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As a member of an indoor plant hire company in Sydney, Australia, we are well aware of the reaction people in offices have to indoor plants. When we freshly install plants the staff’s reaction is nearly always positive and welcoming, and most people would like to have a plant near their desk. The plants appear to improve staff morale. On the other hand, taking away the plants is not popular, and we have been asked at times by management to remove the plants when the staff is not there, to try and limit the impact of their removal on morale.

I suppose it does make sense that people have an affinity with greenery. It is part of nature, and we have lived close to plants for millions of years, it is only recently that we have started to lock ourselves into concrete boxes well away from nature. I suppose, as the saying goes, indoor plants bring the outside… inside.

The other thing we have observed is that people love well cared for and healthy plants, but it depresses them when a plant is not looking its best. We sometimes get calls from concerned clients, worrying about a plant that might have a yellow leaf (and is otherwise quite healthy), but they are worried that it might be dying, and they are concerned. Healthy and well cared for plants improve morale, but sick plants do not. In fact they could depress morale.

Over the years many studies have been carried out that support our observations.

In 1986, a study by Joan Aitken and Rodger Palmer from the University of Missouri found that:

1. The majority of both men and women in the study thought of indoor plants as giving an impression of warmth in the work environment.

2. The effective use of indoor plants may give the impression of a well run organization.

The title of their paper was, very appropriately, “The use of plants to promote warmth and caring in a business environment”. Which business would not want to have a well run and caring work place? Well it seems that having well cared for indoor plants helps to achieve that, and the best way to do that is to have a professional indoor plant hire service.

In 1999 the Oxford Brookes University carried out a study entitled “Green Plants for the Feel Good Factor”, which concluded that:

1. People’s perception of an indoor space is more positive in the presence of indoor plants.

2. The indoor space was perceived as more relaxed and less stressful with indoor plants.

3. Both men and women displayed a preference to sit close to plants.

The Green Building Council of Australia awards “Green Star” points for the use of indoor plants in their assessment of the environmental friendliness of a building’s interior, but only if the plants are visible to all work stations. In view of the above studies this seems a very perceptive condition.

One other study merits a mention, and that is a study by Engelbert Kötter working on behalf of the Bavarian State Ministry of Nourishment, Agriculture and Forestry. The study was carried out in 94 offices and over a two year period, and found that:

1. The environment in offices with plants felt fresher, made them feel less stressed, made the working feel more human and in general seem to up-grade their environment

2. Plants in offices improved employee’s perception of their well-being as well as improving the comfort-factor of the offices.

3. With improved conditions and perceptions, office employee’s will enjoy their work situation better; happy employees = more output and happy bosses.

More information on the other benefits of indoor plants in an office environment can be obtained by entering the following search words into Google “benefits of indoor plants”.

Numerous academic studies have proven the positive effects that office plants can have in indoor environments. But can regular office plants really help when it comes to reducing office noise?

The answer is yes, providing you know what you’re doing. For example, one small lonely office plant on the end of your desk is not really going to have much impact on noise reduction, strategically positioned office plants or planted office displays can however help you to dim sound levels significantly. 

Plants have been used fro many years externally to help reduce the levels of traffic noise from reaching offices indoors. Recent years have however, seen an increase in the number of office plants being used inside business premises as a means to reduce the levels of noise generated inside a building.

If you find your noisy neighbour on the next desk more annoying than the drum of cars outside you will be pleased to hear that indoor office plants can also absorb or reflect background noise inside office buildings. Not only does this create a more comfortable workplace for employees but is also potentially more profitable for employers as employees that are less distracted should arguably be more productive.

Office plant parts can actually break up sound waves resulting in a change of direction, thus a reduction in the frequency of the sound. A study at the South Bank University even showed that common house and office plants could help to reduce noise levels by as much as 5 decibels!

The research carried out by the South Bank University in London, looked into the benefits of plants on acoustic levels and showed that plants were, in general, more efficient at absorbing noise at high frequencies. In comparison with other building materials the plants proved themselves superior with specific praise going to the Dracaena Marginata and the Ficus Benjamina.

In another study published in 2000 conducted by Professor Gary Evans and his colleague, Dana Johnson, a former graduate student of Cornell University, found that even low-level noise in open plan offices can lead to higher levels of stress and disruption amongst employees. The study looked at 40 women who were assigned a position in either a quiet office or an office with low-level noise for exactly 3 hours.

Once the time was up the women were tested and asked questions and it was found that the women in the noisier office were slightly more stressed and agitated than those in the quieter office. The results also showed that employees in noisier environments were less likely to attempt unsolvable puzzles than those in a less distracting environment.

