When my cat adopted me last year, the last thing on my mind was checking to make sure my houseplants were safe for pets. Then I accidentally came across an article on pet-safe greenery and the light bulb came on: time to make sure the plants are up to code! This post is dedicated to all you cat and dog owners out there. Keep in mind that today’s featured plants are safe for cats and dogs, but even non-toxic plants may have less-than-ideal effects if ingested. In fact, it’s never a bad idea to check with your local nursery or vet for verification that a plant is in fact pet-safe, and I’ve found the ASPCA website to be incredibly helpful. Here are 6 unique plant finds that will help you create a stylish, pet-friendly interior… Spider Plant Let’s start with some foliage that demands to be noticed. The spider plant has long, spiky leaves that create a dramatic effect without overpowering the room. Spider plants thrive when placed next to a window. Not to mention, this plant should dry out between waterings, which gives you plenty of time to remember to hydrate it! Lemon Button FernWith its small arching stems and button-like foliage, this plant is the perfect accent piece for a shelf or tabletop. In fact, it often levels out at a height of about one foot tall. The lemon button fern’s curved form and delicate leaves also make it ideal for hanging baskets. At the same time, a simple terracotta pot is the perfect receptacle for this dainty yet eye-catching plant. Areca Palm I’ve been dying to add some tropical greenery to my interior, but it seems that more often than not, a quick research attempt reveals that my plant of choice is toxic to cats and dogs. I was thrilled to discover that the areca palm is a safe option! Here’s a whole slew of them, shown in an image from Fox Hill Nursery: This is the kind of plant you can display with pride in a big pot (such as a metallic planter–my personal favorite for a retro modern look). Talk about an instant focal point to the room! Known for its air-purifying effects, the areca palm is fairly easy to care for. It’s important not to over-water the plant, but it’s a good idea to hydrate it when the soil below the surface begins to feel dry. In terms of lighting, a helpful SFGate article offered the great suggestion of allowing your areca palm to gradually acclimate to indoor lighting by first placing it outside in a part-shade area. After a few weeks, bring it inside to its permanent bright location! Baby Rubber PlantLooking for a plant that works well in containers and glistens with style? The baby rubber plant is shiny and bright, yet low-maintenance. Yes, the waxy round leaves give it a special sheen and a shape that’s ideal for the pot of your choice. The photo below appears in an amazing post from A Beautiful Mess, which showcases a collection of unique houseplants that are non-toxic. Baby rubber plants love bright indirect light, and it’s easy to overwater them, so resist the temptation. In fact, allowing the soil to dry out almost entirely between waterings is a good idea for this no-fuss plant. Ponytail Palm A wide base, a striking trunk and a full display of long leaves gives the aptly named ponytail palm a sculptural look. Bright light works best for this plant, as does a relaxed watering schedule of once every one or two weeks. Display it alone, or go for a tropical look with a row of ponytail palms that creates a resort-style feel. Prayer Plant
Last but not least, we have the prayer plant, which grabs the attention with intricate leaves that boast a variety of green shades, as well as pink detailing. Once again, this plant photo comes to us from A Beautiful Mess via a post that is filled with interesting houseplant selection and display options.. This plant does just fine in medium lighting, and it’s important to keep the soil moist but not too wet. It’s also a good idea to avoid direct light, as it will cause the leaves to fade. I found this post from Growing Wild Seeds to be extremely helpful in terms of prayer plant care.
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We have always believed that size is indeed relative, and what might be a lavish, generous home for some might seem like a modest, mundane affair to others. A backyard swimming pool is not too different in this regard, as those who actually do not have one often crave at least a small pool that allows them to cool off on a hot summer day. Adding a petite pool to your small backyard need not be a challenging and complex affair, and the result will often leave you amazed, as you will discover a brand new hangout just a few steps away from your living room!
A sunburst mirror is an outstanding decor piece that demands to be in the center of attention with its unique design and captivating energy. It can be a very big piece, claiming much of the wall space and not leaving any room for other wall decor – not that it is needed. It can also be a smaller piece but nonetheless an enchanting one! The sizing is not its most charming feature after all; it is the radiance and the gleam! Check out our beautiful selection of sunburst mirrors!
