Bring Spring Home

By: Caryn L. Burstein

Spring presents the perfect opportunity to give your home a new look by incorporating fresh greenery. Not only does foliage provide beauty, it brings life and new growth to an otherwise stagnant environment. Plants and flowers create depth in a room, a sense of drama unequaled by any other type of décor.

Bringing the outdoors into your home offers more benefits than merely the creation of a natural look. Indoor plants have been shown to improve both air quality and, more importantly, homeowners’ moods. Plants brighten up the room with natural sunlight and generally make occupants feel better.

One option to consider is placing a tree in an empty corner of a room. However, you should be careful when it comes to the size. A small tree will look lost in a large room, while a large one could overwhelm its surroundings. As a guideline, choose a tree that is approximately one foot lower than the ceiling. For more drama, add a floor light to shine up into the tree. This will cast new shapes and forms above and on nearby walls, and will also provide a sense of movement in the room. You will be truly amazed by the change in the room from this one small addition.
On a smaller scale, try a single orchid in a decorative pot on a cocktail table for an elegant, sophisticated look. Or, if you want to create more romantic ambience, place a dozen tulips in a simple glass vase. Using a container with a small base and a large opening at the top will allow the tulips to drape naturally. Conversely, a more formal impression can be achieved with topiaries placed on a fireplace mantle or in the entrance of a room.

If you tend toward tradition, ivy is always a great way to add greenery to a room. Try tucking a container or two on top of a kitchen cabinet, winding a vine around an accessory on a shelf or even hanging it in a drapery treatment. For a more contemporary feel, use bear grass in a vase or low wide pot to fill a void in a room. Simple large leaf arrangements or creative use of bamboo can also add drama to a modern space.

In addition to their beauty, greenery can also be useful. For example, plants can help hide cords or electrical outlets. They can also camouflage defects on walls, countertops and furniture, or even take the place of purchasing an expensive accessory. For instance, if you’re faced with a bare kitchen counter or tabletop, why not create your own miniature water garden? Simply choose a glass vase of any size or shape and a plant of your choice. We recommend using pothos ivy, which is available year round and is extremely durable. Just add water and decorative rocks to your vase, and you will have your miniature water garden ready to go. Another bonus to having a water garden is that you can enjoy the benefits of potted plants, without having to worry about watering them on regular basis.

Tropical plants are yet another way to add a splash of color to your environment. With their vibrant foliage and wild blossoms, these exotic blooms can help accent the décor of any room. In addition, tropical flowers such as birds of paradise create drama with their brilliant red and orange hues. A minimal arrangement placed in the center of the room will attract all the attention you need to create a memorable mood.

When it comes to floral arrangements, choose flowers that represent the atmosphere you want to achieve. Be sure to select colors that complement your room and shows off its natural beauty. Your room will, in turn, create its own mood. Just remember that flowers and plants have cycles of life, so be sure to water regularly and do not allow them to remain on display if they have already wilted.
The vase or pot you select adds a tremendous amount to the overall feeling of your floral arrangement. Why be ordinary? Unique containers help draw attention to your plant and can serve as a focal point in the room itself. However, don’t go overboard. The container should not overpower the arrangement or the room but, rather, should provide balance as well as complement the décor.

Grouping different plants together in a corner of the room can also enhance your décor. Each plant should be in a separate container, and they should be of differing sizes and shapes. It usually works best if there is an odd combination of plants, with taller, heavier foliage forming the background and smaller, leaner ones making up the front.

With warmer weather right around the corner, there’s no better time to let the sunshine in by incorporating fresh foliage in your decor. Use these tips as a launching pad to help you spring into action!