TAKING CUES FROM NATURE, HOMEOWNERS ARE USING NATURAL AND TRADITIONALLY EXTERIOR MATERIALS INSIDE THEIR HOMES.
Nature has a strong calling, and bringing it into our homes has been the ambition of many homeowners lately. Humans love the natural and organic appeal of elements that make them feel calm and peaceful. We also love materials that are sustainable, reclaimed and have lots of character.
As people move away from glossy and refined finishes to authentic textures that show imperfections (think hand-scraped floors or trim with notch marks), home interiors are being redefined by natural beauty. Most importantly, bringing nature indoors doesn’t have a set of guidelines. One person may enjoy a rugged natural rock wall in their foyer. Another may prefer the sophisticated flair of dark mahogany flooring in their living room. With nature, any style can be achieved.
“We’re back to embracing the natural beauty of things,” said designer Leigh Spicher at the NAHB 2018 International Builders’ Show. “Even oaks and hickories are coming back in flooring, doors, millwork; a lot of authentic texture.”
Homeowners are also shifting toward natural fibers, textures, patterns and colors. Palettes of gray, taupe and green mixed with refreshing blue and pops of yellow echo misty mornings, bubbly brooks and sunny days.
Mixed into this natural theme, is the desire to just try something new and different. Materials that would typically be found on the exterior of the home are finding space inside. Stone, sheet metal, shiplap and wood shakes are being used to accent walls inside the home. Exterior shutters, water fountains, and architectural moldings are being re-purposed for interior use. The line between exterior and interior products and materials is blurring.
“We have seen an increase in the number of clients requesting traditional exterior architectural elements inside their home,” says Matthew Bader of Full Circle Development. “This has created an exciting challenge as we balance the often course, unfinished, and irregular materials into a high finish custom home. The resulting interiors have been beautiful.”
Homeowners are discarding their inclination to have perfect interiors. And thank goodness for that. It’s a season of creativity, and who better to lead the way than Mother Nature herself?
There are many ways to use exterior materials on the inside of a home. Wood, especially reclaimed, makes a beautiful countertop. Wrought iron can be used in a variety of applications from drawer pulls to stair railings. A brick or tabby wall makes a beautiful focal point. Brick is also a unique flooring material. Shiplap, traditionally referring to exterior wall planks that overlap, gives interiors a cottage feel.
If you have a creative idea, don’t be afraid to try it out. Today’s homeowners are more interested in embracing new ideas and natural or reclaimed materials and less fearful of “messing up.” Board and batten and shiplap are typically considered an exterior wall covering, but they have become the modern version of interior paneling. Hand hewn beams with character notches will take some of the stuffiness out of a traditional home and give it a nice, comfortable, lived-in feel. Sheet metal looks great on a rooftop, but it also makes a stunning shower wall.
