The story of how plants and flowers have shaped interior design for
over 200 years
From ferns in 19th-century British parlors to contemporary "living
walls" in commercial spaces, plants and flowers have long been
incorporated into the design of public and private spaces. Spanning two
centuries, Nature Inside explores the history and popularity of indoor
plants, revealing the close relationship between architecture, interior
design, and nature. Studying the international modern interior through
the lens of plants in the human environment, author Penny Sparke
attributes a degree of the interest in indoor plants to urbanization,
and, more recently, the climate crisis, which serve as ongoing reminders
that people must maintain a connection to, and respect for, the natural
world. While architectural and interior design styles have evolved
alongside the popularity of various plant species, the human need to
bring nature indoors has remained constant.