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.
Granite, Quartz, Marble, or Quartzite?
These are the top contenders when it comes to selecting the perfect countertop material for your kitchen or bathroom. Each one brings its own strengths, aesthetic appeal, and practical considerations—making the decision both exciting and a bit overwhelming.
Granite is a natural stone known for its durability and unique, one-of-a-kind patterns. Quartz, on the other hand, is an engineered surface that offers a wide range of color options and is prized for its low-maintenance qualities. Marble stands out for its timeless elegance and heat resistance, though it requires more upkeep. Quartzite closely resembles marble in appearance but offers greater durability and easier maintenance.
When making your selection, it’s important to consider factors such as heat and stain resistance, ease of maintenance, and of course, budget. Below, we break down the key differences, pros, and cons of each material to help you determine which surface best suits your lifestyle, design vision, and practical needs.
The kitchen pantry is often one of the most underutilized yet high-potential spaces in the home. While it can easily become a catch-all for clutter, a well-designed pantry is a true hidden gem—capable of transforming the functionality of your kitchen. From storing oversized serving pieces to housing everyday essentials, a thoughtfully planned pantry helps keep countertops clear and mealtime prep more efficient.
Whether you have a compact pull-out pantry, a spacious walk-in, or a dedicated butler’s pantry, innovative organization is key. A well-designed pantry not only maximizes storage but also supports the flow of your kitchen. Below, we’re sharing a few of our favorite design ideas and practical tips to help you better utilize your pantry space—and maybe even inspire your next kitchen upgrade.
Our showroom’s grand opening was the culmination of two years filled with vision, planning, and hard work—a dream brought to life through dedication and passion. Now, as we prepare to celebrate our second anniversary, we find ourselves reflecting on how quickly time has passed. It feels like only yesterday that we opened our doors and welcomed our very first clients into the space we’ve come to love so much.
Join us as we take a walk down memory lane and revisit the milestones, challenges, and moments that brought us to Uptown Shelby. This anniversary isn’t just a celebration of time—it’s a celebration of growth, community, and the relationships we’ve built along the way.
Walker WoodworkingThere is more to color than simply a large selection of hues. Color sends a message and can represent thought and emotion, especially in the world of design. Each year, Pantone announces its choice for the color of the year, a tradition that started in 1999, and designers everywhere eagerly await the news. Classic Blue was this year’s choice of color, a color that represents the future.
As we prepare to close the door on one decade and begin anew, many are filled with anticipation of what the coming year will bring. Blue has always been associated with stability, relaxation, and tranquility, as is seen in nature with the ocean and sky. We understand that hectic schedules and stressful office days generate a need for a place to unwind and completely relax. Here are a few ways to incorporate the color of the year into your home and give it that welcoming environment that will last throughout the coming decade and beyond.
Walker WoodworkingLight is one of nature’s most captivating elements, and its presence has the power to transform a space. In the world of interior design, natural light plays a vital role—not only by enhancing aesthetics but also by elevating the overall atmosphere of a room. It can create dramatic contrasts that bring depth and interest to a space, while also highlighting architectural and design features.
Natural light, when thoughtfully incorporated, makes interiors feel larger, warmer, and more welcoming. At Greenbrook Design, we embrace a design approach known as daylighting—the intentional use of natural light to shape how a space looks and feels throughout the day. It’s one of our favorite tools in the design process.
Here are just a few reasons why we love incorporating natural light into our projects…
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