Interior Trend: GREEN & GROWING
Vertical gardens are one of the latest trends and yet they are also one of the oldest. Maybe you have grown a vine or ivy on a fence or trellis? It is the perfect solution for almost any garden – inside or outside and with minimum space requirements.
"You’ll be wondering whether you’re indoors or out with this trend, where you’ll see more designers and manufacturers creating outdoor designs for inside the house. You'll be seeing designs using extravagant ideas which literally cause a ‘wow’ reaction for guests." - FreshHome
A living or green wall is either partially or completely covered in plants, (with or without flowers). It is not something a lot of people decide so easily to incorporate in their houses. Many have decided to grow something similar in their backyard in order to make it greener, but there is a difference between letting a climber plant grow wildly, and building and maintaining this work of art, also known to some as a “living wall” or “vertical garden. "
"The vertical greening can draw attention to a particular area or conceal unattractive or undesirable views. Climbing plants or columnar trees transform the indoor environment and serve as a visual barrier. Using the grid, which is fixed to the floor or large plant container, vines, flowers and vegetables can be planted. Vertical gardens require much less space than the conventional garden planning." - Minimalist
"Bringing nature into the home is a strong trend currently – from the use of plants and living walls, to horticulture inspired fabrics and wallpapers." - Anna van Dongen, Interior Designer
The desire for incorporating this trend does make room for the illusion of the real with faux and fake, but the overall drive here is to bring the "living" outdoors inside.
"When it comes to indoor green walls, there is a much greater variety of plants that can be grown on them, whereas when maintaining an outdoor one, you need to make sure that the plant you have chosen is able to grow in the climate you live in. Having it in your home, whether it is in the living room, kitchen, or even bathroom, will definitely elevate the overall design of your house. It will be something all of your friends talk about, praise and envy at the same time. Also, you can choose to grow a particular kind of flower, in order to combine it with the rest of the interior design, and make a breathtaking statement. Like all the other plants, green walls also help reduce noise, and act as an additional insulation level that keeps your house cooler during the summer and warmer for the winter months." - L'ESSENZIALE
"I love the way plants contrast against hard surfaces in their varied textures and intense colors. They bring an exotic element to home decor that enriches a space. My favorite varieties are those with strong, architectural lines, often categorized as modern and sculptural." - Stephanie Van Hoesen
"It is possible to incorporate a green wall into any space, as it can be grown on freestanding structures or organized into panel and tray systems. One of two popular ones is the panel system, where plants are pre-grown and you can choose whether to put them inside or outside of your house. On the other hand, there is a tray system that is most commonly used indoors, where the plants are grown independently, and only later put on the wall. These are extremely popular as they allow you to freely choose plants you want to grow and combine, letting you wake up a little designer inside of you and create a true work of art." - L'ESSENZIALE
How low-maintenance can we get? Getting creative with terrariums is another way to work some greenery into your home without the fuss. The great thing about terrariums is that they come in all styles and sizes. From a distressed, vintage-inspired look to organic-modern, there are plenty of options for those who want a good home for their faux plants.
Another way to add living accents (and also reference the antler trend) is to incorporate "staghorn" ferns. Tropical staghorn ferns have antler-like fronds that — when affixed to a vertical surface — mimic a taxidermied buck. The plant is an epiphyte, meaning it grows symbiotically on a host tree. Staghorn ferns (and other epiphytes like them, including orchids and bromeliads) don’t need soil to survive, but rather gather nutrients from the air and rainwater, which carry healthy organic matter from the plant’s surroundings to its roots. Because they most often grow vertically, using a tree as support, staghorn ferns are well-suited for mounting.
There are many who like the idea of greenery in their living spaces but cringe at the idea of keeping something living....well, staying alive! The question usually arises, "Are fake plants okay to use for interior design?" Of course, the answer is yes! Especially these days.
"Everyone is looking to add some light, airy, natural touches to their interiors. What better way to pull it off than by adding a few houseplants into the equation? But let’s face it: not everyone is enthralled with the idea of maintaining actual living things in his home. The good news? Faux plants can look amazing in a variety of spaces. For those of us who aren’t horticulturists at heart, here are a few tips for making faux plants shine." - Dot & Bo
When using fake plants, use actual pots (or your favorite up-cycled, re-purposed gems) and arrange them just as you would real plants. This means doing a little bit of detective work. Where would real plants thrive? Probably near windows and light sources; on shelves, and in hanging planters.
Hint: You may even arrange them with a couple of real, low-maintenance plants to camouflage them even more!
There are plenty of innovative ways to work natural inspiration into your space. Even a few accents, like botanical prints and throw pillows, can add that green touch.
"Having a green wall inside your home not only takes the design of your interior to the next level; it will improve the air quality and reduce outside noise, making your home not only more beautiful, but also a more peaceful environment." - L'ESSENZIALE
The increase in designers using this very unique and new application of plants growing on interior walls has also expanded the creativity with other interior treatments using green and growing things, specifically trees.
