Plant power

An article from Velvet Magazine that appeared in February 2020, to hopefully distract us for a few minutes from Coronavirus!

Cate Burren of Angel and Blume Interior Design shares her enthusiasm for incorporating flora of all types into our homes.

I am currently rather in love with a giant fiddle leaf fig tree that is sitting in the Colefax shop in Pimlico. Like a splendid work of art, it catches my eye every time I go in there and it is fortunate that it does not seem to be available for purchase as I have neither the cash nor the space in my home to buy a plant that is significantly taller than me and heralds from the heart of Chelsea. However, it is magnificent (and it knows it) as is the beautiful oversized basket that it lives in and it has single-handedly reminded me of what a great addition to our interiors plants of all descriptions can be.

The first things I would say is, because I can hear the mutterings already, is that if you really aren’t green fingered (I am not, an orchid once died in my car on the way home from the shops), there are some very hardy plants around and if that is still too much to entertain, there are some fantastic artificial trees, plants and flowers to be had. Artificial no longer means dusty silk roses that can be spotted as fakes at a hundred paces, modern artificial is almost impossible to call until you touch it and even then, you can be fooled. My own personal choice is to have a number of good fake plants and flower arrangements in my home and to also have a few real offerings that can be replaced as and when death occurs.

The trick with real is to know your plants – I would not insult you by offering horticultural advice but getting the right plant in the right place, and looking after it, I am told, will result in almost guaranteed success. I am currently carrying out just such an experiment with a Swiss Cheese plant (purchased from Homebase near the Beehive Centre in case you are wondering) in the front window of the office where there is plenty of indirect light and as I write, the Swiss Cheese is thriving. However, if you pass by and it is gone, please assume that I have moved it into another room, rather than unwittingly murdered it.

As important as selecting the plants that will thrive, is finding plants that fit with your interior style. The chances are that the flora you are drawn to will naturally work within your home but it pays to consider what you might want before turning up at the garden centre. If you have a modern feel to your home, you will probably want plants with a more contemporary feel – a snake plant or aloe vera for example. A traditional interior may call for something more in keeping such as lavender, hydrangea, cyclamen or camelia.

There are a few very natural fits in the home where plants are concerned. Citrus trees in conservatories or rooms where there is a lot of glass look very at home, as do herbs in a kitchen where they seem ready to leap into a recipe at a moment’s notice. I also think plants look great near a window that looks onto greenery of some description as they seem to naturally blend with the view, blurring the lines of inside and outside.

How you present your plants or flowers will have a significant effect on how they work within your scheme. Pots and vases come in endless shapes and sizes and making sure their look fits with the plant is as important as how they work in an interior space. Try to be creative with your container, thinking about both the plant and the surrounding it will be in. Remember that if you go for something non water or soil proof such as a basket, a plastic pot inside the container is the key. In fact it is often better as it makes watering easier. Remember in addition to look at the scale of the container relative to the plant – an over or undersized pot, basket or other will look odd, so try to get a balance between the two.

While we are on the subject of size, the overall height and width of your plant and pot needs to work with the space that it is in. An oversize plant can look fantastic (particularly in a large posh shop) but the minute it is even vaguely crammed into a space, it will look odd. Similarly a very small plant and pot probably needs to be arranged with other things (books, photos, lamps, other plants) so that it doesn’t get lost. If it is going to work on it’s own, it will probably need a window sill or other smaller space so there is something around it. Grouping plants together can work well but such an arrangement does quite quickly create a small jungle feel so I think it is better to try to find the right size plant for the space in question unless there is a good reason to do otherwise (a collection of herbs for example).

I haven’t intentionally avoided the subject of cut flowers here – my love of the big fig tree has only very temporarily distracted me – I think flowers in a home are wonderful and actually, similar rules apply. Artificial are now very good and it is great for both your time and wallet to invest in some good artificial and treat yourself to fresh when you can. I would also suggest sticking mainly to your style rules about modern or traditional blooms and having a collection of vases that work with your interior. Scent from cut flowers is one of the most delicious aromas in a home so find what works for you and place your blooms in a location where you will enjoy them most.

So as we edge into Spring and outside spaces come to life, think about bringing a bit of that green growth into your homes; it really will add a fresh new feel to your interior spaces.

 

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The Downstairs Loo

The downstairs loo is often the smallest room in any given house; tucked away by the front door or under the stairs, it’s all too often a space that goes a little neglected. Due to the general size of downstairs bathrooms, there is sometimes a hesitancy when it comes to decorating, with people believing that a small space cannot take on a heavy design scheme. However, I believe that the downstairs loo is the perfect place get a little creative when decorating it. Since you don’t tend to spend an excessive amount of time in the area, it can afford to be designed in a dramatic and exciting way. Once you have your basics, a toilet and sink, you can really begin to play around with the scheme, creating your own little paradise that you get to visit a few times a day.

