Collecting colors :: green

Collecting Color is a bi-monthly link up hosted by Cyn at RiverDog Prints.  Got color and want to join us?  Stop by and link your Collecting Color post to the most recent one here.

5 easy ways to add drama to your home with plants

I've said before that I don't have a green thumb. However, over the years I've found that there are a number of plants that are easy to care for:  peace lilies, jade plants, banana leaf plants. These varieties have become a staple in my home decor.

Incorporating live plants in your decor is the easiest way to add life, interest, and drama.  AND it is less expensive than buying new furniture.

Here are 5 ways to "spruce" up your decor with plants all in one day:


1. Go bold with large plants.  The bigger the better!  I love large bold leaves like those on banana plants (that's what I call them, not sure if that is the official name) or peace lilies.

[photo by moi]

2.  Raise your plants off the floor.  You don't have to use common plant stands.  Antique tables from consignment shops can add height and not break your budget.  I like when plants tower overhead.

 [photo by moi]

3. Use bold pots. I love this huge pot that I bought from a local overstock store.  I filled half of it with paper and some old plastic pots (the ones that come with plants), then the other half with the planting soil.  This keeps the pot from being too heavy.  I also put my large pots on bases with wheels so that I can easily move them around.

[photo by moi]

4.  Use up lighting.  I use a can light on a timer so that my plant lights up the corner of my dining room every night. This adds a bit of drama in this otherwise dark corner at night as well as makes the window glow from the outside. Can lights are not expensive and can be found at any local hardware store (big or small).  Ikea also has great inexpensive lights you can use for plants.

[photo by HoaryHead]

5.  Group plants together to fill space and add texture.

[ photo source]

OM [one moment] meet up - week 6 - vignette

My week was pretty hectic and while I could write about many "moments," one small one jumped out at me. 

I began sprucing up my garden last weekend.  Around Mother's Day each year, I start my plantings and begin to bring out my summer gear (pots, furniture, etc).

I  love adding a bit of decorative interest to my front porch.  It seems to change every year, but I like to make this area welcoming.  It's probably for me more than anyone else, but it makes me happy.  

Since our front is mostly shaded during the day, I found this hosta and plopped it into the pot.  I plopped my beloved concrete ball in the smaller pot, added a lantern (which I light when I know we are having guests) and one of many shells we've collected over the years.  Voila!  A corner with purpose.

This little corner by our door made me sit down and enjoy the ivy climbing up a trellis that hides our electricity meters.  I added a bench (from our backyard) and now I've found that I sit out front and watch the kids play and the neighbors pass by.   The boys are congregating (a.k.a loitering) here, too, which I actually love.

I took lots of other garden pictures that I'll share next week.  Have a wonderul weekend!!

What was your 'one moment' this week? What took you out of your present moment and made you pause, smile, slow down?


Share in the blog comments here, on your own blog (and link back below) or on my Facebook fan page. If you are on Twitter, I've started a hash tag - #OMmeetup so that we can converse if we'd like. We'd love to hear your moment this week!

To learn more about this weekly post, OM [one moment] meetup, please see the original post here.