At Bloomscape, we’re here to help you strengthen your relationship with plants—it’s all part of our mission to bring gezellig to the world. And we love seeing how real-life families live with plants in their home. In our Plant Life Series, we’ll be taking a peek inside inspiring, plant-loving homes from around the country.

Los Angeles artist, Kira Gully, is endlessly inspired by plants and nature. She invited us into her cozy 1-bedroom minimal bohemian apartment to see how she incorporates plants into her daily life.

Tell us a little about yourself and who you share your home with.

Hello! My name is a Kira Gulley and I am an artist and plant lover living in Southern California with my husband Landon. We spend most of our time in the local gardens, mountains, and deserts soaking in as much nature as we can get! Together we try to live simply and fill our lives with new experiences and things that make us happy.

How are plants part of your creative process?

Plants are literally my first and last step in my creative process. My inspiration starts with soaking in nature around me. Whether that is from hikes, walks, or just enjoying the plants that fill my home. I gravitate towards the unique shades of green and textures on each leaf and find myself always wanting to paint them. The end result is always my interpretation of what nature create organically!

Tell us about your home.

I live in a tiny one bedroom apartment in LA. When we first moved in it wasn’t much to look at, but it had hardwood floors, an enclosed patio, and a parking spot so that was good enough for us! We added a new coat of white paint and a few dozen houseplants and it quickly became home!

When you walk into our home we have a pretty open floor plan. Our living room, office, and dining room are all in the same space. It took a little creativity and a lot of rearranging to figure out the right layout to make each area look like a defined room but to also flow cohesively. A few rugs and a simple color scheme really helped unify each nook.

We went for a mid-century bohemian look when it came to styling. I am more drawn to neutral colors with mixed textures overall. Yet once I started buying more plants I felt I needed a few pops of color to bring in that small bohemian vibe. Slowly my home has become a little modern 70’s jungle and I love every bit of it!

What inspires you and how does your home reflect that?

All of my travels inspire my home! Although I prefer my space to be more on the minimal side, I definitely add a lot of elements from my adventures. One of my favorite pieces in my home is of a US map where I mark off all of the National Parks I have been to with my husband. So far we are at 11, so it is always a constant reminder that we need to get out and travel again!

Tell us about your favorite room.

My bedroom is my nest! It’s filled with everything to create a calming and relaxing environment to help me unwind from the day and feel refreshed in the morning. I’ve placed a snake plant, golden pothos, and an aloe plant to help clean the air and improve my sleep. On my nightstand, you’ll find a few books, a candle, and an oil diffuser that is always filled with lavender. My bed is so fluffy with bamboo sheets and a soft linen comforter making it feel like a cloud when you jump in for the night! I also added a few pops of colorful pillows and a soft throw blanket for extra coziness. By the end of the day, my bedroom is the space I want to lounge in the most!

How many houseplants do you have?

I have 20 indoor houseplants and about another 20 outdoors on my patio. I know that may sound a lot to some people, but it actually feels very minimal as they are all spread out. I’m hoping to continue to grow my collection and make my home feel more like a mini oasis.

Why do you like having plants in your home?

Houseplants bring a life to a home that cannot be replicated with any other decoration. Bringing a little nature indoors makes my home feel bright and peaceful. It brings that same sense of freshness and energy that you feel standing outside in a meadow. It’s what makes my home feel like home.

What’s your favorite plant and why?

This is actually a tricky question for me because I happen to love a lot of plants. I don’t know if I’ve could ever choose just one as my favorite. But one that would be in my top five would have to be the Fiddle Leaf Fig. I love a plant that adds height and dimension to a space. It’s such an eye-catcher and brings a welcomed dynamic to any room it is in. Every time you look up stylish room decor you are bound to see a Fiddle Leaf Fig standing in all its glory in a well put together room. It’s the plant of choice for interior designers for sure, and I completely see why!

What tips do you have for decorating with plants?

One of the first things I’d say is to really get to know your space. By that I mean know your lighting so you can care for plants that will thrive in your environment. Next, consider using plants to add depth and shape to your room. Try using a variety of plant textures and shades of green as well. Cluster a few to make a focal point or hang one from the ceiling to create an interesting visual in your home. But most importantly, there is no wrong way to decorate with plants!  Buy as many or as little as you want with a few cute pots and scatter them all over your home! They are sure to add a life and brightness no matter what!