Growing Greens Blog

Indoor plants, sustainable living, and bringing nature into your everyday space.

paint colors

How to Choose the Right Paint Color for Any Room

How to Choose the Right Paint Color for Any Room Choosing the right paint color can make or break a room, transforming it from ordinary to extraordinary. It’s more than just slapping some pigment on your walls; it's about evoking emotions and setting the mood. Whether you&

Elena Petrovna 5 min read
smart home

The Best Smart Home Devices for Every Room

The Best Smart Home Devices for Every Room In the heart of Edinburgh, I've always been captivated by how technology can seamlessly blend with our living spaces. As a sustainable home designer, it's my belief that the best smart home devices not only make life more

Elena Petrovna 6 min read
energy efficiency

Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades: Save Money and Go Green

Energy-Efficient Home Upgrades That Save Money Ah, the cold. Whether it's Moscow’s biting winter winds or Edinburgh's damp summer breezes, I know firsthand how crucial a well-insulated home is. My grandmother in Russia always said, "A warm house is better than a fur coat.

Elena Petrovna 5 min read
garage organization

DIY Guide: Organize Your Garage in One Weekend

How to Organize Your Garage in One Weekend: A DIY Guide on a Budget As someone who has moved from the bustling streets of Moscow to the cobblestone lanes of Edinburgh, I've learned that home organization is an art. It's not just about tidying up; it&

Elena Petrovna 4 min read
Budget-Friendly Small Kitchen Renovation Ideas
small kitchen

Budget-Friendly Small Kitchen Renovation Ideas

Small Kitchen Renovation Ideas on a Budget Oh, how kitchens can tell tales! As someone who grew up in the bustling heart of Moscow before settling into the charming streets of Edinburgh, I've seen my fair share of kitchen transformations. My grandmother used to rearrange her tiny kitchen

Elena Petrovna 5 min read
How to Propagate Plants from Cuttings at Home: A Beginner's Guide
plant propagation

How to Propagate Plants from Cuttings at Home: A Beginner's Guide

How to Propagate Plants from Cuttings at Home: A Green Thumb's Guide A home is a canvas for life's stories, and what better way to tell yours than by surrounding yourself with lush greenery? Propagating plants from cuttings is not only a rewarding hobby but also

Elena Petrovna 6 min read
Avoid This Bird Feeder Mistake to Keep Rats Out of Your Garden
bird feeders

Avoid This Bird Feeder Mistake to Keep Rats Out of Your Garden

The Bird Feeder Mistake That Might Invite Rats into Your Garden Ah, there’s nothing quite like watching those little feathered friends flit about in your garden, their chirps weaving through the air. I remember this simple pleasure from my days in Moscow, where feeding birds was a cherished pastime.

Elena Petrovna 4 min read
Chernobyl Today: A Photographic Journey Through the Exclusion Zone
chernobyl

Chernobyl Today: A Photographic Journey Through the Exclusion Zone

Chernobyl Today: A Photographic Journey Forty years have passed since the world’s worst nuclear disaster shook the foundations of Pripyat. The explosion at reactor number four of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on 26 April 1986 sent shockwaves that echoed around the globe, leaving behind a landscape forever scarred

Elena Petrovna 4 min read
Affordable Staging Tricks to Make Your Home Look More Expensive
home staging

Affordable Staging Tricks to Make Your Home Look More Expensive

A Home is A Canvas for Life's Stories: Affordable Staging Tricks to Elevate Your Space Hello, dear readers. I'm Elena Petrovna, a 58-year-old sustainable home designer from Edinburgh, and let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like the warmth of a well-styled home. Having grown

Elena Petrovna 5 min read
Barra Best's Hillside Home: A Light-Filled Sanctuary in Belfast
belfast

Barra Best's Hillside Home: A Light-Filled Sanctuary in Belfast

My Favourite Room: Inside Barra Best’s Stunning Hillside Home with Panoramic Belfast Views Nestled into the hillside overlooking Belfast, Barra Best's home is a living testament to how clever design can transform a dark 1950s layout into a light-filled open-plan haven. The BBC Northern Ireland presenter has

Elena Petrovna 4 min read