The end of the holiday season has finally come and gone. If you are anything like me, you are a little sad to see the colorful ambiance brought on by holiday lights and candles make it's way into a hibernation of sorts, as do you. By now the last of the leaves have made their way to the ground and much of the color has left the landscape. The northeast was graced with what seemed like a long, vibrant autumn with mostly clear and warm weather. It may be a long ways away before we see blooming vegetation in our neighborhoods again. However, you may be familiar with green or living walls, an unconventional way of bringing plants and flowers into a home or dwelling. These days many communities have made greater efforts to living green through many means. Architects and interior designers, especially in urban settings, have begun to design buildings and rooms with elements of vegetation incorporated into the plans.
Many architects working in cities have adapted the concept of living walls or vertical gardens, which involved attaching vegetation to walls, both inside and outside of buildings. Incorporating plants and flowers into a building not only provides aesthetic beauty and charm to a given room, but plants and flowers have a remarkable way of providing healthy living to the people who dwell in these buildings. In corporate settings, lobbies and common areas are designed with a central element including plants and flowers to increase fresh air and promote a sense of tranquility. In a home, a living wall can exist as a piece that provides both fresh air as well as a warm and cozy atmosphere, especially in the winter.
Those of you who attended Artology’s art instillation at the Arborary Arborium this summer can recall Artology’s very own living wall that was designed and constructed by Ms. Vivian and the Artologists. As city dwellers, the Artologist learned the importance of fresh air in Philadelphia where carbon emission is especially high. The wall, created in three parts, was made of both real and hand-made ceramic flowers, which demonstrated appreciation for the natural landscape as well as fine arts. Together both elements created a wonderful piece of art that the community was warmed by and very proud of.
And one of the most beautiful things about living walls and eco-design is that you can create your own green design element in your home with very little effort! Simply bring a potted flower home and set it upon a table or surface that needs some warmth. Hanging potted plants from the ceiling has the same effect, but can be a bit more tricky. If you are willing to put a little more time and effort into a green living space, special vertical garden kits are available in stores and hang like picture frames where you can insert your favorite plants and flowers. Don’t forget that your living art is just that, living, and needs sunshine and water. Bringing plants and flowers into your home you find that if you give them love and warmth plants have the amazing ability to give the same back to you.
