Three Steps to Successful Plant Care

Happy Earth Day! In honor of this wonderful holiday, I have written a lot of posts about indoor plants.

Plants should be incorporated into your décor not only for their aesthetics but, as discussed previously, their ability to purify the air and how they contribute wood element into your spaces. The wood element creates kindness, flexibility and healing in your life.

Of course, having plants means you’ve got to care for them. Even low maintenance plants, like rubber trees, require some level of care. Here are 3 tips for keeping those greens... well, green.

Know thy plants

The first and most important step to successful houseplant care is to know what each plant requires. Every plant needs sunlight, water and food to thrive. They don’t, however, all require the same amounts. Take time to understand the needs for each plant you’re purchasing.

Know thy home & thyself

Let’s step back for a moment. Before making your plant selection, decide where they’re going to live in your home. Perhaps you want to place that nocturnal snake plant in your bedroom. It thrives in low light, so don’t place it on the dresser next to the window that gets strong midday sun.

Similarly, some of us have greener thumbs than others. If plant care isn’t really high on your list of daily tasks, look for low maintenance plants. If you’re willing to invest more time, of course, be open to plants that might require a bit more TLC like an African violet or orchid.

Know thy tools

You can turn almost anything into a planter. However, make sure you’re providing good drainage before you place your plant in it. That cute teacup may look fabulous with a small plant, but without one or more holes in the bottom, you risk root rot caused by poor drainage. Have several different-sized containers, as well. As your plant grows, you’ll want to transplant it into something larger to accommodate its expanding root system. 

When you purchase your plants or transplant them, pick up a new bag of potting soil. You want fresh, loose, sterile soil – don’t recycle old soil or use soil from your yard. Some plants, like cacti, require a soil mix formulated specifically for their needs. Again, research your plants’ needs and buy accordingly.

After you’ve researched your plant’s specific preferences, make sure you’re providing the proper amount of water, light and fertilizer. You’ll also want to inspect your plants for pests and disease and treat them accordingly if needed.

by Anjie Cho

Door Decisions: Selecting Solid Core vs Hollow Core Doors

Love those renovation plans you’ve drawn up! The color is fantastic. The new furniture you’re eyeing will work well in the space. Those pops of color are perfection. But, wait. The door. What about the door? Don’t overlook the entrance to your room. Beyond the aesthetics, you’ll want to consider the construction of the door you select. The differences in budget and benefits between solid core and hollow core doors will impact your choice.

Solid Core Doors

Don’t confuse the solid core door with a solid wood door. The door we’re talking about here is a particle board (or similar material) center covered with a veneer outer layer. Solid wood doors, in contrast, are just what it says. If you purchased a solid wood cherry door, the entire door, one side straight through to the other, would be cherry wood. On the other hand, a comparable solid core door would be a cherry veneer over a particle board center. 

Hollow Core Doors

The hollow wood door is not literally hollow. The center of this door is a cardboard honeycomb sandwiched between two pieces of veneer and a solid wood frame. 

Make your pick

If budget is your deciding factor, the hollow-core door is a good choice. The construction materials used yield a lightweight and relatively inexpensive option. You won’t necessarily sacrifice style, either. Many of these doors are impressive replicas of their more high-end cousins. These same perks, however, mean such a door is only good for interior use. A hollow core door does not have the security and durability needed for an exterior door.

The solid core door offers several advantages. With its solid construction, this door serves as a better heat and sound insulator than their hollow counterparts. These doors are also stronger and more secure and as such, they will withstand more than a hollow core door. While the solid core door is more expensive in comparison to the hollow core, it does cost less than the solid wood doors making it a good option for many budgets.

Doors in Feng Shui

In feng shui philosophy, door represent the mouth of the inhabitants in the home. No matter what types of doors you choose, make sure they are kept in good working order and they can open at least 90 degrees. Avoid doors that hit each other when they open. Finally, best to avoid double doors in the bedroom!

by Anjie Cho

Wallpaper: Why It’s Hot Again and How to Hang It

No longer a bad word, wallpaper is cool again. But, this is not the drab wallpaper of 1970. Thanks to popular interior design TV shows and design-inspired communities like Etsy, wallpaper has been resuscitated and transformed. 

With its new, design-friendly reputation, today’s wallpaper breathes fresh personality into rooms with natural themes, bold graphics, and unique patterns. Most importantly, it’s being used in new ways - and it’s being applied sparingly. 

Today, wallpaper is hung to create accent walls, dramatic borders, or unique backsplashes. And you’ll find it in unpredictable places, lining the inside of closets or bookcases. 

Here’s how to hang wallpaper if you’re in a DIY state of mind:

1) Pick a single wall and an easy-to-apply wallpaper.

For first-timers, turn a single wall into an accent wall. If it’s a patterned wallpaper, pick a pattern that’s easy to match up. To make the project even easier, pick heavier papers, which are easier to handle.

2) Clean wall and apply primer.

Wipe down the wall with a rag and warm water. When dry, apply a coat of wallpaper primer to the wall to ensure the paper adheres well. Allow the primer to dry.

3) Measure wall and draw a centered plumb line.

Measure the wall’s height and width, and then mark the wall’s center. Use a level to draw a plumb, vertical line through the center mark for plumb wallpaper panels.

4) Align your pattern and trim bottoms.

Side-by-side, unroll two rolls and align patterns. Mark the bottom, adding a 4-inch margin, where you’d like it to end. Use a straight edge to trim all bottoms. 

5) Measure, mark and trim tops.

Measure wall height and use straight edge to mark and trim the top. On the back of the roll, write a “T” to indicate the top. 

6) Prep the paper.

Lay a roll face down. If pre-pasted, moisten back of roll with a damp sponge. If not pre-pasted, apply paste evenly to the back of the roll. 

7) Book the wallpaper. 

Without creasing, gently fold both ends of the roll to meet in the middle – paste side in. This is known as “booking.” Let the strip of paper rest for the amount of time recommended in the manufacturer’s instructions (usually about 10 minutes).

8) Hang wallpaper ceiling to floor. 

Unfold the top half of a “book” and align a side to the plumb line. Gently apply to the wall, top to bottom, with a smoothing tool. Unfold the bottom half and smooth against the wall. 

9) Trim bottom. 

Hold a straight edge against the bottom of the wall or baseboard. Use the straight edge as a guide while you carefully trim the excess paper with a utility knife.

10) Wipe with a damp sponge. 

Smooth from top to bottom, and from the center outward, with a slightly damp sponge. This will smooth out any air bubbles and wipe away excess adhesive.

11) Hang another piece of wallpaper. 

Unfold the top half and align the side to the paper on the wall. Edges should touch, but not overlap. Be sure the patterns align as desired. Apply to the wall and repeat until done.

You can have a stunning, wallpapered accent wall easily. But, take your time and don’t rush!

by Anjie Cho