Meaningful Earth
Meaningful Earth, promotes, captures, and embodies our authentic connection to nature it’s the perfect trend to showcase this autumn. It reminds us of the wilderness and our past—a simpler time when we were far more in touch with the earth, to name just a few of its qualities.
So, how can this trend be integrated into your business and designs? As it seeps into our culture and interior décor, we’ll share its secrets so you can influence your designs and displays to align with the styles illustrated in many other sectors.
This trend couldn’t be more perfect for us to embrace right now, both in terms of its style and its suitability as we transition into autumn. So, let’s take a closer look at ‘Meaningful Earth.’
What’s included:
So what's it all about ?
Introducing Meaningful Earth
Meaningful Earth is one of the four key trends that experts have shared for 2024.
It’s brought to our attention by our friends at The Flower Council of Holland, who work in partnership with other organisations in our sector. Together, they bring us the latest trends with a clear focus on using them within the flower and plant world, but we’ll see these trends in many other places as well.
Meaningful Earth aims to reflect the defining spirit or mood of this year.
The FCH explain, “We are concerned about the imbalance in society – not only from a social perspective, but also in terms of the climate. Biodiversity and circularity are essential for a healthy living environment. Meaningful Earth is all about our planet: as a symbol of fertility and as a connection to our history.”
Core values of this trend
Natural, mystical, earthly, authentic, historical, archaeological, wilderness and environmental awareness.
Meaningful Earth colour palette
Not surprisingly, shades of brown play a major role in the colour chart for accessories. The Meaningful Earth colour chart has been modified for flowers and plants and contains light yellow and salmon colours that combine beautifully with dark green and greyish green.
This is why we wanted to remind you of this trend now. As we mentioned earlier, it’s been part of the trend series showcased for the entire year, but it’s clear it’s best suited to autumn.
The trend’s product ingredients
At the heart of this trend, it’s all about embracing the raw and the rugged! With shapes that are irregular and containers that are rough around the edges and coarse to the touch, if they have primitive charm, they’re perfect for ‘Meaningful Earth’.
Mother Nature is the star of the show in her most basic, earthiest form. To get into the mindset of the patterns used in the designs, you can channel your inner archaeologist. It’s all about stripes that mimic the layers of the earth, along with representations such as fossil prints or dried, cracked clay.
What really sets this trend apart is its commitment to keeping things au naturel. The materials used are as earthy as they come – think stone, sand, soil, minerals, and ceramics. Many are eco-friendly and recycled materials, with coconut, burlap, and cotton making frequent appearances.
Even pressed recycled leather gets a moment in the spotlight! And let’s not forget about clay and mud – they’re not just for face masks anymore. These humble materials are being transformed into stunning decorative pieces.
Flowers & Plants in this trend
When it comes to flowers, there’s no strict list to stick to, but anything that complements the raw, earthy vibes works well. Flowers with an almost uncultivated appearance suit this trend best. However, as we all know, the ‘wild’ or, in this case, ‘earthy’ flower feel can be created entirely with commercial flowers. Our industry is certainly no stranger to the ‘natural look’ that we’ve seen so much of, but this trend takes us in a slightly different direction.
When it comes to flowers, there’s no strict list to stick to, but anything that complements the raw, earthy vibes works well. Flowers with an almost uncultivated appearance suit this trend best. However, as we all know, the ‘wild’ or, in this case, ‘earthy’ flower feel can be created entirely with commercial flowers. Our industry is certainly no stranger to the ‘natural look’ that we’ve seen so much of, but this trend takes us in a slightly different direction.
When it comes to flowers, there’s no strict list to stick to, but anything that complements the raw, earthy vibes works well. Flowers with an almost uncultivated appearance suit this trend best. However, as we all know, the ‘wild’ or, in this case, ‘earthy’ flower feel can be created entirely with commercial flowers. Our industry is certainly no stranger to the ‘natural look’ that we’ve seen so much of, but this trend takes us in a slightly different direction.
Flowers such as brown proteas would work well, as would stems of earthy-coloured eustoma, burgundy sunflowers, ammi (especially Daucus Carota Dara), and even hydrangea in the colour palette. Seed heads and grasses also have their place.
We’re confident that there are countless flowers that can be used—as can be seen in the images—it’s how the flowers are used and the colour tones that matter.
When it comes to designing with the flowers, as I think it’s now clear, we’re forgetting about pristine bouquets or arrangements. Here, we’re embracing nature’s wild side with untamed, intriguingly artful displays that showcase interesting content.
Plants, too, allow for much flexibility. One winning formula would be to use any number of bulb plants but make the bulbs themselves highly visible, for example, in a glass bowl full of multi-coloured sand layers, so that the soil is clearly discernible. This contrast of textures and materials is key. Think red-toned Echeveria in terracotta, Alocasia in sea grass baskets, or peperomia or ferns in stoneware, to name just a few ideas. And it’s not just for foliage plants, as the orchid plant images illustrate. This trend allows creativity to flow and enables us to become unencumbered by keeping things neat.
Meaningful Earth in interiors
Picture a space that embraces the raw essence of our planet. This trend invites us to create interiors that feel almost primordial, celebrating the earth’s natural textures and hues. Imagine walls adorned with layers of sand in varied earthy tones, complemented by rough-hewn stone and mineral accents.
This aesthetic isn’t about polished perfection. Instead, it welcomes objects that tell a story – perhaps a weathered pitcher or a hand-carved statue that whispers of ancient traditions. The beauty lies in the interplay of diverse materials, each with its own unique character and patina.
By bringing these elements together, we create a space that grounds us, reminding us of our deep connection to the earth and our shared history.
Meaningful Earth in outdoor spaces
It would be remiss of us not to share how this trend influences gardens and balconies. In keeping with the Meaningful Earth aesthetic, outdoor spaces embrace a natural, almost uncultivated look and feel.
Accompanying objects are rough with irregular shapes – picture the addition of whimsical logs or large blocks of rough stone. Gone are the days of perfectly manicured borders. Instead, they appear to have sprung up spontaneously, with a wilder feel. Imagine playfully alternating clumps of grass, plants, and flowers, creating a landscape that looks effortlessly natural.
Sundries Perfect for this Trend
Protea Cynaroides Dusty Burgundy
Jute Ribbon Natural
Natural Buddha Nuts
Carved Yew Vase
30cm Artificial Moss Tile
Dried Chilli Peppers Red 200g
Bali Indonesian Grey Bowl D25 x 16cm
Dried Article Twig Bundle 30 – 45cm
Stained Wooden Vase
Bolsius Rustic Candles
Gianna Ceramic Pot
Echeveria Succulent Red
Final thoughts…
Whether you find yourself drawn to the Meaningful Earth trend or it feels distant from your usual style, one thing is clear – this trend resonates deeply with our connection to nature and is poised to remain relevant.
Trends spotlighted by The Flower Council of Holland have a way of weaving themselves into the mainstream. Expect to see this trend echoed in lifestyle magazines and leading retailers, where its earthy tones and textures will capture attention. Once you’re attuned to this trend, you’ll likely notice its influences cropping up everywhere; it sets the stage for 2024 and will likely resonate well beyond this year.
As Meaningful Earth offers a glimpse into a more grounded aesthetic that reflects our current desire for authenticity, consider how it can serve as a compelling theme for your displays. A thoughtfully curated window display that embodies the raw, earthy elements of Meaningful Earth could bring this trend to life for your clients.
Ultimately, how you choose to incorporate this trend is entirely up to you, but sharing it and its earthy charm will be a strategic move that sets you apart. Will you take this opportunity to explore the possibilities?
Images courtesy of The Flower Council of Holland