Once you have made the decision to install office plants it is important that you give the foliage a fair chance by ensuring that you position indoor office plants in the correct location alongside choosing the right plants for the environment to begin with.

Hiring office plants from a professional interior landscaper is one way to solve both of these problems at once. The planted office displays provided by office plant specialists will be carefully planned and thought out before being installed and potential issues such as location and sound frequency will be considered throughout the assessment.

Research in this area has shown that in general office plants work better at reducing sound frequency in offices that have hard, reflective surfaces such as marble, tiled, or exposed concrete floors. The number of large windows or doors will also affect how significant the noise reduction will be. Office plants located in soft furnished carpeted areas with thick carpets or panelled walls will be less likely to have any effect on noise levels.

The position of office plants is vital if you are trying to reduce office noise as plants placed near the corner of a room are far more likely to have an impact on noise levels than those in the centre. This is because sound is often reflected form the walls and back into a room, if foliage is placed along the wall the sounds will hopefully bounce or diffract into the office plant and not into the room.

Office plants then, are not just for decoration but have real benefits for both employees and business profits and their potential should not be drowned out by all that chatter and traffic noise.

It can be hard for a buyer to decide on just the right piece of art to bring life into a room. When decorating any room, whether it be in the work place or at home, prospective buyers must ask themselves what the piece accomplishes. Large metal wall art adds a contemporary feel to any space.

The interior design of a person’s home gives all visitors signals into the taste and style of the homeowner. While more traditional forms of art are still on the market, metal artwork is now all the rage in art world. To keep up with the times, a home must have a new metal artwork piece on the wall.

Today, you don’t have to conform to traditional pieces of art for the home. Because metal artwork is much more than a picture painted on canvas, it possesses a lifelike quality unmatched by other pieces of art. Metal art has a third dimensional look to it, which really causes pieces to pop off the wall.

Longevity of the piece is ensured by the color and, moreover, the texture of the metals used in the creation process. Being made from steel, these pieces are extremely durable. The right texture in the metal also guards against the work’s colors from fading quickly.

Communicating with artists on prospective pieces of art is also paramount in ensuring customer satisfaction. The use of the Internet can directly connect the artist with the buyer. By using the Web, buyers can have a hand in the creative process and monitor the progress and outcome of pieces.

Do not miss out on the chance to get a unique piece of art for your home. These pieces of large metal wall art give any room a fresh, new look. Get in contact via the internet with an artist today and find the perfect piece for your home or office.

There isn’t another type or genre of art that is quite so bold and bright. A modern metal wall art sculpture can be the difference between a hum drum decor and one that catches everyone’s attention.

Tim Herbst is a metal artist working in Denver, Colorado who works to make a living churning out his works of art. Check out his large metal wall art art on his site. There are many modern metal wall art sculpture pieces which might benefit your decor.

Redecorating your house can be a lot of fun, but it is also a particular challenge to construct a look that is unique and expressive without overpowering the space. Trying a new and different look can be daunting, but the outcome is usually well worth the risk.

Modern metal wall decoration has such a broad scheme that almost anyone will be able to find a piece that speaks to them.

One style of metal art that allows you to get in on the creativity is the panel series format. With this technique, the artist crafts multiple panels that, when displayed together, make a whole image. The resulting image can represent something concrete, such as a beach scene, or it can be completely abstract. The abstract panel pieces give you a choice in how they are displayed so that you can contribute creatively to the final effect.

Another unique quality of metal as a medium is that it can be used to create three-dimensional pieces of art. These unique works create the impression that viewers could just hop right into the piece and take a walk around. They are a great way to add a whimsical touch to a nursery or child’s bedroom and are sure to encourage hours of creativity from both children and their parents. They can be shaped like a child’s favorite animal or they can inspire the imagination with abstract images.

For a more distinguished effect, you may want to look at a carved wall plaque. They come in various shapes and sizes and are usually in an abstract pattern. Their subtle beauty creates a lovely effect in any room and there are many creative ways to use them. For example, a rectangular shaped plaque could be hung on the wall behind a bed to create the effect of a gorgeous headboard.

When you imagine a modern metal wall hanging, resist the urge to only picture works in grayscale. Artists have the ability to create metal art in a spectrum of vibrant colors to match any decorating scheme. They can even use UV resistant coloring so that your work of art will last for years without fading.

It’s important to browse the market first in order to find exactly what you want. There are so many beautiful wall sculptures out there that you’ll definitely want to see.

Even if you suspect that modern metal wall decoration is not what you are looking for, you may be surprised by what you find. There are many styles available so that even the pickiest decorator can find something that catches their eye. Do not let yourself get trapped in the same decorating routine and surprise yourself with how truly beautiful metal art will look in your home.

