Spring has sprung...
Not only is it potting and planting season, but greenery seems to have become a huge inspiration for designers of late. Ferns. florals and banana-leaves have become popular motifs for wallpapers and fabrics in recent years. It isn’t just interior designers that love plant patterns either; fashion houses and graphic designers have also hopped on the botany bandwagon.
The more tropical interior styles might seem laughable in an Irish climate, but bringing themes of nature into your home can be a great way to create a fresh and vibrant atmosphere in your home. Even if you aren’t interested in leafy design trends, bringing a bit of greenery into your abode with actual houseplants can look great, improve air quality AND lift your mood. This week we hope to inspire you to bring the beauty of mother nature into your home!
Natural vibes to suit all styles
Whether your mode of design is Victorian, Moroccan, Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian, Shabby Chic or Modern-Eclectic, plant-life is adaptable to almost any space. Our gallery below demonstrates just this. However, if in doubt, our main tip when incorporating plant life into the decor of a space is to use plants with monochromatic schemes, or around natural materials and colour palettes. As you can see from these images, bright whites contrast really well with green plant life.
What plants, and why?
Aesthetic purposes aside, plants are great for purifying the air in your home, and we aren't just talking about increasing oxygen levels. NASA have been researching how plants clean the air around us for decades, and have provided a list of plants that are the best at air filtration, and also white kinds of toxins they remove for example: benzenes, formaldehyde and even ammonia. For a comprehensive list of what plants filter what click here. To see NASA's top ten best plants for air filtration, click here.
We also got in touch with a local botanist and indoor plant enthusiast, Eoin Murphy to see what advice he could give us on plants that are easy to keep and look great. According to Eoin, 70's house plants, have made a major comeback in recent years, and are generally indestructible. For example, the Monstera Deliciosa (what a name!) pictured below with an classic Eames chair is Retro perfection!
Eoin also has a passion for carnivorous plants and air plants (that grow without soil, absorbing moisture from the environment!). Check out his adventurous spooky air plant skull below:
OUR FAVOURITES
- The Areca Palm is the best plant for air filtration according to NASA. It is the best air humidifier you can get, is easy to keep, and widely available. Most importantly, it looks especially great if you are going for a tropical aesthetic.
- The Rubber Plant has also been given the thumbs up by NASA for air purification. Its also a great plant for darker spaces and is easy to grow. A word of caution: the leaves of the rubber plant are toxic, so beware of growing it around small animals or children.
- The Fiddle Leaf Fig has become immensely popular with interior designers in recent years.
- Alocasia have nice big leaves if you're going for a jungle effect. In particular, the macrorrhiza variety are HUGE if thats what you are looking for.
- Snake Plants are just plain pretty and easy to care for. Check them out in those cute little copper pots!
- Citrus Trees give a beautiful Mediterranean feel to any room. Best place in a conservatory, or somewhere with lots of light and warmth.
Other plants you may be interested in are: the Asparagus Fern, Bonzais (if you are prepared to take care of them), Parlour Palm, Bamboo Palm.
For lots more plant inspiration, visit our Pinterest board "Bringing The Outisde In" by clicking here.
Most of the plants we have discussed are available at the Johnstown Garden Centre in Dublin. See whats available on their website: http://www.johnstowngardencentre.ie/.