GO GREEN!
The question of why to grow greenery in your home and how to do it is so widely covered in books, articles and magazines that it somehow seems redundant. Yet - why is it the trend of the year?
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Plants at home as a trend? Isn't it a bit of a stretch to declare a few pots of cacti, ferns or that everlasting ficus that has been sitting in the living room for as long as we can remember a trend in interiors? There has to be more to it than that for an influential institution like the Pantone Color Institute to declare Greenery a color and a trend. Yes, it's true, it was last year - but it seems that when it comes to plants in the home, designers and decorators are of one mind - it's one of the big interior stories that will be relevant for a long time. In times of rapidly changing trends - from Scandinavian minimalism to eclectic opulence, from pastel pale pinks, greys and blues to rich deep colours, from decadent maximalism to exotic prints, greenery in the form of living plants or decorative objects, fabrics, wallpapers, upholstery - is definitely the most enduring trend in interiors. The reasons are not only purely aesthetic (flowers and potted plants are beautiful and bring life to any interior, regardless of style), but also proven to be linked to health, emotions, creativity - in other words, plants enhance the quality of life and make the home and office a better place to live. So-called 'wellness' - the well-being that modern man strives for as a counter to everyday stress and environmental pollution - invariably involves time in nature in all its manifestations - both outdoors and indoors.
The ability of plants to absorb harmful chemicals and regulate humidity is just one reason to have them around us. Add to that the fact that they are one of the most affordable ways to bring color and personality into your home. The big question remains - how do we make sure that even without any experience or knowledge of gardening, we can turn natural foliage into a beautiful visual accent? Architects, interior designers, decorators and landscaping specialists readily give their solutions, but even without professional advice or training we can rely on our inner flair and a few basic rules to turn pots and containers of greenery into a beautiful addition to the interior. The first requirement is, of course, to be willing and to have fun doing it, says Rosana Gonzalez, one of the most sought-after landscapers for workspaces and private interiors. "Look at plants as art that you arrange on shelves, in corners and places that form natural niches in the home," she says. "Pots hanging from the ceiling at varying heights are another great way to make a room more interesting - clear glass containers are especially good for this." Combining plants of different heights in a group of three, five or seven is her other tip: "Even numbers create symmetry and odd numbers create intrigue."
The style of the interior largely determines the design of the pots and boxes - an often but undeservedly overlooked fact that is paramount in the trend we are talking about. Is it a Mediterranean-style summer house or a modern city apartment with an open floor plan and furniture with clean lines? Ceramic pots of different sizes and the same classic shape are suitable for the former, design vessels with geometric volumes can highlight the character of the home in the latter case.
Original solutions and contrasts are a matter of personal taste, and often part of the architectural idea of the space. An example of this is the green 'living' walls that we increasingly see not only in corporate buildings but also in homes. They are particularly suitable, according to specialists, for small spaces where there is no room for pots. Vertical landscaping in the home, however, really needs a professional to choose the right plants. "There's no place in the home that can't be decorated with greenery," says Rosana Gonzalez. Ivy, for example, thrives well in the bathroom, even without much natural light. Lavender, planted in a large pot, is suitable for the bedroom with its light, soothing scent. Crassula ovata (the tree of life) and philodendron in tall containers are a gorgeous accent in the living room, and on the dining table you can arrange plants floating in water - especially spectacular for special events!". For offices, she recommends the formula of "one large plant between every four workstations, plus a variety of pots arranged as decorative elements."
Nothing complicated so far, although Australian architect Jason Chongue thinks the fear of "tiring out" plants is a major reason most people give up on the idea of decorating their home with them. He recently published a book, A Guide to Growing and Arranging Greenery in the Interior (The Plant Society, Hardie Grant Books), which presents the 25 ideal houseplants - the easiest to grow, how to arrange them, what containers to choose so that the greenery in our home reveals all its beauty and personality. Chong's idea is to take away the fear of failure and inspire his readers to create their own interior garden, as he has done himself. His advice? - "To have healthy, happy plants, you need to understand the environment you're living in - the warmth, the light in the room - and choose the flowers that feel good in it." As for style rules, the architect believes it's a good idea to start with a few plants and gradually increase the "collection." Isn't that the way with everything in interiors? From art to books to decorative objects, the important thing is to surround ourselves with things that bring us real pleasure. And they don't come all at once.