Urban Forest
-- Home Accents Today, 1/1/2008
Organic looks grow slick and contemporary, rooted in nature-inspired imagery and strictly streamlined design. Varied metallics lend a surreal air of enchantment, planting the seeds for a shimmering woodland. Botanical leitmotivs star in this dramatic presentation, rounded out by deep finishes and occasional swatches of verdant green. — Tracy Bulla

Wooden panels unfurl the voluminous branches of a winter tree, spread out in stark contemporary fashion across four panels from Urban Trends ($500 each).

Copper Leaf, a new indoor/outdoor pillow from ESP, blends water- and fade-resistant properties with a modern, metallic silk-like sheen ($99 to $129).

Inspired by vintage artwork, The Gerson Company's Large platter pairs creamy porcelain with a fluttering fern frond for a striking effect ($11).

From Sweet Smiling Home's Shibui collection, the subtly Asian sideboard emphasizes lean lines and lustrous simplicity in French-finished natural coconut wood.

Designed by Michael Updike for Mariposa, the Bamboo Ottoman tray ($425) and Long Rectangular tray ($144) play up the sophisticated side of bamboo in shining sand-cast aluminum.

Etched on frosted slump glass, a palm rendering lends organic warmth to the Kathy Ireland Home Collection Loft table lamp from Pacific Coast Lighting with brushed nickel metal frame and textured wood frame ($150).
Variegated stripes evoke blades of grass in The Rug Market's acrylic hook rug, cast in three neutral, earthy color palettes ($135, 5x8).

Artisans recreate the gingko leaf in silvered brass, handcrafting the botanical icon with lifelike detail right down to the veins from Interlude Home ($575).

Gold and silver leaf transforms natural tree trunks into ultra-glamorous, contemporary stools (or tables, pedestals or benches) from The Phillips Collection ($299 each).

















