The Sill’s *Spring Collection* - six hand-potted miniature easy-care succulents tucked inside hand-painted terra cotta in strong pastels that pop: classic cream, tangerine, lemon zest, turquoise, margarita & manaco blue…

…inspired by Spring in New York City, of course. Think white-on-white-on-bronzed (skin), barefoot frolicking on the great lawn, fresh juicy fruit and cold italian ice, yellow cabbies and bright blue skies, printed sundresses and exposed toes, cocktails & mocktails… oh my.

Creating a botanical-inspired vanity with simple pieces in fresh textures and natural spa-like beauty products. 

Find out where to purchase here. 

Another great spot for a potted plant is your home office. It’s not quite the same as a vacation in the tropics, but it’s certainly a mood booster. Not only will a plant – or a few – enhance the overall appearance of your home office, but it will also reduce stress and eliminate air pollutants, creating a happy and healthy, and consequently productive, environment. A shrub to stimulate your senses!

Look for plants that require minimal care and reduce pollutants. Our picks for minimal care and adaptability are pothos, philodendrons, spider plants, as well as cacti & succulents.  And to reduce air pollutants we like rubber plants, dracaenas, snake plants, and peace lilies. 

We just love coming across others who adore plants as much as we do - so we were overjoyed when we stumbled across the namesake lifestyle blog of Justina Blakeney, a west coast-based designer, maker, and interior stylist. With a love of all that is lush and green, and a talent for mixing bright bold colors in a completely harmonious way, it was hard not to fall in love. Her affection for plants, which she refers to as her muse, comes across in every shot. And not only is all of Justina’s photography print worthy, but her great sense of humor makes her blog a must-read, too. Enjoy our favorite (stunning) photographs of hers below. Thanks, Justina! 

Meet Laura Cooke of Laura Cooke Ceramics. Although Laura grew up in North Carolina, she learned to throw pottery in the hilltop town of Cortona, Italy! After a stint in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Laura decided to pursue pottery and moved to Portland, Oregon to study ceramics at the Oregon College of Art and Craft. She apprenticed under renowned potter Victoria Christen, while establishing her own pottery business. Now back in NC, she works full-time in her studio. Why do we love Cooke’s pottery? She is partial to clean and simple designs, intending her pottery for everyday use. 

ARTIST Q&A: 

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR ARTISTIC STYLE IN 3 WORDS.

Clean, modern, organic.

WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU THE MOST?

I find inspiration in everything—in nature, in fabrics, in design. Also, I keep the work of potters I respect in my kitchen cabinets and enjoy being able to admire their shapes, colors, handle forms, etc., as I drink my morning coffee.

WHAT INFLUENCES CAN BE SEEN IN YOUR WORK?

My teachers Victoria Christen, Kowkie Durst, and Jim Koudelka; I feel my pots are a compilation of the styles of all of my mentors, in their handles, forms, and glazes. 

WHAT MATERIALS DO YOU WORK WITH? WHY?

I throw clay on the potter’s wheel. I love the rhythm of working on the wheel and how the clay responds when I touch it. The wheel enables me to shape each piece individually. Each piece is unique and has a character of its own. 

“It is common to talk about how trees improve living conditions in cities by filtering and cooling the air, absorbing excess rainwater, and making neighborhoods more attractive, but little has been said about the equally important role of trees as storehouses of a city’s past. Just as trees remove carbon from the atmosphere and hold it for many years in their woody tissue, so do they sequester the shared experiences of the people who live alongside them.” - Benjamin Swett 

Common Pear. Woodside, Queens. 2010. 

American Elm. Harlem River Drive, Manhattan. 2003. 

Yoshino Cherry. Central Park. 2010. 

English Elm, 58”. St. Nicholas Avenue at 163rd Street, Manhattan. 2009. 

With Spring here - the first official day of Spring was March 20th! - we’re dreaming of filling our apartment and closet with fresh silhouettes in whites and creams. Here’s our warm-weather wish-list (pre-spring cleaning… oops). 

Find where to purchase here. 

One of the most underrated places to keep plants in the home is the bathroom – a number of plants thrive in the warmth and humidity that a bathroom provides. Plus, a new plant is one of the most simple ways to update a bathroom, not to mention brighten your spirit every morning while you’re getting ready for work! Try a hanging plant in the shower or a potted one next to the sink. 

All images via Pinterest. 

Creel and Gow is the brainchild of avid collector Jamie Creel and former Sotheby’s expert Christopher Gow. The unique Upper East Side boutique, filled with exquisite objects sourced from around the world, is described as “the perfect resource to embellish one’s life.” And we couldn’t agree more! Whether in a market for a new fancy collectable or just looking to kill a couple hours window-shopping, this Cabinet de Curiosities won’t disappoint. If we weren’t constrained by frivolous things like budgets, we’d fill our bookshelves with these beauties: 

The kitchen is not just for herb gardens. Potted plants are a great way to liven-up kitchen counters and exposed shelving. Arguably the heart of the home, a potted plant is an easy way to enhance the look and feel of your kitchen. A quick tip: in general, humidity is higher in the kitchen, so look for plants that thrive in a moist environment. 

All images via Pinterest.