February Reading List

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

Is there any better time than now to stay indoors? The holidays are long gone, our new year’s resolutions are under way, and we’re catching up on that much-needed rest time after an ambitious start to the year. It’s the season of nesting, and allowing ourselves a bit of hibernation and relaxation is necessary! So curl up in your favorite corner with a cozy blanket and a warm beverage of choice and indulge in the great indoors. Here, a bit of reading material (and eye candy) while you do:

Inspiration from the silver screen
With news of the Oscars buzzing, we couldn’t help but get inspired by happenings on the silver screen, like the gorgeous mid-century gem in Bong Joon-Ho’s Parasite (which we’ve since learned was an entirely newly built set). But equally intriguing real homes there are a-plenty, like those that appeared in movies like The Big Lewbowski, A Clockwork Orange, and more.
Why Valentine’s Day flowers will become a thing of the past
Flowers are gorgeous, but what are the implications when American shoppers spend almost $2 billion on them at once? That’s what happens every Valentine’s Day and as you can imagine, it’s not good for our planet. Read about where all these roses come from, and what it takes to get them to consumers’ hands.
The timelessness of houseplants
Some things never change, including plant care. We love digging through the NYT archives for old houseplant musings, like this simple and delightful guide on how to take care of houseplants from 1976. Yes, all of this information is still accurate, and yes, that little Monstera was just as popular back then as it is now!
Guilty pleasure
We can’t vouch for the inhabitants, but we’ll swoon over an ultra lush space anytime, especially one as unique as this. Take a peek into the Kardashian/West LA residence and get a glimpse of “the metamorphosis of the house from suburban McMansion to futuristic Belgian monastery.” And if you’re wondering, those are Birds of Paradise, Little Hopes, and various different ferns adorning their master bath garden. Creating a similar feel (even without a garden) in your own bathroom is not difficult with a few large-leafed beauties.
Transforming your home into a winter sanctuary
Sure, staying in can be wonderful. But for a big part of the US, the end of winter is nowhere in sight and that may be a troublesome realization for some. If you’re feeling over it, take these light-hearted tips to embrace the winter blues and create a cozy feel inside your home. Because, as it turns out, hygge is actually a real thing.