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It was a space we deemed unnecessary, nor had the room to fulfil. Surely it would clutter our already bustling home? Pinterest defeated us with grand images of overflowing spaces; silks and gnomes aplenty where natural treasures filled large vessels balanced on areas as big as our dining table. Perhaps a tiny table and our fossicked shells and feathers would suffice. We took it slowly as we often do and let our nature table unfold and reveal itself to us. And now...
We go gently through this world treading a careful path to places of green, our baskets in tow. We collect snippets of this and that as gentle reminders of our travels and of the beauty we were immersed in. Like museum curators we display them on a rickety old table, time worn and filled with stories of yesteryear. Thrifted wooden and clay bowls are filled with nature's jewels and round glasses magnify every crease and curve. Literature is sourced to answer questions and wool and cloth come out to play.
As our day sails us past this space we pause often. At times we linger and peruse our natural gallery with enquiring minds and gentle hands. Often stories are concocted with shells and stones and handmade friends. Always we run textures through our fingers and move the pieces about as we sort and appreciate. Yes, the space is more cramped and looks grander and more open plan without it but our hearts' rewards far outweigh the sacrifice of space.
An ever changing collection of wonders and life that grows richer with each of our journeys. One which bends with the change of seasons. It is ever evolving and growing like the places from where our treasures were first plucked.
Do you have a nature table? Perhaps a tiny shelf or a simple basket.....
Steph x
Little pieces of nature often find themselves on windowsills or collected together in little vases and jugs. there's feathers, seed pods and bird nests dotted around our home. x
ReplyDeleteThat is just the prettiest thing I have seen today. I would love to do something like this. We are always collecting bits and pieces on our walk. They usually end up on the window sills. I like how it is very much a learning table too with the books and magnifying glass. Just wonderful xo
ReplyDeletewe have an old wooden table by the front door where we deposit our nature gleanings. the three year old is mainly into bird wings; i draw the line at whole bodies (we have a cat) and a growing stick collection. the rest is a load of dessicated guff from last autumn... time for a spring clean!
ReplyDeleteabsolutely love your nature table. I'm really hoping to integrate something similar into our home when our daughter is older.
ReplyDeleteMy children are now adults, but our home was always found with bits and pieces, I still never come home from my walk with empty pockets nor do my grownup children, I think its important to bring nature in and experience all around us, the table is lovely, perfectly wonderful,
ReplyDeletewe do have an ever rotating nature table {shelf}. Piper is forever collecting treasures to add to it. i do adore the vases filled with feathers {gears turning:)} xx
ReplyDeleteWe do! But I love yours much better :) We have the same word-less spring book, a little nest with felt eggs, a wooden Holztiger tree and a wooden bowl full of nature finds. We also have Ruth Elsässer's seasonal postcard collection so we have the three spring pictures up now. I'm looking for little wooden frames to put them in to complete the display, which sits on top of a bookcase in our living area. We have a small 3 bedroom house and with 6 of us it gets cramped but we keep pretty minimalist so the nature display isn't overwhelming. I love the magnifying glass idea. We have one in a 'discovery basket' but maybe it can make the move :) One more idea I am yet to implement is a teeny tiny basket of stones. Also a 'spring' waldorf fairy. Then I'm done :)
ReplyDeleteHow incredibly inspiring! When I was a preschool/early child caregiver we would do nature tables and I really enjoyed setting them up every season with the children I was caring for. I hope to start doing this with my own daughter sometime soon (she's only 13 months). Thank you for sharing! Simply lovely and how fun for your littles!
ReplyDeletehello, I too once was inspired by billowing silks and tables filled with nature's wonders. For now, we have a small part of a bookshelf, dubbed "the nature shelf". Its humble appearance does not compete with my daughter's enthusiasm for nature and as such is just as excellent as a table in our eyes :) x
ReplyDeletehello, I too once was inspired by billowing silks and tables filled with nature's wonders. For now, we have a small part of a bookshelf, dubbed "the nature shelf". Its humble appearance does not compete with my daughter's enthusiasm for nature and as such is just as excellent as a table in our eyes :) x
ReplyDeleteVery inspiring Steph. I've seen a few nature tables, but we are sadly lacking the space for one at this point of time. How lovely for your kids to grow up with such ideas for creativity and a real awareness of the seasons. I have the "summer" book in that series and really is very lovely.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I actually think I tend to do this without even realising. Love natures treasures x
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