Posts in Batch 1
Plant Stylist Top Picks For A Work-From-Home Space
Plants to spruce up your home office while working from home!

Working from home and looking to green up your space? Plants not only clean our air and boost our mood, but they are also thought to help us focus and feel more creative. There are so many benefits to being surrounded by nature while we work, and given how much time we spend at our desks, taking advantage of these benefits is incredibly important no matter where work may be!

Whether your work from home set up is an actual office, a kitchen table, or a cozy desk in your living room or bedroom, rest assured that there is the perfect plant for you! Find our top picks below for plants that can truly improve your work from home set up (and check out these tips for styling greenery in your home office space!).

  1. Jade Pothos

  2. Cast Iron Plant

  3. Calathea Medallion

  4. Parlor Palm

  5. Snake Plant

  6. Kentia Palm

  7. Braided Money Tree

The Jade Pothos

This fast growing plant is perfect for a desktop and will delight almost on the daily with new foliage from its trailing vines. It also can do just fine in any light situation, as long as it’s kept out of harsh direct sunlight.

Shop now →

 

The Cast Iron Plant

If you’re looking for something full, lush, and essentially indestructible, the Cast Iron Plant is a great choice for a larger floor plant. This air-purifying beauty will bring instant lushness to any space it adorns, and is great for forgetful plant parents who want something green yet low touch.

Shop now →

 

The Calathea Medallion

For those of us who like to fuss over our plants, the Calathea Medallion makes a wonderful desktop plant. Calatheas require medium to bright light and constant moisture, sometimes needing a bit of water every 2-3 days.

Shop now →

 

The Parlor Palm

We don’t want to get carried away, but a little day dreaming while at work never hurt anyone! The adorable Parlor Palm is a little slice of vacay vibes, without ever leaving your desk.

Shop now →

 
<

The Snake Plant

Does your bedroom double as a home office? Make your greenery do double duty by going for the Snake Plant, a structural, hardy plant that is one of the best for the bedroom, as releases oxygen at night!

Shop now →

 

The Kentia Palm

If you’re looking to instantly transform you work space, go for a large statement plant. The Kentia Palm is a great air purifier than will bring a lush, tropical vibe to your home office.

Shop now →

 

The Braided Money Tree

According to the teachings of Feng Shui, the Braided Money Tree is a symbol of good fortune and wealth. Could there be a more symbolic plant to place near your work station?!

Shop now →


Indoor plants, potted & delivered

Premium plants paired with stylish ceramics, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

Simple tips to refresh your home
Photo Credit: Apartment 34

Photo Credit: Apartment 34

  1. Restyle Those Surfaces

  2. Embrace the outdoors

  3. Add a pop of color

  4. Refresh your bathroom

  5. Get serious about the clutter

Is there any better time than spring to give your home a refresh?

From a simple spring clean-out to bold pops of color, there’s a number of different ways you can give your home a fresh new feel. For a bit of inspiration, we asked our Plant Stylists what they do when they’re in the mood for a refresh— read on and don’t be afraid to try at home!

Restyle Those Surfaces

What’s on your coffee table right now? What about your dining room table or kitchen counter? If it’s been a while since you’ve changed things up, here’s the perfect opportunity to make a small move with a big impact. The coffee table is a great place to start, as beyond it's functional uses, it is a wonderful canvas for your personality and style. At its simplest, a stack of books, a potted plant, or a vase with fresh flowers will instantly make the room feel fresh. Go bolder by adding a structural centerpiece like beautiful candlesticks or a piece of driftwood. Whatever you do, you’ll find that the simple ritual of refreshing the decor on just one surface does wonders for your entire space.

Embrace the outdoors

We’re all about bringing the outdoors in, but remember there’s more than one way to do it! Whether it’s adding a bit of greenery to an empty corner or simply placing a bowl of oranges on your kitchen table, finding ways to integrate nature into your home is a wonderful way to refresh your space for spring.

Photo Credit: Léon &amp; George

Photo Credit: Léon & George

Add a pop of color

Be gone winter textiles! It’s time to say goodbye to heavy cushions, plush throws, and maybe even a heavy winter rug. Tuck your cold weather pieces away and replace them with a bold pop of color— a statement piece like a new chair or rug), an accent such as a light throw, a playful lamp, or floral cushion covers, or bright pop of green with plants like a Fiddle Leaf Fig or Bird’s Nest Fern, two plants that have spring written all over them!

