Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Decorating with Herb Standards


Interior designers are using small herb standards for their decorative value.  Architectural in feeling, they're more visually interesting than many ordinary houseplants and usually more fragrant as well.  Planted in formal containers and displayed in pairs, standards appear proper and traditional, but in baskets or clay pots, they look more like inhabitants of an enchanted forest.                  

*Both Images from Pure Style Home*
Lauren from Pure Style Home  uses topiaries beautifully in her kitchen.  I like the touch of green they add to her black and white decor.  Having a Herb Standard in your kitchen, can help you to use more fresh herbs when cooking and they also make your home look fabulous!   Lauren says that one is fake but I cannot tell, can you?

Herb standards are plants trained to grow with single stems and lush, geometrically shaped heads.  Standards are a simple form of topiary, the art of training plants and trees into fantastic shapes.








Martha says, "A lone topiary might look lost atop the table, but a group of five in staggered heights provides an arresting tableau {love her use of vocabulary words}.  The spherical forms highlight the tables shape and the soft edges of the other furnishings.  Living centerpieces can be rotated to suit the season."



I really enjoy using topiaries in my home.  I think I am obsessed with them.  When I am out and I see one, I want to buy it.  They usually are very expensive, so I hold off.  I may try and make one myself.  It has to be cheaper...right?  So much to do, so little time.  Go here for instructions.  I love this photo below.  First, the table is fantastic.  Second, I love all the lush plants.  It would be like having a mini garden in your home. I think it would make me happy to see that everyday.  Unfortunately, I don't posses a green thumb, so it probably wouldn't look this great after a few months! *image from Lonny Magazine






These "baby" Myrtle topiaries make a great gift in antique tea cups.  Adorable!







Topiaries for a wedding decoration...






I could go on and on with images of topiaries.  I hope this has inspired you to add these beauties to your home!







(images for Martha Stewart, Country Living, Pure Style Home, Living It At Home)


19 wonderful comments:

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

I love these too. The trick is that most of the time you need two and you need to rotate them inside and outside to keep them healthy. It is some work, but so worth it. I just do all my watering outside and only bring in dry pots...

Flavia @ Estilo Home said...

I wish I could have more plants in my house, but around me they always tend to die... plus my home gets very little sunlight. Too bad, because they look so nice.

PS: thanks for stopping by my blog!

Unknown said...

I love topiaries! Little trees of green love. I used to have a lot of them and they always died. Not enough water, too much water. I gave up.

nannykim said...

A neat idea to do it with herbs....my main problem is Bishop Boots who will eat all living plants and proceed to puke on everything. So I have my herbs out doors and move some into the carport area in winter--I would love to have some indoors.

http://spindlecottage.blogspot.com

Tracy Watier said...

I love little topiaries, herbs and otherwise, and have bought and killed enough of them to know that most require special care and that I'm not always up to that challenge. Realistic-looking fakes can be expensive but when I factor in how much I've spent on doomed to die real plants, the faux are probably worth it!

Linda in AZ * said...

* I hate to say "misery loves company"~ I really DOOOO, buuut, at least I know (now!) that I'm not the ONLY ONE who can't get those darlings to grow, let alone even stay ALIVE (!)... try as I have!!!

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the look & feel & warmth they add to a home (& super flavor to fresh food)...... Yessireebob, this SUPERB BLOG has made me decide to try, yet ONCE AGAIN... SO INSPIRING!!! And the pics? TOOOOOOO FABULOUS!!!!!!!!

Where have you been??? I'm a regular reader here now, for sure!

MANY, many thanks!!!

Linda in AZ *

Living It At Home said...

So sorry to hear of all the troubles with topiaries! I too have had my share. Just bought a small one and the leaves seem to be dropping off. Still hanging on though. They at least last longer than cut flowers and give me as much pleasure and they look so great. I haven't given up on them yet!

Tip: (just read this) Because plant has so few green leaves, be careful not to overwater it. Keep it on the dry side. If it is a Rosemary topiary (probably applies to all types), keep it fully supported and grow in full sun in a warm place (protected from strong winds if it is outside).

Hope info. is somewhat helpful. Thank you for your wonderful comments~ jamilyn

Fargerike Dagny said...

I just decided that I want a fig tree, and now I think I need topiaries too! Fabulous post!!

And thanks for the super sweet comment about my living room area!!

xoxo
dagny

Design Esquire said...

Wow. I love this post - every image is just beautiful. I want to run out and get a topiary or two now!

My Owl Barn said...

I love those topiaries too, also that duck painting and the chandelier are gorgeous.

Lauren said...

Thanks so much for including my topiaries!! :)

Since I have taken the pics my poor rosemary has gone downhill FAST!!! :( I'm so sad... I put it outside because I read that it liked cool air (different sites must say different things) and it's doing better outside. I forget what my little one was called but it's so easy to keep alive!!

Anyway, beautiful post- I've been collecting topiray pics for a while & yours are just AMAZING!!!

xoxoxo,
lauren

the gardener's cottage said...

I have 4 FAKE topiaries in my house. Yes, I confess. 2 are freeze dried (expensive.) and 2 are just fakes. But you know what, I still like them. It's an ongoing debate in my head about having anything artificial. I feel like some decorating pro is shaking a finger at me or something. But oh well, for the time being they will stay.

~janet

deliciously organized said...

You've convinced me! I need to go out and get some!

Valerie Wills Interiors said...

OooOOO I LOVE the topiaries.... they are so elegant....

annie cat said...

Hi, thanks for the kind comments! I am always looking for home decor inspiration... that table with all the plants is amazing. I do wish I could have more plants in my home but they always do better outside. Thanks for stopping by =)

Bethany Christensen said...

I am a huge fan of them as well. I love the baby myrtle for some reason. I think it is time for me to try them again!

Unknown said...

These look great!! I especially love the teacups - super cute :-)
Thanks for visiting me and leaving such lovely comments!!
Enjoying your blog and following now! - have a great weekend!!
Cheers, Karen

Jenn @ Dear Heart said...

I love this look,so classic. It makes me so sad that I live in a cave where any and all live plants die within a week.

Alden said...

I too am a topiary junkie but in our area of east central Florida they are no longer available. If anyone knows of a dealer that carries them I'd love to know about them..thanks!