Decorating your walls...with plants

Color design can be achieved through paint, fabric, stone, wood, and even plant life. The other day, my class took a field trip to an amazing modern furniture showroom in San Francisco called Limn (open to the public, if you're local, definitely check it out) One piece that really drew people in was an enormous open frame on one wall, encasing what appeared to be a 3 dimensional, undulating vertical field of moss. When you touched it, it felt damp and alive. The vibrant chartreuse green color was really cheerful and definitely made a statement.

Vertical gardens are very hip these days. Called "Thigmotropisms", they are living organisms that grow towards a supporting structure. Like vines that will stretch out tendrils into the air, gravitating towards something to twine themselves around.

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Vertical succulent garden designed by Flora Grubb. Love the green against the red wall.

The Bardessono hotel in Napa Valley has a new installation of vertical gardens that doesn't even need drainage, just a light misting every week.

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Planted with Tillandsias, their roots grow in the air rather than soil.

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I love the juxtaposition of green sea anemone-like plants against the terracotta colored backdrop. Like mini green fireworks. It's important to note here that this installation would not have been nearly as successful without the contrast of the warm, darker background. When you're designing, think about grouping opposites: warm colors and cool colors, darks and lights, etc.

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Striking, don't you think?