Refresh your bathroom

It’s amazing what a new shower curtain can do. While you’re at it, consider adding a bright new bath mat or some moisture-loving plants to the mix, like the tropical-vibes Parlor Palm or the Bird of Paradise. And if you’re feeling truly ambitious, go for a fresh new coat of paint in a unique yet calming color, like sea-foam green or robin egg blue.

Get serious about the clutter

There’s a reason Marie Kondo has been so successful— we humans have a lot of stuff! Get serious about your spring cleaning and let go of things you don’t need or use anymore, even if that just means putting them into storage. And you don’t have to be a minimalist to enjoy the feeling of a decluttered home— just remember that less is more, and you will doubly cherish the things that make the cut.

 

Top 10 Plants for the Bathroom

Thanks to the moisture-rich environment, the bathroom is a great place for many indoor plants whose natural habitats are in the rainforest or jungle. That said, not all plants enjoy the extra humidity (think succulents or cacti!) and some may even develop fungus issues if left there too long. What’s more, some bathrooms have small or no windows, making it difficult for light-loving plants to survive. With all this in mind, find our picks for the best plants for any type of bathroom (and while you’re at it, give your entire bathroom a style upgrade!)

Our top ten picks for bathroom plants

  1. Parlor Palm

  2. Pothos

  3. Bird of Paradise

  4. Cast Iron Plant

  5. Staghorn Fern

  6. Bird’s Nest Fern

  7. Monstera Deliciosa

  8. Rubber Plant

  9. Braided Money Tree

  10. Philodendron Brasil

Parlor Palm

Indoor palms love shady, humid conditions, and they are the perfect plant for bathrooms with medium light. Parlor Palms in particular are a nice size for small to medium-sized bathrooms (though if you have the space, go for a big Kentia Palm!).

Shop now →

Cascading Pothos

Easiest plant in the world? Possibly. The Cascading Pothos (or any Pothos or Devil’s Ivy variety) is a thirsty plant that will flourish even in a space with little to no light.

Shop now →

Bird of Paradise

Have a big bathroom that you’d like to transform into a jungle? The Bird of Paradise requires medium to bright light, lots of moisture, and plenty of space to spread out.

Shop now →

Cast Iron Plant

The Cast Iron plant gets its name from its extreme hardiness. In fact, these plants love dark, draft corners and will thrive in a low-light bathroom with frequent temperature fluctuations.

Shop now →

Staghorn Fern

Ferns make great plants for bathrooms as they love humid, shady environments. The Staghorn Fern with its unique, fuzzy foliage and its delicate shape is a fantastic addition to any space.

Shop now →

Bird’s Nest Fern

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: moisture-loving ferns are an excellent choice for the bathroom! And the Bird’s Nest Fern is arguably the easiest from this variety of plants.

Shop now →

Monstera Deliciosa

A jungle dweller at heart, the trendy Monstera Deliciosa will love hanging out in a shady and humid bathroom.

Shop now →

Rubber Plant

Rubber Plants are unique choices for the bathroom thanks to their bold colors and waxy, shiny leaves.

Shop now →

Braided Money Tree

Said to bring good luck and prosperity, the Braided Money Tree is an excellent choice for the bathroom as it thrives in humid envrionments.

Shop now →

Philodendron Brasil

A beautifully multi-colored and easy care plant, the Philodendron Brasil is the perfect trailing plant for bathroom shelves.

Shop now →



IMG_0689.jpg

INDOOR PLAnts, potted & delivered.

Premium plants paired with stylish ceramics. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

Top 10 Plants for the Kitchen
kitchen-plants

Looking for the perfect kitchen plant? Every room in your home deserves at least a bit of greenery, and the kitchen is no exception! Indoor plants not only clean our air, but they boost our mood and effortlessly beautify any space they adorn. You also don’t need to be an expert to keep them alive. Most common houseplants are pretty simple to care for, and just require a bit of light, water, and love to thrive! All the same, we’ve included a handful of low light plants that work well for kitchens with little to no natural light.

