Oshibana art in wabi sabi style

Oshibana, an ancient Japanese art form, involves meticulously selecting and pressing plants, flowers, and leaves to craft intricate and stunning designs. This practice dates back to the Edo period, where it was utilized for spiritual purposes and to enhance floral arrangements' aesthetic appeal. Even today, Oshibana continues to be a popular art form, both traditionally and as a modern craft, across Japan and worldwide.

By displaying these pressed flower frames in your home, office, or bedroom, you can add a touch of beauty and tranquility to your surroundings. These frames boast exquisite details and striking colors, resulting in a unique masterpiece that is bound to spark conversations.

Power of imperfection

Wabi-sabi, a Japanese design aesthetic, values simplicity, naturalness, and the allure of imperfection. It is a philosophy that exalts life's imperfect and fleeting aspects, including the natural cycle of growth, decay, and regeneration. Wabi-sabi style in home decor incorporates elements of nature, such as rough-hewn wood, organic shapes, and natural fibers, to produce a tranquil and serene atmosphere. The primary aim is to foster mindfulness and appreciation of the present moment, while bringing a sense of calm and tranquility to the surroundings. Wabi-sabi decor frequently involves handcrafted items that exhibit the marks of time and use, such as textured pottery and furniture with visible knots in the wood. The goal is to create a welcoming, authentic, and cozy environment that is in harmony with the natural world.

 

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.

 

Dried grass as decoration

Dried grass can be a unique and eye-catching addition to any home decor. It adds texture, color, and a touch of natural beauty to any space. Incorporating dried grass into your home decor is an affordable and eco-friendly way to bring a touch of nature into your living space. Just make sure to use dried grass responsibly, as it can come from protected or endangered ecosystems.

Grasses play a critical role in the environment and provide numerous benefits to both wildlife and humans. Some of the most important functions of grasses include:

• Soil stabilization: Grasses have deep roots that help to hold the soil in place and prevent erosion, especially in areas with high wind or rainfall.

• Habitat: Many species of wildlife, such as birds, insects, and mammals, rely on grasses for food, shelter, and nesting sites.

• Carbon sequestration: Grasses absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their roots, stems, and leaves, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.

• Biodiversity: Grasses are an important food source for herbivores and support a diverse community of wildlife in their ecosystems.

• Agriculture: Grains such as wheat, corn, and rice are all members of the grass family and provide a major source of food for both people and livestock.

There are many different types of grasses, each with their own unique characteristics and uses. Some of the most common types of grasses include cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass and fescue, and warm-season grasses, such as bermudagrass and zoysia.

The color of grass is determined by several factors, including:

• Chlorophyll content: Chlorophyll is the pigment that gives grass its green color and allows it to perform photosynthesis. The amount of chlorophyll in grass affects its greenness, with a higher concentration of chlorophyll resulting in a deeper green color.

• Light: Light is essential for photosynthesis and affects the color of grass. When grass is grown in bright light, it will produce more chlorophyll and appear greener. On the other hand, grass grown in low light may appear yellow or pale green.

  

• Soil nutrients: The availability of soil nutrients can also affect the color of grass. Grass that is growing in nutrient-rich soil will be greener than grass growing in soil that is low in nutrients.

• Environmental conditions: Environmental factors such as temperature, moisture, and air quality can all influence the color of grass. For example, grass may appear yellow or brown if it is growing in drought conditions or is exposed to high levels of pollution.

• Genetics: The genetic makeup of the grass species also determines its natural color. Some grasses, such as bluegrass and fescue, have a natural blue-green color, while others, such as bermudagrass, have a yellow-green hue.

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.