By Kaitlin Childs, Interior Designer

Long ago I discovered I was born without a green thumb. As sad as I was upon uncovering my pathetic gardening abilities, I was determined to believe this flaw to be false.  Little did I know that my quest to find a fool-proof plant would lead me into my favorite design solution for warming up just about any home or garden.  Not only are succulents an inexpensive way to spruce up a space, but they’re also available in a wide and diverse range of sizes, shapes, and colors. Whatever your personal design aesthetic, they’ll fit right in. Requiring only a minimal amount of water and a sunny place to reside; they’re simply a breeze to maintain. They can also be grown in a variety of conditions—whether a glass, tin, or wood container indoor or garden soil outdoors—they’re my personal design essential.

For those of you unfortunate enough to be in the same brown thumb boat as I am, here’s a low-down on succulent basics. http://www.gardeningtipsnideas.com/2009/05/a_garden_of_succulent_plants.html

Terrariums are a great way to add a sculptural quality to your home or office. Due to the recent comeback, there are a wide variety of glass orbs available either for your wall, coffee table, or hanging from the ceiling. They’re easy to find and a cost effective way to add a unique touch.  A step-by-step guide on making a terrarium is available at Clover and Bee. If you prefer to leave it up to the experts, Britton at Tend Living in San Diego, creates beautiful designs for events and personal clients.  Check out her work for a little inspiration, or better yet, keep her in mind for your next big event!

Living Arrangements came up with the clever idea of offering a service for customers to send in old containers that have been collecting dust or lost a purpose.  They can create a variety of arrangements and put your forgotten container to good use.  It’s also a great alternative to giving flowers since succulents can last for years if maintained properly.  Consider printing out a basic tips guide to go along with the gift.

If your outdoor patio is looking boring and tired, consider building your own vertical garden. If you want a way to spruce up your interior walls, Woolly Pockets are all the rage these days.