IRENE SCHAMPAERT & JUDITH BAEHNER
FOREWORD We believe you can find a good place for plants in every interior. Some living greenery in our home is something we can no longer do without, it’s not too bold to say that green is the new black. Because green is here to stay. Green is the ultimate interior hero. Green is at the heart of our busy homes, a calm point in our all-too-hectic schedules. It makes us think, look, stand still by the beauty and ultimate force that is mother nature. More green, growing plants in our homes that’s what we want for our own home and yours as well. Green is present in every part of our lives. We read about it in interior design magazines, see flowers and plants in stores, restaurants and cafés. Plants are good for us; they inspire daydreams of nature and add colour to our interiors, and they literally make us healthier because plants purify our air. Whether you live in the northern or southern hemisphere, whether your house is more minimal in style, bohemian, eclectic or has sleek, modern lines, whether you live in a big house with huge windows or a cosy, compact studio, every interior can incorporate a dash of green. As with many things in life, it’s about making the right choices and we are here to help you with your green choices. Ultimate Wonderplants brings back the most exquisite green interiors from Wonderplants and Wonderplants 2. We have selected twenty-five ultimate green interiors, that will make you want to create your own green jungle. We aim to inspire you, share our passion for plants, show you which plants do best in different locations, which will flourish in a dark corner and which will brighten up your bathroom. This book tells you how to create and care for your urban jungle. In Ultimate Wonderplants we want to encourage you to follow your intuition in your own style with plants that you find beautiful so you can decide whether you opt for a subtle approach or prefer to go all the way. This book provides you with lots of information about the best plants to choose, how to care for your plants and what plants can do for you and your environment. We’re delighted to share our passion for fantastic interiors and plants, each with its own story and each beautifully unique. Irene and Judith
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CONTENT
008
106
190
WABI-SABI
INDOOR PATIO
MICRO AMAZONICA
STOCKHOLM I SE
AVARE I BR
MARINGA I BR
018
116
198
CINEMA FLORA
BOTANIC ELEGANCE
VERDANT CHARM
CREMONA I IT
GHENT I BE
BENTVELD I NL
028
126
208
GREEN, GREY & GLAMOROUS
PASTEL PERFECT
JUNGLE OF LOVE
ANTWERP I BE
LA I US
BALTIMORE I US
040
136
218
ASIAN DREAM
GARDEN HOUSE
DEPOT BOTANIQUE
CHAU DOC I VN
TOKYO I JP
ANTWERP I BE
050
142
228
PARIS TEXAS
ATELIER ARTISTIQUE
WUNDERKAMMER
ANTWERP I BE
MADRID I ES
AMSTERDAM I NL
062
150
OFICIO STUDIO
EXOTIC EYE CATCHERS
MADRID I ES
BOSTON I US
072
158
GREEN DIY DREAM
PRET-A-PORTER
249
MELBOURNE I AU
PHILADELPHIA I US
THE PLANT DOCTOR
080
166
251
SCANDINAVIAN IMMACULACY
LOFT CINEMATIC
PLANTS IN EACH INTERIOR
COPENHAGEN I DK
MADRID I ES
088
174
FRENCH GRANDEUR
URBAN GREEN
PARIS I FR
NEW YORK I US
098
182
GREEN STATEMENTS
INDOOR JUNGLE
294
MILAN I IT
LIER I BE
GLOSSARY
236 PLANTS AND THEIR CARE
279 PRACTICAL PLANT INDEX
293 PLANT INDEX
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GREEN, GREY & GLAMOROUS ANTWERP BE Right in the heart of the Antwerp Diamond Quarter is the home of an architect with a green thumb. His spacious triplex house was renovated extensively by Dirk Engelen, who respected what was already there. The lusciously thriving greenery softens the atmosphere of the prevalently present concrete. A paragon of urban glamour.
T
he Jerusalem of the North is
says, “completely built in concrete, with a
what people sometimes call the
boxy, unimaginative structure and a balcony
district at the edge of Antwerp’s
on each floor.” The plan? To create his own
City Park. The strong presence
world behind that grey wall, to infuse it with
of the Orthodox Jewish com-
a completely new, vibrant feel while utilising
munity, together with the local diamond
and emphasising the original qualities of the
traders, gives this district an idiosyncratic and
building. Objective achieved: the core of the
pleasant ambiance. “It is a fascinating envi-
building was opened up, its spaciousness re-
ronment,” according to Dirk Engelen, found-
stored.
er and practicing architect at B-architecten.
