natural stone trim, and informs the selection of a sculptural natural marble coffee table with its grey veins. The choice to plaster the walls in this space is unexpected but nonetheless visually pleasing whilst paired alongside the otherwise modern room with its impressive wide-plank timber floors. The room is filled with small but impactful moments created by other natural materials such as the muted brass of two wall sconces and an iron-based table lamp with its linen pleated shade. Meanwhile, the hand-woven abstract area rug adds to the look with its earthy textures and tones plus welcome pops of blue, while further defining the space created by the Bellini sectional.
Wondering how to incorporate natural textures and layers into your home? Get in touch! Or watch our trend forecast from our previous post to learn more.
