Green Living
Plant Life Series: A Charming California Bungalow
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.
Cassey Zayas (@eyeamsun), shares her charming, eclectic, mid-century modern California bungalow. We love the lived-in feel of her busy family home and her thoughtful use of mid-century modern pieces.
Tell us a little about yourself and who you share your home with.
My name is Cassey, I’m a mother to Gunther Jude, who is 4, and Ace Wilder, who is 2. I’m a wife to an amazing husband, Chris, who is a sheriff’s deputy. We live in a 1951 California bungalow we recently bought. We live with our two rescue cats—nestled in the foothills of the San Bernardino and San Gorgonio mountains, just before the desert basin that stretches beyond the Mojave. We are a very eclectic family and love to antique as a hobby and eat delicious food and most importantly, collect all kinds of plants.
What is your day to day like?
I like to wake up early, just before my family does. It’ll just be me and my two cats getting ready to start the day in the calm and stillness of the early morning. Which is watering my growing herb garden I have set up in my kitchen. My kitchen is small and quaint, which is very typical to the 50s era. And because of it’s size, the herbs’ mixed aroma quickly fills up the room once watered, giving the space a calming herbal apothecary atmosphere. I also tidy up every morning. Keeping a clean house keeps me sane! Tidying up is therapeutic and surrounding myself with a collection of plants have proven to increase my happy-level! And I’ve noticed my kids are following in my footsteps as well. Well, not the tidying part, just the plant-loving part.
Tell us about your home.
We live in a 1951 California bungalow in a tree-lined street near the mountains just before the desert. The trees that line our street are old California oak trees that tower over house roofs and street lights. Our humble home has all of the 50’s charm one can think of—oak floors, retro kitchen, large French windows, shiplap walk-in linen/clothing closets, spacious rooms. A typical charming bungalow. A perfect palette to add our own unique style–to make it more us and to make it more of a home for our family.
What inspires you and how does your home reflect that?
Being outside inspires me. We are a nomad of a family and thoroughly enjoy road trips and traveling. Becoming parents didn’t stop us from exploring nature and going on far-off adventures. Our children enjoy it as well. Our home is filled with plants as it reminds us of being outside. We also collect trinkets and vintage from our trips. Our home is filled with baskets from faraway dusty places and books from old country corners, and pots from makers, local and not so local to us. And music. Music is always playing in our home. From Elvis to Jonie Mitchell, to Brand New, and Cardi B. Everything. Can’t wait for the warm dewy summer nights where we can just stay up late and listen to music surrounded with friends and good food, oh and plants, too.
Tell us about your favorite room.
My favorite room is the living room. It’s the space we all get to just relax on our giant comfy couch and to just simply be a family living our best life, together. This room has a giant French window that frames our tree-lined street perfectly, giving us that ideal natural view we love so much. I believe it’s everyone’s favorite room!
How many houseplants do you have?
Oh my goodness, I currently have 24 houseplants. A number of them, older than my children! 24 and counting.
Why do you like having plants in your home?
Having plants in my home reminds me of being outside. Being on the road. Plants sparks creativity. For me and my children. Just being able to have these floras and greenery surrounding us inside our home makes us all a bit more happier. We’re pretty much a happy bunch.
What’s your favorite plant and why?
Suuuch a hard question, I LOVE them all!! But I must say, my blue agave plant my mother in law gave me is my favorite. These plants are so easy to care for and not needy at all. Unlike my little herb garden…those stinkers are little divas! Always needing attention.
What tips do you have for decorating with plants?
Houseplants go with all sorts of styles. They are the perfect palette to whatever aesthetic you’re trying to achieve. From bohemian decor, to modern and clean…Plants are a room’s best friend. I like to mix mine up with terra cotta pots to give the room a more natural look and mix it with vintage wooden dynamite boxes I found at a flea market out in the canyons of Escondido. Vintage storage and plants go together quite beautifully. Eclectic is the key for me, to keep my home filled with inspiration and personal style that my family and I really love. Basically, plants are the universal foundation of decor. You just style around them to customize your personal vibe.