Greenery, the jene sais quoi of a room! What does this mean exactly? It's ability to fulfill the "I don't know what is missing" in your space. Greenery is a simple, yet effective way to liven up a curation within the finishing touches. We believe it’s an area of investment worth entertaining, which is why we include it in all of our projects.
Are you staring at an empty corner in need of some help? Does your finished room still feel a tad cold or flat? Don't sweat it friends, as greenery of appropriate scale will help solve this problem. There are a few considerations to keep in mind; therefore, we're sharing how we navigate the perfect selections for each project.
TIP #1: DETERMINE YOUR TOLERANCE LEVEL
A simple, but important question we ask clients is, "real or faux?" It's important to know your tolerance level towards maintenance & how to weave it into your weekly routine. Live plants require love & attention, and for those with busy schedules may want to stick with low maintenance species, or avoid live greenery altogether and use silk faux.
Similar to humans, plants require different accommodations, so it's important to know the direction your house is facing & exposure to natural light in coordination to room location, and we must not forget about water accommodations. This helps determine the most appropriate species for both your room and lifestyle.
For our friends with lower success rates, we suggest investing in quality silk plants paired with a nice vase or planter. They last forever, and require zero maintenance other than an occasional dust session. Think of it like a Costco transaction; you pay more upfront, but you get a longer shelf life on the back end. Investing in quality silk plants provides a realistic aesthetic, both up close & from a far. Your guests will never know the difference.
TIP #2: SCALE OF PLANT
Negative space is necessary in allowing the eye to rest; however, sometimes an area in a room requires an additional "filler" other than furniture. Large scale plants absorb the negative space without visually obstructing the overall vibe of a room; making them the perfect option. They also provide shape, color, and organic movement in balance to the straight and curved lines within the furnishings.
For lower ceilings, we suggest 6' to 7' H plants. The additional 1' to 2' allows room to stage with an appropriate planter or basket. For taller ceilings, we suggest 8' to 9' height. Be sure to match the scale of your plant and planter or basket appropriately.
TIP #3: SELECT ACCORDING TO THE ROOM
Shelf styling is another area to integrate greenery of smaller scale, such as small potted plants. For a balanced finish, use stems of similar shape & coloration and stagger them across the shelves in a zig zag formation. When styling shelves, it's important to have a cohesive blend of varying textures, coloration, height, and materials.
When polishing off our styling details, we often add greenery or florals to free floating areas throughout a space; such as coffee tables, kitchen islands and console tables. This adds height and dimension to flat surfaces, and brings life to the finishing touches.
TIP #4: USE INTERCHANGEABLE STEMS THROUGHOUT EACH SEASON
A lot of homeowners like to integrate the 4 seasons in their home décor. If you're like us and agree less is more, stems are a quick & easy way to incorporate the change in seasons without breaking the bank. It's a great way to add seasonal color and depending on your location, the options are plentiful. Pair them with a few seasonal throw pillows and call it a day.
Whether real or faux, greenery is a must in all of our curations because it is the "I don't know what is missing". By breathing life and movement into a space, it really brings the design home.