Many of my friends have discussed the struggles the world is currently experiencing and know we are blessed to live in a peaceful country. We say we feel helpless and, like many, are unable to cope with the world out there and are retreating to manage our immediate place, our ‘village’. At the same time, interior design and homeware stores highlight the trends of eco-products, recycling and bringing nature and organic aspects in to our homes to create a space of inner balance.
Wood
When I studied art, I saw a wonderful documentary asking a child to draw nature and they instantly drew a tree. The point is that a tree is a symbol of our connection to the earth. I live in a Berlin apartment and in summer, I feel as if I am a squirrel in a treehouse with lovely silver birches whispering around me. Another friend actually rubs huge trees as she believes they give you a natural immunity!
Consider the varieties of wood and other plants to use and which resonates with your sense of nature. Soft honey pines, dark and rich mahogany, bamboo or solid, rich oak. We have a lovely French farmhouse table in a soft pear wood and it has travelled around with us, offering a sense of history and continuity. There is a reason that wood floors opposed to carpets is considered appealing. Check out my Feng Shui post on why we resonate with the element of wood. There are many places where you can buy reclaimed wood beams, railway sleepers and recycled pieces from old homes. In a past home, our fire place had an ugly old mission brown wood mantlepiece. We stripped it and revarnished it to bring out the rich grain of the oak. In our French apartment, we have lovely old beams but these are a not a positive Feng Shui element so we have whitewashed them and they add a sense of style which we love.
Stone
The earth elements can be seen in soft sand tones of beige and caffe latte colours. I love these colours as they remind me of the sea. However; I recommend avoiding the muddy, khaki colours as they are just depressing! Soft stone tiles on the floor or the bathroom are gentle on the feet and can offer a sense of grounding as can a renovated stone wall. A stone kitchen bench adds a natural element to a kitchen and we bought a laminate that looks like aged concrete. When renovating our Berlin kitchen, we stated that we didn’t want a plastic laminate and pointed to the concrete-looking kitchen display. We were astonished to find it was laminate – it has come a long way since the 1970s and offers an alternative to stone that can stain and chip.
Water
Being a Feng Shui practitioner, water is an important element and needs to be used carefully as it can add too much energy and emotion.https://interiorharmonyblog.com/2019/07/21/feng-shui-basics-water/ A gentle fountain in the right spot offers a sense of inner harmony. Water can also be represented in art work of the sea and lakes, a gentle reminder of the beach.
Fabrics
There are some wonderful linens, cottons, wool and silks but they can be expensive. A friend is currently focused on how we are buying cheap polyester clothes and homewares that not bio-degradable. Check out labels before you buy. I have bought cheap cotton bedlinen and towels in the Zara Home sales and they offer an instant refreshed look to the bedroom.
Plants and Flowers
There are wonderful and inexpensive silk flowers you can buy. If you are able to grow plants, create a herb garden or add plants to offer a sense of green to your space. I am not great with plants and am fortunate to live amongst trees. I do use a metal plant holder and frequently change annual pot plants in summery colours. It gives an instant lift and makes me smile to see a bumble bee hovering over the flowers looking for a landing pad.