Tim Herbst is a metal artist working out of Denver, Colorado who generates a livelihood producing his creative art pieces. Check out his modern metal wall decoration art on his internet site. There are many modern metal wall hanging pieces which may work with your decor.

Many businesses in the UK and abroad are now realising the potential benefits that office plants can bring and as such thousands of companies are investing in office plants as a means of improving productivity amongst employees, reduce absences caused by poor indoor climates and to help improve the general mood of employees whilst at work.

Inspired by a series of now famous academic studies that highlight how effective office plants can be in an office environment, facilities managers and business owners are transforming dull office premises into wonderful green spaces with a mixture of large and small office plants complete with stylish and colourful containers.

Unfortunately, many of these same businesses are failing to realise that live office plants require a certain amount of maintenance and care in order to flourish. Spending a great deal of money on a selection of office plants is hardly going to be worth the investment if they all die or wither within the first few days is it? There is however a much easier and some might say wiser solution to this problem by hiring office plants from a professional interior landscaping company.

Live office plants like any other living thing require a certain amount of TLC in order to grow and thrive in the harsh indoor environments frequently found in modern office and business premises. Dimly lit corridors, windowless rooms and air tight buildings are quite difficult conditions but there are plant species out there that can tolerate these climates and any reputable office plant specialist will be able to assist you with your plant options.

Carefully maintained office plants will not only make office buildings look much better but they will also improve the air quality and reduce employee stress levels thus maximising your business profits. Investing in an office plant maintenance scheme then is well worth it, especially if you and your management team have little or no time to look after office foliage.

Professional interior landscapers will provide a specialist office plant maintenance service to ensure that all your office plants are kept healthy and are appropriate for the environment. It may also be the case that artificial plants would be more suitable for your premises in which case your plant technicians will also be able to assist you. Advances in technology have also led to a dramatic improvement in artificial plants with many varieties and life like versions now available.

Interior landscapers are experts not only in looking after office plants but also recognising which species work well together in terms of aesthetic design. Considering that modern business premises have become much more about getting the ‘look’ and ‘feel’ right, this can prove to be a real attribute to the way that your visiting clients view your company. With a variety of containers and office plant species to choose from it is also highly unlikely that you will not find a species that will not add something to your office.

Office plants can then, in many ways, breathe life into any office building, hotel or showroom providing they are kept healthy and happy and there is no better way to ensure that your office plants breathe easy than hiring office plants from a professional interior landscaper. And remember office plants are beautiful living things that breathe life and are not just for looking at!

Metal wall art sculptures capture imagination in a way not usual to most styles of art. It can be a bit intimidating trying to figure out what the right piece will look like, so here’s a little help. Keep in mind that being open to new ideas and concepts is important in this process.

First, follow your own lead in this process – don’t be intimidated. The ideal modern metal wall decor is out there waiting to be found, so find it and give your decor the treat it’s been waiting for.

Second, look for a space that doesn’t have too much going on already. It’s best to give your modern metal wall decor a “blank canvas” so to speak, so that its rich texture will garner all the attention.

Third, it’s important to realize that your personality and flair are reflected in whatever metal wall art you choose. The market has quite a bit of unique pieces that are sure to fit any person or decor.

Fourth, you should probably try and find a unique, hand-made metal art piece that isn’t mass produced. There are so many different knock off sculpture pieces that have flooded the market. You won’t regret going out and getting something truly unique to you and your decor – it’s always best to buy quality.

Fifth, whether you are an accomplished art connoisseur, you’ll want to make sure your new metal wall decor is an original from the artist. With this quality, art has a much better chance of appreciating over time. Now, if you are one of those folks who doesn’t want to get into that side of things, then don’t worry and just pick a piece that truly stands out in your eyes.

Sixth, there isn’t a right or wrong way to do any of this. Just relax and let the experience teach you something about art and about yourself. If you find a really special metal piece, you will know it so don’t question your decision too much.

If you keep these points in mind sprucing up your decor, it will be easier than it would otherwise be. Be confident in finding metal wall art sculptures that represent you. Find that perfect spot on your wall and give that new creative spark a chance to flourish in front of all who enter. If possible, you’ll want to buy modern metal wall decor from the actual artist as it will appreciate and mean more to you down the road.

Tim Herbst is a metal artist out of Denver, Colorado who creates a paycheck churning out his artistic creations. Check out his metal wall art sculptures on his internet site. There are numerous modern metal wall decor pieces that might improve your decor.