To make a big statement in a small space you must first be decisive about which direction you want to take. Big features can look amazing but include too many and the space may become a little claustrophobic; here are a few ideas to get your thinking about how you could best design your downstairs loo.

When you have guests over for an evening, often the cloakroom will be the only bathroom they see, so creating a show stopping space will really make a strong design statement. Adding a patterned wallpaper to your loo can be a great way to give the space its own sense of character. On a recent project we decorated a client’s downstairs bathroom with this fun Manuel Canovas wallpaper, L’envol, which really gave a bland space a bit of impact.

‘Manuel Canovas L’envol Wallpaper’

There are so many styles you can opt for when it comes to choosing a wallpaper with flare for your loo. I’m head over heels for this flamingo print from 17 Patterns in pink. It’s a fantastically designed pattern that will look amazing in a downstairs loo, really giving the space a strong, bold look without being overbearing.

‘Flamingo in Pink Wallpaper’ from 17 Patterns

If you’re general aesthetic is more traditional, but still vibrant and colourful, a charming design like this Secret Garden pattern from Juliet Travers in midnight blue will help create a sweet but dramatic effect in the small space. The enchanting pattern teamed with the perfect lighting will create a fairy-tale like space.

‘Secret Garden Wallpaper’ from Juliet Travers

If you have the advantage of additional floor space on your side, a few plants strategically placed will really transform the place. If you have a few different surface heights, for example the floor a countertop and maybe some shelving, building your own small jungle of plants in different varieties and sizes will give a depth to your space, making a strong statement. When it comes to plants, of course it depends on your preference, but I believe more is more, and an overflow of bohemian style succulents, cacti’s and tropical pieces will really create an impact as opposed to one, lonely plant. If you’re short on sunlight, a quality faux plant can look just a good as the real thing, plus if you’re opting for a plant of the spikey variety there’s no chance of a painful accident! Abigail Ahern does some of the best artificial plants and flowers around, I love this array of cactus; they’ll really help to build up your plant portfolio.

‘Artificial Plant Selection’ from Abigail Ahern

A lack of floor or surface space shouldn’t deter you from adding some foliage to your bathroom. This wall garden from Rockett St George is a great example of how you can really get creative with plants in your home, and in your loo. Vertical gardens are a fantastic and innovative way of using your space selectively but still keeping a fresh and current aesthetic. You can buy a readymade one, real or faux, or if you want a project, creating you own one is the perfect way to include everything you want to and design with you own vision.

‘Faux Vertical Garden’ from Rockett St George

Sometime the downstairs loos is fitted into a rather tight space in the home, which might make you think that there is only room for the bare necessities, but you can always create more space with the use of carefully planned shelving. The trick is, in a small space making sure you put up your shelves somewhere where you won’t be knocking into. Once you have this figured out you can pick a shelf that matches your style and begin to fill it with a mix of ornamental and usual items, creating the perfect design balance. These industrial style shelves from Cox & Cox are sweet; their light design means that they won’t feel like they take up more room than they actually do, and the open nature of them makes them ideal for carrying objects of various heights and sizes.

‘Industrial Wood and Metal Shelves’ from Cox & Cox

Another shelving design I love is from Anthropologie, although these are slightly less functional then your conventional pieces, they are so pretty they’d make the perfect design feature. Often you find downstairs loos located under the stairs, these shelves would look lovely ascending in size order up a sloping wall.

‘Bloomland Shelving’ from Anthropologie

Whenever I think about inspirational bathrooms, I always think back to the beautiful image of the bathroom in Malpalquet House in East London, which I wrote a blog on some time ago. The bathroom wall was covered in pictures, frames and crucifixes, which overall created a beautiful effect.

‘Bathroom in Malpalquet House’

While you may not be able to squeeze all of this into you downstairs loo, you can certainly create something that’ll make an impact. If you have a generous amount of clear wall space, you can start to make you own mural of photo frames, prints, painting, mirrors and anything else you can think of. You may want to go down the nostalgia route and use family photos, or pick out arty prints, or even just create a miscellaneous haven. I love these Kiko frames from Nkuku, they come in a range of sizes so you can mix and match and find the perfect fit for your chosen display pieces. Unlike conventional frames, you can change what you want to go in the Kiko frame with ease and swap out or add in items as you find them. A downstairs loo wall covered in the frames will make a beautiful, comforting statement.

‘Kiko Frame’ from Nkuku

Using mirrors, in varying sizes and styles is also a good way to create an impact, and also provide a functional aspect to your bathroom. These hanging portrait mirrors from Nkuku are great to add to a collection of mirrors; with some being flatter, some more elaborate and some smaller or larger. A wall covered in mirrors or frames will automatically create an eye-catching feature in a small space.

‘Vintage Portrait Mirror’ from Nkuku

The downstairs loo is often a forgotten about space, or somewhere thought as only a functional room, but there are so many ways to great creative in a small space. It’s an area that you can confidently show off your style and really begin to design an area that’s a fun space.

