outside in

Getting cabin fever? Here are eight of the best ways to bring the natural appeal of the outdoors into your interiors

- 

A NEW LEAF

This apartment’s owner has opted for large-scale elements – including items of furniture and bold finishes – throughout her small city apartment. It’s a brave move, and one that’s certainly paid off: in the main bedroom this lush leaf-print wallpaper creates a dramatic, cocooning nature-inspired backdrop that enables its occupant to feel as if she is waking up in a tropical jungle rather than in the urban variety.

TOP TIP

A stylist and boutique retailer, the homeowner has confidently paired the printed linen wallcovering used here with antique French side tables, crystal hanging bedside lights and a Persian carpet.

GOOD WOOD 

Renovated over a number of years, with much of the work done by the owners, the suburban family home in which this shower area is situated is a real labour of love. “We did what we wanted and knew what we required for our family’s needs,” they say. The shower screen was made by hand over the course of a weekend, and brings a real feeling of the simplicity of the outdoors to this indoor space.

TOP TIP

Recreating this unpretentious look is all about replicating its use of materials: use salvaged wood to build a simple screen, paint the rear wall plain black, fit a vintage shower head and add adornments collected from nature – it all adds to the carefully considered rustic feel.

GO GARDENING