Autumn is approaching, and that means summer is nearly coming to an end. While some can’t wait for autumn or even winter, others wish they could extend the summer season just a little bit longer. Do you fall into the latter category? If so, keep reading for our tips on how to keep the summer spirit alive a bit longer at home with tropical orchids!

Also read: 4 tips to keep your orchid blooming for as long as possible

 

Holding onto summer with tropical orchids

An easy way to prolong the summer atmosphere at home is by introducing tropical orchids. Thanks to their lush, exotic appearance, they create a summery ambience year-round! There are thousands of different orchid species, and they come in a wide range of colours, shapes, and sizes.

For example in pink and orange, a combination that instantly brings a summery feel to your home:

 

 

Yellow, the colour of the sun, is also a great choice!

 

 

Or create an arrangement consisting of various orchid types in various summery colours. Thanks to the different shapes and heights, this becomes a beautiful summer centrepiece!

 

 

You can create the orchid summer piece in a bowl or in a cute crate. Both options provide a completely different atmosphere at home.

 

 

So decide which types of orchids remind you of summer and place them in your home. You can explore the various types on this page.

 

For more information and inspiration please take a look on:

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/orchidsinfo
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/orchidsinfo
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/orchideenederland
• Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/orchidsinfo

They say a tidy home equals a tidy mind, which is especially crucial when working from home. However, that’s not the only factor to consider! A tidy home doesn’t necessarily guarantee inspiration. So what does help with that? Plants! Indoor plants enhance concentration, focus, and productivity. A must-have for a cozy & comfortable home office.

Also read: How to brighten up your home office with orchids: 3 ideas

 

Create a cozy & comfortable home office with orchids

Whether you have a dedicated home office or a small workspace at your disposal, the possibilities are endless. After all, plants come in all shapes and sizes! For instance, two Brassia orchids on your desk work wonders. With their unique structure and narrow, slightly curling ribbon leaves, these orchids are truly captivating. An added benefit: they have a delightful fragrance.

 

 

A pop of colour

What makes orchids special is that they bloom all year round. Most orchid species bloom for about six to ten weeks, followed by a period of rest and then another blooming phase. This makes orchids ideal for brightening up your home office: you can enjoy them year-round!

Below, you can see the Phalaenopsis, the most well-known orchid species. Due to the shape of its flowers, this species is also known as the “Butterfly Orchid.” They come in various colours, adding a pop of colour to your home office!

 

 

The scent of orchids

When working from home, it can be challenging to separate your personal life from work. Scents can help with this. Choose a fragrance for your home office that energizes and enhances concentration. It should be a different scent from the rest of the house, to make a clear distinction. For example, you can create a home spray with fragrant orchids. Not only does it smell delightful, but it also adds a charming touch to your workspace!

 

@orchidsinfo The orchid makes this home spray smell so good! #diy #roomspray #homespray #orchid #flower #interior #home #flowerscent #huisgeur #huisspray #orchidee #diyroomspray ♬ original sound – jaredjjenkins

Also read: DIY room spray with scented orchids

Curious about the interior design trends for 2024? To give you a hint, it’s all about revisiting the trends from years past. The ’70s and the Urban Jungle are making a comeback. Additionally, expect to see a lot of rounded shapes and sustainability – both of which have always had a presence. Read on to discover the interior trends for 2024!

Also read: Interior, flower & plant style trends for 2024

 

Interior design trends for 2024

Curved Lines

The Curved Lines trend is one that can be integrated into nearly any interior style. It revolves around incorporating rounded shapes. Think of round and oval dining tables, which were already prominent in 2023. However, 2024 takes it a step further. Imagine organic tables, such as a tabletop adorned with various twists and movements that seamlessly flow into the legs. Or a curved sofa. This also applies to a rug: it’s no longer simply rectangular but comes in various shapes.

 

 

Bold & Funky

The Bold & Funky interior trend takes us back to the Seventies – a vibrant decade where fabrics and patterns were all about going wild. However, the busy prints will be left behind in 2024. What we will be seeing? Plenty of velvet fabrics, vertical wooden slats, large and comfortable furniture pieces, and funky shapes that add a twist to your interior.

