birchbox:

We’ve avoided houseplants in the past (NYC apartments are crammed enough as is), but The Sill is changing the way that we buy and display greenery. The start-up specializes in appropriately city-size (read: small) succulents and plants. In honor of our recently launched Birchbox Home: From the Garden collection, we asked Eliza, the company’s founder, and Erin, the social media manager, to bring their plant know-how to our blog. 

Think your teeny tiny apartment and brown thumb can’t handle a houseplant? Think again! Whether you live in the basement or the penthouse, with a curious Fido or a rambunctious toddler, there is a little green fellow out there who will help make your house a home. Here are our top eight plant picks for the modern urbanite:

1. You have large windows, which let in a lot of natural light.

Our top pick: Succulent

• Light: Bright
• Water: Every 1 to 2 weeks
• Humidity: Average
• Temperature: Average 

A succulent is great choice for an apartment that tends to be dry. Conditioned for arid climates, a succulent can otherwise tolerate being hot or cold, however, it does have a preference for bright light. You’re a great candidate for a succulent if you have windows that face east or south. 

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#thesill #birchbox #houseplants #succulents 

Google ‘plants in the bedroom’ and there seems to be a bit of disagreement - Are they bad feng shui? Do they compete with you for oxygen all night? Well, do you accuse that big burly beast sleeping next to you of stealing your O2, too? 

We say - plants in the bedroom are a-okay. Actually, they are better than okay, they’re great! Alright, enough of the jokes. But really, plants are not only ascetically pleasing but can also give your mood a natural boost. Imagine waking up, glancing across the room to your windowsill, and catching the morning light nourishing your new snake plant. You can’t help but smile. 

Just know your little guy is smiling right back at you. 

#plants #bedroom #inspiration #thesill 

Pantone refers to this Spring’s hues as “the balancing act”. And according to them, “the prevalence of green this spring is undeniable… Similar to the many shades in our natural surroundings, this season’s greens offer a stunning foreground or the perfect backdrop for all other hues.” So this Spring, green will be our new neutral, along with the tried and true classic linen. We plan to accent with shades of citrus and oceanic hues. Check out our favorite of Pantone’s “designer outlooks” below, followed by spring outfits inspired by Pantone’s Spring Colors and our Spring Collection of miniature succulents. 

1. David Meister 

Inspiration: Everyone is sick of hearing about the bad conditions globally, the economy, etc.; fashion should be uplifting and make people feel good and smile; these colors certainly do that 

Signature color: Warm Orange — it is bright, but still has a softness to it; it is an Orange that looks good on most skin tones

Why We Love: bright and bold burst of color 

2. Ella Moss by Pamella Protzel-Scott 

Inspiration: Western Wild and The Sunshine State inspires cheerful optimism 

Signature color: Citron Yellow — its bright sunshine tone is optimistic and playful for spring 

Why We Love: cheerful and refreshing 

3. Saunder by Emily Saunder 

Inspiration: My nostalgia for Broadstairs, the seaside town on the Kentish coast that I visited every summer with my family when I was growing up — I was drawn to lots of vibrant Sherbet colors and Aquatic Blues 

Signature color: Bioluminescent Algae because it’s as bold as a punch to your face and as soothing as a bag of frozen peas all at the same time 

Why We Love: calming and serene 

4. Rachel Roy 

Inspiration: The emotional experience of an unexpected dreamland — a world where a whimsical feminine spirit toys with the idea of punk couture, creating ultimate freedom where fantasy becomes a modern reality 

Signature color: A variety of hues that play a huge role in creating my unexpected, enchanted, dreamlike world, such as Limeade, Lagoon and Juniper 

Why We Love: vibrant and invigorating yet subtle 

5. Charlotte Ronson 

Inspiration: Water’s elements: Its fluidity, translucency, power and lightness; the ocean’s varied colors and some of the flora and fauna that thrive in it 

Signature color: Deep Lagoon - its vibrancy, energy and depth perfectly represent water’s changing state

We We Love: classic shade with stability and depth 

OUR PICKS -

Find out where to purchase our Spring Picks here - ! 

#spring #pantone #fashion #succulents #netaporter #thesill

We’re coming up on a very exciting summer here at The Sill — our very own Eliza is getting married! Planning a wedding is hard enough, but when you are simultaneously running your own business… well, you can imagine. Fortunately, our girl is quite the multi-tasker, and her personal and professional passion is one and the same — putting houseplants back on the map! We know, why did they ever leave!? So whether you’re planning your own, helping a friend, or just enjoying the eye-candy, get inspired by these easy to execute ideas for incorporating green into *the big day*. 

When it comes to weddings, plants definitely get the short-end of the stick, with planners opting for pricey cut flowers instead. Unfortunately, cut flowers die in days - or hours - leaving you with a ton of withered flowers and an enormous bill. Thankfully, you can still create a gorgeous atmosphere, regardless of venue, with plants. The best part? You can use them over and over — for your rehearsal dinner, wedding, & reception. And after the wedding, to decorate you and your other-half’s new abode, or to give as mementos to your guests! So whether you’re looking to plan a green wedding, plan on a budget, or just love plants like we do, here are some simple ways to ditch the flowers and embrace the greenery. 

There are a ton of great plants out there, but it should come as no surprise that we’re partial to succulents. In a multitude of beautiful hues and intricate textures, they make a strong yet organic statement. Did we mention that they are as versatile as they are easy to care for — you won’t be rushing around with a watering can in your wedding dress, we promise! 

OUR TOP 6 WAYS TO INCORPORATE SUCCULENTS ON THE BIG DAY: 

1. for that something special 

Try a single succulent for that something special. Opt for a blue-hued planter or a succulent with blue undertones for your “something blue”. For your “something old,” repot a favorite plant or reuse an old planter from a family member or secondhand shop. And for your “something new” make a plant-purchase together, and plan to keep it alive - together. 

2. as seating cards / place settings 

Use miniature succulents or cacti for your seating cards and place settings. Print the name of each guest on a miniature planter — or DIY a flag to stick into the soil. Place atop plates at tables for guests to find their seats. Or, for larger parties, print both name and seating assignment and arrange artfully on a table before the reception. 

3. as ceremony or reception favors 

The perfect take-home. Seating card plants / place settings can double as favors, too. 

4. to accent a wedding cake 

Top your wedding cake or cupcakes with large emerald succulents. Guests will swoon. 

5. as a ring-holder 

Place rings atop a mini succulent to keep them safe — and photo-ready — pre-ceremony.

6. to line the ceremony aisle 

… yes, please! 

(Another great idea? Have a prep-party and invite all your bridesmaids to help you plant.) 

P.S. With a few tweaks, these decorating tips & tricks can be recreated for any celebratory event! 

#wedding #succulents #celebrate #thesill