So whether your kitchen is big, small, bright, or dark, the perfect plant is out there to bring a little life into such an essential part of your home. Here are a few of our picks for the best plants for your kitchen!

kitchen-plants

Philodendron Brasil

With bright green leaves resembling the Brazilian flag, the Philodendron Brasil is a seemingly delicate trailing plant that brings a bit of beauty to any counter or shelf it adorns. However, though this plant may look like a delicate creature, the Philodendron Brasil is actually a very easy care plant that can withstand low light areas and frequent neglect!

Shop now →

Kitchen plants, hanging plants, and plants for a kitchen window

Little Hope

The Little Hope is a small version of the Hope Philopdendron, a plant that, in the wild, can grow enormous leaves over five feet tall! The smaller version of this plant is easy to care for and adds an instant splash of bright greenery to any kitchen counter or shelf.

Shop now →

Plants for the kitchen, from low light to bright light and everything in between.

Cascading Pothos

The Cascading Pothos is another trailing plant that is not only fast-growing but incredibly easy to care for. True to its name, this is the best plant for hanging planters in the kitchen or a shelf or counter, and works well in both bright light and low light kitchens.

Shop now →

The best plants for the kitchen

Monstera Deliciosa

For big kitchens, look for plants that make a statement! Some of our favorite large plants for kitchens include the stylish Monstera Deliciosa (pictured), which adds an instant touch of lushness to any space, or the delightful Dracaena Compacta, a tall and narrow plant that is perfect for tighter corners.

Shop now →

Our recommendations for kitchen plants that bring the outdoors in

Parlor palm

An adorable addition to any kitchen countertop, the Parlor Palm thrives with plenty of humidity and medium to bright indirect light.

Shop now →

10 of the best kitchen plants, for all types of kitchens!

Staghorn Fern

An adorable plant from the fern family, the Staghorn Fern is a unique piece of greenery perfect for kitchen decor. Its sage-green leaves are velvet-soft and complement neutral color palettes in the kitchen.

Shop now →

Calathea Rattlesnake

Looking to add a bit more color to your kitchen? With beautifully patterned green and purple leaves, the Calathea Rattlesnake is a gorgeous indoor plant that works well for medium to bright kitchens and plenty of humidity.

Shop now →

10 of the best kitchen plants, for all types of kitchens!

Pilea Peperomiodes

The Pilea Peperomiodes, also known as the Chinese Money Plant, is an adorable plant perfect for bright kitchens and small spaces. Simple to care for, the Pilea brings a bit of bright, quirky greenery to any space, and is an incredibly easy plant to propagate as well!

Shop now →

kitchen plants

Pink rubber plant

Also known as the Ruby Ficus, the unique ruby-toned Pink Rubber Plant adds a splash of color to any bright kitchen that needs it! Pair it with plenty of bright indirect light and watch this fast grower unfurl while your morning coffee brews.

Shop now →

Kitchen herbs

Herbs are an obvious choice for the kitchen: you can use them while cooking, they act as a natural mosquito repellant, and of course, they smell and look beautiful! However, keep in mind that most herbs require at least six to eight hours a day of sunlight. If you have a bright kitchen window sill or similar, try keeping a few small pots of your favorite herbs, but if not, you’re better off growing them outside or on a balcony!

 

IMG_0689.jpg

INDOOR PLAnts, potted & delivered.

Premium plants paired with stylish ceramics, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

How To Decorate A Small Living Room With Plants
The sculptural Fiddle Leaf Fig Bush is the perfect plant for small living rooms.

The sculptural Fiddle Leaf Fig Bush is the perfect plant for small living rooms.

Decorating a small living room can be a real challenge. From tight corners to limited lay-out options, every inch counts when it comes to small spaces. And unfortunately for many a city-dweller, more often than not we are dealing with less space than we’d hope for!

Luckily there are loads of resources to navigate decorating a small living room (thanks, Pinterest!), and just because you have limited space does not mean you can’t enjoy the beauty and benefits of indoor plants! Below are our plant stylist’s favorite picks for plants that work well for small living rooms, plus extra tips for making the most of them.

Go for height

And avoid bushiness, especially if you are looking at floor plants. If all goes well (and we hope it does!), your indoor plants will grow. Make sure you are prepared for that by opting for plants that remain relatively contained to the width of their pots — both you and your plant will appreciate the extra space.

