Tag Archive for: big leaves

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How to maximise on natural light in your space

Floresy office design

Maximise on natural light to optimise on work levels

There are many benefits for using natural light in your building. Natural light can raise the mood and is known to boost the immune system. The design and detail of furniture and furnishings can be better appreciated in natural light. Colours are natural and not altered as they are with other lighting. Another major benefit is the amount of energy saved and the lower cost of electric bills.

With the beginning of the New Year now behind us, the darker months of winter are seen by many as the perfect time to redecorate. It is fun to restyle spaces to reflect current trends and to make them more practical as work patterns change. if you are planning to give yours a fresh new look, it is easy to incorporate some features that will maximise on the use of light coming in through the windows to make working easier and more comfortable. We suggest ways in which you can maximise on natural light in your space.

Maximise on natural light in your space with mirrors

The addition of some really large wall mirrors are a great way to increase natural light in a room as they reflect the light coming in through the windows. More light creates a brighter and refreshing ambiance in a room. Increasing the amount of natural light is also a clever way to make the room seem more spacious. The ideal place to hang the mirror is on the wall opposite the window as this will double the amount of day light in the room.

A collection of small mirrors hung on a wall together can worth well too. Another clever way to reflect day light is by choosing chrome furniture or ones with glass or mirror decoration. With more light being reflected into the room, there will probably no longer be a need for strip lighting. Numerous small recessed ceiling lights that are adjustable, can be very effective and their light is not so stark. 

Choose a lighter paint palette

Dark wall colours absorb, rather than reflect, natural light and whilst this can create a warm cosy atmosphere – choosing these colours does not maximise on the amount of natural light. If you are planning to paint the walls, why not opt for clean white walls for maximum reflection of the day light? If you don’t like the starkness of white,  light, silvery grey remains a popular paint colour in 2021. There are many other soft pale hues on the market with subtle hints of gold, pink and green and these all work well.

While you have the paintbrush out, is the ceiling white? Darker coloured ceilings make rooms look smaller, more intimate and darker. White ceilings will make the room feel higher and more airy and will definitely help increase the amount of light. Brighten up dark wood or painted doors, door frames and window sills with a coat of fresh white paint. (https://www.houselogic.com/remodel/painting-lighting/choosing-paint-colors-how-light-affects-color/)

Opt for lighter fabrics too

Darker fabric colours work in just the same way as dark paint and will absorb natural light rather than reflect it. Why not introduce some lighter colours into your space? This will work well with the current popular trend for resimercial styling which is making workspaces more homelike. Crisp functional colours are out of fashion this year and softer shades are popular. Wood is the preferred material for 2021, but not heavy, dark woods. Choosing lighter woods like pine and oak is important because these help make your space feel lighter, brighter, more spacious. in keeping with new trends, lighter coloured woods are also less formal .

Finally when considering fabrics, think about window dressings. To help maximise the amount of natural light coming in the windows, it is essential to keep  window dressings light and bright. Dark heavy curtains and thick heavy blinds decrease the amount of light penetrating the room. If possible, leave windows without either will definitely help the natural light to come in.

 Redesign your desk configuration.

Bright natural light is beneficial

With many staff members still working remotely, ‘hot desking is fast  becoming the norm. Many spaces are being redesigned to make room for video conferencing facilities.  it you are planning to  rearrange the office, it is the ideal time to consider space and making the most of natural light. If possible, it is good to have desks placed near windows, because the most can be made of the daylight. This season, large indoor plants are proving popular with interior designers. They use them to enhance the light airy and less formal approach to office designs. The addition of some lush leafy plants, adds interest and informality to a room and uplifts spirits.

The good news is that whilst opting for larger windows and installing skylights is possible, but costly, our suggestions for maximising natural light in your work space are quick, effective and economical – Promising you a thrifty start to 2021.