Colours within the Bold & Funky trend are more subdued to promote tranquility and unity. The colour palette features softened greens like olive, shades of purple, and caramel. This allows you to incorporate eye-catching colours while still maintaining a calm atmosphere at home. To add a touch of vibrancy, consider adding cobalt blue accessories – from decorative cushions on the sofa to artworks on the wall!

 

 

Sustainable Living

Sustainability remains a pertinent topic, which explains its ongoing prominence within interior design. It starts with revamping old furniture and buying second-hand pieces from thrift stores, but it goes beyond that. Sustainable alternatives to new products are becoming increasingly prevalent. Think of curtains made from recycled PET bottles, carpets crafted from old fishing nets, and furniture constructed from repurposed wood!

Furthermore, the production process is evolving: artisanal craftsmanship is gaining prominence. The focus is shifting away from polluting mass production that rapidly changes collections and moving towards handcrafted furniture, art, and accessories, all created with a mindful approach for our planet.

 

 

Soft Outdoor

For Urban Jungle enthusiasts, the Soft Outdoor trend brings good news, as greenery is making a comeback. But with a subtle twist. While the Urban Jungle previously featured robust metal elements, rustic mango wood, and teak, 2024 shifts towards the use of light oak and refined steel finishes. Marble is also making a comeback, subtly integrated into small tables. When it comes to fabrics, think of linen or cotton in soft hues to induce a calming sensation. Leaf-patterned wallpaper is still popular, but in a more subdued manner. And of course, plants are an essential element in this trend!

 

 

Also read: Orchids: an inspiration for design

Curious about the style trends for 2024? The Flower Council Holland has developed four style trends for 2024, together with Tuinbranche Nederland, iBulb, INretail and Bureau Nijman + Van Haaster. All four are based on the current zeitgeist but are all different. Keep reading to get inspired!

Style trends for 2024

 

Meaningful Earth

The Meaningful Earth style trend revolves around the concept of the earth: an “ancestral” interior filled with rough and rugged materials. These materials are natural and coarse, often eco-friendly or made from recycled materials. Think of stone, minerals, ceramics, coconut, burlap, cotton, pressed recycled leather, clay, mud and irregular glass. The shapes are rough, coarse and irregular, and have a primitive look and feel. The designs are natural as well, such as spot patterns, fossil prints and stripes that resemble layers of earth. Additionally, objects like jugs or sculptures are incorporated to connect with the roots of our culture.

 

 

Floral arrangements are not neat and tidy but have a rugged look & feel. In terms of plants, we see lots of highly visible bulb products. For instance, placed in a glass bowl full of multi-coloured sand layers, so that the soil is clearly discernible.

 

 

Not surprisingly, shades of brown play a major role in the colour chart for accessories. The Meaningful Earth colour chart has been modified for flowers and plants and contains light yellow and salmon hues, that combine beautifully with dark and greyish-green shades.

 

Viva La Vida

The Viva La Vida style trend represents a cheerful, exuberant celebration of life, filled with passion, colour and expressiveness. Forget minimalism and immerse the home in vibrant colours – Spain and Mexico are clearly sources of inspiration here. Natural materials are used in a decorative manner. These include decorative tiles, mosaics, coloured and woven reed and raffia, textiles with frayed ends, frills and fringes, pigmented wood and patterned wrought iron with patterns. The designs are colourful and diverse, ranging from classic to modern.

 

 

When it comes to floral arrangements, colour is key. Preferably vibrant and festive, combined with full flower forms. Whether it’s voluminous bouquets or a single striking flower, they serve as eye-catching focal points. Flowering houseplants are also perfect for this trend.

 

 

This kind of trend naturally features a warm and exuberant colour palette. Essential colours are pink, red, Viva Magenta (Pantone colour of the year 2023), orange and bright yellow. These colours are also found in flowers, plants and accessories. The accent colours in this palette include black, Marsala brown and bright mint green. These tones are perfect for accessories and large elements, both indoors and outdoors.

 

Gentle Paradox

Contrast is what style trend Gentle Paradox is all about. In a calm interior, we find an abundance of round and soft shapes, with furniture that is sometimes made of unexpectedly hard materials. Hard, smooth materials alternate with soft structures, as if trying to soften the hard reality. Marble, concrete, ceramics, plastic, baked tiles and natural stone are common elements, alternating with high-pile carpets on floors and walls. Textiles also play a role, from pleated and ribbed to bouclé. In terms of patterns, the sky’s the limit, with everything from romantic floral patterns to abstract designs.