Are you struggling to achieve that ideal balance between aesthetics and functionality in your bedroom? Maybe it’s the lack of space that is impeding your quest for the perfect bedroom? Offering a smart solution that exquisitely brings together both form and ergonomics, the latest lineup of bedroom storage units from Jesse just might solve all your decorating conundrums! These smart units can be configured to suit the specific needs of your bedroom, and they can also easily multitask as trendy nightstands that will help tuck away your favorite books and an array of gadgets that you simply cannot live without. While Andy is all about throwing in an unexpected curveball, Stage brings clean, minimal style and simple straight lines to the bedroom. Much like Andy, Stage can also be used as both a versatile bedside table and a standalone unit that offers additional storage. You can combine as many as 6 individual drawers to create the unmistakable ‘tallboy’ or use a single-drawer unit as a nightstand for your low-slung platform bed.
Have you ever been in a home with beautiful crystal or glass door knobs? Don’t they make entering a room so much more fun? Decorative knobs are a way to add a touch of whimsy to your doors, but don’t be afraid to incorporate them in other more unexpected ways as well. From using them to stop wine to repurposing them to hold your jewelry, read on for eight creative ideas to dress up your space with glass door knobs. Have a bunch of flea market doorknobs that you’re not sure what to do with? Pair them with a piece of salvaged wood and turn them into a DIY coatrack like this one by LynxCreekDesigns. Your jewelry box to untangle your necklaces? Make a handy bauble holder like this one from Painted Cottages and keep your accessories neat and tidy.
As Christmas draws closer each year, you see the neighborhood; the businesses and the homes that dot your daily commute light up and acquire a whole new brilliance. Lights have an important role to play in pretty much every festival and celebration and Christmas is obviously the time when this gorgeous glitter is at its glowing best. Lighting makes or breaks the look of your interior and when it comes to Christmas decorations, this truth is all the more evident. From twinkling string lights on the roof to those that breathe life into the Christmas tree, lights add the true romance to the festive season. Lighting for Christmas though is not just about the glittering LED string lights that are all too common. The interior décor can go in a completely different direction for some variety by suing candles and small incandescent bulbs. Use different sized white light bulbs and mini bulbs according to the nature of the room to give it a warm and fuzzy glow. For the trendy teens, a more colorful and classy look for their rooms can be accentuated using subtle, yet elegant lighting in single hue. There are many varieties of lights available in the holiday market. Mini incandescent lamps and battery bulbs can be used to adorn your building outline and trails. Using string lights and net lights to cover your garden bush, rails and tree tops ensures that you are ready to host a rocking Christmas party in the backyard. Also use string lights to highlight the architectural features, lamps, posts and driveways so that you welcome arriving relatives and friends in style.
Christmas lighting changes quickly with each season and every year sees the arrival of new lighting trends. Whether it is energy-saving LEDs or 120 volt rope lights, know the latest in lighting before making a smart purchase. Use these to light up the many Christmas related figurines around in your front yard and lawn or use custom-crafted star shaped lights to dazzling effect in the entryway. Get them right and you watch your house come alive as dusk sets in during this holiday season. Christmas and holiday decorating is one of the most enjoyable activities of the season. Transforming your autumn home into a winter wonderland is made easier with the addition of the perfect Christmas tree. If you have a small home, not enough space in your room or you just don’t want to dedicate an entire space to just the tree, there are solutions to help. From potted container trees to abstract wall Christmas trees the options are limitless. If you are trying to find a creative way to house a space-saving tree this season, take a look these ideas that you will want to try this holiday season. Utilize the best part of the tree: If you want a live Christmas tree, consider using the best part of the tree – the top for your space-saving needs. Many tree nurseries and Christmas tree vendors will have smaller trees available for your tabletop and they can still be decorated and adorned with beautiful holiday ornaments and lights like their larger cousins. For many homes, a potted Christmas tree is a great option as it will live longer because its planted in soil and once the holidays are over, the decorations can come off and still make a great house plant. From greeting cards that you receive in the mail shaped into a Christmas tree shape affixed to the wall to using family portraits on a bare wall, you will love the options. Abstract trees don’t require any floor space to clutter up valuable walking areas and your bare wall will gain a “new life” for the holiday season. If you were thinking you had to go without a Christmas tree this season due to space-saving constraints, think again. Use these creative ideas in your home: from containers and potted trees to abstract wall varieties, your home has plenty of inspiration. Get creative this season; after all, next year you can pick a whole new idea and theme to bring Christmas beautifully into your winter home.
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June 2017
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