Urban Jungle Bloggers: There’s Biophilia In Store

Biophilia in retail design - Urban Jungle Bloggers

A few weeks ago, when I received the email from Igor and Judith about this month’s Urban Jungle Blogger’s topic, my first thought was: where could I go to find some inspiring ideas? Because the theme for May is “Greens in cafés, shops & restaurants”.

And then I remembered some photos I took one very rainy day back in February …

I needed to go into the centre of London to visit the British Museum to do some research for our Modern Antiquity Collection. So decided to make a fun day of it and take some time to wander around a few shops too.

Naturally, the day I picked turned out to be one of the wettest and windiest days of the entire winter.

My first stop was The Conran Shop – a store I have long admired. I think this stems from an occasion several years ago when Samuel and I visited their branch on Marylebone High Street. He got speaking to a very friendly gentleman – another customer, we presumed – about a piece of furniture we’d been looking at. He wanted to know what Samuel thought of the piece and a little conversation ensued about furniture making. After that, we thought nothing more of it.

Then a while later while watching a documentary on TV about British design, that same gentleman appeared on screen. We recognised him at once. Yes, you’ve probably guessed by now. It was Sir Terence Conran …

Biophilia in retail design | Urban Jungle Bloggers

I was thrilled to see how they were embracing biophilia within the store. There were green plants were everywhere. And I simply had to take pictures of some of the beautiful displays.

Biophilic design - hanging plants on a cobalt blue wall from Mocha

This vibrant cobalt blue wall with hanging plants hanging within a frame was one of my favourites. It makes such an eye-catching feature wall. And such an effective idea that you could try in your own home.

Room divider with plants in the Conran Shop

I also loved the way in which potted plants were displayed on shelves and used as room dividers.

Bedroom ideas - room divider with plants on Mocha

I was first inspired by the idea of using plants to create a room divider at the International Furniture Fair in Cologne back in January 2013. (Which incidentally, is also where I met Igor for the first time in real life.)

Continuing with my adventure, I soon discovered that there was biophilic design influences everywhere.

Living wall - biophilic design

Living wall | Urban Jungle Bloggers

In Anthropologie, a living wall covered a huge expanse on one side of the shop to dramatic effect. And on closer examination I discovered that the plants were in fact real. A veritable Urban Jungle Blogger’s paradise!

Living wall and desk - biophilic design

The living wall theme continued at West Elm. Where I was especially taken by this desk setting next to a wall covered in greenery. Wouldn’t that make the most gorgeous home office?

By the time I arrived at the British Museum, I was freezing, my boots soaked through – and my phone battery almost flat because of all the pictures I’d taken. (And I got told off by a security guard for trying to charge up my phone next to one of the ancient Egyptian exhibits 😉 )

But despite all of that, I felt so inspired.

On that rainy day all those plant displays were like a ray of sunshine. And though spring was still a way off, it dispelled the February gloom and made it feel more like a warm and sunny day in May.

Urban Jungle Bloggers is a monthly series initiated by two bloggers: Igor of Happy Interior Blog and Judith of JOELIX.com. Every month a group of bloggers (including Sarah from Mocha) join up and share ideas to create an urban jungle through styling ideas, DIYs, green tips and tricks. For even more inspiration, you can visit the Urban Jungle Bloggers Pinterest or Facebook Page.

Comments

  1. Biophilia is definitely a concept worth looking in – for public and private spaces. It is so good on so many levels. Thanks for raising the flag for biophilia yet again!

  2. Awesome, I’m so happy that at least one urban jungle featured the amazing vertical garden at Anthropologie, because it’s so very nice. But I think I like that blue wall with the glasses & greens at The Conran Shop is even better! It looks fabulous and as you suggest: rather easy to achieve at home for a wonderful biophilic atmosphere. I know it would make me very happy! Thanks for joining us, Sarah!

    • Thanks for your lovely comments. I love that blue wall too. The effect of the lush green plants set against that deep cobalt blue is so eye-catching! And I do enjoy being a part of Urban Jungle Bloggers 🙂

  3. I remember your post on Biophilia – and yes, it’s truly fascinating.

    What great examples and a fun day out for you in rainy and windy February. I’m laughing because you didn’t know you were talking to Sir Terence Conran:-))

    Have a nice Bank Holiday weekend x

    • He was so unassuming and friendly. And he was just wandering around, so we just thought he was another customer. I’ve admired him ever since.