LIFESTYLE DOMICILE
TRANSFORM YOUR HOME WITH
NATURE-INSPIRED FLAIR EXPLORE A STYLE THAT STRIKES A CHORD BETWEEN IMPRESSIVE SOPHISTICATION AND SERENE COMFORT. BY MARK HAGEN
T
he moment I walked into Inspired, a furnishing and design store in the Third Ward, I was amazed by the shop’s utter elegance combined with an overall feeling of calm and serenity. Not only was I instantly taken with the comfy couches, textured pillows and whimsical accents, but I quickly realized I was surrounded by one of the hottest trends in home décor… enhancing spaces with nature-inspired elements. “It’s easy to find inspiration in the beauty, creativity and balance of nature,” says Terry Peterson, owner of Inspired. “Every design project integrates some element of nature to infuse every space with life. Casual, sophisticated spaces always include the calming forces of nature.”
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Shepherd Express
Fall is an ideal time to imbed your space with natural elements. “In Wisconsin, we are beginning a season of ‘hibernation,’ therefore we need all the signs of life we can get to keep us sane,” laughs Peterson. Whether adding warmth to a downtown condo or embellishing a cabin up north, Wisconsin homeowners are bringing the outdoors inside. From botanical prints to furnishings with striking wood detail, decorating with nature-infused elements is as easy and rewarding as it is impressive and stylish.
GETTING STARTED Just how quickly can you transform a room to reflect Mother Nature’s touch? Instantly, according to Peterson: “Simply take a walk
outside and bring in some elements that inspire you,” she says. “In any given season, you’ll find an interesting piece of driftwood on my entry table. Dried hydrangeas in a vase, pinecones in a bowl, sand in a candle holder or fresh boxwood cut from the backyard… nature is always right!” This style might explain the recent interest in home terrariums. “For years, we sold live terrariums, created in apothecary or other jars that include plants and various natural materials,” Peterson explains. “We add things like driftwood from the shores of Lake Michigan, feathers from a recent hike or other interesting organic finds.” Best of all, terrariums quickly spruce up small spaces, need little light and don’t require much maintenance. Illustrations by Nata Slavetskaya/Getty Images Photo by CreativeStudio/Getty Images
