How to buy houseplants (once and for all)

I've always loved the idea of a house filled with greenery. But whenever we've brought home a brave little plant, it has shriveled up and died within a couple weeks. Eeps! What gives?! Maybe it wasn't meant to be, I thought.

Well, luckily, my friend and floral designer Amy Merrick promised me that houseplants are easy if you know two simple tricks...

Amy's advice: "I live in Brooklyn, so filling my apartment with plants is my connection to nature. And my dad is a houseplant genius. Some of his plants are more than 40 years old! The two key tricks are: Choose plants that work with the light in your home, and water them the right amount. People often don't realize that they're overing-watering their plants, causing the plants to turn brown."
8 easy houseplants that Amy swears by:

1. Air Plant
No soil required! They thrive in direct sunlight with a once a week misting. (Here's where to buy them.)

2. Rabbit's Foot Fern
A rabbit's foot fern is one of the easiest ferns to keep inside. They need indirect light and twice weekly waterings.

3. Strawberry Begonia
Pretty plant -- it also sends out the most darling little baby plants! Likes medium to bright light and the top of the soil should dry out slightly between waterings, so keep an eye on it.

4. Split Leaf Philodendron
This tried-and-true houseplant sometimes gets maligned as boring. I love the huge ones, though; if you cut off an extra leaf, it'll keep in a vase for a month! They like indirect light and once a week waterings.

5. Prayer Plant
With really pretty patterned foliage, a prayer plant does well with indirect sunlight and twice a week watering.

6. Rex Begonia
They take a little more care and dedication, but they're so gorgeous you have to try. They thrive in indirect light and the top of the soil should dry out slightly between waterings. (Repeated overwaterings is just as bad as underwaterings with these guys.)

7. Ponytail Palm
The Dr. Seuss of houseplants, Ponytail Palms are virtually indestructible. Happiest in a sunny spot with once a week watering.

8. Succulents
Low maintenance, if you have a very sunny spot inside. Water once a week and ignore.

Thank you SO much, Amy! I'm excited to create a green home! (I'm going to take this list to the flower shop.) What do you think, my darlings? Do you have houseplants? Any other tips from those who garden? xoxo
(Plant layout by Em from HipHipGinGin for Cup of Jo. Home photos by SFGirlbyBay, Bologet and Lonny.)

What's your secret to a great bed?

Many people I know are smitten with their beds, but I've never loved the beds I've had. My beds have just felt like places to sleep (and/or lie awake obsessing about something random:). So, I'd love to ask: What's the secret? Flannel sheets? Two pillows per person? Or something more abstract, like banning work from the bedroom or having a nightstand full of favorite books?

We're giving our bedroom a makeover, so I'd love to hear any tips!

(Photos by Richard Powers and Cassandra)

Home inspiration: Welcome mat

A welcome mat is the first thing you see when you come home. It truly welcomes you! This one is really sweet, don't you think? (Anyone know where to find something similar?)

P.S. Another funny welcome mat.

(Photo by Love Made Me Do It)

Do-it-yourself cloud artwork

Since Alex and I are giving our bedroom a makeover, we've been thinking about new artwork. Well, this is genius: Amber took her a snapshot of clouds and then blew it up on glossy poster paper for $30. Then she framed it in an IKEA Ribba frame. The whole project cost less than $60, and it's gorgeous! Double thumbs up! I'm super inspired.

(Photos by Amber Interiors, via Little Green Notebook)

Home inspiration: Hanging bulb

Oh my goodness, I'm in love with this beautiful room. Everything from the vintage frames to the topiary to the flickering candles are just gorgeous, don't you think? But most of all, I adore that hanging bulb. Any idea where you might find one?

Update: Here's the rest of the house. It's from a real-estate listing in Sweden, believe it or not!

(Photo by Alvhem, via Abbey)

Home inspiration: Black and white

Loving this print and crib sheet. They both pack such a punch!

(Photos by Mia Linnman and Kjerstis Lykke, via The Boo and the Boy)

Home inspiration: Brooklyn brownstone

My friends Mike and Emma shared photos of their Brooklyn brownstone on Design*Sponge this week, and it's as quirky and fun as they are. The coolest part? They have an actual Alex Katz painting in their living room. They found it on eBay for a deal, since it had a small tear in the corner. ("I could care less," Emma says.) Incredible.

And on their perfect paint color: "When we bought the house, the walls were orange—sherbet orange—it was very Santa Fe," says Emma. "We knew we had to get rid of the orange. We spent a lot of time thinking about blues and greys, and this is Wedgewood Blue."

P.S. Their awesome Manhattan wedding.

(Photos by David Land)

Natural nursery

Textile designer Lena Corwin is putting together the loveliest nursery for her little boy. She pays great attention to natural materials (which she talks about on her wonderful new baby blog.) What a lucky little man!

P.S. The crib sheet is from Garnet Hill; the blue blanket is from Pendleton, and the fish mobile is by Flensted.

Home inspiration: Patchwork quilt

This bedroom looks so cozy! I'd love to have (or make!) a patchwork quilt one day. They can brighten up an entire room and give an instant sense of history.

(Via Design*Sponge)