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Hello friends,
Welcome to my August “life designed well” update. I’m passionate about great design, and I know you are too. This is my unique way to keep in touch with you, while also offering valuable design tips, recent projects, trend spotlights, before and after photos, and idea books to keep you in the loop about all things interior design. This month, I’m covering one of our recent bathroom remodels, vertical gardens, the modern coastal trend, how straight lines meet curves, and so much more!
If you need anything or if you have a space that needs my special touch, please know that I’m always here for you. My priority is to capture your style and delight you through the process.
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Complete Bathroom Remodel | A recent client project by Robin Gonzales Interiors. What a show-stopper! RGI completely gutted and reconfigured this main bathroom for a long-time client, and they were thrilled with the results! What do you think? Do you have a favorite element of this bathroom remodel?
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Vertical gardens, often referred to as living walls, are an innovative and space-saving way to bring the beauty of nature into your home. Whether you live in a small apartment or have a spacious backyard, vertical gardens offer a creative solution for gardening enthusiasts looking to maximize their space. Here’s how you can create your own living wall at home and some ideas to inspire your project.
What is a Vertical Garden?
A vertical garden is essentially a method of growing plants vertically using a structure like a wall, trellis, or frame. This approach not only adds greenery to your home but also serves as a beautiful focal point, improves air quality, and can even help insulate your home.
Benefits of Vertical Gardens
- Space Efficiency: Ideal for small spaces or urban environments where traditional gardening might not be possible.
- Aesthetic Appeal: A living wall can transform a dull space into a lush, vibrant area.
- Environmental Impact: Vertical gardens can reduce carbon footprints by providing a natural air-purifying system.
- Customization: They can be tailored to fit your space, style, and plant preferences.
Getting Started: Choosing the Right Plants
When planning your vertical garden, consider the light and climate conditions of your space. Some popular plant choices include:
- Succulents: Perfect for low-maintenance vertical gardens, succulents thrive in well-draining soil and require minimal water.
- Ferns: Ideal for shady areas, ferns add lush greenery and texture to your living wall.
- Herbs: If you love cooking, consider planting herbs like basil, rosemary, and mint. They are not only useful but also aromatic and visually appealing.
- Flowering Plants: Add a splash of color with plants like petunias, begonias, or impatiens, which bloom beautifully in vertical settings.
Steps to Create Your Vertical Garden
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Choose Your Structure
- Pre-made Panels: These are readily available at garden centers and come in various sizes. They are easy to install and often include built-in irrigation systems.
- DIY Frames: For a more personalized touch, create your own frame using wood, metal, or recycled materials. Ensure the structure is sturdy enough to hold the plants and soil.
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Select a Location
- Consider the amount of sunlight the area receives. Most plants require at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day. For indoor gardens, you might need to supplement with grow lights.
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Prepare the Soil and Plants
- Use a lightweight, well-draining soil mix to prevent the structure from becoming too heavy. Arrange your plants based on their water and light needs.
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Install Irrigation
- A drip irrigation system is ideal for vertical gardens as it ensures even watering. You can also hand-water the plants, but be mindful of water distribution to prevent overwatering or underwatering.
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Mount Your Garden
- Secure the structure to a sturdy wall or fence. For indoor gardens, make sure the wall can support the weight, or consider freestanding units that don’t require mounting.
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Maintain Your Living Wall
- Regularly check the health of your plants, prune them as needed, and ensure the irrigation system is functioning correctly. Fertilize your plants periodically to keep them thriving.
Creative Vertical Garden Ideas
- Herb Kitchen Garden: Create a small vertical garden in your kitchen with fresh herbs. Not only will it look great, but it will also be a convenient way to have your favorite herbs on hand while cooking.
- Outdoor Privacy Screen: Use a vertical garden as a natural privacy screen on your balcony or patio. Choose tall, dense plants like bamboo or ferns to create a green barrier.
- Succulent Wall Art: Arrange succulents in a pattern to create a living piece of art. Their varied colors and shapes make them perfect for creative designs.
- Edible Living Wall: Grow vegetables like lettuce, spinach, or cherry tomatoes vertically in your backyard. This not only saves space but also makes harvesting easier.
Final Thoughts
Vertical gardens are a versatile and eco-friendly way to enhance your living space. With a bit of creativity and planning, you can create a living wall that is both functional and beautiful. Whether you’re growing herbs, succulents, or flowers, a vertical garden is sure to bring life and color to any part of your home.
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Modern Coastal | A recent client project by Robin Gonzales Interiors. This style is characterized by the use of soothing color palettes, such as deep blues, whites, and natural textures. The dark navy wall, complemented by the light, textured headboard, and the abstract cloud-like painting, adds a serene, ocean-inspired feel to the room.
The use of a mix of different patterns on the pillows and the throw blanket, along with the wooden nightstand, adds warmth and depth, staying true to the coastal aesthetic. The overall look is clean, calm, and sophisticated, emphasizing comfort and relaxation while incorporating modern elements.
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Thinking about a fresh start? At RGI, we handle remodels, custom furniture, space planning, full service design, and everything in between. Schedule a design consultation with Robin today:
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In a cozy corner of this living room, linear custom millwork serves as the backdrop to a curvaceous sofa with soft lines. Designed by Polish interior designers, Zuza and Piotr Paradowski, the signature style of this dynamic duo blends elements of modernism with the international postmodern movements of the 1970s and ’80s.
Keep in mind, trends aren’t something you want to spread everywhere throughout your home. If you have a curved desk and chairs, make sure there are also pieces with straight lines in the room to achieve a mix and balance that makes a space both beautiful and interesting.
Love It Or Leave It: How do you feel about blending curves with straight lines?
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I’d love to work with those you know,
and I’ll always take excellent care of anyone you send my way.
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As summer transitions into fall, swap out lightweight, summer textiles for cozier, warmer options. Consider layering your living spaces with soft throw blankets, adding plush cushions in rich, autumnal tones like burnt orange, deep reds, or warm browns, and introducing textured materials like wool or velvet. This simple change can instantly make your home feel more inviting and ready for the cooler season ahead.
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Robin Gonzales is passionate about interior design and loves turning her client’s house into their dream home! She is enthusiastic and a joy to work with. She embraces the homeowner’s individuality and style, and offers her expertise and elegant taste to make the overall result perfect!!
–Houzz Review
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Have a question about anything related to interior design? I’d love to hear from you–contact me today:
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I’ve been busy! I have a new website coming soon, and my hope is that it will be a useful resource to you. Stay tuned–I can’t wait to share it with you.
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