From wild wallpaper to wooden tables, these products add a natural touch.
Photo courtesy of The Studio at Bowood
Each month, the Studio at Bowood offers both planting workshops and classes devoted to art techniques, including block printing, watercolor, and cyanotype. Participants leave with an original piece that celebrates the natural world. “Even with the art classes, we tend to focus on botanical subjects,” says Holly Rogers, Studio manager at Bowood. “We’ll bring plants in for the painting classes so you can draw from life or paint from life.” The Studio also hosts workshops dedicated to dried, pressed, and paper florals for those who want to enjoy blooms without the maintenance. Says Rogers: “Those are great for people who struggle to keep their plants alive.”
Photo courtesy of David Stine Furniture
Woodworker David Stine harvests wood on land owned by his family for four generations. Each season, dead and dying native trees are culled for use in his furniture studio. Stine’s organically shaped live-edge pieces are milled from cherry, walnut, sycamore, and other trees and serve as a reminder of the power and beauty of the forests from which they grew. Says Stephanie Abbajay, managing partner at David Stine Furniture, “We take these trees that are at the end of their life, and by milling them and using them in furniture, they live on forever.”
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
Not only does The Little Shop Around the Corner stock tons of nature-inspired antique and vintage home décor, but proceeds from the sale of the store’s donated items support education initiatives at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The shop carries impressive collections of china and wall art featuring plants and flowers, and store supervisor Mitzi Streeter says the staff welcomes requests for specific items or types of items. “People will ask us [for specific items], and usually we’ll generally know if we have it or not,” she says. “If not, we take their name and phone number.” Keep an eye out for natural motifs, such as an ivy-covered rug or a dining set featuring the Missouri state tree.
Photography by Kevin A. Roberts
Maypop Coffee & Garden Shop, in Webster Groves, sells plants for all skill levels, from the low-maintenance snake plant to the finicky fiddle-leaf fig. Mackenzie Leek, the shop’s assistant manager, recommends that prospective plant parents make their selections on the basis of their space, not just aesthetics. “Familiarize yourself with your plant and your home,” she says. “Each home is different.” Once you’ve picked your plant, found a suitable pot or planter, and brought it home, the folks at Maypop are always happy to help. They can diagnose a problem and offer care tips virtually or in person at the shop.
Wilson Lighting’s branch-inspired sconces bring natural motifs indoors in a beautiful, functional way. Just two of several options available, bare branches and crystal elements lend the Five Light Wall Sconce a winter wonderland feel; the wide, flat leaves of the Golden Eucalyptus Wall Sconce bring a soft summer glow to mind. No watering required.
Golden Eucalyptus Wall Sconce ($329), Five Light Wall Sconce in gold ($1,575).
Courtesy of KDR Designer Showrooms
Take inspiration from maximalist interiors that embrace the outdoors by choosing a wallcovering embellished with flora and fauna. This example from Travers’ Garden Club depicts an elegant outdoor scene comprised of fanciful birds, butterflies, and flowers. “A perfect combination of sophisticated Old World style with a relaxed and modern twist,” says Kim Caldwell, a textiles and wallcoverings sales representative at KDR Designer Showrooms. If your preference is something a bit more restrained, peruse the showroom’s extensive collection of botanical-inspired patterns.
Audubon Garden, Travers’ Garden Club collection, $250 per yard.
Add a personal touch to your home décor by pressing your own plants and blooms, whether they are from the garden or saved from a special event. Civil Alchemy stocks both flower presses and a variety of pretty frames, but these simple brass hangers that won’t overpower dainty petals and stems are ideal for showing off preserved plants. The Webster Groves boutique also offers fresh and dried flowers and has a biweekly floral subscription program for those who want regular fresh blooms.
Brass hanging photo frame, three sizes ($36-68).
Jackson is managing editor of St. Louis Magazine. Like this story? Want to share other feedback? Send Jackson an email at cjackson@stlmag.com.
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