Nature contains so many different colors and creates such a soothing atmosphere. I love to take colors and textures from the outdoors and create a little bit of outside haven indoors. I also wanted to share with you where I am writing this page, outside on my screened in porch.

It is a beautiful day in the southern United States. I wanted to get the feel of nature to give you some simple ideas on how to take colors and textures you see outside, and bring them to a room or entire living space. The funny thing is there are so many birds flocking to the feeders near by I am finding myself engulfed with the sounds outside. The beauty of the outdoors surrounds us all, and what a great way to bring the sounds and sights right into your living space.

Let's stop and think for a moment what you envision about the outdoors. Is it a clear blue mountain lake, woods, a waterfalls, the ocean, mass vibrant colors of different tones of reds, yellows, greens, purples, and other colors?

When doing a nature room, first think along the lines of your base foundation color. If you are thinking about the ocean or a lake, blue tones can create a rich look in a room. Soft white or off white accents on your trim or woodwork.

Your furniture can be in neutral soft tone wood or wicker. Light oak, or beechwood looks great with a sea or lake decor. One of the wonderful accessories to use in decorating any room with an outdoor flare is plants! The plants provide the atmosphere of natural beauty. If you don't want live plants in your living space, maybe do to domestic animals or allergies, purchase some artificial plants that match the decor of the room.















This is a photo of a wall with pictures of different outdoor scenes. The table is actually an antique sewing machine that has been transformed into different accessories of this outdoor hiking and mountain theme. The books in the second picture are different geographic areas to hike. The candles are a bamboo base and bees wax. The black accent light adds a focal point in the evening hours.















The white ceramic dish continues the outdoors theme with three deer. You love the woods and want to create a room using neutral colors. This picture is three simple accents on a wall. The sepia photo and matching frame is the focal point, with two hanging accessories.

The neutral family provide us with a soothing feeling. The sand, tree trunks, pathways, dirt, and natural rocks. The woods look can take you in a different direction using a variety of matching wood tones for the room. One idea I like to think about is to actually find furniture and other accessories from trees. There are different wood crafters that specialize in this type of furniture making. Wooden bowls provide great accessories with different nature decor in them.

















A great decor is hanging a small throw blanket on a wall. Spices and herbs are a great form of nature. One other idea is to take natural rocks and put them in a glass container. This adds a special feeling of the outdoors. These particular rocks were from seashore of Maine and Folly Beach in South Carolina. I love picking up decorative rocks and displaying them in different glass jars or vases. An inexpensive accessory to put in any room.

If you are into taking nature from the outside and bringing into your living space, here are some basic tips for you.

1. Looking for a particular theme - take the mountains and combine the colors of the trees and leaves with the sky and ground. Combine the colors of the sea and the sand in color tones and pictures.



2. Create a four season room with photos of spring, summer, fall, and winter. Blend all the colors from the photos with a base foundation and other complimentary colors.



3. Use natural wood for accents and accessories, or use other natural material such as rocks and a stone fireplace.



4. wallpaper and borders that will give your room that outdoor appeal.



5. Consider a mural on one wall, or even the sky on the ceiling.

There are so many different options when doing a nature room. Take your favorite scene or scenes from the outdoors and bring them inside. Use colors and matching furniture and fabrics to create an inside and outside haven.