In the course of human history man has sought to create a protective “third skin”. While our human skin and clothing (first and second skins) have kept man healthy for thousands of years, this third skin – the enclosures of our buildings have shielded us from the harsh elements. Yet even within our climate controlled spaces many modern illnesses are attributed to our isolation within the living spaces we have created.
The good news is that we are seeing new healthy trends in building and design. Organizations like the Well Building Standard (https://www.wellcertified.com) and the Living Future Institute (http://living-future.org/lpc) are setting new sustainable indoor environmental standards.
While these organizations are focused on the physiological well-being of the building’s occupants, there is also a need for us as humans to re-connect with nature and its spiritual offerings. With so much of our lives being trapped within the built environment, how can we “Rewild” ourselves in the modern world? How can we look to nature to heal us while we are wrapped up in our third skin? One very effective way is to change the way we select materials for our interior decoration.
It has been scientifically proven that we do better when we are able to engage with materials, views and images of the outside world. Positive results are documented in all aspects of our lives from schools to businesses to health care when we are able to introduce natural elements into our homes, offices and hospitals.
We can call this idea: ReWild Design. This doesn’t mean excluding the comfortable indoor environments we demand and expect. What it refers is bringing elements of nature into our interior design. How do we ReWild the living space?
The concept of ReWild Design is to create an interior environment that encourages a connection to the natural world. This can be done with furniture plans that are oriented with exterior views through large windows with abundant daylight along with shading materials constructed with organic fabrics, reeds or bamboos. ReWild Design introduces moss and bark panels for wall decoration and mushroom grown substrates for acoustical solutions.
At Decorating with Fabric we have created a line of exciting and beautiful products that allows us to ReWild with nature all within our ‘Third Skin”.
ReWild Design Products & Solutions
Moss Walls
Indoor Moss Walls are a great ReWild Design solution for residential or commercial installations. Moss is not only a beautiful design element they are 100% natural and maintenance free. It does not require sunlight or artificial light, watering or fertilization. The moss lives off the room’s natural levels of humidity. It absorbs odors from the indoor environment and has a NRC rating of .9, which means it absorbs up to 90% of sound. Indoor Moss walls provide a natural addition to the Biophilic Design solutions toolbox. There is nothing more beautiful and enjoyable then relaxing or working in a space with Indoor Moss Walls. Read More
Mushroom Grown Panels
Ecovative Design is a mushroom-based product. What does that mean? Mycelium is the root structure of mushrooms and when Mycelium is engaged with an agricultural by-product like corn stalks this combination can grow and harden into formed shapes like wall panels and other sustainable products. These decorative and acoustical mushroom based wall panels as an alternative to the toxic products currently sold through Architects and Designers. Read More
Tree Bark Panels
Our handcrafted natural indoor Tree Bark Panels are made from reclaimed tree bark. Every tree has a disposition, such as sawmills for furniture substrates, plywood, and laminates; trees are not cut for the purpose of harvesting the bark. The texture is furrowed with ridges and valleys of varying depth depending on the grade specified. This product is flattened, kiln-dried, and precision squared to make direct applications simple. Applications include residential, commercial, and institutional buildings. Read More
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