Windows fill up our homes with light and wonder so embrace this space during the winter months to add another dimension of cheer to soothe any frazzled holiday nerves by adding greenery to brighten up any dreary days. Let in the winter light to make the most of these precious hours of sunlight for us and for what we style in the windows. Using greenery in our windows brings more life and color into our homes and is a perfect nod to the new Pantone selection of “Greenery” as the new color of 2017. This perky green-yellow shade is a combo of yellow and blue which is reminiscent of new little shoots of plants that magically unfurl from seedlings. What better way to prepare for the long months ahead than getting a fresh start by planting the hope of spring in our winter windows? After the stress of the past months, renewal can be paramount in our minds as we use sunlight, a bit of soil, water and patience to tempt some life and promise for the new year.
In The Kitchen
Since the kitchen still remains the heart of the home and the place where we spend a lot of time, why not make use of that window that many of us have over the sink. A minimal herb garden is easy to style by hanging a few tin pails across your work area. Mount a tension rod across the sink which is a simple way to hang these containers. Find your favorite herbs at your local garden store or grocery stores even have small herbs ready to grow. The kitchen window ledge works, too, and your choice of pots is limitless. Not only does the aroma of fresh herbs brighten your day, but enhance so many dishes. Just a snip of fresh mint perks up a steaming cup of hot tea on a chilly morning.
In The Dining Room
If you have a small breakfast nook or a dull dining room, illuminate this space with hanging plants or crowd some tall stately greenery into the corners. If you are lucky enough to have a patio door or some tall windows, all types of plants will thrive. Philodendron plants can grow just about anywhere and grow quickly and love to crawl along any spot and can be trained to go up anywhere to create a living green “wall of leaves” to add comfort to a formal or quaint dining area.
In The Bathroom
Bathrooms are so overlooked and tend to be the most sterile place in our house. Since it is the first place we step into each morning, something organic and live is imperative. Plants are a natural in the bathroom as the high humidity is the perfect environment for most plants. If you have a free standing tub, a hanging fern is the perfect complement here. You will feel refreshed by adding something green, not only to your breakfast smoothie, but to your bathroom, too.
Along A Hallway
If you have a long hallway, placing a grouping of plants at eye level increases the dramatic decor look. Since I live in California where orchids are everywhere, even in the grocery stores at affordable prices, they are my go-to-plant. With their exotic good looks, beautiful colors and alluring petals, don’t be intimidated by orchids. They need very little water (just a teaspoon every couple of weeks), a cool spot (no blasting heat), and will last a long time. Attach interesting planters full of these beautiful flowers along a hallway or a single orchid in any room always adds style and a bright surprise.
In The Home Office
As hard as I try to keep my office organized, my gadgets continually overtake all the available places- my newest gadget is my portable mini photo printer that I love. To counterbalance the monotony and dullness of an office, a jumble of plants is the easiest way to soften the “tech” mess. If you are short on space, hang plants from the ceiling and cram as much green as you can into the office. Plants are a natural cleaner and remove toxins from the air, and make us smarter by keeping us alert. Clear the air; clear your brain to innovate new ideas and inspire creativity surrounded by all of your favorite plants.
In A Holiday Window
If these ideas are too difficult to handle now, pick one window and with a little greenery and “craftiness,” you can easily style a festive window to bring in the holiday cheer. Windows are so full of light and offer a simple space to burnish this season of celebration.
Take a few moments and look out and look in for all the wonder the world unfolds for us.