For more ideas and guidance, https://www.ourhouseplants.com/guides/light is informative reading…















 

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Creating a Victorian Inspired Parlour

There’s been a renaissance in the popularity of Victorian interior decoration, with designers successfully incorporating beautiful heirlooms into modern homes. Creating a Victorian-inspired parlour can be remarkably easy as it only requires one or two key pieces of furniture. These can be enhanced with Victorian-inspired decorative features and statement houseplants that were so loved in that era!

The Victorian years were important ones for Britain, as they marked a period of great change. The Industrial Revolution brought wealth to many people and with it, a love of lavish and ornate properties. Large Victorian houses often had solariums, greenhouses and atriums as the Victorians loved plants – especially exotic ones such as palms, ferns, beautiful jasmine, hibiscus and fuchsia.

For the first time, furniture was no longer made by individual craftsmen but by numerous workers and machines in factories.  Rooms were spacious with high ceilings. Styles were large and curvaceous with carved detail and button embellishments on the fabric. The classic examples of Victorian furniture include the leather Chesterfield sofa, large mahogany sideboards and dining tables with claw and ball feet.

Victorian Interior Ideas

 

Walls

In a Victorian parlour, the walls were often painted in dark colours such as forest green or claret. A feature wall in one of these colours works well in a modern house, with the other walls covered with period floral wallpaper. In keeping with the period, using decorated cornicing that featured patterns of fleur-de-lys, garlands, wreaths and ovals will complete the look.

Curtains

Curtains in the Victorian home were voluminous, floor-length and pleated.  Sumptuous fabrics such as velvet and damask were in rich plain colours. Curtains were also extravagantly lined in silk or fine wool and hung on gilded curtain rails or complemented by pelmets covered in the same fabric.  Layered closest to the windows were the first mass-produced Scottish lace.

You can mirror the colour and fabric of the curtains as well as the floral designed wallpaper by scattering cushions. Tassels can be added as trims on curtain ties and cushions as these were much loved by the Victorians too!

Ornaments

There were plenty of ornaments on display including pretty chintz china tea sets. These were felt to be the sign of good taste – and wealth. In complete contrast to the modern minimalism… more was definitely more!

With lofty ceilings, large paintings, sizeable wall tapestries and grandfather clocks were popular. To garner the flooring of that period use either a beautiful wooden parquet floor or smart tiling.

Plants

No Victorian parlour was complete without magnificent plants. The Victorians loved large lush houseplants which were usually placed in metal and wicker pots and sometimes displayed in tiers. Palms and ferns of all kinds were popular and so was the Aspidistra (Cast Iron plant) as it was deemed a  ‘good-natured’ plant that refused to die! More exotic and equally popular plants included the Abutilon from Brazil with large, vibrant, bell-shaped flowers. The Jerusalem Cherry, with its pretty white flowers that turn into reddish-orange berries, was also much-loved.

 The Victorians adored ivy and encouraged them to grow up walls and along bannister rails.

In Victorian times, the lady of the house or her servants had plenty of time to tend to the houseplants to ensure they always looked perfect. Today, life is much busier, so choosing gorgeous faux plants is the ideal way to complete ‘the look’ without all the hard work!

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Creating the Perfect Reception Area

The reception area is the first room your customers see, so it’s important it looks exceptional. After all ‒ first impressions really do count! This crucial area is often given no thought or attention and yet they are like ‘the window of your company’s soul’. However, with careful thought, you can create an impressive space that not only reflects your organisation but can be used as a valuable marketing tool.

So, is it time for an upgrade?

Start With the Walls and Floor

Ensure your flooring is practical as well as hardwearing ‒ there will be plenty of traffic, so it must always look clean and in good condition. Wood looks homely, whilst tiles look smart and efficient. Whatever you decide, choose a neutral shade, but don’t be tempted to add a rug as these can be a trip hazard. 

Think neutral colours for the walls too, for example, white is crisp and clean looking but can look stark. Softening the colour with an ivory or cream works well and you can always break this up by having one ‘statement wall’ in your company’s colours. 

