Eduardo Xol has made a name for himself as an exterior designer on ABC-TV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”
What tips can this outdoor guy give for decorating indoors? Room talked with Xol about his book “Home Sense: Simple Solutions to Enhance Where and How You Live”(Rayo, $24.95).
Q: Why are plants always included in your design?
A: I’m a green kind of guy. I believe in taking care of plants and incorporating them into the way we live. Plants are living beings that have a positive effect on us.
Q: What advice do you have for decorating with plants?
A: Take inventory of (the) light-specific areas in your house, as well as the general room temperature. Then go to your local nursery and ask experts what indoor plants would be best …
I usually will design, compose and decorate a room with the interior elements first, such as furniture, lighting and bigger pieces. Then I see where there is space to add plants. The plants are more like accessories. The best thing to do is to look at your space and think of your plant as not only a living thing but as a piece of art. If you have a corner of the house that is empty, put a tall plant there.
If you have a transitional space, such as a mud room, have a plant in a pot – one indoors and one outdoors.
Q: What are your favorite plants to use in decorating?
A: Orchids. They can be difficult to grow, and it takes a lot of work. Indoor plants I prefer include palms and bamboo. Your choice may also have to do with decor. If you have a Polynesian decor in the house, palms and bamboo go great. But if you have a New England vibe, you may want to use hanging ferns.
Q: Does taking care of plants require any special skill?
A: For the most part, plants are happy with a little bit of sunlight and some water. Plant food and vitamins are good too. For beginners, start with something small, such as a little container with spider plants in it. Succulents are also good.
I think that taking care of plants teaches us how to take care of the planet. I encourage people to be hands-on. There is a difference between having a garden that somebody else takes care of versus one you work in. It’s important to have a personal relationship with plants.
Q: What’s your take on artificial plants?
A: I’m not a big fan of artificial plants. But recently, this friend of mine did this arrangement of orchids in a container and incorporated artificial plants at the base. It was pretty cool.
Staff Writer Sheba R. Wheeler’s interview with Eduardo Xol is reprinted from denverpost.com/room.
