Tag Archive for: interior

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Nordic Design Ideas

The distinctive interior style known as ‘Nordic Design’ has been around since the 1950s, flourishing in the five Nordic countries – Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. 

This style embraces three keywords:

  • Minimalism 
  • Simplicity
  • Functionality. 

Nordic design is currently proving extremely popular in private homes, restaurants and in the corporate environment because it is a look that is fresh, very functional whilst also welcoming. To execute this look, always create with an eco-friendly and sustainable approach in mind.

Having said that, there is no single Nordic Design.  Rather it is more of a state of mind and lifestyle choice that oozes understated elegance. It is best described by the Danish word Hygge; feeling of warmth, cosiness and well-being.

The nordic design definitely preceded minimalism and in fact championed it! The ethos of this style is that the space should look light and airy and that the focus should be on the simple lines of the furniture. Both light and air should be able to flow freely through the room.

Materials

Natural elements such as wood, stone and plants are really important. Wood is very popular and is used for cladding walls and ceilings to add warmth and texture. Instead of carpets, natural or painted wooden floors are much preferred. 

Colour 

The colour palette focuses on soft hues and plenty of natural shades such as white, creams, coffee shades and cool greys. Other colours used include the softest shades of pink and blue.

Furnishing

Furniture designs are very important as the piece must be stylish with clean lines and made with great craftsmanship. Shape is vital and each item of furniture should have a beautiful silhouette. In Nordic-style rooms, ‘a little is definitely more’ with few ornaments and absolutely no clutter. 

Soft furnishings are also in mellow tones, but texture is really important for cushions, rugs and throws. Introduce colourful accents with these items too – rich gold or strong turquoise being popular choices. 

Nordic Lighting

Light is an essential consideration as the room must be light and bright to achieve a livable finish. Windows are large and bare with no dressings to maximise the amount of daylight coming in. 

Artificial Nature 

One of the easiest ways to introduce a natural splash of colour – and one that is regularly used by Nordic designers – is to introduce indoor plants. Some types of indoor plants are perfect to use to complement this style as they soften the lines in a lovely natural way. Strategically place one or two plants, including a large dramatic plant with lush green foliage. 

Amongst the popular varieties to use for Nordic designs are:

  • Large orchids
  • Philodendrons 
  • Rubber Plants (Ficus Robusta).
  • Pots of Sansevieria Trifasciata – more commonly known as ‘snake plants’ or ‘mother-in-law’s tongue’.

These can help mirror the clean clear-cut lines of a Nordic style room perfectly. To create some interest in a corner or on top of a wall unit, Golden Pottos (Scindapsus Aureus) is a lovely leafy trailing plant that will do the job perfectly! 

You can accommodate these with the perfect planters.  Choose those in natural materials such as terracotta or wicker.

To complete the look in true Nordic style, add a couple of pieces of high-quality ceramics and some candles. After that, relax in this perfectly curated Nordic style room and enjoy the Hygge…

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    Do Artificial Plants Affect Feng Shui Energies?

    The seasons are changing and with that change comes an exciting chance to bring a new and positive vibe into living space using the powers of Feng Shui.

    You may or may not believe in this age-old Eastern philosophy however, it may be a great wealth of inspiration if you have hit the proverbial brick wall.

    What is Feng Shui?

    Originating in China over 6000 years ago, Feng shui means “fēng ‘wind’ and shuǐ ‘water’”.  Two of the earth’s natural flowing elements.

    Considered a  “pseudoscience”, it is a method that uses the position of one’s body and the objects in a given space to create a sense of balance and harmony. It is believed that how you arrange a space can affect how energy (chi) flows through it.

    Plants play a pivotal role in the art of Feng Shui, representing growth and new beginnings. They are related to the wood element in the feng shui Bagua map, helping to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and improve productivity among other things. 

    Who wouldn’t want this additional boost to help create a calm yet productive lifestyle?

    But where do artificial plants fit in the grand scheme of interior decoration and how do they affect the Feng shui? Feng shui interior design

    Are Artificial plants Ok to use?

    Sure real plants provide great energy – as long as they are getting all the necessary nutrients and light. However, plants that are lacking in these things will eventually die and that death will then go on to create a negative vortex of energy!

    Although faux plants may not generate the same natural energies – principles teach us that it is not all about the material of the object. The beauty of a high standard faux plant is that its low maintenance removes the stress of continuous upkeep, providing a psychological impact of uplifting energy.

    So the straight answer is …YES! Faux plants most definitely have a part to play in the teachings of Feng Shui. 

    3 Tips to Create Better Feng Shui Using Artificial Plants

     

    1. Use plants with a natural flow and aesthetic appeal

    Go for a leafy rounded plant that displays a smooth texture. According to the teachings of Feng Shui, a plant rich in colour can lift your mood at all times. 

    A blossoming plant promotes a sense of fresh life creating positive energy. As you know, a faux cannot blossom. So a great way around this is to opt for an artificial plant with a flowering effect. On the plus side, there won’t be any fallen leaves to clear up!

    2. Keep your artificial plants clean

    Whether you are using artificial or live, plants covered in dust will not aid in good energy dynamics. Wipe down your plant regularly – a clean artificial plant is way better than a dead or dirty natural plant. 

    Wiping down plant

    3. Know your limitations and work around them

    If it’s a large workspace you’re having to consider, give yourself the opportunity to play around with the internal landscape. If you happen to be in a small office space that may be shared,  consider a potted plant to make it easier to move around. 

    There are plenty of options for all kinds of spaces no matter the size, it just requires a little imagination.

    That’s the fun part!Feng Shui living room design

    If you’re a Feng Shui believer and you decide to go for artificial plants, you can expect to bring good health, wealth, harmonious relationships and career growth.

    These amazing natural looking ideas can be achieved with our diverse selection of artificial greeneries for the home and commercial spaces.