Why You Should Use Natural Materials In Your Design

Why You Should Use Natural Materials In Your Design
Hauntingly Beautiful Estate Near Santa Barbara Reviving a Sense Of Awe
Perforated Brick Entrance Screen Defining Fairbairn Road House in Australia

Posted: 29 Aug 2014 01:29 AM PDT

Natural materials are good for the environment, your wallet, and your style. Image Via: Palm Design Group

You’ve probably been heard about the advantages of decorating with natural materials like marble, wood, metals, and clay. Chances are, you’ve also wandered what exactly counts as "natural". It’s okay, you’re not alone. In the world of interiors, “natural” is a broad term that encompasses any renewable resource that is harvested from the earth for use.

These days, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the quality of the products that they use – and rightly so. Products that are less processed are better for you and the environment. As people add more organically-farmed whole foods into their diets and start to DIY chemical-free versions of household products, taking a similar approach to interior design is the next logical step.

If you're still hesitant about jumping on the bandwagon, listen up. You're missing out. Read on to find out why renewable resources are the way to go when it comes to your décor. You might just change your mind.

natural open concept Why You Should Use Natural Materials In Your Design

Read on to find out why you should work natural materials into your design. Image Via: Denali Custom Homes

Renewable Materials are Durable:

You've probably heard the old adage, "They don't make these things the way that they used to" and it's true. Think about the family heirlooms that have been given prominent places in your parents' living rooms. They are probably in relatively good shape compared to the commercially produced furniture you bought just a few years ago. One reason for the longer lifespan of those pieces is the builders' reliance on natural products.

Building materials that have beem harvested from the earth are extremely durable. Cork, which is made from the bark of cork trees, is incredibly springy. (Picture the way a wine cork retains its shape after being released from the bottle.) and unlikely to dent no matter what gets dropped on it. Granite is the hardest and densest natural stone, which helps maintain its luster and resist staining for longer than comparable materials.

Of course, for maximum durability these items require proper care. While each should be handled per the manufacturers instructions, but here are a few things to keep in mind: Always sand wood before staining or sealing it. Avoid acidic cleaners when wiping down stone and metals.

rustic kitchen Why You Should Use Natural Materials In Your Design

Natural materials are a good fit for areas that receive a lot of wear and tear. Image Via: Staprans Design

Your Interiors Will Be On-Trend:

Nature had a huge impact on our list of interior design trends and we're not the only ones. When it comes to creating a trendy interior, using green materials is definitely the way to go.

Designers are practically jumping at the chance to create products that bring nature into your home, which means you have the chance to incorporate them into nearly every aspect of your décor. Go big and make a statement with a copper bathtub. For a subtler feel, consider buying furniture made from eco-friendly fibers. Smaller still, add bamboo shades to your windows to keep out the afternoon sun.

Don't be afraid to mix materials either. Lighter bamboo flooring will really help a your large, wooden dining table to make a statement. Metal light fixtures will give a touch of glamour to nearly every style of design.

Modern living space1 Why You Should Use Natural Materials In Your Design

Use natural elements to give your space a sleek, fresh, and modern feel. Image Via: Butler Armsden

They Ensure A Timeless Decor:

Embracing a timeless style is key if you want your interiors to last. Who wants to redo their décor every few years as tastes change, especially if they'll circle back around into favor in a few more years? Sustainable materials tend to top the list of timeless styles since they've been around nearly as long as the concept of interior design itself.

Your first step is to choose a material that fits best with your personal style. If you love the relaxed feel of the Mediterranean style, go for clay and terra cotta. For a classical look, think about incorporating marble into your design. Those who prefer rustic surroundings know that those rooms should be all about wood.

Once you choose which material works best for you, think about how it should be worked into the space. Your best bet it is to go natural in the areas that you want to stay constant through trend cycles – usually the high-cost purchases. Flooring is a good bet, as is furniture, and even window shades.

marble bathroom2 Why You Should Use Natural Materials In Your Design

Natural materials rarely go out of style. Image Via: TR Building & Remodeling

They Give Your "Neutrals" Personality:

Ah, neutrals. These pieces are the backbone of any interior design project. Are they the most exciting element of your décor? Probably not, but, are they essential to your project's success. Every room needs a neutral element to make the bolder aspects of the décor pop and it should be sustainable.

Each aspect of your design that is harvested from nature will feature small, naturally occurring differentiations that give them less of a uniform (and less boring) look than, say, a tan painted wall. Every stone countertop has a different marbling pattern that varies by the area from which it was harvested in the quarry. Similarly, every wood floor will have in-grown imperfections that occur within the grain.

