Calling all creatives and interior designers...

[FloreanFortescue]

I'm wanting to add some nature to my newly refurbished kitchen. It's a cream and oak shaker with an oak floor and F&B colours: Wimborne White and Sulking Room Pink (mixed from Johnstone's)

It's a medium sized room in a rural semi. I just lack the creativity to make the room special and "finished off".

I'm thinking of adding some natural garlands over the double doors to the conservatory but I don't really know where to start in ordering/acquiring dried flowers. I think I'd like a mix of eucalyptus, gypsophila and a blush coloured flower.

Has anyone got any tips for this? How long does this sort of thing last? Can I preserve it any longer with any sort of spray? I'm a total newbie so any pictures of how you've glammed up country style kitchens would be hugely appreciated.

TIA

Can we see a picture? There may be some other ways to add a bit of nature.

They will gather dust. At least if you get silk flowers you can wash them.

I think they are dusty too. There are other accessories you can add though.

Pictures/artwork/wall hanging
Real/fake plants
Flowers in a vase
Vases/decorative items made of natural materials
Picture shelf with a mix of items
Found/collected items from the seasons

Mosaic pictures are great for kitchens or something in metal?

You need something you can wipe.

Eek just making some bread - I'll tidy up a bit and get a photo up

Eek just making some bread - I'll tidy up a bit and get a photo up

And the rest

The decorator left this afternoon so I'm here with the blank canvas!

Ok this looks lovely! I don’t think you actually need much more. Too much will be too busy and you already have bits and bobs on the worktops.

See how the little bit of pattern on the oven gloves and the pink flowers lift that image? I think you just want to do the same on the windowsill.

Then add some nice big artwork on the wall by the table. I would go for a nice landscape that ties in with the local area and it will feel like a big window. That will bring the outside in. Or if you want some nature then a woodland painting would be nice. Take a look in artfinder.com. Just don’t go too small.

On the windowsill I would add some real plants in pale pink pots, to match the tiles. If you want to keep it country style go for mini roses or similar. Get really nice pots, ideally ceramic perhaps with a little texture.

Thank you yes I'm throbbing I need something on the windowsill, it's just so dark because of the conservatory roof!

Thinking... definitely not throbbing

if you want something over the door, you could have a roman blind in a thin fabric (unlined). you might never lower it to cover the door, but it would give a bit of pattern and weight in the blank space over the door.

I wouldn't go for flowers (either dry or silk) because they will look old and dusty and fusty very quickly.

A nice wicker basket full of pine cones would be good. But yes, nature does tend to collect dust.

What about a feature wall with botanical wallpaper?

www.grahambrown.com/uk/yasuni-lush-green-wallpaper/105662-master.html#start=1&cgid=shop-all-wallpaper

I'd actually put an oak curtain rail over the door with a voile curtain, maybe like this one you don't have to ever pull the curtains but they help to make the room feel less bare.

Sorry to be clear - the doors by the table

I redid my dark basement kitchen/diner a few years ago and wanted it to be light and bright but not too clinical. I've framed large fabric panels and put them on the wall above the dining table and worktops and also made a driftwood chandelier (it has dimmable bulbs so is really functional)

I really like your fabric panels Kuuskajaskari. Where did you get that fabric? I'm guessing it's not from the UK.

Thank you @fabulousathome! The answer is yes and no as they are Marimekko and originally produced in Finland but I bought the fabric in the uk and believe it's still available. It's called Kuuskajaskari (as per my user name!) and the smaller panel is called Luovi and is from the same range but notoriously difficult to get hold of!

It really brings the room to life, and is lovely to eat dinner next to!

Love the fabric panels @kuuskajaskari, are you on Instagram?

Thank you @ZoeandChandon I am on IG - I have a business account called @bluelizardtextiles and a personal one called @iusedtoshootbluelizards. The business is fabric related but not really connected to the panels!

@kuuskajaskari fabulous cushions! Love the retro fabric. And your girls are gorgeous.

@ZoeandChandon thank you! I juggle it with an almost f/t job so we live amongst chaos!

Plants in the window sill.