How to use plants to add interest and life to your space – successfully

Have you noticed the lack of life – plant life, I mean, in images of beautiful interiors? There’s often a fabulous bouquet or two of cut flowers in a vessel of some sort, be them large or small, but I’m talking about actual plants. In pots.

I find these next 2 rooms suggested by Cattalen Italia *stunning*. And many would argue that you can’t plop a plant into rooms of these stature. {How dare I even suggest it?!}

Well – take a good look at them. What are they missing? Besides some obvious colour (and I’m a huge fan of monochromatic and simple colour schemes), I believe they are missing some life to them.

I am not for a minute suggesting that you go take your aunt’s collection of green plastic potted plants from her window sill and adorn the above – or any – space with them.

But the right plant – in the right vessel (doesn’t have to be a ‘typical’ pot) – can bring life to the room, add warmth and comfort, and enhance the overall look and feel of your space. Even if you’ve gone contemporary.

THE BELOW IS A PICTURE OF WHAT NOT TO DO !!!

THE ABOVE IS A PICTURE OF WHAT NOT TO DO !!!

Ok – so I’m exaggerating a little. If you’re reading this blog, I know that you’re not likely to go off track that far. I just wanted to be clear that I am not advocating plants for the sake of plant life.

So what’s an example of a carefully chosen plant and vessel for the space?

I’ll start with one of my own rooms. This is a sitting room opposite our family room – fairly monochromatic in its tones.

It’s eclectic with a mix of contemporary furniture, flooring that is both traditional and contemporary, traditional architectural details, and a bit of ‘exotic’ thrown in with the Kim Taylor Reece photo of a beautiful Hawaiian woman with a lei around her neck.

I chose a ‘birds of paradise’ house plant, in just-the-right-height so that it would lean into the photo a bit – not so much that it would block it out, but enough that it would enhance the exotic element in the room, while adding colour and interest.

I kept the vessel simple, neutral and light-coloured to let the plant take centre stage, but still elegant, as that's the overall feel I wanted for the space.

Here’s another example of where a birds of paradise plant adds a finishing touch to the space that makes it – quite literally – come alive. (Notice how Alison Spearaia further added colour by using a brightly coloured pot, which is a complementary colour to the red credenza.)

Can you visualize the above space without the plant in the corner? If you can, doesn't it suddenly lose its life / look a bit 'blah'?

Not everyone has the space for a birds of paradise or other sizable plant though, and those are also not necessarily going to be the right plants for your space. Here are some data points to consider before buying plants and vessels (pots) for your space:

1) Exactly where would you put the plant? Don’t define just which side of the room, define the exact spot – will it be on the floor, a window sill, shelf, table?

Then write down how much space you have to work with. ie. what are the maximum width & height measurements the plant can be (with vessel), given where it will be fitting into?

2) How much light does that area get? Direct sunlight (ie. sun will shine on it for a few hours/day), indirect natural light (it’s well lit with natural light in that area, but the sun’s not shining on it directly), or is it a low-light area?

3) What is the overall feeling you want your room to have / what is the current look, if you are staying with it (including its colours). ie. do you want to add a bit of an exotic feel, do you want to continue to support its contemporary look, do you want to add frivolity, whimsy or an industrial feel? Etc etc.

You now have enough info (to be dangerous and ...) to go to a plant store and begin your search for the plant(s) that is/are going to bring your space to life.

If you’re not horticulturally inclined (as I am not), don’t be afraid to ask for advice at the plant store – make sure you know how much care is involved in looking after the plant*, and that you can live up to what is needed, because if you’re going to end up killing the plant, it’s not only a waste of your money, it is truly a waste of a life that gives us a gift.

*I was given a great tip wrt the birds of paradise plant:  when watering it, make sure the water is very warm (not hot, but also not just luke warm).  Because of where they hail from (warm climates), their make-up is used to warm rains.  Our plant has been thriving fm day one, and it requires minimal care -- so it pays to ask! 

In this lively interior below, they’ve used plant life in vases at a minimum.   I think this space is *screaming* for a fabulous tall plant in an electric blue pot! (And/or smaller plants in colourful vessels on the ledge above the beds.)