“The house had been renovated at an earli-
“There is a wonderful mix of cultures here,
er stage, some time in the 1980s,” Dirk relates,
with schools next to synagogues in the same
“including suspended ceilings. The building
street, and I experience a kind of friendly
became congested. But behind that renova-
aloofness here which I greatly appreciate. This
tion, we discovered the beautiful original con-
is a very pleasant place to live.”
crete ceiling, which we restored to its previous
In a street lined with rows of plane trees,
glory; that eventually defined the essence of
Dirk bought a building from the 1970s over
the current dwelling. We have extended its
nine years ago, and he currently lives on the
former grandeur, but in a contemporary way.
top three floors. “It was originally an office
With big open spaces and new stairs within
building of the Health Insurance Fund,” Dirk
the home.”
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Quite early in the renovation process, it be-
On the ground floor of the triplex resi-
came clear that the abundance of nature really
dence, the architect installed a huge planter
had to have an important place, and for several
where the sentry plant constitutes a sub-
reasons.
tle, yet important part of the kitchen,
“From an architectural point of view, I
with its white, concrete-poured flooring and
thought it was interesting to extend the green
concrete kitchen island. In addition, there
environment which we live in into the build-
is the patio that provides plenty of space for
ing,” says Dirk. “Ecological considerations also
outdoor plants, preferably plants that require
played a role, because plants add peace and
little pruning. And finally, there is the green
quiet in an indoor environment.”
roof, which also relies on significant support
Dirk specifically took into account the huge
from the City of Antwerp. It not only provides
Swiss cheese plant that he had grown in his
solid insulation, it also benefits public health
former residence, which would receive a prom-
and the environment – and is also a very beau-
inent place in the living room after this reno-
tiful solution.
vation. What was then a three-year old spec-
A win-win situation, according to Dirk. “The
imen has by now grown so big that it extends
multitude and variety of plants have a soothing
into the space above, and is responsible for that
effect, and maintaining them is sheer relaxa-
touch of glamour in the formerly brutish inte-
tion to me. That way I can sustain everything
rior.
with relative ease and a great deal of fun.”
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PARIS TEXAS ANTWERP BE She’s a Parisian architect; he’s a Texan artist. Nathalie Wolberg and Tim Stokes live and work together in a building in Antwerp that they named Paris Texas, situated in the notorious maritime district, around the corner from the imposing Museum Aan de Stroom. They each have their own studio in the building and provide short-term rentals for photoshoots and pop-up shops. This building also harbours a vibrant life between colourful walls in hidden corners, and under bright neon lights, but most of all, living greenery. The border between interior and exterior is almost confusingly blurred.
T
he decision to relocate to Antwerp
of the garden wall underlines that tropical feeling.
was easy for these two. “We were ab-
Nathalie has always loved spending time in na-
solutely smitten by the energy and
ture, wild and exotic, preferably as close to a jungle
creativity that the city exudes,” Nath-
as possible. Less enchanted by houseplants, she de-
alie smiles. The building had housed
cided to integrate a sort of garden into the heart of
an import-export business for years and was in dire
the home, incorporating trees and outdoor plants
need of thorough renovations. The original structure
and reserving a striking spot for the incredibly huge
was kept largely intact, transformed into a modular
dragon tree, which has been planted rather than
environment where light, colour and texture define
potted. Tim’s studio is home to numerous cacti,
the atmosphere in the various rooms. The building
succulents and other plants that peep out between
now combines an exhibition hall, three studios, the
the artworks. In the apartment, the greenery almost
kitchen as a communal area, a library, a guest room
becomes a graphic element against the pastel pink
and an apartment on the first floor.
backdrop.
Without a doubt, the heart of Paris Texas is the
Tim’s interest in plants developed gradually.
garden. “I had been dreaming for years of a garden
His passion for plants began when he started helping
in an exotic style,” Nathalie says. Landscape archi-
Nathalie care for the plants in their home.
tects Bart and Pieter made her dream come true,
Nathalie primarily focuses on taking care of the
with flair and panache. The mustard-yellow colour
garden, which offers a gorgeous décor.
