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The Indoor Gardener: Reconsider Fabulous Ferns
Delicate to exuberant, ferns come in all manner of styles and add bursts of freshness to your interior decorating
I am a Brooklyn-based writer, who writes about all sorts of DIY ventures like cooking, crafts and decorating. When I'm not on assignment, I can be found dreaming up projects for my home, which I chronicle in my blog The Little House in the City (thelittlehouseinthecityblog.com).
I am a Brooklyn-based writer, who writes about all sorts of DIY ventures... More »
If you hear the word "fern" and shudder over 1970s flashbacks of macramé planters, it's time to reconsider this humble houseplant for decorating your home today. Ferns come in many shapes and sizes, from the delicate maidenhair to the more masculine staghorn, so there's sure to be one that suits your tastes. No matter which type appeals, the leafy fronds of ferns add texture and life to almost any part of the home. Plus, ferns are fairly low maintenance; just keep them damp (but not too damp) and fertilize annually. Here are 13 rooms that may just convince you to bring a fern into your home.
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| Verdant ferns make a dramatic statement in this black and white bedroom. Follow the example of art director Jamie Laubhan-Oliver, who placed two large ferns on plant stands on either side of a mirrored dresser for a symmetrical look. The effect is a bold burst of life in a quiet room. |
by Jill Sorensen
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Interior designer Jill Sorenson flanked the front door of this colorful vestibule with big, bushy ferns. The foliage echoes the front door's leafy hue and brings a welcome touch of the outdoors inside.
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Use ferns to add color: A few pops of greenery add a natural vibe to this pale and interesting room by Laura Leiss Interiors. The fern on the coffee table and the greenery in the background are the brightest spots of color in an otherwise neutral room.
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An asparagus fern (though not technically a fern) adds a burst of life to a serene bedroom, which is also designed by Laura Leiss Interiors. Mixing live plants with natural textiles and fibers, like jute and cowhide, gives a room a truly organic look.
by Rikki Snyder
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A collection of houseplants, including some fabulous ferns, enlivens this sunny corner. The slightly wild plants feel right at home in this bohemian interior. Don't be shy when it comes to houseplants; the more the merrier.
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by Jill Sorensen
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| A mod-looking interior always feels a little more homey with a living, breathing plant. A small, potted fern is an ideal choice for this contemporary bedroom. When placing plants on furniture, be sure to use a saucer to protect the surface. |
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Tucked into a corner of a dramatic gallery-like room, a fern is almost sculptural in a tall urn. Even everyday plants seem special when displayed in this way.
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Embrace the trend toward terrariums. These clear glass vessels, designed by Shane Powers for West Elm, are an excellent and interesting way to display diminutive ferns.
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| Ferns can be used in lieu of flowers as a centerpiece. In this setting petite ferns are arranged with silver candlesticks and table accessories, as well as a sleek glass cloche. |
by decordemon
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A lemon button fern is easy to grow as a houseplant. Here one is cleverly potted in a chrome paint can to make a centerpiece for this casual tablescape by Brian Patrick Flynn, the "Décor Demon."
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A collection of potted ferns and grasses adorns a vintage mantelpiece in the home of Mikey Fuller, of the Shabby French Cottage. Opt for similar aged terra-cotta pots to add extra character to a display.
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For an easy DIY project with a rustic, country look, maidenhair ferns are wrapped in burlap and displayed in a vintage plant stand.
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If you're not ready to commit to growing a fern, try displaying a few cut fern fronds instead. You'll get to enjoy the lovely, leafy look of this versatile plant for as long (or not) as you wish.
More:
Firmly Planted: Choosing Houseplants
Bring on the Green: Decorating with Indoor Plants
More:
Firmly Planted: Choosing Houseplants
Bring on the Green: Decorating with Indoor Plants
Comments
Rikki Snyder Thanks for featuring my photo. Great Article!
15 months ago · Like
Marilyn Palermo Love the timeless ferns, and they go so well with today's sharper, crisper interiors and colors.
15 months ago · Like
ae2ga In style or out, houseplants are a must for keeping inside air fresher - several in every room of the house is my motto.
15 months ago · Like
Laurie at Bird in Hand VTG Love the smaller ferns displayed in silver vessels; lovely tablescape
15 months ago · Like
cadsaxl Love the ferns but one question: how does one ensure that no fruitflies find home/breed in them? This happened to me recently. Advice welcomed! Thx
15 months ago · Like
Audrey Hennefer I love ferns too, but they are so messy....any tips on care?
15 months ago · Like
janet4784 I keep a potted fern behind the kitchen sink, south and west-facing windows, and pour rinse water on it. It's a great way to re-use water rather than letting it go down the drain. I don't give it any food other than the bits left in the rinse water., and it's thrived for years. I also put plastic bags and wrap on it to dry, and the fern loves the humidity.
15 months ago · Like
CAROLE MEYER I love the big fluffy ferns....only problem is when they start to look tired...it is so hard to throw the poor things out!
15 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on March 5, 2012.
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