Luxury Plant Styling for Coastal Homes
DESIGN FEATURE
Porch Envy Founder Angelina Fox explains how adding plants to your coastal home can create relaxing and enticing spaces, and how to achieve the perfect oasis.
In the world of coastal living, luxury plant styling is more than just a trend; it’s an essential element that connects indoor and outdoor spaces, creating a relaxing oasis that reflects the beauty of the surroundings. As homeowners seek to elevate their coastal retreats, at Porch Envy we have noticed two prominent styles emerging: the lush vibe of resort style and the elegance of modern Mediterranean aesthetics. Each offers a unique approach to plant styling that enhances coastal architecture.
Resort Style Plant Styling: A Lush Escape
Resort style is all about creating a tropical paradise that invites relaxation and leisure. The key to achieving this look lies in the careful selection of vibrant, lush and colourful plants that thrive in coastal environments. Palms, strelitzia, cordylines, gymea lily and flowering tropicals are ideal choices.
We create our signature pot clusters with plants of varying heights and textures to add depth and interest to the design. Tall, dramatic feature plants serve as focal points, while lower-growing plants, such as colourful cordylines and succulents, fill the spaces below. The interplay of light and shadow created by the foliage adds to the ambience, making every corner of the space feel inviting.
In addition to plants, resort style design often emphasises outdoor living spaces. Large planters filled with lush greenery on porches, decks and pool areas create impact, while comfortable seating arrangements surrounded by greenery set the perfect scene for entertaining and unwinding.
Modern Mediterranean Plant Styling: A Timeless Elegance
Modern Mediterranean plant styling embraces a more structured and sophisticated approach. This style draws inspiration from the sun-drenched landscapes of coastal Italy, Greece and Spain, featuring a palette of earthy tones with a focus on simplicity and elegance.
Key plants in this design aesthetic include olive trees, flowering plants, cacti and succulents, which not only thrive in coastal climates but also create a sensory experience. Terracotta pots and stone planters complement the natural beauty of the plants, adding rustic charm, while crisp white pots are increasingly used to modernise the look.
In modern Mediterranean design, arrangements are more curated and less layered than in resort styling. Grouping plants in clusters with an emphasis on symmetry creates a sense of order and tranquility.
Bridging the Two Styles
While resort and modern Mediterranean styles may seem distinct, they can also complement each other beautifully. The key is to maintain a cohesive colour palette and design language that flows seamlessly from one style to the next.
Luxury plant styling for coastal homes offers endless possibilities for creating stunning spaces that reflect the beauty of the coast. Whether you gravitate towards the lush, vibrant elements of resort styling or the timeless elegance of modern Mediterranean design, the right plants can transform any coastal home into a luxurious retreat.
Which product to choose
The easiest way to decide between venetian plaster and microcement is understanding the requirements of the area.
If the walls are purely for decoration, and are considered low traffic areas (meaning they should only be copping fingerprints and the odd wipe down) venetian plaster is usually the better option. It gives a more natural finish than microcement and in my opinion is more of a showstopper.
However, if it is strength and durability you are after, microcement is going to be the better option. Its sealers make it waterproof and scratch resistant making it ideal for floors, benchtops and shower recesses.
It can be tinted to most colours, and is always sanded between coats to ensure a beautifully smooth finish is achieved.
About Porch Envy
Porch Envy style homes with curated plants and pots to elevate spaces with greenery. Contact Angelina style@porchenvy.com.au or call 0404 551 831.