Pro tip: The Snake Plant is one of the best indoor plants for tight spaces with its narrow, structural shape. And don’t be fooled by the word “bush” in its name — the Fiddle Leaf Fig Bush is also a great indoor plant that maintains its shape over time thanks to the support of discrete bamboo stakes that keep the plant centered and erect.

Grouping plants is a great way to decorate small living rooms with greenery, and plants like the Monstera Deliciosa and Lady Palm make a the perfect pair.

Create Groupings

Want a touch of jungle but afraid you don’t have the space? Much like you would designate a corner to a chair or other piece of furniture, create a small corner for a grouping of plants. This can have a big impact without making your space feel cluttered or claustrophobic. Start with something on the taller side, and then layer around it with smaller plants of differing foliage and shades of green. Use plant stands to elevate, always work in odd numbers (trust us — it works!), and tastefully create the perfect plant grouping.

Pro Tip: Just three plants is enough to make a simple yet eye-catching plant grouping. One of our favorite combinations is a Fiddle Leaf Fig, a Snake Plant, and a Jade Pothos — the perfect combination of varying colors and textures!

Make use of trailing foliage

If you’re decorating a small living room, odds are you’ve scoped out different shelving solutions. Make space on your shelves for a trailing plant like the Cascading Pothos — this plant grows very quickly and, if desired, will green up an entire shelving unit over time! You can place the growing vines around different areas of the shelf, or simply let it drape down from the shelf or a hanging planter.

Pro Tip: Want to decorate a wall with greenery? Use pins to prop up tendrils of a trailing plant against the wall.

The Fiddle Leaf Fig makes for the ultimate statement plant.

The Fiddle Leaf Fig makes for the ultimate statement plant.

Embrace the statement plant

Sometimes all it takes is one piece of furniture to really transform a space, and in this case, we’re talking about a potted plant. One of the biggest challenges of decorating a small living room is the fine line between cozy and cluttered, and one way to avoid this is by investing in fewer but bigger pieces. Just one large statement plant can truly pull a room together, and also give off the illusion the space is bigger, too.

Pro Tip: If you have the light (they need a lot!), consider a tall, structural beauty like the Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree. For dimmer spaces, the Dragon Tree is a true head-turner that also functions as a wonderful air-purifier.

How are you decorating your small living room with plants? Let us know in the comments, or tag us on Instagram to show off your space!


IMG_0689.jpg

INDOOR PLANTS, potted & DELIVERED

Premium plants paired with stylish ceramics, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

6 Characteristics of Mid-Century Style, And How To Use Them
midcenturymodernplants copy.jpg

Mid-century modern design rose to popularity during the 1930s and 40s but never quite went out of style. Today the term mid-century modern (MCM, for short) is more ubiquitous than ever, and pairs well with both vintage and modern homes alike. Defined by organic shapes, minimal decor, and a focus on functionality, this style of interior design is undeniably timeless and relatively simple to emulate at home.

Looking to incorporate some mid century furniture and style into your home? Read on for basic principles to attain this look!

Basic characteristics of mid-century modern interior design

1. Organic and geometric shapes

Mid-century modern style focuses on clean lines with a mix of both organic and geometric shapes. Simplicity rules, and some of the most basic mid-century modern furntiure pieces like coffee tables and chairs are often the most beautiful. Mid-century modern furniture is generally easy to spot, but when looking for new pieces, go for simple designs with minimal elaboration.

2. Function over form

While mid century modern furniture pieces are undeniably beautiful in their simplicity, this style is all about functionality. Generally minimal in looks, no piece is without its purpose. This attention to functionality also explains why vintage pieces from this era are still circulating today—they were made to last!

Mid-Century Modern Ceramics

The perfect vessel for your living greenery, available in various sizes and colors.

3. Minimal ornamentation

Similar to Scandinavian design, mid-century modern style is one without clutter or superfluous ornamentation. Statement pieces like large sculptures or plants are more common, whereas small trinkets or collections are generally out of sight. Mid-century modern living rooms focus on the simple basics, for example, with just a few pieces to complete the look. In line with functionality, avoid clutter or items that you simply don’t use or admire.

4. Contradicting materials and textures

Though wood and wood veneer are typical elements of mid-century modern style, designers of the time did a fair amount of experimentation with other materials that were new to the era like plastic, formica, and acrylic. As such, don’t be afraid to mix and match organic and synthetic materials to create a mid-century modern look.

