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Metro.co.uk

How to create an indoor jungle: plant styling tips for every style

This article explores the concept of integrating nature into indoor living spaces, drawing insights from 'plantfluencer' Hilton Carter, a best-selling author and interior stylist. Carter's approach, termed 'modern lush,' combines modern, Scandinavian, and Mexican design influences with a rich display of plants to create a harmonious environment. His philosophy emphasizes mimicking natural growth patterns indoors, suggesting that greenery should be present at various levels—on the floor, on pedestals or tables, and suspended from above—to replicate the layering found in nature. This strategy transforms a space, making plants as integral to interior design as furniture or art. The article details several key elements for achieving an indoor jungle aesthetic, starting with color. Carter advocates for a muted palette of terracotta, grey, white, green, black, and cream for the architectural elements of a home. This neutral backdrop allows the vibrant greens of the plants to serve as the primary source of color and life, creating a rich tapestry of hues through diverse plant selections. For example, a painting by Jose Mertz over a bar cart is mentioned as enhancing the lush feel of the area. Texture is another crucial aspect, with Carter recommending varied plant patterns and textures to complement other natural materials within the home. Wood, with its inherent warmth and natural texture, is highlighted as a strong element that connects the indoor space to the natural world and adds depth. Styling is also key, requiring careful selection and placement of plants. When grouping plants, consideration of their color, shape, and pattern is essential to create a rich and lively space, much like arranging cushions on a sofa or choosing paint colors for a wall. For homes with limited floor space, Carter suggests creating a 'living gallery wall.' This can range from built-in irrigation systems to simple arrangements of mounted plants or cuttings. Staghorn ferns, bromeliads, orchids, and air plants mounted on cork plinths are presented as effective ways to create a 'wow' factor, making nature appear to burst through white walls. The choice of planters and pedestals is also significant. Planters are described as the 'outfit' for a plant, and their selection should harmonize with nearby colors and textures, either by matching or creating a complementary contrast. Pedestals elevate plants, drawing attention to them. Specific examples from Carter's own home illustrate these principles: his sunroom features a diverse collection of large plants like fiddle-leaf figs, philodendrons, and monsteras, creating a jungle-like effect through varying shapes and sizes of foliage. In the dining room, plants such as bird-of-paradise and philodendron 'rojo Congo' are strategically placed in corners to maintain an open flow, with a small burgundy rubber tree serving as a centerpiece, its soil dressed with stones for a clean finish. In the living room, where floor space is limited, trailing vine plants like satin pothos, variegated hoya carnosa, and marble queen pothos are draped over mantles and cabinets to add interest and conceal less appealing areas. Snake plants, ferns, ZZ plants, and dieffenbachia hybrids are placed in corners. Finally, the article provides specific plant recommendations tailored to various interior design styles: an olive tree for minimalist homes due to its delicate leaves and neutral compatibility; a bird-of-paradise for modern designs with its broad, sleek foliage; a fiddle-leaf fig for boho chic styles, offering a quirky and elegant touch; a candelabra tree for industrial or loft interiors with its sculptural form; and a banyan tree for Scandinavian spaces, noted for its clean trunk and glossy oval leaves. These suggestions collectively offer a comprehensive guide to plant-scaping, transforming any home into a vibrant indoor jungle. #IndoorJungle #PlantStyling #HiltonCarter #HomeDecor #Houseplants #GreenLiving #InteriorDesign #Plantfluencer #IndoorJungle #PlantStyling #HiltonCarter #HomeDecor #Houseplants #GreenLiving #InteriorDesign #Plantfluencer
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