Botanical Inspiration: A Foliage Arrangement

When asked to donate a few botanical arrangements for a fundraiser benefitting our children’s elementary school, I knew foliage would play a predominant role in their composition.   I wanted them to feel very lush, textural and cascading.  With 6 different types of leaves and a vine, these came together:  somewhat feral, but, nevertheless, beautiful arrangements.  I do love a pretty flower, but there's something about combining different shades, shapes and textures of leaves that I find very appealing. A blooming passion vine was included for its interesting tendrils and to add another color to the mix.  Take a look:

Favorite "of the moment" foliage:   Gleichenia dicarpa, Sea Star Fern,

A Nature Foraged Centerpiece For Food52 & Squarespace

When culinary blog Food52 invited Cocoon to create a unique centerpiece for a feature collaboration with Squarespace , I jumped at the opportunity. Having recently updated Cocoon's website on Squarespace (designed by Dabito) I knew it would be a great way to show how happy I am with the new platform. It's been easy to learn and is a pleasure to play with both with imagery and text. Be sure to check out Cocoon's full feature at Food25 and enjoy the special Square Space offer. 

Botanical Inspiration: Foliage (#ihavethisthingforfoliage)

As promised, I'm sharing a few of my favorite foliage plants.  Don't get me wrong, I can appreciate the beauty of a bloom, but the complex and diverse shapes and hues of leaves inspire me.  Big or small, outside or in, leaves add drama and life to a space.  Take a look below and be sure to check out my Instagram collection #ihavethisthingforfoliage for more leafy images and other botanical inspirations. 

Xanadu

Monstera

Hoya Kerri

Philodendron Rubum

Aralia

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Areca palm leaves in a vintage vase atop our spirit filled living room bar. Are you a foliage fan?

Botanical Inspiration: Wispy Wreaths

About this time last year I decided to make a wreath to hang over our fireplace.  Taking into consideration that our hearth is quite large, I went big and bold with an array of of protea, eucalyptus pods, lichen covered branches and pepper berries (see it here).    This year, I'm inspired by the wispy, minimalist look.  Keeping it big, I would like it to be a mix of seasonal greens.  Using different fir branches, fern fronds and some grevillea I hope to create a combination of the 4 wreaths posted above.  I best get wreathing!

Images:  1./2./3./4.

Botanical Inspiration: Plants Around The House

The other day, while tending to the plethora of plants we have around the house, I thought it would be nice to share where they actually live.   Some of the places you find them may be considered a bit unexpected, such as in a bathroom,  in our children's spaces and even atop bookcases.  I began placing plants in the twins' room while decorating their nursery, and ever since then there's been a plant or two in their bedroom.  Today one sits by Max's turntable on his and Ben's nightstand.  Our home office would not be complete without a botanical touch, and the kitchen counter changes seasonally with cut branches or foliage.  Zoe's room often houses a delicate fern that softens the already sweet space. Take a look:

To see my favorite indoor plant groupings and some ideas on how to create your own, click here.

What's your favorite plant spot?