Our 6 Favorite Neutral Colors for Apartment Walls

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Painting the walls in your space, no matter how large or small, is one of the easiest ways to make your home more comfortable and personable. I've talked in general about some of the best colors to use in painting living spaces, but let's get a bit more specific on what exact colors work best in holistic spaces. These are my absolute favorite colors for painting walls (and one for ceilings) in any room. 

Benjamin Moore- Super White Flat

I've mentioned this paint and color before, as I find it to be the best option for ceilings. Many people choose to paint their walls with varying colors ranging from calming blues to off-whites and more, but from a feng shui and interior design perspective, it's important to stick to a pure white for ceiling space. Flat finish Super White paint reflects light better than any color, thus giving your space a more open, well-lit quality than other colors. 

 

Benjamin Moore- White Dove OC-17

White is an excellent color for walls, especially if you make the conscious decision to use white, rather than simply leaving your walls as blank slates, but the bright white color we use on ceilings is not appropriate for walls. Instead of pure white, which can overwhelm the senses, much like a field of fresh snow, opt for a warmer white, like White Dove. This is an excellent option for warm white walls that provide a soothing, rather than harsh and sterile environment. 

 

Benjamin Moore- Decorator's White PM-3

If you're looking for a slightly cooler tone, try Benjamin Moore's Decorator's White. Where White Dove provides a warm, welcoming white, Decorator's White PM-3 moves toward the cooler end of the light spectrum, offering a more open upbeat shade of white without the overwhelming purity of Super White.

 

Benjamin Moore- Simply White OC-117

If you've taken a look at these white color options yet, you may have noticed how warm and creamy the White Dove option is. While this is an excellent choice for a relaxing, low-key room, it may be too creamy for some tastes, and that's where Simply White comes in. Still on the warmer end of the color spectrum, Simply White provides a perfect balance between the stark white of Super White and the creamy complexion of White Dove. 

 

Benjamin Moore- Mt. Rainier Gray 2129-60

If you're thinking of going a more colorful direction with your walls, don't worry: white isn't the only option! In fact, one of my absolute favorite neutral tones for wall colors is Benjamin Moore's Mt. Rainier Gray, a beautifully calming combination of light blue and grays that creates a perfectly livable, yet not-so-white shade! 

 

Farrow and Ball- Ammonite 274

Benjamin Moore isn't the only option for sprucing up walls either. For an elegant option with hints of neither blue nor white, Farrow and Ball has created perfection in the elegant gray shade of Ammonite. Not too bright to overwhelm and not too dark to depress, Ammonite is the ideal color for a living space, bathroom or the like. 

 

Don't forget, no matter what shade or brand of paint you choose, aim for an eco-friendly, low or zero-VOC option. Not only will this reduce the negative environmental impact regular paints so often have, it will also greatly improve the quality of the indoor air that you and your family breathe on and everyday basis. 

by Anjie Cho


How to propagate plants with cuttings

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Yay! It’s finally feeling like spring here in NYC. As Earth Day just passed last week on April 22nd, it is perfect time to refresh your indoor plants. You can re-pot them, prune them, and even propagate them. I think the easiest way to share your plants is to propagate with cutting. This works with most plants that have many stems or side branches.

You’ll need a clean knife or plant clippers, and a plant.

These photos are from a Golden Pothos that’s been with me a long time. It was a housewarming present when I moved into my first apartment in NYC. It’s very hearty and probably one of the easiest houseplants to maintain. Remember, plants can bring nature into your home to help create a healing and holistic space for you. Plants are often used as feng shui adjustments.

  • Select a healthy stem to use as your cutting.
  • Locate a node, where a leaf and stem meet. It’s best to cut just below the node.
  • The easiest thing is to place the cutting in a glass of water so it can grow roots. You can also place it back into the original soil or new soil to grow roots. If you want to share with someone, place it in a moist paper towel for easy transport!

Propagating plants with cuttings is easy! Do you have a plant you’d like to share with someone today?

by Anjie Cho


Work your Green Thumb to Improve Air Quality

Chemicals released by carpets, foam insulation, paint and other sources are present in the air we breathe. As our homes become better insulated, those indoor air pollutants can linger longer in the spaces we inhabit. Here’s the good news: You don’t need to invest in an air purifier or other costly solution. What you need is something green and leafy

Indoor plants are one of the most cost-effective ways to brighten a space, create a relaxing, restful environment, and purify the air. In fact, in the 1980s, NASA studied house plants as a way to naturally and cost-effectively purify the air in space. The results of that study, and others since, show there are plenty of household plants that soak up the air pollutants and release fresh, clean oxygen. 

Here are five plants to get you started:

Aloe Vera

When it comes to breathing easier, aloe helps to clear formaldehyde and benzene from the air. Beyond that, this easy-to-grow plant is perfect for a sunny kitchen window where the gel found inside it’s leaves can be used to soothe mild burns. Notice brown spots on your plant’s leaves? The amount of harmful chemicals in the air may be excessive. 

English Ivy

NASA listed this beauty as its top pick. In the study, English Ivy was the most efficient in absorbing pollutants. From formaldehyde to soaking up carcinogens from second-hand smoke, this low-maintenance plant should be part of your décor. 

Peace Lily

Although you’ll want to keep this plant out of the reach of children and pets, the Peace Lily offers beauty and high marks as an air filter. In fact, this plant topped NASA’s list for removing the three most common volatile organic compounds (VOCs): formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene, among other air pollutants.

Rubber Tree

If your thumb is more brown than green, pick up a rubber tree. This low-maintenance plant thrives even in poor lighting. Don’t let its easy care fool you; the rubber tree is also a powerful toxin eliminator. 

Snake Plant

The snake plant is a night owl. It’s efficient at absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen at night while most plants are doing so during the day. This plant thrives with little light and water and will absorb the toxins released by your carpets and wood furniture.

by Anjie Cho