Page 32 - Harnett Life Winter 2020

5 Ways to Design with Authentic Materials

(Family Features) Creating a welcoming and relaxing space stone, features like countertops or flooring come to mind. In-
may be easier than you expect when you give natural materi- corporating stone in more unexpected ways can make an even
als a leading role in your design. Elements like natural stone, bigger impression. You might choose a coffee table or end
wood, fiber, metals and even plant life can allow you to express tables that are made of stone or feature stone accents. Acces-
a sense of unique personal style that is broadly appealing. sorizing with stone also introduces an earthy appeal; think ag-
ate bookends or decorative items like sculptures.
Most inviting rooms share one quality: ample natural light,
which creates a subtly vibrant and energetic ambiance. Other Hardwood Flooring: The floor is often the largest design ele-
aspects of an enticing design may be less obvious to the casual ment of a room, so utilizing authentic materials for your floor-
observer. Special touches like custom craftsmanship lend a ing makes a strong statement about the overall tone and feel
special aesthetic to furnishings and decor, and bring authentic- of the room. An artisan-crafted hardwood flooring option like
ity to your home. Carlisle Wide Plank Floors is crafted individually – one board
at a time – so the emphasis is on the natural beauty of the wood.
Similarly, items that are made in America using an artisanal You can choose a completely custom look, from wood species
approach can elevate the character of a room when compared and grade to texture and color, or make your selection from a
to things that are mass manufactured. For example, choose a collection of popular tried-and-true finishes.
single piece of artwork from a talented artist rather than mul-
tiple pieces of mass-produced art from a retailer. Natural Fiber Textiles: Careful attention to detail is important
for a cohesive design, so be sure to keep thinking natural when
You can incorporate natural and hand-crafted materials into selecting textiles. Linen and rough cotton fabrics bring distinc-
your spaces in countless ways, but these ideas can be achieved tive textures that maintain an organic vibe. Natural textiles
regardless of what your budget may be. can also be quite durable, making them practical selections for
often-used spaces. Elements to consider include window treat-
Natural Stone: When many people think about designing with ments, fabric components of any furnishings and accents like

Page 32 Harnett Life ~ Winter 2020