In 1947, a discovery was made in caves at Qumran near Jerusalem that was to astound and fascinate the world. A Bedouin boy, searching for his lost goat, hurled a pebble into a rock fissure in an attempt to chase out the animal. Hearing the sound of breaking pottery, he entered the cave to find the first of a veritable treasure trove of ancient Hebrew artifacts. These would provide an important account of life in Judea during the biblical period, and documentative evidence of the teachings and beliefs of a devout Jewish sect called the Essenes. This important find reflects on the roots of both Judaism and Christianity. The Dead Sea Scrolls had been discovered: untouched, since they were hidden by the Essenes during the Roman occupation of Jerusalem in the year 63 BCE (Before Common Era), 59 years before the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.

Concealed alongside these sacred scrolls was a cache of antiquities, including examples of pottery and stone vessels, wooden bowls, linens, basketry, parchments and other common wares pertaining to the everyday routine of a people dedicated to spirituality, purity, self sufficiency and a collective way of life.

In the present day, as our search for life's purer elements continues, these needs become imposed upon different stratas of our lifestyle. Interiors are so often reliant on man-made, mass-produced synthetics, yet there is a need for natural, earth-made and organic elements, such as those found in the caves at Qumran.

In the bedroom featured here, naive simplicity and utilitarianism combine with comfort and quality to provide an over-riding sense of well-being and sanctuary. The soft sheer fabric of the curtains diffuses the light, yet allows sufficient radiance to touch every corner of the space. Warm shadows are cast over the bed, where simple linens and rich, thick weaves unite. Contrasting fabrics are set harmoniously against a plain background to provide richness derived from both texture and colour. Crisp, white, cotton bedding is overlapped with rich ochre and oatmeal, beaded throws. Cushions with the appearance of raw sackcloth, but with the softness of raw silk, further enhance the natural feel.

On one wall, an installation of nine works, by a local artist, captures the feel of the materials used to create the scrolls. Clay tiles, painted in sun-baked earthy hues, provide a comfortable resting place for several layers of parchment and natural textured paper.

The uniform positioning of these, on a wall which is covered with simple, brown, wrapping paper, provides a dramatic focal point in this environment.

The channel of stones, mapping out the boundaries of the room, is inspired by the walled cities of biblical times, and provides punctuation between the remaining white walls and floor. In one corner an enormous earthenware bowl embraces a cluster of huge, craggy rocks, each one like an individual salt stack, formed by the blazing heat and water evaporation in the Dead Sea region.

Looking at this scene, it is hard to believe that it was created without a tremendous financial outlay. In keeping with the practicalities of the Essenes, necessity has become the mother of invention.

Just as local craftspeople would have endeavoured to find as much potential as possible in a limited range of resources, try to see further than traditional furniture stores when putting together a look such as this. The bedhead and kickboard shown here, for example, (main picture) were created from a simple willow screen, bought from a B&Q garden centre. A source such as this provides a wealth of interior supplies in an atypical environment. Mix these DIY store finds with interior retailers such as Habitat or the Pier, to create this very natural feel.

The discipline here is fundamentally utilitarian, but has been enhanced to ensure that comfort plays as significant a part as function and aesthetic. This is the easy living look of today and yesterday.

These so called ''new naturals'' are actually not so new at all. They have existed since the beginning of time, and in modern day they present perhaps the most recurrent theme used by designers to enhance the spaces in which we live. Components have not changed, but application has.

Nature's primary elements are now placed in a minimal setting to reveal their individual form and accentuate their true character. Excesses have been pared away and replaced with quality basic essentials.

Simple, sensual and sensitive: this is a dogma for life in the 1990s!