Biophilic designing

Biophilic design is an approach to design that emphasizes the connection between humans and nature. This design philosophy is based on the idea that human beings have an innate tendency to seek out and connect with nature, and that incorporating elements of nature into our built environment can have positive impacts on our health, well-being, and overall quality of life.

In practice, biophilic design incorporates elements of nature into our buildings, homes, and workspaces through features such as green walls, indoor plants, natural light, views of nature, and other similar elements. Studies have shown that biophilic design can help to reduce stress, improve mood, enhance cognitive function, and promote physical health, among other benefits. As such, it is becoming increasingly popular in a wide range of applications, from residential homes and commercial spaces to healthcare facilities and schools.

Pressed flower frames can be considered biophilic as they bring elements of nature into our built environment. By displaying pressed flowers in frames, you can bring the beauty and diversity of the natural world into your home or office. This can have positive impacts on your well-being, such as reducing stress, improving mood, and promoting a sense of peace and tranquility.

Additionally, the process of pressing flowers itself can be a form of mindfulness and meditation, promoting a connection with nature and helping to reduce stress and anxiety. So, incorporating pressed flower frames into your decor can be a great way to incorporate biophilic design into your space and promote a sense of well-being.

 

Beautiful and dangerous

Yes, some flowers can be dangerous and even poisonous. Certain flowers contain toxic compounds that can be harmful if ingested or if their sap or pollen comes into contact with the skin. 

 

Dried flowers can still contain toxic compounds, although the level of toxicity may vary depending on the type of flower and the drying process used. In some cases, the toxic compounds can become more concentrated during the drying process, making dried flowers more hazardous than fresh flowers. It's important to be aware of the toxic potential of certain flowers and to keep them away from children and pets. If you have concerns about a specific plant or flower, you can consult with a local nursery or garden center for more information.

 

If you have come into contact with a poisonous flower, it's important to take immediate action to minimize the risk of harm: 

• Wash your skin: If the poison has come into contact with your skin, wash the affected area with soap and water as soon as possible.

• Rinse your eyes: If you have gotten the sap or pollen of a poisonous flower in your eyes, rinse your eyes thoroughly with water for at least 15 minutes.

• Seek medical attention: If you have ingested any part of a poisonous flower, or if you are experiencing symptoms such as skin irritation, eye redness or swelling, or nausea, it's important to seek medical attention immediately.

• Identify the plant: If possible, try to identify the type of flower you have come into contact with, so that you can provide this information to the medical professional.

It's important to remember that different poisonous plants can cause different symptoms and require different treatments, so prompt and appropriate medical attention is essential. 

The symptoms of poison from a flower can vary depending on the type of flower and the extent of exposure. Some common symptoms include:

• Skin irritation: Some flowers produce sap or pollen that can cause skin irritation, redness, itching, and blistering.

• Eye irritation: Flowers that produce a lot of pollen or sap can cause eye irritation, redness, and swelling.

• Nausea and vomiting: Ingestion of poisonous flowers can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

• Dizziness and confusion: Consuming poisonous flowers can also cause dizziness, confusion, and disorientation.

• Respiratory distress: Some flowers produce toxins that can irritate the respiratory system, causing symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.

• Cardiac symptoms: Some flowers contain toxic compounds that can affect the heart, causing symptoms such as palpitations, irregular heartbeat, and low blood pressure.

• Seizures and muscle tremors: In severe cases, exposure to poisonous flowers can cause seizures and muscle tremors.

These are just some of the possible symptoms of poison from flowers. If you are experiencing symptoms after coming into contact with a flower, it's important to seek medical attention immediately.

 

Floral cats made of pressed and dried flowers

 

Dried and pressed flowers are a wonderful material for creating animal arrangements. Small twigs, tiny leaves, colorful petals and leaves. Cats usually come in subdued colors - black, brown, gray, white. Thanks to building them from flowers, we have bright, full-color images that are perfect for a gift for a cat lover.

 

Sketching the silhouette 

You can use a photo of a cat from the internet. Lightly sketch the shape of the head with a pencil, the position of the ears, eyes and nose. These are the most important elements. I always paint my eyes and nose with a black marker because they are the most important for the whole composition. 

 

Filling with dried flowers 

You can easily use large flowers and leaves to fill the surface. I build small spaces from small leaves and smaller flowers. A cat's mouth is usually made of small petals of different flowers. The whiskers are, of course, meadow grasses or thin twigs. Dried wheats also works great. Pressed ferns give a vivid green color, yellow from pansy and evening primrose, blue from tiny lobelia flowers. Fluffy ears are made from small leaves with jagged tips. Red geranium flowers are perfect for balancing yellows in whole composition. My flower cats find their new homes quickly, but for those who are interested, I have prepared a section with digital images in my Etsy shop. You can print Your own floral cats at home, or send files to print on demand companies.

Pressed flower art - birds made of dried plants

Working with dried plants and pressed flowers for many years I discovered how many ideas can be realized using this natural material. Today I am going to show you a few ideas how to build images of birds using dried flowers.

 

The works you see here were made of real plants and flowers. More precisely, it is made of flower petals, small leaves from trees and shrubs, and even broken flower parts. They are always unique models and already found their owners in my Etsy shop.

The most important part of preparing such a job is finding the right picture of a bird. I am always inspired by old chinese and japanese paintings in style called Ink wash painting (shuǐmòhuà; suiboku-ga, sumi-e; sumukhwa). Suibokuga is a style of monochrome painting characterized by the use of just two things, black ink (sumi) and water. Deceptively simple, suibokuga artists make use of these two seemingly mundane materials to create a complex world of light, form, and even texture.  

Sumi-e style painting (left) vs my interpretation made of pressed plants (right)

 

Then we select the materials, sometimes a few leaves, small flowers and twigs are enough. Sometimes the arrangement of the picture goes smoothly, and sometimes I have to throw away my work. One thing is for sure - it takes a lot of patience. But when You get everything right You will get a simple, minimalist floral home decor. Full of colors and nature accents. Perfect gift for many occasions.

 

 

DIY Pressing and drying flowers

Pressing and drying flowers is a simple and effective way to preserve their beauty and color for use in decor, art, and other projects. Here is a basic guide to pressing and drying flowers:

1. Choose the flowers: Select flowers that are fully open and at their peak of freshness. Avoid flowers that are overripe, wilted, or have any signs of mold or disease.

2. Preparing the flowers: Remove any leaves or stems that may interfere with the pressing process. You can also cut the stems to a suitable length for your project.

3. Picking the pressing method: There are several methods for pressing flowers, including using a flower press, placing them between the pages of a heavy book, or using a microwave.

4. Drying the flowers: Once pressed, the flowers will need to be dried completely. This can take several days to several weeks, depending on the drying method used and the humidity levels in the air.

5. Storing the dried flowers: Once fully dry, store the pressed flowers in an airtight container, away from direct light and moisture, to preserve their color and prevent mold or decay.

By following these simple steps, you can successfully press and dry flowers to use in a variety of projects and decorative arrangements.

More tips! 

The process of flattening and drying flowers and plants depends on the species. It takes at least 3 weeks to dry flowers and plants under optimal conditions. It's always better to leave the plants for longer - you can then see if the color has changed. The thin petals will dry faster without intervention. Thicker leaves, stems and flower buds may require supervision and action. If after 2 - 4 days the plant is still moist, take it out of the book and apply additional drying. How? You will find it here.