|
"A plant is ornamental, so you need to evaluate where it would look best and how well it would be showcased," Glessner tells her. "Carefully plan your plant's setting and make sure it will look good from all angles around it."
That's all angles from inside your four walls—and outside too, if they're made of glass.
"One of the key features of mid-century design is striking a balance between indoor and outdoor spaces," points out landscape designer JC Miller of East Bay-based Vallier Design Associates. He adds of MCM homes, "It's important to keep in mind that indoor and outdoor gardens are always on display."
"When considering a spot for an indoor plant, make a point of noticing the shadows at the brightest time of day," Miller advises. "Are shadows in space distinct, with sharp, crisp edges? Does the bright light last three to four hours? If yes…that is likely a good spot."
And these days that's a study that many folks can make for far more hours than ever before, but that won't always be the case. So, what about plants for modernists who usually travel a lot—or who have thumbs more often brown than green?
|
"Today's plastic and silk plants are excellent stand-ins for live plants. Hiring a plant sitter to care for plants is also an option," Adriene pointed out, adding of the real thing, "Some of the hardiest, easy-care indoor plants are the Snake Plant, Jade Plant, Cast Iron Plant, and Fiddle Leaf Fig."
The design consultant and writer also cites several of her sidebar's ten recommended varieties as particularly low maintenance, including one of Miller's choices.
"One of my favorite mid-century modern-friendly plants of all time is the Swiss cheese plant, or Monstera," Miller effuses in the main story. "I have a gigantic one on my patio that I've divided and grown. It now has trunks on it that are a couple inches in diameter—and it's incredible!"
You've got to admire Miller's plant-based enthusiasm. You too can develop relationships with your plants that border on questionable credibility, if you check out 'Houseplants to Love' in the Spring CA-Modern.
To access the sidebar story on our ten MCM-friendly houseplant recommendations, click here. To read the main story on design and placement surrounding interior plants, see the flipbook edition of the Spring issue, or look for the print edition, now en route to Eichler owners throughout Northern California.