PLANTS

PLANTS

by | Mar 7, 2023 | Plants

Plants may be the single biggest item that make a space feel nurtured. First of all, no one can create shades of green quite like the Good Lord. Green wakes a space and gives places for your eye to land. Plants, in and of themselves, need to be nurtured. It’s good for the soul! I know many of you are saying “I kill every house plant I’ve ever owned…can’t I just do fake plants?” Some faux greens are fine, but we would definitely encourage you to try a few (easy to care for) real plants and enjoy watching them grow.

Years ago, I (Elizabeth) gave Karen a houseplant as a gift. She was not too confident in her ability to keep it alive. She much preferred a good faux plant. Boy have things changed! She has far exceeded my houseplant count and now has sons who are equally as plant passionate.

 

We both started with one or two (easy to manage) plants and then have grown from there in both number of plants and confidence. Ultimately, plants need light, water and the right size pot. Most of our plants are in their original grow pots, set inside decorative planters or baskets. Until they need to be repotted, this is generally easiest. Place a plastic liner under the grow pot and off you go!

I generally water about twice a week. I love watering my plants! I go around the house, checking each one by sticking my finger about an inch into the soil. If I still feel moisture, I generally wait until the next watering. You’ll soon figure out what plants are thirsty! Both Karen and I use Plant Food (www.happyhappyhouseplant.com) for every watering. It’s a game changer! Plus, this tiny bottle dropper fills 100 of this size watering can. Worth every penny!

Our suggestions for easy to start with plants are these: Pothos, Snake Plant and Umbrella plant. They are very forgiving! If you’re local, we love Horrocks, Flower Land, Jonkers and even Home Depot and Lowes. All have different levels of variety and price points.

Plants are beautiful in obvious places, like window sills and on tables. Don’t be afraid to tuck plants into unexpected places as well. As long as they will get light, they’ll do fine! Our favorite ways to use plants uniquely are in built in shelving, hanging from ceilings in bedrooms or even showers!

We are always on the lookout for cute plant holders….anything from actual planters to baskets, antique tins and little whimsical items. If it has a space, we’ll stick a plant in it! (See our Home Tours for the plants in each of our homes)

Where can you find a spot for a new plant? We’d love to see what you find. Send us a DM on Instagram or an email with your new housemate…I mean houseplant. Enjoy!

E & K

Do you have a room you’d like us to come in and design for you? Contact us today to get on our schedule. We’d love to meet you!

A NURTURED HOME

A NURTURED HOME

by | Mar 6, 2023 | Art, Design, Plants

A nurtured home or space should feel inviting, warm and layered. It’s all about the FEEL..and we’re here for it! So, how do you create those spaces in your own home? Today we share some of our “go to” ideas to make your home a Nurtured Home. Blogs to follow this one will go into all of these in much more detail. Today we will hit the highlights and get us all thinking about our spaces.

1. Plants

Plants may be the single biggest item that make a space feel nurtured. First of all, no one can create shades of green quite like the Good Lord. Green wakes a space and gives places for your eye to land. Plants, in and of themselves, need to be nurtured. It’s good for the soul! I know many of you are saying “I kill every house plant I’ve ever owned…can’t I just do fake plants?” Some faux greens are fine, but we would definitely encourage you to try a few (easy to grow) real plants and enjoy watching them grow. 

2. Art

Hear me say, artwork is different from photos. (More on photos later) Artwork adds color, texture and interest to your space. You can use art to change up your home seasonally and to keep things fresh and interesting. I personally love having a stash of artwork and prints to pull from. If I find a cute little piece when thrifting or antiquing…I grab it! Artwork can be hung (high and low), leaned up against ledges, set on mantles and layered.

3. Photos

Photos of people (or animals) that you love, give your home history and personalization. Quite often we see photos in large displays or gallery walls. That’s ok….but displaying photos can be tricky.  Photos can often become overwhelming to a casual viewer. Mix photos into the usual spots but look for unexpected places as well! 

4. Books

Books, much like art, bring color and visual interest to a space. Even if you’re not a reader, find book colors that you love and group them together. Books can be stacked to raise a plant, placed on a shelf or leaned against a larger piece to ground it. We all know how important reading is for children’s growth and development. Have a pretty basket of children’s books on your ottoman or fireplace hearth for kids and grandchildren. Form and function all in one.

5. Lamps / Accent Lighting

There is a saying that goes something like this: “The only time to use the center light in a room is if you’ve lost an earring”. We’re going to give a resounding “amen” to that statement. Lamps are one of our favorite items to decorate with and bring a gorgeous glow to your space. Again, it creates that feeling of warmth and coziness we’re after. Don’t be afraid to put a lamp in an obscure place…and think about reflection and glow. A lamp placed in front of a mirror is so lovely! 

6. Found / Whimsical Pieces

Every Voeden House project comes with a piece we’ve picked out just for your space. A found piece (not new) is absolutely vital in each project because it brings grounding, history and interest. We all love a good Home Goods or Target, but if that is all your space entails, it can be easily duplicated and can feel unlayered. Trust us when we say….find some whimsical, found pieces for your home. We’ve brought home some items that have definitely received a brow lift from our families…but they end up bringing such character! 

7. Textiles

When we say “textiles”, we mean fabrics. Fabrics can be pillows, throws, rugs, towels, draperies. Textiles bring….you’ve got it, texture. Texture helps a room feel layered and interesting. Don’t be afraid to add textiles to your space and not always have them be “matchy matchy”. It takes some trial and error, but you can do it! 

Pick a room in your home this week and go through these seven categories. What might you add to make your space feel more nurtured? Don’t forget to come back as we delve deeper into each of these areas. Lots of fun ideas to come! 

E & K

Do you have a room you’d like us to come in and decorate for you? Contact us today to get on our schedule. We’d love to meet you!