How To Maximise Small Outdoor Spaces

How to maximise small outdoor spaces

During the summer months, it’s such a pleasure to be able spend more time outdoors and make the most of the warm weather.

Whether you have a garden or balcony, what could be nicer than sitting and relaxing outside with a book,  spending a balmy summer evening entertaining friends or having a candlelit dinner for two? And even if you have only a small outdoor space, it doesn’t have to preclude you from enjoying it to the full.

There are design lessons and tricks you can learn both from Scandinavian homes, where great value is placed on spending time outdoors. And also from Mediterranean regions, where the outside living space becomes an extension of the home during the summer.

So here are some ideas on how you can maximise your outdoor space, use it to its full potential and turn it into your own little oasis.

READ MORE …

7 Good Reasons To Have Plants In Your Home Office

Desk shelves in a home office filled with plants and flowers

Do you have plants in your home? Perhaps fragrant fresh herbs growing in the kitchen, a collection of sculptural little succulents, or some lush trailing plants in your living room?

Plants are now a familiar feature in stylish interiors and practically considered an essential home decor element. We’re re-discovering the beauty of bringing nature into the home and embracing biophilic design.

Plants and Pacco Monitor Stand and Drawer on a minimalist desk

But often our desk or home office gets neglected. When in fact it’s just as important – if not more so – to have some plants where you work.

There are so many benefits to having them in your work space and it could help change the way you work. Yes, really!

So now it’s time to take things a step further by bringing some biophilia into your workplace.

Here are seven reason to add some plants to your home office today.

READ MORE …

Urban Jungle Bloggers: Botanical Zoom And Fractals

Urban Jungle Bloggers: Botanical zoom - a close up of the leaf on a pothos plant

This month’s topic for Urban Jungle Bloggers is Botanical Zoom. It’s all about zooming in and taking a closer look at our plants.

Donkey Tail succulent close up - Mocha Casa for Urban Jungle Bloggers

Something fascinating happens when you look at plants from close up – as I discovered when I began zooming in and photographing of some of mine.

You realise there’s more to them than first meets the eye. You find new details, patterns within patterns, hidden exquisiteness that’s not apparent at first glance. It gives you a fresh perspective and it’s mesmerising. I found myself staring in wonder at the beauty of nature.

But there’s something else too …

READ MORE …

How To Give Your Living Room A Fresh New Look With Biophilic Design

How to give your living room a fresh new look with biophilic design

One of the key interior trends this year is biophilic design.  And with spring on the way, it’s the perfect time to give your living room a fresh new look. So why not add some elements of nature to your decor to bring the outside in?

More than just a visual makeover, biophilia has been shown to relieve stress and promote relaxation. Meaning not only will your living room look great, but give you a sense of wellbeing too.

READ MORE …

10 Interior Design Trends for 2016

Interior design trends 2016 from Mocha Casa

We’re now well into the new year, and 2016 has firmly established itself. As the days get longer, making us feel more energised, this is usually the time when we begin to look around our homes with fresh eyes. We get into the mood to declutter for spring and start thinking about making some new new updates to our interiors.

So you might be interested to know: what are the interior design trends for 2016?

Here is a round up of some of the key elements and looks that are set to be popular for this year and beyond. The interesting thing is that there are common threads that connect and run through each of them, as you’ll see …

READ MORE …

A Cosy Haven With Views Of Nature: Cabin Norderhov

Cabin Norderhov - a cosy haven with views of nature

Sometimes, in the depths of winter, when it’s really cold and the rain is pouring down outside, I dream of being in a little wooden cabin where it’s cosy and warm. A haven and shelter from the elements.

Snowy view from the windows of Cabin Norderhov

This retreat would have an inviting fireplace, comfortable areas for sitting, and big windows overlooking wide open spaces with a beautiful lake below. I’d sit inside next to the fire and write, while enjoying stunning panoramic views of nature from the comfort of that warm interior.

I think Cabin Norderhov might be that cabin of my dreams.

READ MORE …

Biophilic Architecture: When Design Meets Nature

Biophilic architecture - mirrored installation by Anish Kapoor

Architectural shapes have always fascinated me. Especially when they are juxtaposed with nature.

I never realised there was a name for this synchronicity of design and the natural world working together. But then I learnt about the concept biophilia, and it all made perfect sense.

When you set architecture against the sky, like the Anish Kapoor installation above, or Santiago Calatrava’s Chords bridge (below) the effect is quite dramatic.

READ MORE …

12 Nature Themed Gift Wrap Ideas

 

Rustic autumn leaves, twigs and kraft paper gift wrap

You may have noticed that plants are having a big moment right now in interiors. And biophilic design – the innovative design concept that blends nature together with interior design – is more popular than ever. So this festive season, when wrapping your gifts, why not create a crossover by integrating some natural elements to your gift wrap?

As well as being bang on trend, it will give your gift wrapping a slightly unusual twist that is bound to be a hit with everyone who receives a present from you.

Here are some creative nature themed gift wrap ideas to get you inspired and are easy to re-create. But for a new take on it, go for a walk outside in a park or green open space and see if you can find any original natural elements that you can incorporate.

READ MORE …

10 Beautiful Bedroom Ideas Inspired By Nature That Will Boost Your Mood

Bedroom inspired by nature with cute white dog

Your bedroom is the most personal space in your home and although it isn’t on display as much as other areas of the home, how you choose to decorate it is really important. Perhaps even more so in the winter.

On cold, dark wintry evenings your bedroom should become an inviting haven to cosy up in. And on gloomy mornings, be an invigorating space in which to wake up and boost your mood for a great start to the day.

Incorporating  nature into the decor of your bedroom by using elements of biophilia can do just that.

Here are some beautiful bedrooms inspired by nature which may give you ideas on how you can incorporate elements of biophilic design to enhance your sleeping area, turning it into a space that lifts the spirit.

READ MORE …

Design Tips: What To Do If Your Room Doesn’t Have A View?

Blue plantation blinds in a home office

I recently wrote about why we are attracted to a room with a view. But what do you do if your room doesn’t have a good view?

If you live in a built-up urban environment, this is an all too common problem. And one I can relate to. The first home my husband and I moved into was a little flat above shops. We had a view of a car park and dustbins on one side, and a view of the main road and petrol station on the other. Quite grim, as I’m sure you’ll agree.

When the view outside your window isn’t a very appealing one, one design trick is to draw attention away from the window altogether. Turn the view inwards, and instead, make something else the focal point.

READ MORE …