Using Plants in Home Decor…Tastefully! Tips from a Bay Area Interior Designer
BRINGING THE OUTDOORS IN. It’s that time of year when we are all hopefully enjoying the outdoors and catching a little vacation time. When that measly two weeks is over, ease your transition from the beach back to urban living with some interior greenery.
House plants have a bad rap. It could be the image of half-dead plants scattered everywhere during your college days, or maybe the silk plant in your bedroom growing up. Either way, there IS a tasteful way to bring some green into your home. Clear your minds and read on for a beginner’s guide to keeping plants indoors.
One plant brings some life to this room while maintaining the spare design.
Rule #1: Less is more. Just like your mom’s makeup advice, this also applies to plants in the home. Pick plants that have interesting shapes and can make a statement on their own. Two to three per room max.
Rule #2: Plants should be Living. I don’t care how hard you try, some plants just won’t make it. If this is the case you need to be prepared to say goodbye. If a majority of the leaves are brown or gone, it’s time to toss it. Make a mental note of what type of plant doesn’t work in your space, and adapt the next purchase to your specific conditions.
Rule #3: Pick a well-suited variety. Be realistic about the amount of time and care you will be devoting to your new plant. Ferns and Orchids are notorious for being high maintenance, while Rubber plants and Cacti fall under the easy category. It’s helpful to have a specific location in mind for where the plant will live, as the amount and intensity of sun exposure will impact the recommended plant variety. Head to your local plant store for expert advice.
Retro bullet planter from Hip Haven.
Rule #4: Attractive vessels only. Be sure to choose planters with a slightly more sophisticated look than the average outdoor vessel. Use pedestals and plant stands to add impact. If you are looking for something unique, try retro bullet planters as seen above (www.hiphaven.com) or check out www.dwr.com for a wide selection of modern planters.
Tags: home decorating advice, interior design advice bay area, interior design blog san francisco, using indoor plants
This entry was posted on Saturday, August 1st, 2009 at 4:09 pm and is filed under Monthly Newsletter. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.