 

 

Flowers also contribute to softening and creating a dreamy atmosphere. For example, by placing arrangements in corners or on the floor, against the wall. Arrangements are ‘cloudy’, often with transparent edges and also featuring dried flowers. Individual flowers add a sense of softness through their shape or subtly transitioning colours. A transparent character and soft leaves, in terms of colour and texture, are also important when it comes to plants.

 

 

The Gentle Paradox colour palette is soft and conveys a sense of tranquillity and harmony. Neutral colours and pastel shades alternate with a warm cognac colour. The shades of green are mostly found in flowers and plants.

 

 

Playful Construction

Style trend Playful Construction revolves around experimenting. Featuring playful solutions and structural exuberance, like giant links that together form a sofa. Everything appears to be the consequence of a surprising perspective on consumer items and decorative products. The interior has an optimistic look & feel thanks to product combinations and cheerful colours. Materials are of secondary importance. However, we see lots of tubular constructions made of metal, plastic or glass, which helps to shape the structural character of this trend. The surfaces are mostly smooth. Patterns also play a minor role and are limited to stripes, checks, ridges and circles.

 

Circular shapes are prevalent in flowers, both in the floral arrangements themselves and the underlying elements. Hanging plants also play a prominent role, excitingly duelling with basic constructions in pots or wall decorations.

 

 

Colour is key with this trend, which features a highly diverse colour palette. This palette includes bright colours, fresh pastel hues, silver and light grey – all of which can be combined endlessly.

 

Creating an orchid arrangement may sound difficult, but it’s actually quite simple – even if you’re not an experienced florist. Plus, an arrangement full of lush orchids is the perfect way to brighten up any room or make a special gift! So, whether you want to spruce up your home or give a thoughtful present, a homemade orchid arrangement is always a great idea.

How to create a stunning orchid arrangement

Generally, you don’t need much to make an orchid arrangement. The basic requirements are a few orchids, a beautiful large bowl, and some moss. That’s it! You can place the orchids, still in their plastic pots, in the bowl. That may seem a bit strange, but you won’t see the plastic pots later on. Play around with the composition of the plants until you’re happy with how they look. Once you’re satisfied, cover the plastic pots with some moss, and voilà: a stunning orchid arrangement!

Also read: DIY: gift wrapping with orchids

 

Inspiration for a beautiful arrangement

We frequently share examples of beautiful orchid arrangements on social media. Videos are especially helpful for seeing how easy it is to create one! Here are a few examples:

 

An arrangement with mini orchids:

 

 

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A spring-inspired arrangement with orchids:

 

 

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These orchids in pots made of hollowed-out pumpkins are perfect for fall:

 

 

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Working with different heights creates a playful composition, which you can easily achieve by using large and mini orchids:

 

 

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Follow us on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, or Pinterest for more inspiration and care tips!

Spring is in full swing, so it’s time to freshen up your interior. Luckily, a major makeover isn’t necessary; it’s all in the details! Say goodbye to dark colours and heavy fabrics, and hello to cheerful colours and airy fabrics! Read on for three tips on how to update your interior for spring. With these tips, you can create a new atmosphere in your home in no time!

3 ways to update your interior for spring

 

Add colourful orchids

Orchids are gorgeous plants that are perfect for brightening up your interior in the spring. They come in various colours and sizes, so you can easily match them to your decor. Place them in a beautiful planter in a spot where they’ll catch your eye, such as the dining table or a dresser. They can quickly bring a dull space to life! Orchids are easy to care for and bloom for several months, so your interior will look beautiful throughout the season.

Also read: How to keep your orchid in perfect condition!

 

 

Choose lightweight accessories

A quick and easy way to give an update on your interior for spring is by swapping out your pillows and throws. Pack away the warm blankets and make room for pillow covers in cheerful colours and lightweight fabrics such as linen or cotton. Swap out any dark accessories for glass ones, as they create an open and airy feel. Consider a vase with ribbed glass or a glass candleholder.