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When considering which office plant displays you want to use throughout your business it is important to think about the environmental conditions within the chosen areas. Office plants will only do well if they are kept in conditions that are suitable in both light and temperature, therefore getting it right, or indeed wrong can dramatically affect whether or not they survive.

Many offices and businesses are closed during weekends but any office plant displays inside those premises need to be able to survive during these periods, therefore acceptable climate levels need to be maintained 24/7 in order for office plants to flourish. Conditions during the winter months may also cause problems, as not only do temperatures drop, but light levels may also become much darker. Office plants that can tolerate lower environmental levels may be advantageous if constant temperatures and luminance cannot be maintained.

It must be remembered however that some plants are incredibly tolerant to changes in light and can adapt between the light levels found outdoors to those indoors. The level of light a plant needs to survive is based on Lux, which essentially is the amount of light, or luminance it needs to survive. For instance, a tree that might normally be found outdoors or in a field may normally require 40,000 Lux may well adapt to tolerate as little as 1500 Lux when moved indoors.

There are many different types of businesses, all with their own environmental conditions. So whether you are looking for office plants for atria or large open spaces such as a showroom, narrow and dimly lit corridors, a shopping centre, a regular office building or even a swimming pool it is important to understand which plants or office plant display will be best suited to these incredibly different environments

When choosing office plants for an atrium or other large open areas it is important to ensure that there are sufficient levels of light. It is a common misconception that all atria are light and airy spaces, which is not necessarily the case. In many cases, the many roof beams and walls absorb a lot of the incoming light therefore a lot of unnatural lights may be needed to keep the area bright. Temperature is another point for consideration too. Seasonal changes as well as variations between day and night play a part in any office plant choice.

Office Buildings are probably one of the most popular areas for planted office displays. Obviously, in these areas constant light and temperature levels need to be maintained in order for humans to survive therefore correct plant choices are essential. Some office environments have luminance issues especially where artificial light is relied on. In these instances, extra lighting or perhaps even artificial plants may be the solution.

Planting in shopping centres can often lead to office plants suffering because of the dry air lacking humidity. This provides an ideal environment for both insects and diseases, which can be harmful to office planted displays. Another problem with shopping centres is that they can quite often lack suitable Lux levels for the wellbeing of plants; therefore, additional lighting may well be needed.

Show Rooms often consist of large open spaces, which are needed to showcase the product range in question. Fronted by large glass windows, showrooms can tend to suffer from high temperatures and unless the windows are tinted, high luminance levels. During working hours, air conditioning devices may regulate the temperature but when not in use, office plants may suffer from large changes in temperature, for instance, a showroom will retain heat and therefore be hot during summer months but will seem very cold during winter.

Swimming Pools, with their high humidity levels may seem ideal when it comes to planted displays. However, when you take into consideration chemicals such as chlorine and standing water in the planted displays, it is easy to see why in many cases, artificial plants and displays are favoured.

One universal factor across all of these areas is that modern innovations in artificial plants have led to them becoming a real alternative to live office planted displays. Technological advancements in the look and feel of artificial plants have dramatically enhanced their appeal to a wider audience and are gaining in popularity.

In conclusion, live-planted office displays offer a multitude of health and visual benefits to both customers and workforce alike. However, in sectors or areas where live plants are simply not a viable option, artificial plants may well provide the answer.

If you are planning to decorate your home or office, then most probably you might have thought of using plants. Keeping plants is a good option as it gives visitors/customers of home/office a relaxed and comfortable feeling.

But have you ever thought of how a potted plant will survive inside your home or office without getting adequate sunlight? Also, the atmosphere inside home or office is very likely not favorable to many plants and most of them die even though we try our best to care for them. This doesn’t mean you can’t fill home/office with plants of choice! How about artificial plants?

You might be thinking artificial plants will not give the feel of a real plant and closer inspection will reveal that it is an artificial plant! That is not necessarily true, these days the manufacture of artificial plants is technologically superior. They give the look and feel of a real plant even when close-up. These plants are made from durable quality materials and fabrics. The other important factor to consider in choosing artificial plants is that they require minimal cleaning: depending on the environment, twice monthly dusting and perhaps a thorough wash down twice a year.

Artificial plants are available in countless varieties, one can choose a range of plants like Ivies and Garlands, Hanging Plants, Bonsai, Bushes, Flowers, Orchids, Tropicals, Indoor Artificial Trees, Large Artificial Trees etc., to name a few. Select one or two that enhance your surroundings. Also, cost wise, artificial plants are cheaper in the long term compared to live plants.