Mid-century modern is all about simple shapes, functional elements, and minimal ornamentation, and indoor plants add a bit of life to the look! Pictured from left to right are the Bird’s Nest Fern, Bird of Paradise, and Red Congo.

Mid-century modern is all about simple shapes, functional elements, and minimal ornamentation, and indoor plants add a bit of life to the look! Pictured from left to right are the Bird’s Nest Fern, Bird of Paradise, and Red Congo.

5. Neutral (and bold!) colors

Neutrals never go out of style, and such is the case in this type of interior design. Traditionally, the midcentury palette ranged from bright hues in the 1950s to warmer earthy tones in the 1960s, leaving a lot of room for flexibility. For a modern touch, use neutral tones with occasional splashes of color, like a bright accent chair.

6. Bringing nature indoors

Big, flat-paneled windows and homes integrated with their surroundings are common of mid-century modern design. Bringing natural elements indoors, from the raw materials of the pieces to living houseplants as decor, is a great way to emulate this timeless look.

Have a style crush yet? Shop our mid-century modern planters (or some of the best mid-century modern plants!) to start your collection today!


IMG_0689.jpg

INDOOR PLANTS, potted & DELIVERED

Premium plants paired with stylish ceramics, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

Songs To Grow With: Urban Oasis
isaac-leon-and-george-6-20-web-26.jpg

You know the feeling. Bare feet on warm concrete, humid summer air that makes your skin glow, and a casual dip in the water, surrounded by lush greenery. Summer is in full swing, and escape is calling.

Is there anything better than a few tunes to prime our senses? From faraway tropical oases to magical warm evenings in our own backyards, a new playlist has arrived to supplement your summer days, wherever they may be.

Enjoy!

 

Indoor plants, potted & delivered

Premium plants paired with stylish ceramics, plus lifetime plant doctor support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

Choose Your Staycation: Plants That Bring The Vacay Vibes Home
Indoor tropical plants

Exotic vacations might not be on the calendar this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a bit of escapism from home. Indoor plants not only clean our air and boost our mood, they also can turn a dull corner into a beautiful oasis that looks and feels welcoming, calming, and refreshing. Kind of like vacation itself! So choose your destination, and bring a little piece it home with a tropical indoor plant.

Disconnect in Belize with the Parlor Palm

Palm trees come in all shapes and sizes, but what about one that fits neatly on a desk, shelf, or any other tabletop surface? The Parlor Palm is an adorable, pocket-size palm tree that requires minimal maintenance to keep the vacay vibes coming all year long.

Shop now →

Relax in a Tulum paradise with the Bird of Paradise

There’s nothing that a few days in Tulum can’t cure. If you’ve got a case of the city blues, consider adding a lush Bird of Paradise to your home. These large-leaf statement plants instantly transform any space, and are incredibly easy to maintain and grow over time.

Shop now →

Immerse yourself in Costa Rica’s rainforest with the Bird’s Nest Fern

Craving the rainforest? Costa Rica is home to over 800 different varieties of the shade-loving fern. Bring the tropical rainforest vibes into your home with the Bird’s Nest Fern, a low-maintenance indoor plant that requires medium to bight indirect light and water once a week. With bright green tendrils that unfurl from the center, this plant will instantly satisfy your craving for nature.

Shop now →

Stroll the hills of the Amalfi Coast with the Calathea Medallion

The Calathea Medallion may be a tropical plant, but its vibrant pink foliage will immediately transport you to the winding, narrow streets of Europe in summer: morning strolls, evening aperitifs, and bright bougainvillea every corner you turn.

Shop now →

Soak up the lushness in Maui with the Monstera Deliciosa

No houseplant quite says “dreamy Hawaiian getaway” like the popular and easy-care Monstera Deliciosa. These split-leaf beauties become enormous in the wild, though they will remain relatively tame indoors.

Shop now →

Looking for more indoor plant inspiration? Follow us on Instagram for all things plant styling, plant care, and more.

