I am a biophilic. I believe humans need a connection to nature to survive. Part of this biophilia is embodied in a house decorated with objects that reinforce my love of nature.
When I lived in North Carolina, I had items depicting mountains since I longed to live in them. When I moved to Colorado, I brought those watercolors, paintings, and framed photographs with me. As I thought about where to hang them, it occurred to me that I could see “real” mountains every direction outside my windows. Did I need those wall hangings in my new home? I hung most of them. I realized how important it was to bring the outdoors inside as well as to experience it outside every chance I had. Home decorating with nature spoke to my heart.
As a farm girl, I was connected to variety in nature. For example, I was, and continue to be, fascinated by all shades of green as well as big natural rolling landscapes and intricate colors and designs.
I recently came across an article about bringing nature indoors. Unbeknown to me I had been doing that for years as I look around my house. One aspect that predominates in my house if the use of natural colors and images. My photographs, paintings, and hanging quilts emphasize nature’s calm images that bring peace to me.
Another suggestion for bringing nature in relates to nurturing leafy plants. I don’t have a green thumb but have special plants that elicit joy for me. I have the Christmas cacti that are offspring of a plant once owned by naturalist Sigurd Olsen. I also have a 25-year-old Norfolk Island Pine that stands seven feet tall that I have parented for years.
Other ideas offered for bringing nature into one’s home include nature’s scents, nature’s sounds, and paying attention to textures. I enjoy burning incense or candles that have evergreen scents. I love having windows open so I can hear the breeze in the trees as well as listen to the early morning sounds of birds singing. Further, I have been buying log furnishings for years and nature is obvious in those assets. I just remodeled my fireplace with new stone walls.
Thomas Doherty, a clinical and environmental psychologist noted that recognizing which natural environments speak to an individual is important. I embrace my biophilia and cherish positive experiences in the outdoors that I highlight in my home.