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.
Greenbrook DesignMaking the decision to open our own showroom was not done overnight. It began as the answer to a need for our clients. They needed a place where they could come and explore the possibilities that awaited them for their home renovation. It was important to our owners, Travis and Stacey Walker, that their clients could see and feel the products, enhancing their design experience. As the idea became a reality, the Walkers realized the added benefit of having more than just cabinets featured in the showroom. Greenbrook Design is proud to be an authorized dealer for not just four lines of cabinetry but multiple home furnishings and decor companies like Europe 2 You and Moe’s. Get a peek inside the showroom here and listen to Stacey share her vision of the showroom.
We have all witnessed the transformation this past year, bedrooms become offices, kitchen tables become classrooms, and your basement doubles as a home gym. The problem is that most of these spaces were not ready to accommodate double duty. Multifunctional means one area of the home can handle multiple duties, while this sounds great, no one wants it to look like it’s a three-in-one, which is where good design comes into play. Selecting furniture pieces that can serve several purposes or planning a layout that can fulfill multiple needs is key to creating a home that suits your family’s unique lifestyle and routine. Let’s discuss what goes into designing these spaces and how you can make the most of the space you have.
Walker WoodworkingDesign is more than just creating a layout that is functional and beautiful; it is about turning a house into a home that has an atmosphere just right for you. A functional home is good, but a home where you feel at home is best, which is the end goal for every designer. One way to have a welcoming environment is to draw inspiration from nature, which is a trend that is gaining momentum in the design world.
Walker Woodworking When you think of a closet, you envision a space within a room that opens with a door. For some, it means enough room to hang up clothes or store larger items. It has, however, evolved to become much more than a mere stash and go-to spot for necessities. From hall closets to pantries to linen and bedroom closets, they serve multiple purposes. Today, it can be a mini dressing room, a place to keep all the kids’ sports equipment, and even a place of meditation ( really, it’s a thing). It is a great way to gain extra storage in the bedroom for personal items and is considered an extension of the home.
Walker Woodworking Are you feeling like something needs to change inside your home? Tired of the same old decor pieces greeting you when you come home? Maybe your taste in style has changed, and you’re looking for a little update? The good news is you don’t have to do a full-blown renovation to achieve your goal; sometimes, it takes a little freshening up to update your home.
Greenbrook Design
Walker Woodworking