As our daily lives are transformed bit by bit into a series of zeroes and ones, it’s increasingly imperative to (quite literally) touch grass every once in a while—even if it’s just by dipping into mother nature’s vast material library. That’s exactly what the talented artists and artisans here have done, using pineapple fibers and rattan, raw wood and shells, and even the land itself. Shaped by the human hand yet unmistakably organic, these creations act as a grounding force that reminds us of our connection to the planet we all call home.
Experience
Land art—large-scale, awe-sparking outdoor sculptures wrought from materials of the earth—pushes us to reexamine our relationship with nature and its ephemeral qualities. Whether constructed from saplings or sand, these works interact with weather, terrain, wildlife, and people, changing (or even disappearing) over time.
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In Synergy, by New Zealand artists Martin Hill and Philippa Jones, an arch of raupo stems seems to defy physics.
© MARTIN HILL AND PHILIPPA JONES -
French artist Jérôme Leyre is known for his monumental spiraling sculptures constructed from hundreds of thin wood planks, like La Vis Sans Fin (“The Endless Screw”), which references the helical form of DNA.
COURTESY OF JÉRÔME LEYRE -
Dutch artist Karin van der Molen used willow branches to create the site-specific Big Mushroom in Natuurpark Lelystad in the Netherlands, symbolizing decay and rebirth.
PAT VAN BOECKEL -
The late Italian artist Giuliano Mauri built Cattedrale Vegetale near Bergamo in Northern Italy using rows of wood frames to encourage young saplings to grow together to form a natural basilica.
COURTESY OF GIULIANO MAURI -
In the Sahara Desert in Egypt, Danae Stratou and the D.A.ST. Arteam designed Desert Breath—conical volumes of sand, both positive and negative, arranged in a spiral.
COURTESY OF D.A.ST. ARTEAM
Furnish
We’re falling for furniture that goes with the grain, handcrafted from wood in its most natural state—knots, burls, and cracks included. Without the distraction of color or finish, form comes to the fore, and the inherent beauty of the material shines. Monolithic, primal shapes reveal pieces rooted in the forest, bringing reassuring heft and (literal) down-to-earth appeal.
Decorate
From gossamer pineapple fiber to richly dimensional cacao leaves, chalky mulberry bark, or luminous mother-of-pearl, these design ingredients come straight from Mother Nature herself. Wrap a room in unexpected textures that catch the light and beguile the hand.
Clockwise from top left: 1. Abalone mother-of-pearl wallcovering by Schumacher. 2. Nacre plaster wallcovering with inlaid mother-of-pearl by Assemblage, hollyhunt.com. 3. Écrin cacao leaf wallcovering by Élitis. 4. Mulberry Paper wallcovering by Schumacher, coming soon. 5. Anita sheer pineapple fiber and raw silk fabric by Tela.
Kevin KerrIlluminate
Just as sunlight filters dreamily through leaves and branches, pendants and lamps woven from materials such as rattan, raffia, rush, and rye bring a honeyed warmth to interiors. The rustic textures and intriguing forms afforded by these pliable plants result in sculptural accents that ground a room in tactility.
Arrange
Perhaps it’s not surprising that Marisa Competello, the Los Angeles–based floral designer behind Meta Flora, is also a dancer: Her otherworldly arrangements showcase a dramatic sense of movement. “Sculptural, modern, and unexpected” is how she describes her work, in which she casts lesser-known flowers and plants in starring roles that redefine our expectations of what a flower arrangement can be.
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Spears of foxtail millet contrast with hazy clouds of smokebush.
Courtesy of Meta Flora -
White anthuriums, rather than the typical red, put the focus on artful composition.
Courtesy of Meta Flora -
Outstretched, undulating French tulips and ornamental allium demonstrate Competello’s gift for movement.
Courtesy of Meta Flora -
A cascade of tropical leaves emphasizes texture and form.
Courtesy of Meta Flora -
Stems of white trumpet pitcher plant explode from a faceted vase.
Courtesy of Meta Flora -
Delicate fringes of ming fern embrace lacy poufs of purple allium.
Courtesy of Meta Flora
Wear
Nature proved a nurturing force for the Spring 2026 season, with the fashion world looking to the land, sky, and sea for material inspiration. At Institution, designer Galib Gassanoff reinterpreted New Look silhouettes with skirts woven from rush, while models walked the Balmain runway in dresses covered in ethically sourced shells. And for his highly anticipated Chanel Haute Couture debut, Matthieu Blazy turned the Grand Palais into a magical mushroom-filled forest, ending the show with a mother-of-pearl-encrusted ensemble and feathered headpiece so airy, it looked as if it might take flight.
Tailored Chepken Jacket and Handwoven Rush Typha Skirt by Institution by Galib Gassanoff, prices upon request.
Raffia Top (price upon request), Satin Shorts ($650), and Mesh Slingback Heels ($920) by Stella McCartney.
Yara Blazer (€690), Freja Vest (€490), and Siri Trousers (€390) by CMMN SWDN.
Sun Hat Dress (price upon request) and Renaissance Pump (€990) by Hodakova.
Mixed-Shell Dress (price upon request), Ébène Mini Bag ($1,995), and Beaded Suede Flat Sandals ($1,295) by Balmain.
Mother-of-Pearl Embellished Organza Shirt and Skirt by Chanel Haute Couture, prices upon request.
Accessorize
From braided espadrilles to basket bags, nothing says warm-weather style like a straw accessory—ditto a scattering of seashells or touch of carved wood. Reimagined in natural materials, even a tiara feels blissfully bohemian; in leather-trimmed raffia, buttoned-up Mary Janes are breezy as can be. Our picks are elegant and easygoing in equal measure, making them the ideal finishing touch for alfresco occasions.
THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN VOLUME 20 OF FREDERIC MAGAZINE. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE!