Don’t you?!

It's Your Space, Your Place, Your Life -- if you want a great-looking space that's right for you and embibes the feel you'll love living in, contact Liz to help make it happen!

Credits

cattalenitalia.com

parehe.com

kimtaylorreece.com

alisonspearaia.com

plantcareuk.com

homesdesigninterior.com

ffffound.com

kolkata.olx.in

I always *love* a good damask!

I feel like I should be talking about pie crust or brioche (I always love a good one of either of those also) [in fact, I make an awesome pie crust – no cheating either, but I digress...].

I feel moved however to talk about the gorgeous patterns we are seeing everywhere today, that get their inspiration from the old world reversible figured fabrics that bore a pattern formed by weaving.

Its name derived from the city of Damascus, Damasks were traditionally woven with differing textures of yarn, and sometimes included metallic threads and varying colours to create rich repetitive patterns.

The use of ‘damask’ patterns has morphed throughout the centuries, bringing inspiration to creators of fabrics and wall coverings through to today.

And with today’s technology, we can find damask patterns on everything from wall decals to wall paper, wall tiles and fabrics for use in all areas of the home – including bedding, drapery, furniture and oh-so-necessary decorative cushions.

{We are kind of cute calling this wonderful pattern “modern” when it originated on this planet when our forefathers’s forefathers were still amoebas!}

I’m *loving* the New Baroque Velvet damask-patterned wall tile by Settecento. I find the below application of it stunning – but a bit stark.

I myself would prefer to see some colour with it. For a more contemporary and youthful feel, I'd suggest apple green, or light or bright turquoise, or hey – the colour of the year – honeysuckle!

Or, for a richer, more mature feel, I'd suggest a smoky lavender, rich olive green or deep watermelon.

Here’s an example of a black and white theme with a more subtle damask-inspired wallpaper, with pops of colour.

While a black and white theme is common with damask pattern-inspired home decor items, many other colour and texture choices are available – it’s a wonderfully versatile motif that can dress up and even warm up a space.

This bedroom design by Nicholas Haslam uniquely pairs a custom bedskirt and headboard (both different damask-inspired patterns) with more rustic / country-feeling elements, creating a space that feels both luxurious and accessibly comfortable.

In a light rose colour, the damask-patterned comforter paired with complementary linens that boast a smaller pretty print – all amidst a white backdrop – evokes a feeling of femininity and frivolity fit for princesses from 8 to 18, without feeling overdone.

Choosing a damask-patterned fabric to upholster furniture is gutsy and bold – I personally would keep it to just one or two chairs in a space (as opposed to a whole dining set, or sofa, for example – although I would put damask on a chaise...).

Damask-patterned fabrics in bold colours elicit that visual ‘wow’ best when they are juxtaposed with more subtly-patterned (or no pattern) items – which means that less is more in that instance.

I love this Cotswold Chair in Smoke Damask available through The Cross Decor & Design!

If you want to give damask a try but aren’t ready for the more costly commitments of wallpaper, linens or furniture, funk up your space with damask-inspired wall decals.

This damask scroll graphic available through the byrdiegraphics shop on etsy brings colour, punch and some needed panache to this otherwise mostly achromatic, eclectic-modern space.

The golden nugget of damask-patterned items for the home lies not just in its inherent beauty, but in how well it can support and contribute to the overall look and feel you want in your space.

Whether the feel you're after is more classic, funky, retro, mod, glam or – as we saw above – even quasi-country, damask-patterned items can be the most prized feature in your room, and add a "wow" factor that literally pops out of the mouths of all who enter!

It's Your Space, Your Place, Your Life -- if you want a great-looking space that's right for you and embibes the feel you'll love living in, contact Liz to help you make it happen!

Liz
http://www.elizabethrobertsdesign.ca/

Credits:

littlecherubsheirloom.com
worldmosaictile.com
pantone.com
housebeautiful.com
thibautdesign.com
decorpad.com
bestbeddingensembles.com
thecrossdesign.com
etsy.com (byrdiegraphics shop, damask scroll)