Last year, Greenery  (15-0343) was Pantone Colour of the Year 2017. A zesty green shade that symbolises new beginnings and outdoors with lush, fresh fields and gardens. The latest trend of introducing more foliage in interiors must have emerged from embracing Scandinavian hygge (hyːɡə) concept, which emphasises the feeling of contentment and well-being in our home environment. Plants play an essential role in that. An organic accent brings nature closer to us and connecting with plants can calm our minds. Together with added practical benefits like improving the quality of the air we breathe in and scenting ambiences with fresh blossoms.

Flowers
English country house interiors also emphasise feel of cosines and connection with nature. However, rooms are typically decorated with bouquets of fresh or dried flowers, as opposed to Scandinavians who prefer styling with flowerless indoor plants. Arrangements displayed in vases, sometimes baskets, kept un-manicured and simple. Bouquets are often formed using a variety of UK grown lilies, roses, hydrangeas, gladioli, delphiniums, dahlias and my personal favourites – peonies.

Last year, Greenery  (15-0343) was Pantone Colour of the Year 2017. A zesty green shade that symbolises new beginnings and outdoors with lush, fresh fields and gardens. The latest trend of introducing more foliage in interiors must have emerged from embracing Scandinavian hygge (hyːɡə) concept, which emphasises the feeling of contentment and well-being in our home environment. Plants play an essential role in that. An organic accent brings nature closer to us and connecting with plants can calm our minds. Together with added practical benefits like improving the quality of the air we breathe in and scenting ambiences with fresh blossoms.

You can also make a more permanent addition to your interior by composing an arrangement of low maintenance artificial flowers. Nowadays, the quality and look of faux flowers is just as convincing as the natural ones, just check options at Abigail Ahern online shop - it’s hard to tell apart artificial flowers from the real ones. You will also find compositions created with Italian parsley, yarrow, willow stems together with rose, hydrangea, peonies blooms, Scabiosa buds.

Seasonal foliage
Seasonal foliage. Spring is my favourite season as it exudes a feeling of renewal, especially late April and May when pastel blossoms adorn naked tree branches. I always get inspired and invite spring to my home by bringing a few twigs of cherry or apple tree blossoms, to create that lively, understated visual.

Indoor Plants
If you like a permanent feeling of freshness and vitality in your home, consider indoor pot plants. In Scandinavian minimalist interiors, a green flowerless plant is a key addition that makes it look lived in space. Calm and uncluttered spaces would usually be accented with low maintenance foliage like popular Swiss cheese plant (Monstera) or ferns, succulents, cacti, umbrella plant (Schefflera), rubber plant (Ficus), snake plant (Sansevieria), common fig (Ficus carica).

Not only minimalists embrace the idea of styling their homes with plants, but maximalists love it too. Urban chic, bohemian style lovers spread generous greenery around rooms. This botanical look in the interior has a new definition - urban jungle. 

Grouping
Create your displays with plants and stands. You can fill an empty corner with an original display layering different foliage textures in various heights. Place your plants on the floor, windowsill or chest of drawers. You can also use multiple height flower stands. It fills up space vertically as well as horizontally; lifted plants bring their beauty closer to your eye.

Grouping plants with other objects like books, pieces of art, vases, accessories can make a stunning still life composition, which draws attention to the desired area whether it’s a windowsill or a sideboard in the dining room.

Accessories
Baskets, pots, planters, plant tables are just as important. They help to bring out beauty and nature of the plant. They serve as a decorative element itself either by adding some glamour with shiny metal or minimalism with streamlined shapes. If you are more adventurous, consider colourful ceramics, funky plastic containers or glass terrariums.

Play with scale
You can make a statement with a towering indoor tree in your room. A dramatic effect will be created with a tall tree that does not quite fit in and has its’ branches hanging down. Botanicals can perfectly fill those dark or empty nooks and crannies, like the awkward space under the stairs. Lifeless bathroom wall could be revived by placing climbing philodendron or ivy.

Pending pots, baskets and terrariums work fantastically hung near the window, where a plant fully absorbs the light and swings lightly. The area can literally come alive! And you can find some pretty cool planter designs too.

After writing this blog post, I was off to visit my local florists to look around their little blooming shop to evoke my senses with colours, textures and fragrances and bring some of that magic to my home. I hope you feel inspired to do the same!