Choose Great Artwork…

More than anything else, the artwork you hang on the walls will define the character of your reception area. Many companies use artwork to enhance their branding by incorporating either the colours or a large framed picture of the company logo. In restaurants and hotels, the artwork can be bright and contemporary or classic in style. This all depends on the character and ambience you are trying to create.

Floresy - Hotel reception art

…and stylish Furniture

The reception area is where people first arrive, meet company representatives, wait for meetings or their table reservation. It is really important to ensure that this area is attractively furnished and has comfortable seating. There are a variety of styles to consider; the clean minimalistic lines of Nordic furniture and the beautifully curved shapes of classic styles – plus all those in between!

It’s important to remember that the furniture should be good quality and well made as it will be constantly in use. It’s also very important to have furniture that can be easily cleaned as mud and split drinks will be common occurrences. A large central coffee style table will prove very useful too!

Assess Your Lighting Needs

Lighting is an aspect of interior design that frequently gets forgotten but is so important from a practical point of view. Carefully placed lamps and spotlights can create pools of light helping to develop the room’s ambience. Adequate lighting in a reception area is vital, as many customers will want to read whilst they wait and staff will need to carry out duties such as taking payments etc.   

Other Points to Consider

  1. Do you need somewhere for people to hang coats and jackets? An enclosed wall cupboard with plenty of hanging space looks smart.
  2. Do you need a stand for rain-drenched umbrellas?
  3.  If you are welcoming visitors to your company, consider investing in a coffee machine.  A complimentary coffee whilst they wait can be a popular addition.  Pay careful consideration to dirty spoons and condiments left around, especially in these times of COVID.
  4. Would customers enjoy reading a magazine? But only keep a few fresh copies available rather than a huge pile of tatty old ones!

The Final Touches

By now your new reception area will be looking very stylish but may feel as though it is missing something important – and it is, but this can easily be put right. 

Include Plants!

…better yet artificial plants.

 A single large plant in a corner can look dramatic, or a large planter with a variety of different houseplants should do the trick! If the reception desk or coffee table looks dull, a beautiful plant arrangement in a stylish container will definitely make all the difference. Trailing plants can be cleverly used to add interest to a plain section of wall or to disguise an ugly staircase.

Meyer Davis designed hotel lounge

Hotel lounge uses low planting to offer seated privacy.

Divide seating areas with colourful climbing plants can work well as light can still pass through. When it comes to artificial plants you don’t have to worry about high maintenance, and they’ll look great all year round.

Creating a smart new reception area will pay dividends as customers will feel warmly welcomed and it won’t be long before they return again!

Indoor Plant Trends 2019

The houseplant interiors trend is going from strength to strength and won’t be stopping anytime soon. So, what are the indoor plant trends 2019?

Bigger, more mature indoor plants

Houseplants will become statement pieces in our interiors. Just as we invest in furniture so will also we invest in our greenery. Big, floor standing plants will become fixtures in our homes and workplaces – if they’re not already.

So when you next purchase a houseplant, consider investing in bigger and more mature plants.

 

Read more

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4 (and a half) Plants with Big Leaves

As we increasingly bring nature into our interiors, foliage is set to be an ongoing trend. So plants with big leaves are popular as they add a big dollop of green in one dose. Plants with big leaves can be clustered with other plants for a tropical or sumptuous feel. However, they can also stand alone and still have an impact. Big leaves are often unfussy and simple therefore give the plant a clean and uncluttered look. This means they suit many modern interiors especially those tending towards minimalism.

There are many choices of indoor plants with big leaves, ranging from trees to the humble houseplant. Here is our guide to some popular options for your interiors.

1. Plants with Big Leaves – Ficus

Fig trees or Ficus come in a wide variety of leaf and trunk variations. They are relatively easy to care for which makes them a popular indoor tree (although they are also known for losing their leaves). The beauty of using a tree over a bushier plant is the floor space remains more open and keeps the room feeling less cluttered.