As you incorporate these materials into your design, embrace these quirks as part of the design. Using a lighter stain on your wooden furniture pieces will allow them to shine through. Consider picking up on the natural shade variation in your terra cotta flooring and incorporating it as an accent color in your design.

modern living room Why You Should Use Natural Materials In Your Design

Natural materials make neutrals pop. Image Via: Hartman Baldwin Design/Build

You’ll Get Better Quality, For Less:

Let's be honest, when people complain about an interior design project, they usually bring up the same two issues: the cost of the project and how long it will take to complete. If you are trying to keep to a tight budget, using reclaimed, renewable materials is the way to go.

Older pieces – from an era before deforestation and mass production – are often higher quality than the product we get today since there was a larger, healthier sample to from which to cherry pick the best product. In some cases, like mahogany wood, it may be next to impossible to get today. If you look in the right places, it's possible to get these high-quality pieces for a fraction of the cost of buying new.

Almost every area has a store of sustainable materials that are begging to be repurposed from old design projects. You just need to know where to look. Thrift stores and vintage websites, and freecycling groups are a great place to start. Those who are looking for a larger amount of material may want to place a call into their local historical society or even contact someone in a salvage yard.

As for how to use these pieces, there's no shortage of options. You could shape old barn wood into a mantle for your fireplace or turn a collection of broken ceramic dishes into a creative tabletop collage. Turn to design collection sites like Freshome to find your inspiration.

repurposed headbord Why You Should Use Natural Materials In Your Design

Repurpose old materials into a new project to get a better bang for your buck. Image Via: Capital Building

It goes without saying that using renewable materials in your interior design is good for the environment. Beyond that, it's also easy for your wallet and sense of style. There's really no downside. Take a look at our argument before you start your next home improvement project and we're sure you'll be a convert. Before you know it, these materials will have a prominent place in your interior design.

Are you a fan of sustainable materials? How have you incorporated them into your interior design?

The post Why You Should Use Natural Materials In Your Design appeared first on Freshome.com.

Hauntingly Beautiful Estate Near Santa Barbara Reviving a Sense Of Awe

Posted: 28 Aug 2014 02:25 PM PDT

This impressive Santa Barbara luxury home occupies a four acre piece of land in a gated community between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez mountains south of Los Angeles. Located in the vicinity of Santa Barbara, the home in the Cima del Mundo (“Top of the World”) community was imagined serving as dream home for anyone who appreciates both exclusive design and inspiring surroundings. Gathering ocean, mountain and harbor panoramic views from both indoors and spacious outdoor terrace, the luxurious home in Santa Barbara boasts six bedrooms, six bathrooms, media room, a stylish game room and a a guest suite to welcome everyone who will sooner or later use all the entertaining facilities. A four-car garage extends the invitation to friends and family.

With an impeccable outdoor appeal shaped like lawns and a pool side design fit for royalty, the this impressive home at 810 Cima Del Mundo is private and inspiring. Imagine swimming early in the morning, having breakfast on the terrace, followed by work in the elegant home office. How is that for a Monday morning plan?

The Mediterranean style estate was sold for $10,850,000 and the details showcased in photos by Jim Bartsch prove that it was worth every penny. Flooded with natural light through french doors and windows, overlooking impressive views and offering high quality in every detail, this luxury Santa Barbara home seems to have been made for entertaining and relaxing at home.

The post Hauntingly Beautiful Estate Near Santa Barbara Reviving a Sense Of Awe appeared first on Freshome.com.

Perforated Brick Entrance Screen Defining Fairbairn Road House in Australia

Posted: 28 Aug 2014 10:12 AM PDT

Taking on the challenges of a narrow site, Inglis Architects designed and developed Fairbairn Road House in a suburb of Melbourne, Australia. The project showcases a simple architectural language of masonry, timber and stone, with emphasis on the front facade: “The house presents itself to the public and does not seek refuge behind a fence. It was our ambition that the house engaged with its environment and the individual. A key strategy employed to do this involved layering up the front elevation to the street to create depth as opposed to a flat facade,” explained the architects.

The breezeway brick screen serves multiple purposes: it gives the property a sense of intimacy and it creates an extra landscaped area for outdoor relaxation. According to the official description, the steel entry canopy folds out between the screen welcoming you and it's at this point that there is a mental and physical threshold where one moves from the public to the private. Fairbairn Road House is structured on two levels, with the social areas located on the ground floor and the bedrooms elevated to the tree tops, for exceptional views.

The post Perforated Brick Entrance Screen Defining Fairbairn Road House in Australia appeared first on Freshome.com.