3 ways to use natural materials to make your home more welcoming

Natural materials such as stone, leather, timber and basket weave are undeniably the most valuable players when it comes to decorating. Yet we often forget to include them. A space without these can feel flat, cold and uncomfortable. Here are three reasons why you should always look at ways to incorporate natural materials in your decor and the types of pieces to go for.

1. Natural surfaces add texture

There’s something comforting about texture. Stone and timber have a subtle tactile element, particularly stone, which feels great underfoot, and is therefore ideal for bathroom floors. Leather sofas are comfortable to sit on, with a texture that only gets better as they age (and as they start to mould to your body). When thinking of accessories and decorative pieces, basketware is also a simple and inexpensive way to add textural touches and natural charm. Cane and rattan provide interest in a neutral palette, complementing timbers and bricks.

“I’m a mad blue-and-white person,” says Judy who owns this charming Southern Highlands home in NSW. In the dining area of her and Mike’s beautiful home in Bowral, NSW, bold blues are tempered by the natural textures of ‘Urban Weave’ blinds from Blinds by Peter Meyer, French Country ‘Costello’ dining chairs and an Alliance Furniture dining table, all from The Classic Outfitter, and Pottery Barn baskets.
(Photography: Sue Stubbs / Styling: Bree Oliver)

2. They age well

It’s nice to walk into a room that feels lived in rather than so perfect you don’t want to touch anything. Real timber and leather pieces strike a balance between looking good, yet like they’ve seen some years. While frequently more expensive than man-made materials, natural surfaces often last longer and age better. Leather sofas soften with use and scratches and marks becoming part of their appeal. Timber develops a lovely depth of colour over time, and if it becomes marked or stained, a simple sand or coat of paint can bring it back to life and freshen up its appearance. Stone can usually be scrubbed or washed with a high-pressure hose to be cleaned and any weathering often adds to its charm.

The family who lives in this Hampton’s style home often gathers here on the leather sofa from Alliance Furniture Trading and chic white stools for down time. (Photography: Chris Warnes / Styling: Fiona Gould)

3. They never go out of style

Trends are not always to everyone’s tastes but a timeless home appeals to everyone. There is a reason why houses have been built of timber for centuries – wood has an eternal style and works with many different types of homes and in many different climates. Stone is equally as versatile – stone benches and floors are always in fashion and recent years have seen a huge growth in their popularity as more people embrace their classic good looks. Vintage pieces in natural materials will often still include their original coverings and still look good in a contemporary setting.

For the owner of this 1800s sandstone cottage, her cherished antique armoire is the star of the front sitting room. Cushions and bergere armchairs in Hazelton House ‘Abbotsford’ fabric in Kingfisher from Ascraft join an ottoman in Antoine d’Albiousse ‘Touch Me’ cotton velvet. (Photography: Brigid Arnott)

This article originally appeared on Home Beautiful and is republished here with permission.