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Greener Pastures

For 2017, Pantone’s colour of the year is Greenery, and although we don’t always like to revert to the on-trends thing when it comes to designing interiors, it’s always fun to see how you can make colours work within your home. Since this years ‘It’ colour is kind of a tricky one, we thought we’d show you some great ways to include it into your home through some lovely accessories.

The key to incorporating on-trend colours within your home is to make sure that the products you buy still have a timeless element to them, whether it’s in their style, shape or function, so that they can go on being used and looking good when their colour is less fashionable.

‘Green and Beige Herringbone Throw’ from Not on the High Street

This throw from Not on the High Street has a classic herringbone pattern, which will always be a staple style, and the blend of beige against the green gives the throw a slightly muted, rustic tone, allowing the throw to work with a whole range of interior styles and colour schemes.

If you have a beautiful dark wood dining table and you’re looking to add a pop of colour, some green upholstered chairs might just do the trick. These velvet and studded chairs from Oka are a wonderful, timeless mossy green which will continue to look elegant throughout the years, and paired with a long wooden table and a dramatic colour on the walls, your dining room will look fit for a feast.

‘Stafford Velvet Dining Chair in Putting Green’ from Oka

Using saucer style pendants for kitchen lighting has been a key look since the return of the industrial style a few years ago, and mixing in a bit of colour is a great way to reinvent your kitchen without having to remodel. These ceramic shades from Graham & Green are the perfect way to add a little life to a tired looking light fixture.

‘Green Saucer Pendant Lampshade’ from Graham & Green

To complement your green lightshade, add an extra dash of the colour with this retro sixties style pea pod tea towel from Thornback & Peel. It’s always important to add a little fun into your interiors to keep everything flowing and light-hearted and though this print might be a little much on a sofa, it’s a fantastic print to give your kitchen a sense of playfulness.

‘Pea Pod Tea Towel’ from Thornback & Peel

When we think of smart contemporary style, we might be tempted to think monotone shades, but throwing in a colourful shade or two can really give your interiors an innovative look. This lacquered green side table from Houseology paired with a moody grey velvet sofa and a crisp white wall would create a fantastic, complete look.

‘Normann Copenhagen Stay Table’ from Houseology

Made by craftsmen in Morocco, these recycled glass tumblers from Rockett St George would make a great addition to any existing collection of glassware. Their overall style makes them smart enough for a formal dinner party, but the individual imperfections to each tumbler gives them a flair that will cut out the matchy-matchy nature of glassware. Not only will they look lovely laid out on a table, but they’ll just as nice as they glistening in the sunlight displayed in a cabinet or dresser.

‘Recycled Glass Tumbler in Green Small’ from Rockett St George

Stick to a natural aesthetic when choosing your green accessories with this interesting artificial moss spray from Graham & Green. A contemporary alternative to a bouquet of flowers, or an unusual addition to an arrangement using some moss in your interior can create a bold look. Adding some to a vase placed on the window sill in a pale coloured bathroom will add an exciting touch.

‘Faux Moss Spray’ from Graham & Green

Adding a few small touches is an easy way to get started on introducing a colour to your interior, especially if bright interiors are a little out of your comfort zone. Changing something small, like the doorknobs on your cabinet, drawer or dresser, can give a piece of furniture and the room it’s in a new look. This floral knob from Anthropologie is a sweet little touch and if you don’t want to overload on the green, you can always use a few of the pink design as well, creating a wonderful horticultural effect.

‘Floraculture Knobs’ from Anthropologie

Another small change you can make is with these exciting coasters, by their very nature each one of them is different, meaning you’re guaranteed originality with your set. You can use them by themselves for a bedside table for an interesting effect or grouped together on a coffee table to really create an impact.

‘Celestial Coasters’ from Anthropologie

Using a bold colour like green in your home can be a little daunting but there are a great deal of ways to not only have fun with the colour but invest in some wonderful pieces that will look amazing in your home for a long time to come. So choose rightly and you’ll have everyone green with envy.

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Fabulous Festive Faux Foliage

Fed up of drooping Poinsettias and dropped pine needles?  Then consider these fabulous, faux alternatives from Bloom, in traditional and modern designs that will last year after year.

 

Large and small poinsettias £65

Two different sized poinsettias potted in charmingly aged terracotta pots that look as if they have come straight from the back garden.

This is a lovely little narcissus arrangement in a moss filled silver pot, which at only 27cm high makes a perfect centerpiece for the table.  £25

To make things even easier, this 5’ pre-lit Christmas tree comes already decorated with a constellation of little LED lights so all you have to do is plug in and switch on! £159

For a more up to date alternative to the traditional fir tree, these twiggy stems would be very useful where space is limited. £19

As would this elegant Cedar topiary spiral in its sac-cloth wrapped pot. £49 from Bloom

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