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GREEN STATEMENTS MILAN IT Bright white walls, polished concrete, cast-iron constructions and statements incorporating plants. The ultimate basis for a glamorous interplay between structures and colour, volume and light. A former factory in Milan is now home and workplace to artist Antonino Sciortino, where he proudly showcases his own creations.
G
limpsing the interior of Antonino Sciortino’s home is a wonderful experience, since the artist himself has designed numerous artistic interiors. Even when he was just eight years old, he helped his father forge iron in the Palermo studio. His passion for dance brought him to Rome, where he spent his time shaping iron into design objects
between choreography sessions, before moving to a former factory in a suburb of Milan. The house he lives and works in now is the perfect location to display his own work, a place where old and new design converge and greenery runs rampant. The green has an amazing impact in this interior against the backdrop of the pale, cool palette of colours and the iron structures. Some of the impressively tall cacti seem to have melded organically with the architecture. The massive aloe in the living room is over 100 years old; its immense bulk provides imposing balance.
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P
lants are more or less permanent fixtures within our interior. Nearly everyone has a plant or something green that grows at home. Having plants makes us happy, and it is also very good for your health. Some just simply cannot get enough, and their collection of plants just keeps on growing, while others consider just a single plant at home to be the perfect amount of greenery. Why do we do this, surround ourselves with greenery? We yearn for nature, for a place where we can find peace. We seek a place where we feel connected to what it is essentially all about: our origins. In previous times, we regularly went out and explored nature, yet nowadays we still yearn for our daily dose of green. Inspired by this desire, we are developing an increased appreciation of greenery in our immediate surroundings, in close proximity to the places we work or live. Moreover, we seek this not only in spots where greenery is already abundant. We also use methods in cities to enjoy greenery more, both indoors and outdoors. We create vistas that cut straight through a house, looking out onto trees, plants and green rooftops. We install huge picture windows, turning nature into a framed painting and we build our living spaces around a patio, or an indoor garden, literally bringing nature inside the home. We surround our living spaces with plants that we place in such a way that they are clearly visible from various angles. Even given the limited space for greenery, this still makes it possible to create that feeling of being surrounded by greenery.
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We are exploring the full potential and diversity of greenery. That could include large houseplants and trees. Or, it may mean even an entire wall covered with plants—another grand gesture in which minimal space is used for a maximum green effect. The plant is something that truly deserves to be seen. Accordingly, we spend more time on gorgeous variations of existing or known types and common houseplants, and we are always looking for unique specimens and distinctive plants with character. A mundane houseplant picked up from a garden centre or nursery has actually fallen out of favour. To be sure, plants are at their most beautiful when they have stayed with us for some time. That is when they develop character, once they have adjusted to their surroundings. It can be observed from the position of the leaves as well as the stem or stalk growing towards the light. Nothing is more beautiful than an elongated stem bending towards the light. That does not mean that you should not buy any plants at a garden centre, but rather that you should specifically select plants that are still developing. If you want a distinctive plant with its own shape, you need patience. I prefer to buy my plants from some of my favourite growers or the older garden centres, where plants sometimes spend extended periods of time in one spot before being sold. Furthermore, you should also scour the Internet for plants that are offered second-hand. Fortunately, we are seeing fully matured plants more and more often in plant stores. One thing is certain, though. Plants bring life to the places where we live, work and play, so we consider them indispensable in our interiors.
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GREEN, GREY & GLAMOUROUS 1
SWISS CHEESE PLANT Monstera deliciosa
2 SPIDER ALOE Aloe vera spinosissima
5
FRAGRANT DRACAENA Dracaena fragrans
6 SNAKE PLANT or MOTHER-IN-LAW’S TONGUE Sansevieria trifasciata
3
SUCCULENTS Echeveria elegans
7 DESERT CABBAGE Kalanchoe NF thyrsiflora
4 SENTRY PLANT Agave americana
We adore those bold statements! One really big houseplant immediately achieves a major impact. This will not just create the feeling of a jungle of plants, but also the feeling that you can hide in it. That feeling alone is already a reason to invest in a seriously large plant. You can also start a little smaller and allow the plant to grow and expand by giving it space. A Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) or another Philodendron would be very suitable for that, because they continue to grow. This interior in Antwerp truly brings out the beauty of these giants due to the contrast between the gorgeous, round shapes of the leaf and the roughness of the concrete. In addition, the singnificantly overgrown succulents also provide a wondrous statement. They can be left outdoors in summer months. However, if it rains hard for a long time, remember to move them to dry shelter, or else they will drown.
