Design Notes
We know that at the end of the day, it is the details that make a space feel like home. The functional kitchen space is great, and the multipurpose bathroom vanity is a must, but the little things enable every area to reflect you and your personality. There are literally hundreds of ways to utilize accent pieces throughout your home, but one that has been trending for some time is the use of plants, both in your indoor and outdoor spaces. Traditionally, when we think of plants, our minds think of real but faux greenery, and florals have also become popular. Dried is another option that has found its way into the design world. More companies are offering various selections for indoor/outdoor plants, making it easier than ever to incorporate these things into your home, whether you suffer from allergies or not. What are the benefits of using them, and what are the best ways to style your home with them? Let’s find out.
Using Live Flowers and Plants
There are a few things that can brighten a room, such as fresh flowers. Because they come in so many varieties and sizes, they can be used in multiple areas of the home. From luscious, leafy plants to vibrant flowers, it is a wonderful way to add color to any room. You can create contrast in a calm room of neutrals by adding some simple green terracotta, or even opt for larger varieties of greenery. There are several fun ways to incorporate them into the design, such as using a bar cart. Instead of layering them on shelves and the floor, you can place them on the cart to create a beautiful mini landscape that is easy to move when needed. Don’t forget that you can also go up with hanging plants that can become their own works of art or make a visual statement in a room. Of course, they are a “natural” fit for the back deck, sun room, or patio and instantly add a feeling of warmth and a sense of home. Placing smaller plants on the bookshelf is a perfect complement to the books, and they also make a unique bookend. Some decorative planters can even be placed on the wall, providing a great way to clean the air and fill the space with varying colors from nature’s own palette. While the possibilities are endless, it is essential to consider which plants require more sunlight and which ones are toxic to any pets you may have. Flowers and greenery blend well with minimal and farmhouse design styles, so consider adding them to your list of decor items for your new space.
Using Faux Plants
As much as we may like the real deal, there are times when it is not possible to incorporate real flowers and plants, especially if you have allergies, young children, or pets. Thankfully, there are many companies that do a wonderful job of creating faux plant options, such as Mud Pie, which offers stunning pieces like elegant wooden trays with moss inside. They work great for table centerpieces and can be paired with other items to make your table the envy of all. Layering is a great way to maximize the look, especially moss trays coupled with varying sizes of pots. It immediately creates a soft, inviting look for any space in the home. This is also helpful in areas with high usage, like the home office. Working for hours in one space can become wearying on the mind and body. By incorporating a touch of nature throughout or in concentrated areas, it can help ease stress, increase productivity, and enhance focus. Faux plants give you the beauty and calm of the outside without having to water or worry about whether or not the baby or dog has gotten into it. Not to mention if you travel often or don’t have a green thumb. If you think the plant looks a little too fake, take a tip from a designer and simply re-pot it. There are many hanging baskets and planters that look amazing on their own and can work great as a decor piece. Be on the lookout next time you are at your favorite craft store. You might just find something amazing in the faux plant area that you had previously not noticed.
Using Dried Flowers In The Home
Sometimes you want the beauty of fresh flowers to last forever, and that is where dried flowers come into play. They can create stunning arrangements in the home, especially those with a traditional or farmhouse feel. Dried flowers retain much of their original beauty and can be placed in multiple areas in the home, such as the entry or foyer, and the kitchen. They are always a beautiful addition to any space, and they also help alleviate many allergy problems. Of course, one benefit is the fact that they don’t need to be replaced as often as their fresh counterparts. They can provide as much beauty as the original and add a soft touch of nature to your home.
Benefits Of Decorating With Flowers
Besides making your home look absolutely amazing, flowers, both fresh and faux, come with several benefits, including:
- Clean air
- Calm environment
- Reducing stress
- Increasing positive emotions
It is a well-known fact that plants purify the air in your home, but the color green is also associated with reducing stress. There is also evidence that suggests it can help our eyes recover a little when we take a break from our screens to look at it. Placing several plants, no matter if they’re real or not, in your office space provides a nice moment of rest for your eyes. When you incorporate natural elements into your home, it immediately creates a calming environment for everyone to enjoy, whether with just your family or with guests. The atmosphere of a room is just as important as the layout and comfort of the furniture, which is why many designers encourage the use of natural and faux plants in the home. Even just a few scattered around can yield benefits to your family, so consider making a stop at your local nursery for some ideas.
Paint companies like Sherwin-Williams have already announced their amazing Color of the Year choice, Redend Point, which draws from nature’s calm color palette. Benjamin Moore’s choice of Raspberry Blush, though, is closer in shade to the color selection made by the one company everyone in the fashion world looks to, Pantone. Designers and manufacturers alike waited with eagerness to hear Pantone’s color of the year announcement, and for 2023, their choice was Viva Magenta, a color described as a “crimson red tone that presents a balance between warm and cool. This hybrid of red and pink is a reflection of our current world’s relationship of living in both a physical and digital world. More and more homeowners are learning to blend their work and home lifestyles, which have become deeply entwined over the last couple of years. We know that color is much more than a splash of paint on a wall or cabinet; it speaks a language all its own, something Pantone seems to grasp and express well. So what influence will 2023’s Viva Magenta have on us? Let’s explore the answers today.
Greenbrook DesignWhen you first moved into your property, you took the time to come up with the perfect design for a space you’ll call home. However, over time, circumstances change, and so do people. And, now, you’ve found yourself in a situation of wanting to change things up a bit. If you’re wondering how to tell it’s time to redesign your home, sit tight and let us walk you through all the major signs.
Greenbrook DesignHomes are a collection of things we love, and sometimes those things can come from places outside the traditional sources, such as your typical home furnishings stores. Increasingly, designers and homeowners alike are discovering the benefits of antique stores. These places, often thought of as the last stop for items no one else wanted, have become a popular shopping stop for those who want to have something unique in their home and enjoy the thrill of “treasure hunting”. More and more design styles are also embracing vintage finds, seeking to blend them together to create something special, such as the grand millennial and mid-century modern styles. Millennials are also enjoying the freedom to branch out in their design choices, creating a home that is customized to their own personality. Antique shopping can be a wonderful way to uncover those special touches that can make all the difference in your home, so let’s explore how to get started and what to do with all of the treasures you find.
Walker WoodworkingMore designers and contractors are incorporating this secondary space into the kitchen to gain square footage and have an area that works as an extension of the kitchen. Let’s dive deeper into what a butler pantry is and what the benefits are for you.
Walker WoodworkingThis is why we have created multiple door profile styles so that each of our clients can find the one that perfectly tells their story to everyone. At times, they are not able to pinpoint one that speaks to them, which is why we offer custom door styles as well. Several of our clients have opted for mullion cabinet doors, which always add a beautiful touch to their space.
Greenbrook Design
Walker Woodworking