Another great way to bring the fresh scent of spring into your home is by making your own orchid reed diffusers. Check out this video for a tutorial:

@orchidsinfo Did you know that Cambria flowers have a wonderful scent? #scentedsticks #diy #cambria #cambriaorchid #flowers #diyhomefragrance #reeddiffuser #diyreeddiffuser #fragrancesticks #homedecor ♬ Chill Vibes – Tollan Kim

Also read: Add colour to your kitchen with the help of orchids

 

Change your duvet cover

A simple way to create a fresh and light atmosphere in your bedroom is to get a new duvet cover. It doesn’t have to be a wintery, warm colour: opt for a vibrant or bold pattern! A new duvet cover can work wonders, as it’s the first thing you see in the morning.

 

Follow us on Instagram, Tiktok, Facebook, or Pinterest for more inspiration and care tips!

The Phalaenopsis orchid comes in a beautiful range of colours, such as white, lilac, light pink, bright pink, salmon pink, orange, red and yellow. There are also variations in these colours, such as striped or spotted orchids. But in nature, blue is not a usual bloom colour. Growers all over the world (but especially in the Netherlands and Taiwan) are trying to create the blue Phalaenopsis in their labs. And that’s not easy. Read on for the secret of blue orchids!

 

This is the secret of blue orchids

Formerly, white Phalaenopsis were spray painted. The flower branch, with a few flowers in bloom and the rest still in bud, was dyed blue. However, the new blooms emerging from the plant were white, with no hint of blue in sight! That wasn’t the expected outcome, so after a while the blue orchid project continued.

 

 

How are blue orchids made?

The solution was found in the current method. First, a small hole is made in the stem of the plant. Next, colored dye is injected into the hole. After that, the plant’s natural process of transporting water to the stem and blooms takes place, and at that point, the dye is carried and distributed throughout as well. This ensures the blooming flowers will be blue, as well as the buds. This system is patented and may not be imitated without the permission of the patent holder.

 

Why did my blue orchid turn white?

This treatment doesn’t damage the shelf life and flowering period of the plant, so just like any other Phalaenopsis it will bloom again. But the blue flowers on the orchid will only last until they fall off. Any flowers that emerge after that, will be in the original colour – probably white.

The plants used for this are grown using only biological crop protection. The nursery meets other sustainability requirements and government certificates. Also, the dye is also mostly organic. For example, a carrot extract is used for the orange colouring.

 

 

Want to know more about orchids? Read also: These are the 11 most popular types of Orchids

The Paphiopedilum is an elegant orchid with an eye-catching lip, slender stem and sweeping petals. Thanks to the shoe-shaped lip, this plant is also called the Venus slipper, lady slipper or slipper orchid. Because if you see the lip separate from the flower, it looks just like a slipper! But that’s not all that’s special about this orchid. In this article, you can read 11 more fun facts about the Paphiopedilum!

Also read: These are the 11 most popular types of Orchids

 

12 fun facts about the Paphiopedilum

2. The shoe-shaped lip of the Paphiopedilum not only makes for a cute nickname, but it also helps in pollination. It gives off an odour – inaudible to humans – and lures flies into its mouth. Once inside the mirror-smooth lip, there is only one way out: along a staircase of hairs at the back of the lip, past the pollen and pistil.

3. A few Paphiopedilums and Phragmipediums have such long petals on their flower that they reach their leaves or sometimes even the ground. These petals then serve as a path for crawling insects to walk to the mouth and take care of pollination there.

 

 

4. Paphiopedilums are propagated mainly through seeds. After pollination, the flower falls from the stem and the ovary at the top of the stem swells. Depending on the variety, the seed must ripen on the plant for six months to a year, before the seed pod can be harvested and sown on special soil with the necessary nutrients for germination.

 

 

5. The seed pod contains tens of thousands of seeds, as fine as dust. This seed doesn’t carry any nutrients for germination and must enter into a symbiosis with certain fungi. So in nature, the seed must fall in the right place in order to germinate. In the laboratory, we make a breeding ground with special nutrients, including bananas, that help the fine seed germinate. The germination process takes up to several months.

6. Paphiopedilum is a large family with many diverse species. From very small to large flowers, from green leaves to variegated leaves with flower colours from white-green to almost black, and from solid colours to speckles and stripes.

7. Paphiopedilums are sympodial orchids. These orchids grow from a horizontal stem instead of a vertical stem. Sympodial orchids have multiple stalks – or pseudobulbs – which increase in number every year. Usually, these new pseudobulbs emerge from the side of an older pseudobulb.