 

moneytreescandi.jpeg

Indoor plants, potted & delivered

Premium plants paired with stylish ceramics, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

Simple Tips For Decorating With Neutrals, With Joanna Lily Wong
Decorating with neutrals living room

Ask any interior design expert: neutrals never go out of style! But neutrals don’t always have the best reputation, and it’s no wonder why: when they’re not done right, they can feel boring, stark, or just plain cold. But a space that’s tastefully decorated with neutrals? Seemingly effortless, inviting and warm, and of course, always in style.

We tapped into one of our favorite experts in all things interior design and feng shui, Joanna Lily Wong, for a few useful tips on how to decorate and style using a clean and calm palette of beiges, grays, and what she likes to call “greige”! Here are her five key tips when decorating a living room or other space with neutrals.

Keep things warm with texture

Neutral living spaces can sometimes feel a bit lifeless. If you've decorated with grey and your space feels a bit cold, incorporate more wood elements and highly textured fabrics like wools or linens. This will help bring more vitality into the space.

Get into “greige”

Sometimes when a room veers on the beige/tan side it can look outdated (in a not cool vintage way), says Joanna. And then sometimes, when a room is all grey, it feels cookie cutter and lifeless.  So I like to use "cool beiges" and "warm grays" as a neutral color.  My favorite neutral color is what I call "Greige".

Style neutrals with a pop of color

If neutrals feel too conservative for you, use them as a foundation, and then bring in a pop of color.  A bright blue lounge chair, for example, or a fun textured rug.  

Styling by @rachelkathleenhome, plant in photo: Rubber Plant in Nouvelle

Learn to layer

When decorating in neutrals, it’s important to layer. If you use, for example, only one shade of grey, and only one shade of white, throughout the room, it will lack dimension.  Embrace different shades or dark and light, warm and cool. 

Build from a foundation of neutrals

Neutrals are always a safe direction to go.  Furnishing your house is expensive, and our tastes change.  But if you have a neutral foundation, you can play with different styles and colors with your home accessories like table lamps, bedsheets, or vases.

What are the ways you decorate with neutrals? Let us know in the comments!

decoratingwithneutralsjoannawong.jpeg

Joanna Lily Wong is an interior designer and real estate developer. Her company, Ennate, takes a tailored approach to each project to achieve a high aesthetic standard, harmonizing form and function. Feng Shui is incorporated into her designs, under the premise that a beautiful, intuitive space can create a happy home.

 

Indoor plants, potted & delivered

Premium plants paired with stylish ceramics, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

Real Plants, Real People: Hannah Briggs
IMG_6831.jpg

Hannah Briggs (@thistleharvest) is a collector of sorts: beautiful moments, simple DIY tips, and of course, plenty of indoor greenery.

--

How did you know this home was for you?

My husband actually grew up in our home so it’s been in his family for years and years. We have since renovated it and made it our own and we love it more and more all the time. It’s where he was brought home from the hospital and where we brought our daughter home. It holds lots of sacred memories. 

Pops of greenery like this Little Hope liven up Hannah’s neutral color palette.

Pops of greenery like this Little Hope liven up Hannah’s neutral color palette.

What inspires you when you decorate?

Nature in the form of plants (obviously), light woods, various textures such as linen, wood, velvet, leather, etc. I’m drawn to a Scandinavian style with lots of neutral tones and pops of greenery to liven it up. I like to keep things fairly minimal, clean, and cozy. 

The Monstera Deliciosa pulls together a collection of plants in the living room.

The Monstera Deliciosa pulls together a collection of plants in the living room.

What are your plant care secrets?

Live and learn! Haha. I’ve killed many a plant but I try to study up on what they like as far as how much light and water they need, prune them regularly, and repot when necessary. All of my plants are so special and it’s fun trying to figure them out!

IMG_7827.jpeg

All photos by Hannah Briggs. Find her on Instagram or her blog for more design and plant styling inspiration!


Shop the story


June Reading List
1200x800 email grids (2).jpg

A monthly round-up of what we’re reading in the world of plant styling, interior design, and more.


“Trees fall with spectacular crashes. But planting is silent and growth is invisible.”

-Richard Powers, The Overstory⁠

In the face of growth, progress, and change, we often look to nature for guidance. The way a plant or tree grows may seem effortless and natural, but we must remind ourselves that, below the surface, growth is a product of intention, patience, and often, great struggle.

This month we’ve created a summer reading list that highlights some of our team’s favorite books on nature and new growth, and the valuable wisdom and beauty we may gather from our silent but rooted companions along the way.

