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<\/a><\/p>\nPhoto by\u00a0agirlnamedleney<\/a> for\u00a0PlantShed.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Casey Godlove knows his way around a greenhouse. As the Creative Director of <\/span>PlantShed<\/span><\/a>, a Manhattan-based company offering residential and commercial botanical design services, he specializes in crafting lush, layered interiors for his clients. Whether he\u2019s putting the finishing touches on a floral arrangement for a pop-up event, teaching a terrarium-building workshop, or sourcing a six-foot-tall cactus for an office refresh, there\u2019s never a dull day in the life of an interior plant decorator. Steal Casey\u2019s tips on designing a verdant vignette and find out what it\u2019s like to work with a green-thumbed stylist.<\/span><\/p>\n\n Photo by\u00a0agirlnamedleney<\/a>\u00a0for\u00a0plantshednyc\/Instagram<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n BuzzBuzzNews: What are the aesthetic and health benefits of decorating with plants?<\/b><\/p>\n Casey Godlove: <\/span>Aesthetically, foliage can work as both an accent and major design element. Plants add texture, build layers and bring a lot of warmth to a space. Personally, they are the element that makes a space feel like home and often are a focal point, whether grouped together or standing alone. Caring for plants can be a cathartic and rewarding process that helps reduce stress, lowers blood pressure and improves concentration (yes please!). They also improve air quality and studies show that workspaces that include plants and foliage increase efficiency among employees. <\/span><\/p>\n BBN: What types of residential clients typically seek out your help? Are they fairly new to decorating with plants, or more seasoned plant owners who want a curated look?<\/b><\/p>\n CG: Many of our residential clients approach us on a mission \u2014 typically looking to improve air quality, find a pet-friendly plant, or find a plant that they remember having growing up. Our clientele runs the gamete of plant lovers that visit us weekly and many that are curious about trying their hand at growing some green. We have a great following of aspiring horticulturalists that source out rare and hard-to-find varieties from us, and many clients looking to finish their space with a few natural elements. <\/span><\/p>\n BBN: When consulting with a residential client, what sorts of questions do you ask to better understand your client\u2019s lifestyle and plant needs?<\/b><\/p>\n CG: Typically, we start with paying attention to lighting conditions \u2014 we always want your plants to thrive and be a rewarding experience. Gathering information about how often you travel or how much time you want to invest in maintenance is also really important to make sure we pair you with an appropriate plant. Of course, we like to ask what type of plants you envision seeing in your space: Jungle vibe? Clean and minimalist? Lush and tropical? <\/span><\/p>\n Photo:\u00a0plantshednyc\/Instagram<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n BBN: How do you go about choosing the right plants for your clients and how do you decide where to place them?<\/b><\/p>\n CG: This really comes down to paying attention to current d\u00e9cor in the space \u2014\u00a0we either aim to match their existing aesthetic, provide contrast, or add a subtle pop of green where needed. Playing with light and shadows can be a really interesting concept when working with a blank canvas, but overall, we want the plants to feel like they were part of the original design concept and belong in the space. Working with the scale and proportion of existing furniture and d\u00e9cor is important to placement. You don\u2019t want the plant to get lost of feel like it is overshadowing important pieces. Sometimes this involves trying different plant options and other times the finished look is totally effortless.<\/span><\/p>\n BBN: Do you have any styling tricks for staging a space with houseplants?<\/b><\/p>\n CG: Using containers that are unexpected or vintage always creates a major focal point and instantly gives a layered, eclectic feel. Groupings or collections of the same plant with different leaf variations provides an impactful moment that feels tailored. Playing with contrasting colors using foliage and accessories can make a bold statement, too. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n BBN: Once the plants have been installed, do you provide your clients with care tips?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n CG: After installation, we give a basic rundown of care and watering needs. This can vary depending on seasons and other conditions, but our plant specialists are always available to help. We want your experience with plants to always be positive \u2014\u00a0so when coming to us with questions it\u2019s always helpful to have photos or a leaf sample so we can make recommendations.<\/span><\/p>\n Photo: caseygodlove\/Instagram<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n BBN: What are some of the best large plants for making a statement?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n CG: My go-to for statement makers are the large, <\/span>six-foot-plus cacti<\/span><\/a> we source from Arizona. With a muted and tonal green hue, these showstoppers don\u2019t take up much room (hello tiny apartments of NYC), but have serious impact on a space. They do best in a high light situation and require very little water \u2014 so perfect for the New Yorker on the go. Another favorite for a lusher, jungle vibe is the <\/span>Kentia Palm<\/span><\/a>. Towering at eight feet, these Hawaiian-grown palms are easy to care for and have long, arching fronds that cast beautiful shadows, can perfectly frame a window, and are a rich emerald green.<\/span><\/p>\n BBN: Could you share some tips on designing interesting tabletop vignettes with plants?<\/b><\/p>\n CG: This is a great spot to pull in that vintage or unexpected container. An old copper pot or a polished stone vessel can add an eclectic vibe. Pairing plants with other natural elements like driftwood or a natural wood picture frame can create a minimalist vignette. Pay attention to scale and make sure the plant is able to fully fit in the space without being confined or squeezed in.<\/span><\/p>\n BBN: If you live in a small space, what are some creative ways to display houseplants?<\/b><\/p>\n CG: Take to the walls! Mounted staghorn ferns<\/a> are a favorite to hang in a bright, humid spot. Also wall-mounted macram\u00e9\u2019s are back in and can make for a big visual impact. Utilize shelves to display collections and provide extra room for more plants! If you\u2019re needing a floor plant in a tiny space, look for things that have a vertical growth pattern, like snake plants, as their footprint in the space can be more manageable.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n