Urban Jungle Bloggers: Botanical Zoom And Fractals

March 21, 2016

Urban Jungle Bloggers: Botanical zoom - a close up of the leaf on a pothos plant

This month’s topic for Urban Jungle Bloggers is Botanical Zoom. It’s all about zooming in and taking a closer look at our plants.

Donkey Tail succulent close up - Mocha Casa for Urban Jungle Bloggers

Something fascinating happens when you look at plants from close up – as I discovered when I began zooming in and photographing of some of mine.

You realise there’s more to them than first meets the eye. You find new details, patterns within patterns, hidden exquisiteness that’s not apparent at first glance. It gives you a fresh perspective and it’s mesmerising. I found myself staring in wonder at the beauty of nature.

But there’s something else too …

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How To Give Your Living Room A Fresh New Look With Biophilic Design

March 2, 2016

How to give your living room a fresh new look with biophilic design

One of the key interior trends this year is biophilic design.  And with spring on the way, it’s the perfect time to give your living room a fresh new look. So why not add some elements of nature to your decor to bring the outside in?

More than just a visual makeover, biophilia has been shown to relieve stress and promote relaxation. Meaning not only will your living room look great, but give you a sense of wellbeing too.

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Urban Jungle Bloggers: Jungle Animals

February 11, 2016

Urban Jungle Bloggers Jungle Animals from Mocha Casa Blog

With Jungle Animals as the theme for this month’s Urban Jungle Bloggers, I enlisted the help of two of my boys for this post.

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Urban Jungle Bloggers: Kitchen Greens & Fresh Herbal Tea

January 18, 2016

Fresh herbs for herbal tea - Urban Jungle Bloggers kitchen greens

I rotate my plants from time to time, sometimes placing them on the kitchen worktop to catch some sun. Although, up until now, none of them have been permanent residents.

However, when I saw this month’s topic for Urban Jungle Bloggers – Kitchen Greens – it occurred to me that yes, the kitchen is the ideal place to display plants. Especially edible ones.

In addition to adding some green decoration helping to make your home feel more biophilic, you also get to enjoy your home grown produce. What could be lovelier than growing fresh herbs in your kitchen to enhance your dishes?

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Urban Jungle Bloggers: Planty Wishes For 2016

December 17, 2015

Pyramid Phone Holder and plant

I took this photo to share to Instagram of how my phone sits on the Pyramid beside a plant on my desk. Looking at the picture again I suddenly realised that it tells a whole story in and of itself.

How, through the power of the internet and with the help of technology like smarphones, we are now able to connect and communicate with each other – wherever we are in the world.

As a result, I’ve been able to get to know (and make some friends along the way!) with other like-minded people who share a love for plants and design, nature and beautiful interiors. Amazing people such as Igor and Judith for example! And because of them I became part of the Urban Jungle Blogger community, which I’m so happy to be a part of.

I’m also so thankful that it enables me to share with you plant and interior inspiration, as well as our own homeware designs. And grateful for your input and feedback whether by email, social media, the online store or this blog.

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Urban Jungle Bloggers: Spring Styling With Plants

March 26, 2015

Urban Jungle Bloggers spring styling from Moch - blossoms for spring

Spring is such an uplifting time of year. After the cold, dark months of hibernation, it is a season bursting with optimism. The days get longer and sunnier; and suddenly the buds on the trees erupt into dazzling white and pink blossoms.

This month’s Urban Jungle Bloggers topic is all about spring styling with plants. Could there be a more perfect time to add some greenery to your home?

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you may already know that I particularly love both Mediterranean and Scandinavian design. Especially when the two styles are blended together.

While winter is conducive to a greater concentration of Scandinavian design: candlelight, throws, cosy greys … And of course a whole lot of hygge!

In spring, the emphasis leans more towards Mediterranean style. The image is one of bright yellow sunshine, blue skies and vibrant greenery. Hearty, thick soups are replaced by fresh salads and wedges of juicy watermelon.

With that in mind, I decided to style a table setting for spring with a Mediterranean theme, some touches of Scandinavian style; and of course plants and seasonal references.

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Design Tips: What To Do If Your Room Doesn’t Have A View?

March 4, 2015

Blue plantation blinds in a home office

I recently wrote about why we are attracted to a room with a view. But what do you do if your room doesn’t have a good view?

If you live in a built-up urban environment, this is an all too common problem. And one I can relate to. The first home my husband and I moved into was a little flat above shops. We had a view of a car park and dustbins on one side, and a view of the main road and petrol station on the other. Quite grim, as I’m sure you’ll agree.

When the view outside your window isn’t a very appealing one, one design trick is to draw attention away from the window altogether. Turn the view inwards, and instead, make something else the focal point.

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Urban Jungle Bloggers: Hanging Planters For Succulents

February 26, 2015

Hanging planters with succulents - Urban Jungle Bloggers - Mocha

When you think of hanging planters, you usually picture large, lush trailing plants, cascading down from hanging baskets.

So I had a bit of a dilemma with this month’s Urban Jungle Bloggers topic: hanging planters.

You see, I do have a couple of trailing plants. But right now they are quite tiny, and wouldn’t make much of an impact on their own.

Here is my Seddum Burrito succulent.

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10 Good Reasons To Have Plants In Your Home

February 19, 2015

Plants in the home

Plants appear to be everywhere right now. Open almost any design magazine or blog and you’ll find interiors filled with plants.

Increasingly, they are becoming an integral feature in the home. As more and more people rediscover the beauty of greenery, and how it can be used to enhance the decoration of any room.

But plants are so much more than just another interior trend. Because as well as looking attractive, there are many more benefits to having them.

So here are ten good reasons to have plants in your home.

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Urban Jungle Bloggers: Plants and Coffee

January 30, 2015

Urban Jungle Bloggers Plants and Coffee

This month’s topic for Urban Jungle Bloggers brings together two of my favourite things: Plants and Coffee. The theme instantly brought to mind images of sitting outside surrounded by nature and greenery, sipping an aromatic cup of coffee.  It’s always a simple, but blissful pleasure to savour. Whether sitting on a balcony, in a garden or at an outdoor cafe

But since the weather is still too cold for sitting outdoors, I had an idea: why not bring the outside in and turn an area of my lounge into an extension of the balcony?

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