SMALL WORLD - DIY TERRARIUMS

BIG IMPACT...

I have lately been exploring the world of the terrarium - 

It would be the perfect thing to put near my kitchen window.

They bring nature and the garden right to your face - and they are beautiful!

First I wanted to know if I could keep them alive...

I'm the Great Houseplant Killer in my family...

Don't leave one in my care.  

Ever.

Refinery 29

They do seem easy to care for, requiring only sporadic, minimal water 

as they create their own little microclimate in their container

and the glass (especially if it has a lid) creates a greenhouse effect.

Pinterest

They need bright indirect light, but not direct sunlight as that, combined with the glass container, 

would fry them quickly.

Flickr

My kitchen window looks out onto a covered patio - no direct sun - the perfect spot.

Instructables

I have plenty of glass containers to try, but not all have lids, 

and a lid seems to allow more control of the terrarium environment.

weegreenspot

If the glass fogs up a little and there is too much moisture - 

Flickr

removing the lid for a minute or two can correct it.  

Centro Garden

Put it back on when the fog is gone and it prevents further evaporation 

making it possible to go for long periods without adding moisture.

Then I saw these solutions for containers without lids...

Flickr

Glass orb... great idea!

Zest it Up

wooden disk with a knob -

problem solved!

Better Homes and Gardens

Here's a link from Better Homes and Gardens on how to make them 

and a tutorial from Martha Stewart...if you'd like to join me in this experiment. 

For more beautiful inspiration, here's a link to my Pinterest board Terrariums and Topiaries.

If you have tried these small world gardens with success, I would love to hear about it!

QUESTION FROM A READER

Hi there,
I have oak kitchen cabinets in a kitchen/ dining room in one.  The dining room table and hutch are oak as well.  I need a suggestion for a paint colour to bring out the set.  The oak isn't really light, yet not too dark.  I have lots of light coming in from dining area.  Can you suggest a colour for the walls and drapery?  It is painted a sage green and I would like to make a change.  The trim is white and I want to leave the trim the same  ( counter top has different brown in it)  I look forward to hearing from you

Regards,
Carol | 

Hi Carol,

To bring out a warm color - go the polar opposite.  Try a cool gray toned color.  For example, the opposite on the color wheel to red, is green.  The opposite of orange, is blue.  The opposite of yellow, is purple.  Red, orange and yellow are warm colors, and their opposites, or the colors that bring out their best, are cool colors (green, blue and purple).  You have lived with green for a while and want a change, so I would try a gray with a blue or purple undertone to bring out the warm tones of your wood.  

You can go gray and try these with a blue or purple undertone.

BM Abalone (Purple)

BM Pebble Beach (Blue)

BM Rockport Gray (smidge of Purple)

BM Eternity (Blue)

BM Sandlot Gray (Purple)

BM Wet Concrete (Purple)

Or you can go color and try these with a gray undertone.

BM Pleasant Valley

BM Slate Blue

BM Mauve Desert

BM Victorian Mauve

GOOD LUCK!

SPRING FLOWERS - Chasing the blues away

It was time for a break.

I could tell by the way I had to drag myself out of bed on a Saturday

and how I was not looking forward to the dust and the disarray that has become my home...

Yup.  I had the remodeling blues.

I had planned a little outing with the girls..

and all our plans fell through, one by one.

So Mr. B came through for me and whisked me away to Rogers Gardens

and their annual spring floral displays...

I just had to share some Spring beauty with you.

Rogers Gardens in Corona Del Mar, CA is a hardworking, plant filled nursery

that just happens to have this amazing gift shop

and it was filled with fresh floral arrangements for their Spring event... 

it was exactly what I needed to abolish the blues

you just can't feel glum when surrounded by fresh flowers...

I think containers can really make an arrangement..

and RG has the best..

 In the indoor plant area, where their floral department is housed,

 

there were some pretty amazing hanging containers

filled with moss and orchids

 The flowers were so wonderful,

I almost forgot to look at the rest of the stuff...

 The displays are always beautiful...

I especially loved this glowing orb in the urn...

great idea for a wedding..

Happy Spring!

For some of you, it is long awaited!

 QUESTION FROM A READER:

Hi, I have painted my basement with Muslin OC-12 BM as the main color with accent walls in two rooms of Boothbay Gray HC-165, you can see both colors from the main entrance. 

Boothbay Gray (Benjamin Moore)

Muslin (Benjamin Moore)

I now have to bring the color up the stairs (narrow stairway) which opens in to the entrance way and the main floor.  White Dove OC-17 is the ceiling color.  What color would you suggest I paint the stairway  and entrance way in?
Also can you suggest complementary colors that go with these colors as accents in the rooms?
Another question I have two bedrooms that I have painted with Muslin and an accent wall of Carolina Gull 2138-40 in both rooms, what colors can I use for accents for pillows, wall hangings to add some nice warm colors?

Thanks for any help you can give me.
Michele

Michelle, I would refrain from changing your paint color for each new area as it tends to chop up your space and make it feel disjointed and disconnected.  I would simply take the Muslin up the stairs and into the entryway, keeping the ceiling the same color.

As for accents with Carolina Gull, Boothbay Gray and Muslin - Both are quite neutral but Carolina Gull and Boothbay are the stronger of the three colors.  As they are neutrals, there are many colors that will go well as accents.  Metals - you name it, it will go.  Gold, Silver, Black or Bronze - all work well.

Colors:  Light soft grey, mustard, orange, gold, reds, turquoise, aqua, cream, beige, tan, white and all the wonderful wood tones.  That's the beauty of neutrals - they go with just about anything!  You just have to pick your favorite!

Good luck!