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ASIAN DREAM 1
BANYAN FIG
4 ANTHURIUM or LACELEAF
Ficus benghalensis
2 COCONUT TREE Cocos nucifera
Anthurium
5
FAN PALM or ROUND LEAF FAN PALM
7 CHERRY LAUREL Prunus laurocerasus
8 BOUGAINVILLE Bougainvillea
Livistona rotundifolia
3
PHILODENDRON Philodendron ‘Imperial Red’
6 CALADIUM
9 PURPLE SHAMROCK Oxalis triangularis
Caladium
Tropical climates have the advantage in that many plants will already feel at home there because of the favourable temperature and humidity. That means that indoor and outdoor plants combine very well in big cities located in tropical countries, and this usually provides for gorgeous vegetation. The circumstances are ideal for these frequently indigenous plants. Plants that are for sale as houseplants in slightly cooler countries could basically just be retrieved straight out of the local plant life there. A nice example is the coconut tree (Cocos nucifera), which might struggle as a houseplant in cooler climates, particularly in winter months. Here in these tropical climates, they can just grow around the home, preferably in open soil.
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PHOTO CREDITS
MARKED is an initiative by Lannoo Publishers. www.markedbylannoo.com JOIN THE MARKED COMMUNITY @markedbylannoo Or sign up for our MARKED newsletter with news about new and forthcoming publications on art, interior design, food & travel, photography and fashion as well as exclusive offers and MARKED events on www.markedbylannoo.com Text interiors: Irene Schampaert Text plants: Judith Baehner Image editing: Irene Schampaert Translation: Joy Phillips Copy-editing: Robert Fulton Book design: Irene Schampaert Illustrations: Georgina Taylor & Maaike Koster Cover image: Rebenque If you have any questions or comments about the material in this book, please do not hesitate to contact our editorial team: markedteam@lannoo.com. © Lannoo Publishers, Belgium, 2020 D/2020/45/449 – NUR 422/454 9789401472050 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any other information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders. If, however, you feel that you have inadvertently been overlooked, please contact the publishers.
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008 WABI-SABI STOCKHOLM I SE © Anna Malmberg (www.annamalmbergphoto.com) www.fantasticfrank.se 019 CINEMA FLORA CREMONA I IT © Maria Teresa Furnari 028 GREEN, GREY & GLAMOROUS ANTWERP I BE © Yannick Milpas 040 ASIAN DREAM CHAU DOC I VN © Nishizawaarchitects 050 PARIS TEXAS ANTWERP I BE © Tim Van de Velde 062 OFICIO STUDIO MADRID I ES © www.rebenque.com 072 GREEN DIY DREAM MELBOURNE I AU © Annette O’Brien for The Design Files 081 SCANDINAVIAN IMMACULACY COPENHAGEN DK © Photographer: Christina Onsgaard Kayser / IDECORimages. Stylist: Rikke Graff Juel / IDECORimages. 088 FRENCH GRANDEUR PARIS I FR © Birgitta Wolfgang / Sisters Agency 098 GREEN STATEMENTS MILAN I IT © Serge Anton 107 INDOOR PATIO AVARE I BR © Pedro Kok 116 BOTANIC ELEGANCE GHENT I BE © Stefanie Faveere 127 PASTEL PERFECT LA I US © Marisa Vitale 137 GARDEN HOUSE TOKYO I JP © Iwan Baan 143 ATELIER ARTISTIQUE MADRID I ES © Belén Imaz (photography) / Pete Bermejo (styling) 150 EXOTIC EYE CATCHERS BOSTON I US © Emily Billings 159 PRET-A-PORTER PHILADELPHIA I US © Carina Romano / Apartment Therapy 167 LOFT CINEMATIC MADRID I ES © Gonzalo Machado 174 URBAN GREEN NEW YORK I US © Erica Gannett 183 INDOOR JUNGLE LIER I BE © Jan Verlinde 191 MICRO AMAZONICA MARINGA I BR © Bulla Jr Photo 198 VERDANT CHARM BENTVELD I NL © Anouk De Kleermaeker 209 JUNGLE OF LOVE BALTIMORE US © Hilton Carter 218 DEPOT BOTANIQUE ANTWERP I BE © Verne Photography 229 WUNDERKAMMER AMSTERDAM NL © James Stokes