 

 

8. Paphiopedilums are southeast Asian orchids which are native to humid forests. While the majority of orchids are epiphytes (grow in trees), Paphiopedilums are mostly terrestrial. This means they usually grow amongst rocks, moss and leaf litter. That’s why the Paphiopedilum doesn’t like direct sunlight: in nature, it’s protected by the foliage of the trees.

9. The Paphiopedilum is a ground orchid. There is no chlorophyll in the roots; therefore, the plant isn’t placed in a transparent pot.

10. The Paphiopedilum flowers for about 6 to 12 weeks, depending on the variety.

11. The process of crossing, seed, germination and growth into a flowering plant takes about 6 years.

12. The Dutch American Hybrids are crossed to be grown sustainably, with fewer diseases and easy re-flowering in the living room.

 

 

Paphiopedilum care tips

A few Paphiopedilum care tips:

• Water your Paphiopedilum once a week, slightly more in the summer. Make sure that no water remains at the bottom of the outer pot.
• Paphiopedilums are shade plants, so don’t place them in direct sunlight.
• Did your Paphiopedilum finish flowering? Then remove the stem as deep as possible and place the plant in a cooler room. Also give it a little less water, which promotes bud induction in the new shoots.
• Keep the plant cooler for about six weeks and then treat it again with sufficient light, water and a warmer temperature. This in turn gives new shoot growth, which is necessary for subsequent flowering.

 

Read more about the Paphiopedilum orchid!

Of course, you can surprise your loved one on Valentine’s Day with an original do-it-yourself like scented sticks with Cambria, or even more fun: a kokedama with special orchids. But do you want to put your Valentine in the spotlight? Then surprise them with an orchid bouquet: flowers that last for months! If that’s not eternal love!

 

A bouquet of happiness

With the orchid, you not only bring a stylish addition into your home; you also experience a moment of happiness from nature. That orchids make people happy is proven by consumer research, with the orchid once again reaching the top spot in the list of houseplants that promote happiness. For some because of the beautiful addition in the interior, for others, it is in the long shelf life or getting the orchid to bloom again.

 

 

Months of flowering

The orchid is known as the queen of the plant kingdom. And did you know that the flowering period of orchids lasts longer than most other types of flowering plants? Phalaenopsis – the best-known orchid – easily bloom for eight weeks to months. Paphiopedilums are also sometimes called venus slippers (in English lady slipper or slipper orchid) bloom for six to 10 weeks. The average flowering time of Cambria orchids is six weeks.

Read more here: These are the 11 most famous orchids

 

The meaning of orchids

Since ancient times, flowers and plants have been used to make something clear to others. In the Middle Ages, but also in times before, great value was placed on symbolism. In Europe, the orchid is known for its beauty, richness and power.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest for more inspiration and care tips!

With spring in sight, it’s time for a new, fresh scent in your home. And you can easily make one yourself! In this article, we share step-by-step instructions for a DIY room spray. We are adding scented orchids – not only because they smell nice, but they also look great too!

DIY room spray with scented orchids

 

 

Necessities room spray with scented orchids

• A scented orchid, like Cambria, Miltonia, Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium or Zygopetalum
• 50 ml distilled water
• 50 ml vodka
• 15-30 drops of essential oil of choice
• Vanilla-extract
• Spray bottle

 

Instructions

Fill the spray bottle with distilled water and alcohol. Add the essential oil and a dash of vanilla extract. Keep playing with the amounts until you’ve found a fragrance that works for you. Shake the bottle carefully to mix everything. Then cut a few flowers from the orchid and place them in the bottle. In the video below we used a fragrant Phalaenopsis, but you can use a Cambria, Miltonia or Zygopetalum too. Twist the cap on, shake it a bit and spray!

 

@orchidsinfo

The orchid makes this home spray smell so good! #diy #roomspray #homespray #orchid #flower #interior #home #flowerscent #huisgeur #huisspray #orchidee #diyroomspray

♬ original sound – jaredjjenkins

 

Do you want to hang on to the scent for longer? Then leave the cap off and place a few wooden sticks in the bottle. The result is homemade fragrance sticks! Place them in a nice spot in your house and enjoy them every time you walk by.

 

More fun DIY ideas:

• DIY: scented sticks with Cambria and tuberose
• DIY: kokedama with exclusive orchids
• DIY: Gift wrapping with orchids