Nature- the mother of all inspiration.

Close-up of garden-themed embroidery on a dress from Bambah.

The Nature theme as inspiration for fashion, home and lifestyle products has been popular for some time now, so it comes as welcome news when leading colour authority Pantone announced in early December that Greenery is the Colour of the Year 2017.  It is a natural (mind the pun) development since the botanical theme came onto the scene last year and will continue to play a key role in 2017.

Vibrant colours for floral jacquards and brocades for AW17 as presented at Premiere Vision, Paris, September 2016.

Photo © Lucia Carpio

Enchanting garden-themed fabrics for SS17 as seen at Premiere Vision, Paris, February 2016.
Photo © Lucia Carpio

All things floral and botanical were shown in a myriad of fabric bases at the prestigious Premiere Vision textile trade fairs in Paris in February and September this year.

Eden silk scarf by designers Shan Jiang and Ying Wu at Pig Chicken Cow of London. 

Dream girl silk scarf from Cleo Ferin Mercury for SS16.

And throughout the year, botanical prints have been a driving force in interior design.

Terrarium-printed floor cushion from Hothouse.

And then, the notion of incorporating the outdoors and plant life into interior design has become a key driver.

Tom Dixon's Tank vases also available at Heal's.
Photo © Lucia Carpio

Lantern Terrariums from Oliver Bonas.

Terrariums and inspirations bring a calming effect to indoor spaces

Not all of us have a garden or outdoor space in our homes, especially if we live in the city.  Thus we see the popularity of terrariums rising, enhancing the trend of bringing the outdoors into our homes.

A selection of lantern shaped terrariums and mini glass houses aailable at UK retailer Oliver Bonas.  

Sophie Thompson, who founded Terrarium Designs, has launched a range of home products called Hothouse that refreshingly bring the outdoors in through her designs.  Inspired by the orchid exhibition at London's Kew gardens in which the tropical glasshouses are filled with a vast variety of beautiful flowers, the fabric design has a botanical narrative that captures the abundance of beautiful colourful blooms alongside the lush tropical foliage.

Hothouse seat cushion from Terrarium Designs.

Hothouse lampshade from Terrarium Designs.

Coming from a family background in antique dealing, Sophie’s style is influenced by the elegance of the past as well as her love for contemporary design. These contrasting elements combined to form Terrarium.  She creates colourful handmade homewares inspired by botanical beauty, bringing nature from the exterior into the home. The web-based store features a selection of home products, from cushions of different sizes to lampshades, glass coasters and re-upholstered antique furniture.

Hothouse floor cushion from Terrarium Designs

Inspiration for Terrarium's design collection undoubtedly is drawn from a deep fascination with our interaction with nature and by capturing nature through insightfully delicate illustrations and contemporary digital processes create dramatic, detailed designs that bring a sense of serenity in today's uncertain world.

And in search of that peace, I am pleased to have enrolled myself in an introduction class to learn how terrariums can be achieved.