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Bringing the outside in: Cultivating your indoor oasis
By Freya Insoll, Jordan News
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AMMAN — The past two years have been characterized
by extended periods of confinement to the home, so people have been
increasingly looking to bring the outside in. اضافة اعلان
Homeowners have been looking to craft restorative indoor oases, with many turning to the influences of nature when adding to or redesigning their interiors. Now, as we rapidly approach the summer months, there is no better time to get planting and potting, preparing your indoor garden as an escape from the heat of Amman.
When designing interior green spaces, we can draw upon a variety of international and historical sources of inspiration.
The indoor jungle is rooted in 1970s interior design, the modern iteration still draws upon influences of the period. All-round 70s influences are still steadily growing in popularity — with all-white interior design falling out of favor, having been replaced with a desire for earthy brown and green tones and natural fabrics such as rattan and velvet.
Flower in Beirut. (Photo: Freya Insoll/Jordan News)
While the 70s color palette is instantly recognizable (whether loved or loathed), the star of 70s interiors was arguably the humble cheese plant — formally known as the Monstera Deliciosa. Monsteras have regained their place as a retro tropical indoor addition, famous for their perforated leaves and impressive stature. And because Monsteras are hardy plants that thrive in the heat, they are an excellent option for your Jordanian home.
While caring for houseplants is in itself therapeutic, designing and creating interior features can also provide a creative outlet, coming at a minimal cost. And so, in another nod to the 70s, budding horticulturalists have taken to displaying their houseplants in trendy macramé hangers, comprised of carefully knotted cords that form woven patterns.
Basic macramé designs are fairly easy to master, and tutorials for homemade macramé hangers have sprung up all over the internet. If you want to capitalize on the simple yet stylish 70s aesthetic of a macramé plant holder, then TikTok provides the best free resource for doing so with crafters both young and old eager to share their skills.
Beyond indoor plants being perfect for freshening up and bringing life to your interiors, they have also grown in popularity thanks to their evident health benefits.
It is been widely noted by researchers that cultivating plants in your home increases productivity and wellness whilst reducing stress. The reasons for this are that plants function in the opposite manner to humans, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, and according to extensive research conducted by NASA, houseplants can remove up to 87 percent of air toxins in 24 hours which has a huge positive impact on your health.
The physical benefits of plant rearing also include reduced blood pressure, improved breathing, and reduced headaches and fatigue. Thus, it is easy to see why the return of the indoor jungle is so popular, as plants are indisputably a source of solace and nourishment to many.
Having lived with two plant-obsessed housemates, I can testify as to the therapeutic effects of a green-filled home. Prior to moving to Amman, I was living in Brixton, London — the most central and urban of locations.
My housemate’s 50-strong plant collection was a transformative element of our home, acting as a green oasis in our central London location. Similarly, here in Amman my housemate carefully looks after her growing plant collection — spanning what’s come to be known as the “plant room” and the roof terrace, adding color, life, and vibrancy to our home.
To grow our collection, we source plants from various locations, either from roadside nurseries, Friday Market, or from trimmings of old plants. While I am no expert (and almost killed off her prized collection while she was out of the country), returning back to our plant-filled home always provides a sense of calm from the city buzz.
From the humble spider plant to the notoriously demanding orchid, there is certainly a green option for all aspiring houseplant owners.
As Amman is home to a plethora of plant nurseries, it is easy to pick up some plants of your choice to start cultivating your urban jungle. If you want to learn more about the best houseplants for your home, then you may want to venture into the online world of plantfluencers who are eager to help. Similarly, local online plant retailer Nabteh also maintains a blog dedicated to providing you with the best tips to keeping your plants alive and happy, able to provide expert guidance local to Amman.
Read more Lifestyle
Jordan News
Homeowners have been looking to craft restorative indoor oases, with many turning to the influences of nature when adding to or redesigning their interiors. Now, as we rapidly approach the summer months, there is no better time to get planting and potting, preparing your indoor garden as an escape from the heat of Amman.
When designing interior green spaces, we can draw upon a variety of international and historical sources of inspiration.
The indoor jungle is rooted in 1970s interior design, the modern iteration still draws upon influences of the period. All-round 70s influences are still steadily growing in popularity — with all-white interior design falling out of favor, having been replaced with a desire for earthy brown and green tones and natural fabrics such as rattan and velvet.
Flower in Beirut. (Photo: Freya Insoll/Jordan News)
While the 70s color palette is instantly recognizable (whether loved or loathed), the star of 70s interiors was arguably the humble cheese plant — formally known as the Monstera Deliciosa. Monsteras have regained their place as a retro tropical indoor addition, famous for their perforated leaves and impressive stature. And because Monsteras are hardy plants that thrive in the heat, they are an excellent option for your Jordanian home.
While caring for houseplants is in itself therapeutic, designing and creating interior features can also provide a creative outlet, coming at a minimal cost. And so, in another nod to the 70s, budding horticulturalists have taken to displaying their houseplants in trendy macramé hangers, comprised of carefully knotted cords that form woven patterns.
Basic macramé designs are fairly easy to master, and tutorials for homemade macramé hangers have sprung up all over the internet. If you want to capitalize on the simple yet stylish 70s aesthetic of a macramé plant holder, then TikTok provides the best free resource for doing so with crafters both young and old eager to share their skills.
Beyond indoor plants being perfect for freshening up and bringing life to your interiors, they have also grown in popularity thanks to their evident health benefits.
It is been widely noted by researchers that cultivating plants in your home increases productivity and wellness whilst reducing stress. The reasons for this are that plants function in the opposite manner to humans, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, and according to extensive research conducted by NASA, houseplants can remove up to 87 percent of air toxins in 24 hours which has a huge positive impact on your health.
The physical benefits of plant rearing also include reduced blood pressure, improved breathing, and reduced headaches and fatigue. Thus, it is easy to see why the return of the indoor jungle is so popular, as plants are indisputably a source of solace and nourishment to many.
Having lived with two plant-obsessed housemates, I can testify as to the therapeutic effects of a green-filled home. Prior to moving to Amman, I was living in Brixton, London — the most central and urban of locations.
My housemate’s 50-strong plant collection was a transformative element of our home, acting as a green oasis in our central London location. Similarly, here in Amman my housemate carefully looks after her growing plant collection — spanning what’s come to be known as the “plant room” and the roof terrace, adding color, life, and vibrancy to our home.
To grow our collection, we source plants from various locations, either from roadside nurseries, Friday Market, or from trimmings of old plants. While I am no expert (and almost killed off her prized collection while she was out of the country), returning back to our plant-filled home always provides a sense of calm from the city buzz.
From the humble spider plant to the notoriously demanding orchid, there is certainly a green option for all aspiring houseplant owners.
As Amman is home to a plethora of plant nurseries, it is easy to pick up some plants of your choice to start cultivating your urban jungle. If you want to learn more about the best houseplants for your home, then you may want to venture into the online world of plantfluencers who are eager to help. Similarly, local online plant retailer Nabteh also maintains a blog dedicated to providing you with the best tips to keeping your plants alive and happy, able to provide expert guidance local to Amman.
Read more Lifestyle
Jordan News
