Starry Eyed Over Laurie Owen

I discovered South African designer Laurie Owen over the weekend after reading a bit about her on Apartment Therapy.  She has dubbed her style "Romantic Organic" (and it has certainly allured me).  Most of the pictures on her website are of resorts that she's designed, but apparently she also does residential work.  Check it out:

Harnas Lodge in Namibia:

Agricultural Holdings Residence in South Africa:

Clifftop Limopopo in South Africa:

Little Kulala in Namibia:

 

Vumbura Lodge in Botswana:

 

So, I've attempted to deconstruct her work so we can all bring a little (or lot) of this "Romantic Organic" style to our homes.  Here is what I'm seeing:

• Raw tree trunks, branches, twigs, stumps, roots, rocks, and stones for furnishings and decor
• Faux natural furnishings and accents (ex. stone shaped ottomans made of wool or metal & metallic tree trunk tables)
• Drippy strands of crystal, beads, coral, bone, silver
• Earthy browns {taupes, camels, ecrus},  atmospheric blues, pure whites, and touches of black
• Fluffy plush rugs and pillows
• Metallic accessories
• Boho ombre & tie dyed linens 
• Textural concrete & mud-/plaster-like walls
• Floaty hanging chairs
• Reedy rattan and rope accents
• Organic shaped glass reminicent of water
• Natural fibers:  cotton, silk, linen, wool
• Relaxed, loose, slipcovered furnishings
• Low profile beds and seating

For more on Laurie, check out her website.

Comments

[Sally Gastineau]

I too looked up Laurie Owens after seeing the reference on AT. She is fabulous!!! After studying the way she uses organic forms to create such wonderful objects, I think most other furniture will look awfully prissy and dated from now on!

The way the glass tealites look dotted around on the rock tables is genius! And do you think those tall outdoor lights and the hanging lights are based on the big termite hills and wasp nests? It's pretty cool to see the beauty in those forms.