About two years ago, I found an amazing retro-style fruit print at the Flatstock poster show in Austin, Texas. I didn’t know where I was going to put it, but I knew I had to have it. Then I got home and decided that the only place for fruit artwork was in the kitchen, and since there wasn’t a place for it on the walls of my culinary space, the print would have to be stored in my art drawer for the time being. Then last week I came across the photograph below, featuring a nursery decked out in fruit-themed artwork: [from Azevedo Design Inc.]

It’s not like I needed permission to bring fruity interior design to other areas of the house, but this gorgeous interior reignited my passion for fruit motifs and gave me the go-ahead to move forward with hanging my delicious print purchase wherever I please! As a companion piece to our recent post on decorating with fruit, today we explore three ways that fruit themes can make a statement in your home. And why they shouldn’t only be confined to the kitchen…

Fruit on Display

OK, we’ll start with the obvious. Actual fruit can be displayed in your home as a centerpiece of a room, table or surface top. Yes, it’s that easy! After all, chances are you eat fruit. Why hide it in a pantry or crisper? Below we see a hanging basket filled with nature’s bounty. [from Soorikian Architecture] 

Don’t forget that fruit is the perfect way to add color to an otherwise neutral space. Gray, taupe, black and white may be this kitchen’s signature colors, but somehow the room doesn’t come to life without the double-decker wire basket of oranges and lemons that rests on the kitchen island. [from Artdecor Interior Designers & Decorators]

A bowl of fruit can do wonders. But don’t hesitate to find unconventional ways to display your produce. In the next featured image, we see a long and narrow spread of produce such as oranges, lemons and tomatoes. Note how the form and bright red color of the stand continue the modern tone set by this contemporary kitchen. [from Blount Design]

Who doesn’t love a glass canister filled with delicious fruit? This decorative touch is a key feature in bistro kitchens like the one shown below. [from Peter Zimmerman Architecture]

We know the holidays are still a ways off, but who doesn’t love a little Christmas in July? Nothing is more festive than a large spread of fruit and other edibles. In fact, this approach can be applied to any holiday or season, including summer. Fill a long tray with groupings of fruit such as citrus for a tropical twist! [from Regina Gust]

Even if your fruit display isn’t THE focal point of the room, it can still be the focal point of your shelf or tabletop. The open shelving below includes many foodie delights, but nothing catches the eye quite like a basket of vivid green apples… [from Houzz contributor Meg Padgett]

And it’s not just ornamental! Place fruit exactly where your need it for an easy embellishment.  For example, on the bar cart below, the flowers are delightful. But what would a good drink be without a little splash of lemon?! [from Gracefully Searching]

Fruit-Themed Artwork

We now move from actual fruit to representations of fruit as shown through an array of artwork. Of course, it’s hard to go wrong with fruit art in the kitchen, especially when it takes a unique approach. We’re loving the fruity close-ups in the featured art below… [from Susan Brook Interiors]

Head to Etsy for some truly unique fruit-themed artwork! The berry and citrus tones of this Kitchen Art Print from Etsy shop Anek (recently featured on Design Sponge) can’t help but catch the eye. We’re loving the modern look, as well as the clever combination of vivid colors:

Bold shapes and clean lines never fail to make a big statement. The pear, orange and apple artwork below is a Fruit Art Print from Etsy shop Prints by Stella Chili. Not to mention, the image invites us to enjoy a taste of juicy goodness, all the while remaining chic and understated…

Wowie Zowie! These Retro Fruit Art Prints from Etsy shop Hello Pants are cleverly stylized, boasting a vintage look that celebrates the magic of color and form. While they would definitely look great in the kitchen, they would also be at home in any room of the house. Yummy!

There’s nothing like the tropical vibe conjured by a pineapple. And when the pineapple is a print of a beautiful original watercolor painting, it only gets better… Introducing Pineapple #2 from Etsy shop colorZen. As seen in the image below, this artwork looks amazing in a room filled with warm wooden tones. But then again, we imagine it would look pretty great just about anywhere…

Fruit is just one component of this next painting, titled “big frutti di mare” and created by New York artist Happy Menocal. This one-of-a-kind painting is framed in a gold leaf shadow box and can be purchased at Jonathan Adler. A substantial fruit-themed piece such as this would be perfect for the dining room, don’t you think?:

We know. We’ve featured a plethora of modern (and retro meets modern) fruity finds. But this next image reminds us that fruit can be unexpected and  dazzling in traditional settings as well. In fact, we love how it takes the spotlight in this earthy yet elegant dining room filled with warm tones… [from Mojo Stumer Associates, pc. ]

Fruity Pillows

Remember the image at the top of the page? Yes, that fruit-themed nursery is still at the heart of today’s post, and the pillows below continue the playfully modern theme set by that well-designed space. There’s something fun and whimsical about fruit with a face, which is why these pillows would make the perfect addition to a living room or bedroom (even one for grown-ups). [featured at Beauty and Fashion]

But not all fruit pillows have a face… Sometimes the simplicity of a colorful silhouette on a white background can speak volumes. Bold, brave and blissfully stylish, this Big Pear Pillow Case comes from Etsy shop Moni K. Designs:

Ready for another fabulous Etsy find? This one is very earth-friendly, thanks to its construction from upcycled knits. Say hello to the Red Apple Upcycled Pillow from Etsy shop Wild Rabbits Burrow. Squishy poly fiberfill ensures that this item is as cuddly as it is visually striking. Once again, we see how a fruity pillow can look great in any room of the house–living rooms and bedrooms alike!

Anyone else feeling inspired to get crafty? Next we see another fruity find from Wild Rabbits Burrow… The items in this set of three citrus pillows are crafted from polar fleece. The image below reminds us that you can make a big statement with a grouping of fruit-themed pillows. After all, there’s power in numbers…

We’re loving the modern look of this Orange Peach Fruit Cushion Cover from Etsy shop VeeDubz. There’s something retro about the pattern, and the bold use of color can’t be denied. When it comes to fruity motifs, make sure you go with a color and style that you love. Don’t hesitate to choose whimsical and playful pieces that add a fun element to your home.

What’s your fruit-themed style? Do you prefer to keep it classy and simple with a bowl of fruit in the kitchen? Or perhaps you’re drawn to the wide selection of bold, modern fruit-themed artwork and pillows on sites such as Etsy… Would you consider adding a fruit motif to a room other than the kitchen? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below…