Artificial trees and plants are a good choice for those who do not have time to take care of live plants properly. They are also ideal for choosing a plant or tree that would not be easily available as a live plant. For special occasions or events it is so easy to pick a style, colour and effect that suits e.g. Christmas – trees, plants and flowers and Wedding – flowers, pomanders, orchids, arrangements and All Year Round – garlands, hanging plants, ivies, yuccas etc.

Artificial plants lack the natural scents of live plants, but the good news is that artificial plants are available with the aroma of a real one; this is done by applying perfume to mimic the smell of a real plant.

In conclusion, artificials are perfect for allergy sufferers, for a busy household/office, and the clever new artificial plants out there today are the decoration of choice for many professional people.

When it comes to office plants, by now we should all be aware of their beneficial qualities but for those of you that are still not sure office plants have been proven, on numerous occasions, to have a positive impact on employees health, productivity and stress levels.

From a management perspective, office plants not only regulate humidity levels to help you stay in accordance with ‘Duty of Care’ legislation but they can also help to improve the aesthetics of your business premises and create a lasting impression.

With more and more office managers realising the importance of planted office displays a few key plants have been identified and highlighted for their particular qualities. Interior landscapers across the globe all tend to use similar species in their planted office displays for the simple reason that certain species do better in indoor climates.

But how do you know which species are more suitable? The simple answer to this question is that to ensure that the plants you choose are the right ones you should hire a professional office plant supplier. Expert interior landscapers will be able to assess your premises and determine which office plants will best serve your needs. However, outlined below are ten of the best office plants to get you started.

The Areca palm

Perhaps one of the most popular office plants to date due to its elegant and graceful leaves and beautiful appearance. The Areca Palm is a very tolerant and versatile office plant that copes well in indoor climates. Particularly good at removing moisture from the air and regulating humidity levels the Areca Palm is an excellent all rounder and is frequently found in planted office displays.

Ficus Longafolia

The Ficus Longfolia is an ideal office plant when you have a large space to fill due its bushy foliage. With long thin leaves this well proportioned plant is a welcome addition to any planted office display and is especially popular with fans of more traditional office plants. Along with its brother the Ficus Benjamina this large plant is an excellent choice for anyone looking to improve indoor air quality.

Dracaena Janet Craig

Part of the hugely popular Dracaena family the Janet Craig is an extremely popular choice amongst interior landscapers due to its versatility and beautiful foliage. Along with other members of the Dracaena family the Janet Craig is highly sufficient at improving indoor air quality and makes a welcome addition to planted office displays.

Ficus Benjamina

The Ficus Benjamina is other wise known as the Weeping Fig and is another member of the highly popular Ficus family. These ideal office plants come in a variety of green shades and are tolerant of the sometimes harsh indoor climate.  A reasonably large office plant this particular species is also very popular in showrooms and shopping malls as part of planted displays.

Boston fern

The Boston Fern is definitely ‘a golden oldie’ and has been popular as an office plant for many years. Particularly useful for improving humidity levels and removing formaldehyde, an indoor volatile compound produced by modern office equipment. Although this office plant does not produce any flowers it remains in demand and is highly recognisable.

Spathyphyllum Sensation

More commonly referred to as the Peace Lily, this beautiful plant is perhaps the most popular of all office plants. Included by almost all interior landscapers the Peace Lily is highly versatile and visually stunning. Having been proven to be particularly good at removing indoor air pollutants including benzene, acetone and formaldehyde this office plant is a must for any planted office display. Spathyphyllum’s have long glossy leaves and a creamy white flower enclosed in a spathe.

Euphorbia Ingens (Cowboy Cactus)

This highly popular cacti is ideal if you are looking for an interesting addition to your office. The shallow spikes and traditional shape make this office plant a fashionable statement.

Guzmania

This show stopper of a plant is very colourful and makes an excellent statement whether on its own or used as part of a planted office display. Being very versatile and beautiful has made this office plant very popular and has a huge impact on visitors to your office.

Calathea

Sometimes called ‘Prayer Plants’ or ‘Zebra Plants’ the Calathea species are very popular with indoor office plant lovers and have large attractive foliage. Well recognised for their patterned dark green leaves and silver coloured stripes or blotches Calathea’s are well suited to dimly lit office environments.

Aglaonema

A very versatile species with the ability to grow in numerous lighting conditions the Aglaonema is another favourite amongst interior landscapers and indoor plant lovers. A relative of the Spathiphyllum and the philodendron families Aglaonema have oval shaped leaves in a variety of green shades. Highly adaptable to any indoor environment the Aglaonema is an ideal plant for the office.

For more information on these office plants or to enquire about other office plants for hire please visit www.breathing-space.co.uk