Big Leaf Ficus in hallway

A pair of big-leaved Ficus in the hallway. Design by Sarah Baynes.

A popular choice from Floresy is this big-leaved ficus with green/white variegated leaves.

Premium Big White-Green Leaves Ficus

Premium Big White-Green Leaves Ficus

2. Anthurium

At first glance, the wet-looking, flesh-red of the anthurium flower suggests this plant could be a carnivore. It isn’t. It’s just a very distinctive houseplant with super-shiny leaves and a long-lasting ‘flowers’. The red part is actually a modified leaf or ‘bract’. It’s the yellow/white spike that contains spirals of tiny, densely-packed flowers.

Anthuriums are native to the Americas and so they have a vibrant, tropical feel. They are a great choice if you want plants with big leaves on a smaller surface such as desk or shelf. They come in a variety of colours ranging from white through a variety of pinks. But the most common is the blood red.

Anthurium with it's distinctive red flowers.

Anthurium with it’s distinctive red flowers.

Whilst the natural form of Anthuriums have fantastic air-purifying abilities, they are also poisonous. To avoid this toxic issue, you could consider an artificial anthurium such as this one from Floresy.

Red Anthurium in Pot

Anthurium by Floresy has large, tactile waxy leaves.

3. Alocasia Calidora

Nothing says “Hello, I’m a plant with big leaves” like an Alocasia. One of the bigger-leafed varieties is nickname ‘elephant ears’ for obvious reasons. These impressive plants need a bright position to thrive indoors so are best suited to sunny rooms and conservatories. Rooms with skylights are also suitable due to the increased light available.

Alocasia plants with big leaves interiors

Something witty or observational about Alocasia Calidora

Alocasia varieties include those with variegated leaves such as this artificial option from Floresy: 

alocasia plants with big leaves foliage display

Big, but not that big…

Alocasias are a fantastic choice for any interior. Available in a range of sizes, they are effectively design-neutral and so will fit into any decor. This classic, mid-green, wide-leafed artificial Alocasia by Floresy will bring fresh foliage to any room.

alocasia calidora plants with big leaves indoor foliage artificial plants

Artificial Alocasia Calidora in various sizes

4. Peace lily

The peace lily or spathiphyllum is an elegant and attractive plant that is a perfect choice for a desk or sunny windowsill. Being a smaller plant than some of the others on this list, it’s leaves aren’t as big. But their shape and texture are certainly evocative of the Alocasia. Like the Anthurium, they have a modified leaf that enhances the size of the delicate white flowers.

Peace Lily Indoor Plants with big leaves

Sergeant Angel’s favourite plant

artificial Spathiphyllum peace lily for interiors

Artificial peace lily by Floresy. Small, but with leaves that punch above their weight.

4.5. Rubber Tree Plant

Here’s the half:

The rubber tree is a really only a variety of the Ficus that features above. The clue is in its Latin name: Ficus Elastica. It is known for it’s large, dark green leaves and is a design icon of 1970’s interiors. Despite its groovy heritage, it has actually featured in our interiors since the Victorian era.

Rubber Tree Plants with big leaves

The rubber tree is at home in 1970’s interiors as it is any contemporary setting.

The rubber tree plant looks great in the sunny rooms with rattan furniture, as shown above in this image from Guiade Jardineria. Equally, this big-leaf plant will suit a dark and moody Victorian gentleman’s study (so great if you’re into Steampunk). If your setting does suffer from low natural light-levels, however, an artificial rubber tree from Floresy is a good solution.

Artificial rubber tree plant with big leaves by Floresy.

Artificial rubber tree plant with big leaves by Floresy.

Floresy stock a wide range of plants with big leaves plus some plants with more delicate leaves too. Visit our shop to view our extensive range.