Urban Spikes Blog
Insights on biophilic design, our latest projects, and creating spaces that inspire.
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Moss Wall Art Demystified: Designing Indoors With Moss
Moss can be a stunning and creative addition to almost any space. It looks great and it’s an opportunity to do something special, whether you want to add this feature to commercial space, retail, or office. But many people don’t understand what’s possible with moss. We often get questions about moss art, how it’s created, how it can be used and whether or not it's the right option to add a green design element to a space. So we created this guide to demystify moss walls. Whether you’re a designer, in charge of finishing or refreshing a commercial space, or looking for a unique feature element in your office, this will tell you everything you need to know about using moss indoors. What Is a Moss Wall, and Is It Really Moss? Moss walls are artistic, horticultural features. They can be integrated into an entire wall or be smaller and more contained, for example in a frame. This design element is more on the aesthetic side of plants, and can be stunning pieces that go far beyond what most people think of when they think ‘moss’ or ‘plants’. Moss walls can be real moss, in which case that moss will be preserved. That means the moss is no longer living, so a moss wall is not a living wall, where live plants are grown vertically. The moss may also be faux moss. How Do I Use Faux Moss Art in Interior Design? There are no hard and fast rules on how to use moss art. Like most design elements, it is more about what works with your space and goals than anything else. That said, because faux and preserved moss can be more delicate than other design features, it is best to keep it away from direct sunlight and highly trafficked areas. When it comes to selecting a piece of moss art, you have several options. Some moss art is made to order, so you can create a bespoke piece for your space. A professional will be able to walk you through design options and craft something for you. Working with a professional, you can also create a completely custom moss wall, as big or small as fits your space. You may also be able to choose from a range of preselected designs. These will give you the security of knowing exactly what a piece will look like when it’s finished, and are a great option for those looking for a fixed cost. Moss has a variety of textures and colors, although there is a limited color palette when using preserved mosses, which are primarily shades of green. When in doubt about the best way to bring moss art into your finished office or commercial space, a professional should be able to provide a consultation. A service like Urban Spikes will also be able to work with architects and interior décorators to create ambitious pieces like custom moss walls earlier on in the design process. How Do I Take Care of a Preserved Moss Wall? Moss features require very little upkeep. Preserved moss or faux moss doesn’t need to be watered or trimmed. Preserved moss walls will need to be delicately dusted. We recommend doing this gently by hand for the best possible results. Finally, the two big no’s for moss walls are direct sunlight and touch. Like any other piece of art, for example a painting or photograph, moss art will degrade if exposed to too much sun or if people are regularly putting their hands on it. How long will a moss wall last? A properly maintained indoor moss wall will last for many years. Faux moss will last as long, if not longer. If something happens to your moss wall or it is accidentally damaged, a professional may be able to help you repair and extend the life of your moss art. Can I DIY a Moss Feature? Although moss walls could seem like a fun craft, there are very real challenges for attempting to DIY a moss art piece. Preserved moss is delicate and needs to be handled with care. It also needs to be affixed properly to ensure that it stays in place for the life of the piece. Creating a moss art piece is something that requires considerable skill and patience. Keep in mind that not all moss is made equal, and professionals have access to the highest quality materials. This includes preserved and also faux moss. A service like Urban Spikes will have commercial relationships with the best producers worldwide, and will have access to moss that cannot be picked up at a craft store. We also have commercial grade frames and other design features to add to moss art, as well as a professional design sense. For bigger and more creative pieces, including full-scale moss walls, professionals ensure that your piece is ready in a timely manner and is installed properly without causing any damage to your space or your delicate art. What Should I Look for in a Professional Partner for Custom Moss Walls? The first thing to look for is a strong track record of commercial work with moss. Do they have photos in their gallery, and information about moss on their site? The next thing to consider is whether their design sense aligns with yours. Are there pieces on their website you like? Do they showcase a range of styles and abilities? Have they worked in a range of different environments to bring moss into design? One quality that will make a professional service stand out is the ability to create custom pieces. Even if you are looking for a made to order option, doing custom designs shows that a provider is serious about both plants and décor, and is prepared to work on a variety of pieces. Always look for a partner that offers a consultation to discuss your needs, your aesthetic and your space. At Urban Spikes, we always get to know our clients’ space and can do a walk through to ensure that we know exactly what designs will make things pop. We love hearing big, ambitious ideas and executing them to perfection. Professional installation is the last major piece of the puzzle, especially for moss walls or larger features. Ask about the timeline, process and experience for installing moss features during your consultation. Ready to Get Started with Moss Walls and Art? If you are interested in bringing an indoor moss wall to your space in Dallas, Urban Spikes would love to hear from you. We relish taking on projects that bring out the best in clients’ spaces and aren’t afraid of ambitious and creative design. To book a consultation, contact us today..
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Why cut succulents?!
I get asked all the time “what’s the deal with using cut succulents instead of rooted plants?” Well I have the answers! There is reasoning behind the madness of buying a plant just to watch it die (trust me). Maintenance Free – We all hate caring for something, and then waking up one day to discover we killed it. Caring for cut succulents, on the other hand, is truly easy, because there’s nothing you need to do. Literally, nothing to do. Water-free - Human nature causes us to want to water and tend to plants, but cut succulents live a long time with absolutely no care. They even die nicely in most cases. The succulents tend to flatten out and turn a lighter green so you can kind of ride the wave as long as you want. Long Lifespan – Cut succulents live two to six months, and some types - especially the hardy aloes - last even longer. You don’t have to stress about caring for the plants, and you get to enjoy their look for a long time. Easy to Replace – Replacing cut succulents is simple, and you don’t have to ruin your arrangement in the process. When replacing planted succulents, most times the arrangement has to be completely remade. Not so with these guys. You simply take the old one out and pop a new succulent on in its place, saving your beautiful arrangement to be used time and time again. Expanded Creative Process – Dirt and roots inhibit how much you can do with a plant. We can make beautiful, sharp sand designs, and then glue succulents on branches, because they are rootless and don’t need to be in dirt. There’s a lot of artistic leeway that takes place without the constraints of regular plant design. Aesthetic – When you water a plant, it grows, and the look of the succulent changes. Planted succulents often get leggy when watered, misshaping the original design. This look is fun for outdoors, but probably not your dining room table. When decorating indoors, the tight rosette of a cut succulent is clean and sharp looking. Due to all these factors, cut succulents are a no-brainer. Urban Spikes’ vision is to create amazing arrangements that require no maintenance, while allowing you to bring life, color and texture into your home. And with the endless design possibilities and easily replaceable cuttings, you can allow your arrangement to evolve with you. What more could you ask for? Discover our full range of succulent and botanical services in the Dallas area. If you're looking to add beautiful biophilic design into your commercial or residential space, let us know.
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