Living
Clear the air For a truly calming interior, include indoor plants to purify the air, such as this Strelitzia nicolai, better known as the giant bird of paradise. Studies have shown that plants can dramatically improve indoor air quality by ‘breathing in’ carbon dioxide and ‘breathing out’ oxygen. They also play an important role in eliminating harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that are emitted from furniture, paints and computers. For living areas, choose plants that can tolerate shade – think potted palms, maidenhair ferns, orchids and peace lilies.
Succulent cuttings become pot plants all year round For a hardy, low-maintenance indoor or outdoor pot plant, place cuttings of a variety of succulents in old pots, biscuit tins or jars, then just sit back and watch them grow. You can easily take a cutting from a succulent plant by removing a short amount of stem that has some decent leaves. But be aware, if it breaks away without bringing the entire leaf with it, it will not grow new roots. Pop the whole cutting in a glass of water for a few weeks (with just the base in the water, not the leaves) and see it develop small roots – which should be enough for planting in at least five centimetres of soil. As succulents require so little water, there’s no need to add holes for drainage, so any container will suffice.
15. An aged packing crate This rich, brown vintage packing crate offsets the lightly coloured surrounds. The addition of a smaller crate filled with a pot of flowers, plus a lamp, mix elements of cottage, vintage and industrial styles together splendidly.
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