Niki Milliken One thing I am very passionate about since we purchased our home in 2019 is house plants, all types, the more unique and obscure the better. I have seen this happen to many people in my age group, maybe it’s just something we generally start to appreciate as we get older. As a mom, I also love taking care of things and watching them thrive, but I know many non-parents enjoy this process as well. Growing up I saw my grandparents nurture an immaculate garden and I spent time learning about different varieties with both my Mom and Grandpa. I always dreamt of one day getting married at my grandparent’s home in their garden, because this area was full of life, color, and peace. My love for greenery in homes has truly grown over the years, not only the joy I get for nurturing plants but the realization that without plants or the color green in one’s space, it feels incomplete.
Specifically speaking, having greenery in your home can boost your mood, reduce stress and fatigue, promote creativity, rid the air of toxins, and can be therapeutic to care for (The Benefits of Houseplants, The Sill). Think about how you manage stress, are you like me and sometimes you just need to go outside for a walk to calm down? When I go outside to “take a break” I am immersed in nature, surrounded by greenery and it helps my heart rate lower, and I generally always get some perspective on whatever is stressing me out.
Of course, as an Interior Designer, I was taught to incorporate nature into my projects. There was a common phrase in school, I heard from a handful of professors, “Bring the outdoors in”. Being surrounded by nature is known to promote wellness and healing. If you visit any doctor’s office or hospital you might notice a common theme in the fabric or artwork, nature. If the environment cannot support real plants I think it is ok to opt for a really great silk dupe, but be mindful of dusting these fake plants!! Real plants can be costly and time-consuming to maintain but if you are up for the challenge and enjoy the process I’d consider incorporating them into your space (office or home).
A trend that took over about 10 years ago was incorporating a living wall into corporate & retail spaces:
Photo courtesy of Pinterest.com, Youtube.com
I love this idea of taking a non-functioning fireplace and turning it into an eye-catching, living design element:
Photo courtesy of Pinterest.com, decor8.com.
An indoor greenhouse, yes, please! If you have a sunroom in your home this space is ideal for all types of plants, but any room can be made into an all-encompassing green space, just make sure you are buying the proper plants for this environment.
Photo courtesy of Pinterest.com, domino.com
Perhaps you are more of a low-maintenance plant person, adding a few green elements to your shower can also give this space a mood boost and if you purchase the correct plats they won’t need a ton of attention:
Photo courtesy of Pinterest.com, digsdigs.com.
Photo courtesy of Pinterest.com, thewonderforest.com.
Start small, if you love the way these interiors look maybe slowly start to enhance your own environment with succulents, cactus, or a beautiful jade. Get a feel for the plants that bring you joy and before you know it your home will start to feel more complete.
Dream. Design. Redefine.
-Niki Milliken
