The Living Facade: Integrating Plants and Timber

Bringing the Outdoors In: Why Wall-Mounted Plants are a Game Changer

I’ll admit it – I’m a plant hoarder. There, I said it. My apartment is a veritable jungle, with greenery spilling over every available surface. Bookshelves, windowsills, even the kitchen counter – you name it, I’ve crammed a plant there. But when you live in a small space, there are only so many places to put your beloved leafy companions. Or so I thought, until I discovered the magical world of wall-mounted plants.

These living, breathing pieces of art have completely transformed the way I think about interior design. No longer relegated to the confines of a pot or planter, my plants can now sprawl and cascade down the walls, bringing a lush, vibrant energy to every room. It’s like having your own personal, vertical garden – minus the backbreaking labor.

As the clever folks at A Beautiful Mess explained, wall-mounted plants are essentially “living art” – and the best part is, they’re shockingly easy to put together. All you need is a sturdy wood board, some fishing line or twine, and a few carefully selected plant friends. Suddenly, your empty walls are transformed into a thriving, three-dimensional canvas.

Choosing the Perfect Plant Partners

Of course, not just any plant will do for this living wall project. You need to select species that are well-suited to being mounted and displayed in this unique way. According to the A Beautiful Mess tutorial, some of the best options include:

• Staghorn ferns
• Philodendrons
• Hoyas
• Succulents

The key is to choose plants with a trailing or vining habit, as they’ll spill gracefully over the edges of the board. Personally, I’m a big fan of the satin pothos and hoya obovata – their lush, glossy leaves add an instant touch of elegance to any space.

When it comes to the actual mounting process, the A Beautiful Mess team recommends using sheet moss to help hold the plant in place. Simply nestle the rootball into the moss, then criss-cross the fishing line or twine across the front to create a secure, natural-looking display.

Elevating the Ordinary with Reclaimed Wood

Of course, the plant selection is only half the battle. The choice of wood for your living wall can make all the difference in the final aesthetic. As inspiration from Pinterest shows, a simple reclaimed wood slab can transform into a stunning, nature-inspired work of art when paired with the right greenery.

I particularly love the idea of using weathered, salvaged wood for this project. Not only does it lend an effortless, rustic vibe, but it also aligns perfectly with the sustainable, eco-friendly ethos of Timber Building, the company behind this article. Imagine a vibrant, cascading display of plants mounted on a rich, warm-toned wood board – it’s the perfect marriage of natural elements, just begging to be the centerpiece of any room.

Of course, if you’re not feeling the reclaimed wood look, you can always opt for a freshly cut board from your local hardware store. The beauty of this project is that it’s highly customizable to suit your personal style. Paint the wood a bold, vibrant color, or leave it au naturel for a more minimalist aesthetic. The plants will be the star of the show, no matter what.

Mastering the Art of Mounting (and Watering)

Okay, so we’ve covered the plant selection and the wood choice – but what about the actual mounting process? Fortunately, it’s not as daunting as it might seem. As the A Beautiful Mess tutorial outlines, it’s all about carefully positioning the nails, wrapping the fishing line or twine, and securing the plant in place.

The key is to angle the nails slightly outward, creating a sort of “cage” for the plant to nestle into. Then, it’s just a matter of weaving the line back and forth, tying it off at the end to hold everything in place. It might take a bit of trial and error to get the tension just right, but once you’ve got it, your living wall will be sturdy, secure, and ready to thrive.

Of course, with great plant power comes great responsibility. Watering your wall-mounted beauties will require a bit more finesse than your typical potted plants. As the A Beautiful Mess team notes, these vertically-displayed greenery tend to dry out faster than their earthbound counterparts. So be prepared to mist them more frequently, or even set up a small drip irrigation system to keep them hydrated and happy.

Bringing Nature Home, One Wall at a Time

Ultimately, the beauty of these living, breathing wall displays lies in their ability to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. What was once a bland, uninspired expanse of drywall is now a lush, vibrant oasis – a true feast for the senses.

And the best part? This project is accessible to anyone, regardless of their green thumb status. Even if you’re more of a succulent-serial-killer than a plant parent, the guidance from the experts at MDPI can help you create a stunning, low-maintenance living wall that will breathe new life into any space.

So why not take the plunge and bring the outdoors in? With a bit of creativity, a few carefully chosen plants, and the helping hand of some trusty timber, you can turn your ho-hum walls into a verdant, three-dimensional masterpiece. It’s the perfect way to inject some natural beauty into your home – no green thumb required.