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?

So I spread out a rug next to the window and brought together my Areca palms. The large one in the terracotta pot is usually kept outside. One of the smaller ones sits next to my desk, and just this week I added another to the collection. By placing plants on either side of a window, it creates a sense of depth and helps to blur the lines between inside and out.

Areca palms are beautiful. Not only do they give your home a tropical feel, but will also help to improve the air quality.

I brewed up a fresh cafetière of coffee and used a little folding stool that Samuel made several years ago from recycled off-cuts of wood, to serve as a coffee table. The addition of a cushion and a pile of books turned it into a tranquil and biophilic  indoor / outdoor zone to unwind, surrounded by plants.

You might not know this, but I am also a trained Pilates instructor. So from time to time I love to take to the floor to sit. Whether it’s to relax and read, write or even to do some work. I find that it can give a different perspective on things.

And sitting on the floor is so good for your wellbeing. It makes you more flexible and helps improve your posture. It’s something we naturally do as kids, but often forget as we grow up. Even just the act of getting up and down from the floor gives you a little workout.

Plants and coffee turned out to be a real inspiration. I discovered that creating little seating nooks – even if temporary – can new interest to your space. And it’s amazing how the addition of a few plants can transform an interior. Blend in some chill-out music, a comfortable cushion, some fresh ground coffee. And you have the perfect place to relax and dream!

Urban Jungle Bloggers is a monthly series initiated by two bloggers: Igor of Happy Interior Blog and Judith of JOELIX.com. Every month bloggers from around the world join up and share ideas to create an urban jungle through styling ideas, DIYs, green tips and tricks. For even more inspiration visit the Urban Jungle Bloggers website.