Nature’s Design is a monthly blog feature with interior design advice on making your personal space naturally beautiful.
Create a clear vision for your home, let nature’s inspiration lead the way.
You know how alive you feel when you’re out trekking amongst the trees? Lush greens greet your eyes, the smell of fresh air and pine, warm wood and rocks beneath your feet, water flowing at your destination.
I bet you have your favorite hikes or natural places, whether in the city or out of town. Have you asked yourself, “What makes these places feel so good?” Your answer to this question holds the key to your beautiful, inspired home.
If you’re happy with the way your home looks and feels, then move onto something more invigorating, please. If you’re looking for fun, inspiring homework that will change your space and have a super effect on your life, then keep reading.
Fun, Inspiring Homework:
1. Write down all the qualities you love about your favorite spots in nature and the natural elements that speak to you. If you like, take an excursion to your favorite natural spot with a friend and do the homework together.
2. Next, magazine-tearing time. Elle DeCor, Dwell, House Beautiful. After reading your list of nature-inspired qualities, look through 2-3 home décor magazines and pull out everything you LOVE. It doesn’t matter if it will “work” in your space as you see it. If you love it, tear it out!
3. Pretty fun so far, right?! Now it’s time to bring the pieces together. . Group like-type items together and notice the patterns of what you’ve pulled: colors, wood textures, furniture styles, lighting, etc. Review your list and see what elements are represented, i.e.: flowing water, lush greenery, open spaces, bright blue sky, cozy feeling. Anything missing? If so, see if you can find its physical representation in a second go ‘round of your mags.
4. Next it’s collage time. I call this the vision board for your home. Use a large piece of cardboard (at least 16 x 20). If you hate cutting and pasting, then make a beautiful binder to flip through, because looking at it regularly is what sparks action and fulfillment.
5. Collage notes: I cut out all my images first, cropping out the excess details. Then I lay out all my pictures, sometimes adding in a word or four that drive the message home (find these in your magazines or write them on paper with crayons or markers). I try different layouts until I LOVE it and it feels just right. Then glue down the layers —glue sticks work great. Everyone’s artistic process is unique, so use your own creative style to bring it to life. Make a mess, mishmash it all together – this is all about bringing who you really are and the beauty of nature into YOUR HOME, YOUR WAY.
6. When you’re done, it’s time to display your vision: hang it, frame it if you like, or put it somewhere private. The key is to look at it regularly. Let it seep into your subconscious and creative mind so you can ruminate on your heart’s desire for your home. As you get clear about the changes you want to make, you’ll notice furniture sales popping up with your perfect desk and friends urging you to let them help you paint. It’s like that. Life gives you what you want, once you’re clear, receptive and appreciative. It’s really quite magical.
Have FUN with it! I’d love to hear about your process and see your vision boards if you’re willing to share.
You can also look for Home Vision Board classes coming up this fall. Sign up for my mailing list at naturalbalance9.com/contact.htm if you’d like to be kept in the loop for upcoming events.
Piper Salogga
Piper Lauri Salogga writes the blog feature Nature's design a monthly blog feature with interior design advice on making your personal space naturally beautiful. Piper is the owner and principal of Natural Balance Home & Office. Wildly creative and spiritually sincere, Piper’s joy is to serve as a connection for transformation in her clients’ lives through conscious empowering design in their homes and offices. Piper is certified in Forms Theory from the Dragoumier Institute, School of Feng Shui. Her work has been featured in a variety of publications throughout the Northwest including The Seattle Times, Seattle PI, Puget Sound Business Journal, NW Asian Weekly, Journal Newspapers and more. You can find out more information about Piper and Natural Balance at: NaturalBalance9.com
* This post is from a Girl Power Hour featured blogger. It is not written, edited or endorsed by Girl Power Hour. The authors are solely responsible for content.
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