Botanical Inspiration: Max's Terrarium

During a recent family visit to Flora Grubb Gardens, not only did Alex and I get inspired (stay tuned for that), but so did our son Max.  While soaking in the array of plants and vessels so beautifully displayed, Max decided he wanted to put together a terrarium.  Knowing a thing or two about creating terrariums, I was thrilled about his excitement in making his very own.  Once we got back home, Max was anxious to get started.  Using nature scavenged branches, lichen, and some adornments I provided him with, Max created the most beautiful  terrarium all by himself.   After setting him up with the all materials we had at hand, I walked away.  This was a bit difficult since I can be somewhat of a control freak, but I did want Max's creative juices to be unencumbered by my presence.  To my utter delight, this is what he created:

Max is eager to create more hanging terrariums.  Thanks to his Babik, he now has a few more vessels to work on.  I asked him if he wanted to sell them, but he replied that they were too pretty to part with.  Below are few tips on helping your child build a kid-friendly terrarium:

1.  Collect branches, moss, pebbles, lichen, etc., while on walk/hike with your children.

2.  Provide your children with feathers, buttons, chandelier crystals or any other elements/miniatures they may want to decorate their terrariums with.

3.  Provide them with easy-care plants, i.e. Bromeliads (air plants), lichen or moss.

4.  Support the glass vessels your children use for their creations in a box with plenty of tissue paper or bubble wrap while they are working on them.

It's so heartwarming to watch one's child begin to channel his/her creativity through a medium one is so familiar with.  Cocoon Home Design lives on!

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Botanical Inspiration: Paula Hayes' Exhibit at the Lever House.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to view an installation by botanical artist Paula Hayes at the Lever House in NYC.  Her work, *Land Mind*, depicts environments that live at the intersection of landscape and imagination.   Along with a 15 foot cocoon terrarium,  an awesome aquarium designed by Paula was also on display.  Taking the shape and texture of her blown glass creations, the aquarium was built from a solid block of acrylic, hollowed out to house an array of saltwater fish and plants.  Take a look at how art, life and design coexist in Ms. Hayes' micro worlds:

The Making Of A Woodland Terrarium

mini woodland biosphere

When Cocoon Home was recently commissioned to create a terrarium, I thought that a woodland scene would be perfect given that trees and shrubs will soon to be bare.  Using ferns, begonias and mosses the terrarium takes on a lush green micro-climate that can be be enjoyed all year round. Take a look at how it came together:

Begonias, mosses and ferns need to stay moist, not wet and definitely not dry, so I created mini oasis pots to plant them in.  The oasis will hold the moisture while the charcoal placed on the bottom of the vase will purify the excess water.  The plants will just need to be sprayed lightly once a week.

Cocoon Terrariums

Cocoon's new obsession (or shall i say mine) is terrariums.  They offer us lush green environments all year round.   Very low in maintenance but high in visual impact, terrariums bring life to a winter day and they are perfect for home or office.

All photos taken by Jonas Kahn.

Cocoon terrariums are custom  embellished to make each one unique to its space.  No two are ever alike.  Prices range from $30 to $295.  Call 617-838-4081 or email debra@cocoonhome.com for more details.