Austin-Based Artist Lilac Frost Transforms Interiors with Lush, Sustainable Moss Masterpieces
The Mossery’s custom moss art brings the calming beauty of nature inside, creating a peaceful and sustainable centerpiece for any space
For those looking to connect with nature, make sustainable interior design choices and find a soothing sanctuary in their own home, Lilac Frost’s earthy artwork satisfies all of these needs.
Frost, the artist and owner of The Mossery, creates customizable, sustainable moss art made from real moss and other natural materials. The ethereal pieces, which can be quite large, are meant to bring greenery inside, surrounding you with fauna from the comfort of your favorite chair. For those born without green thumbs, moss art is made from dead, preserved plants, so the pieces never need to be watered and should be kept out of direct sunlight.
“Many people are aware of the power of nature and how that makes us feel more creative and makes our mental clarity better,” says Frost. “But at the same time, as a human species, we spend 90% of our time indoors. I thought, ‘What if I can get people to look up from their devices, look at the nature that makes them feel more kind and feel more drive to achieve great things out there in the world?’”
Frost combines art and sustainability to create meaningful moss creations
Frost, who is originally from Beijing, China, moved to Austin from the Bay Area in 2021 and made her first piece of moss art four years ago for a friend who struggled to keep plants alive. The artwork was six feet long, and people were drawn to it, which prompted others to inquire about commissioning moss art for themselves.
“Moss is actually the connective element that ties all the elements together, because it grows in water, on wood, on rocks,” says Frost. “It symbolizes strength, resilience and life. I think we all could use a lot of elements of that in interior design spaces.”
With a degree from the Rhode Island School of Design and 10 years of experience working in tech in the climate sphere, she dove into the materials behind moss art and quickly found they weren’t quite as pure as she originally thought. Most moss art is made with plastic, such as glue gun materials and plywood, and even toxic chemicals like formaldehyde.
“Seeing all of those things was very alarming to me,” explains Frost.
Creating long-lasting designs tailored to each client’s style and story
She found a supplier that could account for the natural origin of the moss. Frost also uses wood glue and tries to reuse wood and materials from local businesses, “so things that were otherwise going into the landfill now can be a part of something that is really beautiful. Every step of the way is carefully researched and carefully thought through to make sure that each piece that is created actually makes the planet better.”
To preserve the once-living moss, Frost uses glycerin and food coloring to make the colors extra vibrant. She has also incorporated wood from local trees killed in the 2021 freeze into recent pieces. Once finished, the pieces can last for decades.
When Frost works with clients for custom moss art creations, she asks them to first think about where the attention-grabbing moment should be — those precious seconds when people first walk into your home and ask, “What is that? Is it alive?” Then, she’ll ask them about their home’s style, as well as any architectural elements they’d like to incorporate, like a stairwell, arch or column. She even has a directory of style to help clients decide on low or high contrast, hanging pieces or rolling poofs, monochrome or colorful. Finally, she’ll incorporate your personal story.
Each custom piece is designed to be unique and personal
Frost once worked with a couple of dancers to create a large living room piece that captures a feeling of motion, while still feeling serene.
“From afar, it almost looks like an infinity symbol because that’s one of the movements in the type of dance they do called Brazilian Zouk,” says Frost. “So, when they practice in the living room and look at the piece, it echoes their biggest passion and the love that brought them together in the first place.”
For a final personal touch, each commission comes with a custom unboxing experience, including a protective box opened with a special key.
“I want it to be a super luxurious and unique experience where someone really feels like they get to be a part of nature.”
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