  1. The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben

    A fascinating journey through trees’ complex communities and support systems.

    “A tree can be only as strong as the forest that surrounds it.” As much can be said about human society, too. In his fascinating exploration of the social nature of trees, german forester Peter Wohlleben extracts crucial similarities we have with nature’s oldest life form, bringing to light how we humans thrive only when we create societies and communities that serve to support and protect one another.

    Get the book →

  2. The Home Place by J. Drew Lanham

    A deeply moving memoir that explores our desire for nature and belonging.

    J. Drew Lanham, an ornithologist at Clemson University, knows a thing or two about working as a Black man in a predominantly white field. In his beautiful and relevant memoir that recounts growing up (and falling in love with) the verdant lushness of the deep south, he uniquely touches on so many issues that remain a reality of being black in today’s America.

    Get the book →

  3. The Overstory by Richard Powers

    A critically acclaimed novel and Pulitzer Prize winner about gargantuan trees.

    An epic tale following the diverse lives of nine different characters and their unique experiences with trees, this 2018 novel rooted in environmentalism ultimately reminds us of the power of the interconnected roots of our age-old ancestors, and each other.

    Get the book →

  4. Wild Interiors by Hilton Carter

    A gorgeous book on plant styling and letting nature inspire your indoors.

    With a unique eye and an unmistakable look, there’s a lot to love about Hilton Carter’s world of plant styling and beyond. In his latest book, Hilton shares his personal journey with indoor plants, including tips on how to select plants for each space, followed by a tour of inspiring homes that display the versatility and beauty of decorating with plants.

    Get the book →

  5. The Revolutionary Genius of Plants by Stefano Mancuso

    A study on the genius that lies within the plants that surround us.

    Are plants better problem solvers than people? This is the central question world-renowned scientist Stefano Mancuso asks in his book about the complex nature of plants and their ability to perceive their surroundings with an even greater sensitivity than animals.

    Get the book →

What are you reading this summer, and where do you plan on finding new growth?

 

Indoor plants, potted & delivered

Premium plants paired with stylish ceramics, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

May Reading List
Wohnen_1-1.jpg

A monthly round-up of what we’re reading in the world of plant styling, interior design, and more.


The world may sometimes feel like it’s at a standstill, yet nature continues on her course: spring is in full force, summer is knocking on the backdoor, and we continue to find inspiration in so many places, even from home! Check out what we’re reading this month:

  1. A new plant trend in town?

    According to the design junkies at Clever, there’s a new plant trend in town, and it doesn’t start with the word “fiddle”. So what is it, you ask? Bringing an outdoors feeling in with trailing plants. There’s a handful of suggestions, and it’s no wonder the easy and lush Cascading Pothos is at the top of the list!

  2. Foraging for branches

    Erin Hiemstra of Apartment34 knows how to create beautiful spaces, and we’ve been loving her tips and tricks for creating harmony at home these days. We already feel strongly about using our existing plants to create more corners of beauty with leaves and cuttings, but we also love the ingenious idea (complete with plenty of inspo!) to collect branches as decor pieces for the home.

  3. Cocktail hour is back

    There are a select few silver linings of the current situation our world faces, and one of them has been the inevitable slow down our fast-paced lives. With it comes the return of the cocktail hour, delightfully detailed in this NYT piece last month. So go ahead, stir up a cocktail and enjoy (and find a few recipes here!).

  4. The tonic of gardening during quarantine

    “What all gardeners know, and the rest of you may discover, is that if you have even the smallest space, a pot on a window ledge, a front step, a wee yard, there is no balm to the soul greater than planting seeds.” Similar to the way we marvel as a new leaf unfurls on one of our plants, this writer reminds us that there is so much joy and gratification in watching things grow.

  5. Calming paint colors for the DIYers

    Calming paint colors — enough said! Even if you don’t have plans for a paint job any time soon, these colors are fun and soothing to look at, and who knows, one thing might lead to another and you’ll find yourself in a fun new project.

What’s inspiring you this month? Let us know in the comments!

Photo by Constanze Ladner

 

Indoor plants, potted & delivered

Premium plants paired with stylish ceramics, plus lifetime plant care support. Order online at leonandgeorge.com