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Bring the Outdoors In With Greenery, April 2011
Bring the outdoors in this spring by adding greenery to your home. It is amazing what a few plants can add to an interior space! Artificial and live plants, and small trees are great for those who enjoy nature and want to bring a natural element inside. Need help deciding whether artificial or live plants are for you, read on!
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A Guide to Using Greenery In Your Home
Designing with greenery can help bring the outdoors in and brings about a sense of calm in our interior spaces. Greenery brings a sense of something alive and fresh. And, the color alone adds a sense of serenity to most any space.
Initially, when adding greenery to a room, we have to choose between live or manufactured greener  y. Although most of us would prefer real greenery over imitation, there are several things to consider when deciding between real or artificial plants. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Real PlantsLive plants help clean the air and add to a healthy environment. They can also add fragrance. There are however, several things to bear in mind before going live. Live plants can:
- Attract insects to the indoors
- Cause water damage to floors and surfaces if containers leak or crack
- Need care and attention as they require regular watering and varying amounts of sunlight
- Be toxic to family pets and to small children
- Provide the moist environment in which mold can grow; not good for those with allergies
If you decide to go with the real thing, you should do your research before purchasing live plants to be certain pets and children will be guarded from potential toxins. Place plants on surfaces that will not be ruined if the water leaks out or overflows. And, make sure to research the type of plant you purchase to ensure you are prepared to provide ample lighting and that you know the frequency with which to water your new greenery.
Artificial Plants
 | | Artificial plants will not attract bugs but do require dusting every now and then. |
If you aren't up for the challenges of live greenery, try to select artificial plants that look as close to the real thing as possible. Purchase the best you can afford. Good looking artificial plants are not inexpensive and are hard to tell from the real thing.
Stay away from artificial plants that are variegated, meaning they have a white line running through the leaves. These plants never look natural or high quality, and are a sure giveaway that the plants are not the real deal!
Do keep in mind also that artificial plants will attract dust, so they require frequent maintenance.
Use Your Live or Artificial Plants for Depth and Interest
- Create a sense of depth and interest with trees and plants by layering them behind chairs, sofas and tables. Use them in nooks and corners to fill the space and add texture and dimension.
- Display a group of three plants - in a variety of sizes - in an entryway for a welcoming and interesting visual effect.
- Whether you choose real or artificial plants, go for quality and safety, and let their healing and calming qualities be an important part of your overall interior design.
Interested in creating a beautiful and functional space for 2011? Contact Decor by Denise today at 703-714-7343 or email [email protected] to learn how we can help you transform your home or office. |
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Decor by Denise to be Published in Washington Post, April 28th!
Last month Denise complete her third edition of Washington Post House Calls, which is scheduled to be published next Thursday, April 28th in the Home and Garden Section of the Post. So, be sure to check out her redesign of a local couple's family-friendly family room in the paper or online next week. Hope you find inspiration in her design! |
Don't Forget to Visit The DC Design House by May 8th! 
If you haven't already made it out to the DC Design house, you have a few weeks left to see the show. Don't miss the opportunity to visit and tour this lovely home, from April 9th to May 8th and make a contribution to Children's National Medical Center. This is a great chance to see ours and other local designers' creative minds come to life. The Decor by Denise team will be at the house each Saturday and Sunday while the house is open, so stop by and say hi! We are in room #19. Hope to see you there.
Hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10am-3pm, Saturday-Sunday 12pm-5pm
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Meet Denise Willard, Owner, Decor by Denise
 Denise Willard has over a decade of experience transforming the homes of clients in the DC Metro Area. Her work has been showcased on ABC Affiliate, News Channel 8 and in Home & Design, Washington Home & Garden, The Washingtonian, Elan, The Washington Post, JavaTown and From House to Home Magazine. Denise is a regular columnist for Viva Tysons Magazine and is part of the Design Diva team for Ask Miss A, a national lifestyle eMagazine that reaches a growing subscription base of 70,000 visitors each month.
Denise and her team were selected to participate in the 2011 DC Design House Designer Showhouse and are published in Home and Design's 2011 "Top 100 Interior Designers." Denise sits on the board and is President-Elect of the DC Chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA), is a member of the leadership team for the McLean Business Forum, is an active member of the Vienna-Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce and maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Denise specializes in creating simple, but elegant transitional interiors that are reflective of her clients' personalities and lifestyles. The combination of her southern roots and urban lifestyle can be seen in her personal design style, which combines the comfort and hospitality of the south with the flair of the big city. Denise's interior design philosophy is that everyone deserves a beautiful home-no matter how small the interior or how large the budget. Therefore, she welcomes projects of all sizes-from one bedroom condos to large single family homes.
Stay Connected With Us!
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If you are a member of the trade and are interested in participating in our collaborative marketing efforts, please contact Denise at [email protected].
We look forward to hearing from you! |
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