The Next Big Thing: Nature under a microscope

Detailed natural textures and finishes are finding their way onto textiles and homeware

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room with wallpaper and table

(Image credit: Jane Clayton)

These photgrapahic florals look like they've been placed over a light box, Botanica wallpaper 3661, £42 per roll, Eco range, Jane Clayton

All in the details

We're
very used to seeing butterflies, plants, feathers and animal prints inspiring interior design, but this trend goes closer, exposing the microscopic details of flora and fauna. Digital manipulation and printing means that nature takes on a futuristic finish, with many prints beautifully replicating the symmetry of scales, moth and butterfly wings, and leaf skeletons.

leaf skeletons with rectangle and white background

(Image credit: Wild Rice Designs)

Botanical beauty, pressed plants are given a digital twist; Anthriscus rectangle wall plaque, £60, Wild Rice Designs

waterflower bedding set

(Image credit: BHS)

A kaleidescopic digital print are also arriving on the high street;
Elsie Rose Waterflower bedding set, from £40
for a single, BHS

room with table chair and photo wall

(Image credit: Photowall)

This wall mural has the x-factor; Eucalyptus mural, £29 per sq m, Beyond Light collection, Photowall

Nature exposed

X-ray artist Albert Koetsier, who creates pieces featuring the skeletal details of plants, flowers and sea life, has collaborated with Photowall to create Beyond Light - a striking mural and canvas collection (see above).

Irridescence and translucence is a feature within the trend, replicating snakeskins, butterfly and dragonfly wings. New releases such as Tom Dixon's glass collection, Oil, Neo Craft's bubble-like glass pendant, Iris and the Spectra collection from Kukka replicate these effects.

oil candle with white background

(Image credit: Tom Dixon)

Try a slick new style, Oil candle, £65, Tom Dixon

glass bubble with white background

(Image credit: Neo Craft)

This glass light replicates a beautiful glass bubble, Iris pendant, Neo Craft

reflection and refraction of light

(Image credit: Kukka)

The design has been inspired by reflection and refraction; ABCD table from £750, Spectra collection, Kukka

Inspired by Scottish and Scandinavian flora, Emma June Designs uses the
shibori dyeing technique to create an X-ray leaf skeleton effect on
cushions.

cushion with leaf skeleton and white background

(Image credit: Emma June Designs)

The shibori printing creates the ghostly effect of a leaf-skeleton; Heather skeleton cushion, £85, Emma June Designs

Textural detail

This trend of up-close, detailed textures seen in nature lends itself well to fabric and wallpaper designs. Anaconda wallpaper by Anthology gives snakeskin a luxe touch in neutral and metallic tones, while Tradewinds fabric from Zinc Textiles has a pleasing, hypnotic, tree-trunk-rings effect.

swatch fabric zinc tradewinds

(Image credit: Zinc Textiles)

Like wood under a lens; Driftwood Tradewinds fabric, £80 per m, Mustique collection, Zinc Textiles

slice tray notre monde

(Image credit: Houseology)

Tree rings inpired this tray; Slice tray, £100, Notre Monde range, Houseology

smoky glass with white background

(Image credit: Royal Design)

A scale-like effect in smoky glass; Cully votives, from £62 each, Broste Copenhagen range, Royal Design

The White Moth All Over fabric by Timorous Beasties shows off the intricate pattern of moth wings, while the company's latest wallpaper release, Pangolin, features a scalloped design that imitates the scales
of the anteater-like mammal using a watery, iridescent finish.

white moth mirrored pattern fabrics

(Image credit: Timorous Beaties)

Nature's geometry created in this mirrored pattern fabric; White Moth All Over Fabric, £96 per m, Timorous Beaties

pangolin velvet fabrics

(Image credit: Timorous Beasties)

This scalloped scale print is inspired by an anteater's shell; Pangolin velvet fabric, £150 per m, Timorous Beasties

Michela Colling
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