Two Texans turned New Yorkers, R’el & Marcus (@theplaceiwastellingyouabout) share the warm space they come home to after adventures discovering everything their city —and beyond—has to offer.

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How did you know this home was for you?

Honestly we were on the fence about this apartment. But we fell In love with neighborhood and our bedroom light. It faces south west without any buildings blocking the sun throughout the day, which is a pretty lucky thing when you live in NYC. After adding our own personal touches like light fixtures and art the place really started coming together.

An adorable Fig, and an adorable pup.

What inspires you when you decorate?

We really get inspired from the places we see along our travels. When we see so many unique ways to style and decorate, it makes us want go home and change some things.

A Fiddle Leaf Fig and Monstera Deliciosa bask in the afternoon sunlight.

What are your plant care secrets?

We are constantly learning all the time about plants, which is one thing we really like about owning plants. But, we would say one of our plant care secrets would be, don’t be afraid to give your plant a real shower in the tub. We saw a huge difference in our plants when we started giving them showers especially before travel. Also, one of our good friends Jeremy recently gave us a water metering tool and it’s been a game changer.

All photos by R’el Dade and Marcus Lloyd. Find them on Instagram or their blog to follow along their adventures!

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Monstera Deliciosa

Fiddle Leaf Fig Bush

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Cozy PJs, sunny work from home set ups, and living rooms that inspire envy… This month, we’re impressed with your plant styling skills and how simply and artfully you bring nature into your home. Check out our favorite November posts from the #leonandgeorge family!

How sweet is this moment, with a subtle Desert Cactus. @zowwee

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A bedroom made complete by a lush Cascading Pothos. @michelle_withtwols

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The perfect cozy office nook, with the sun-loving Bird of Paradise. @jawsmartin

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The perfect pairing: Fiddle Leaf Fig with a side of Kentia Palm. @hollyvianeinteriors

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Living room goals, with the perfect touch of greenery. @lacalalum

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Met with the many challenges of 2020, Benedicte and her family have adapted to a new pace of life and, in the meantime, found a new perspective on home.

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How has life changed for you this year?

At the beginning of the year, our house became not only a home but also an office, a school, a gym, and of course a place of leisure. This year was all about trying to make that work for us. It was a real exercise in patience and homemaking, but there were some really magical moments that came out of it as well.

The Dragon Tree accentuates a changing fall light.

What home projects did you take on?

As a start, we moved a lot of furniture around to accommodate so much life at home, and refreshed some areas that needed refreshing. And of course, we baked. Breads, cakes, jams…culinary projects that we normally would not have taken on. Our creations filled the house with aromas that smelled like coziness and home.

A Bird’s Nest Fern sits atop one of the new vignettes created for more time at home.

In what ways has nature played a role in your lives and well-being this year?

We craved nature more than ever this year. When we could, we’d sneak to the beach or on a hike and it felt so glorious. We were finally able to go on our first camping trip of the year in the late summer, and being under the redwoods was absolutely incredible. We also brought nature inside when we could. We planted seeds and tracked their growth, and watched our houseplants unfurl new leaves. They helped us mark the passing of time and reminded us that life does go on, even during difficult and uncertain periods of our lives.

All photos by Margaret Austin for Léon & George.

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Silver Evergreen

Bird's Nest Fern

Dragon Tree

Golden Petra

Rubber Tree

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Autumn has arrived and brought with it crisp air and cozy nights. We’re already looking forward to the holidays and the magic that they bring into our homes. But before we string up our fairy lights we’d like to look back on our favorite October posts from our #leonandgeorge family.

We’re suckers for a Fiddle Leaf Fig in a clean and minimalistic space. @mr.patrickdeleon

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A Bird of Paradise as the perfect focal point in this dreamy (rentable!) cabin in upstate New York. @weekendhome.co

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Of course we had to include at least one Halloween photo! This costume takes “crazy plant lady” to a whole new level. @thesandytran

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Luxe textures, gorgeous neutrals, and leafy statement plants… a total dream. @theplantmami

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Capturing the first rays of that autumn light with the Jade Pothos. @state_and_local

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The perfect latte, a Manhattan moment, and a touch of minimalism are just a few of Tesa’s (@thenamestesa) favorite things. See how she created an enviable workspace in a window-side nook of her bright New York apartment.

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How did you know this home was for you?

It was the high ceilings and windows in every room that did it for me. If you've ever searched for an apartment in New York City you'll know windows can be nonexistent in some "bedrooms". Add to that the size, individual bathrooms, and location, it was truly the perfect place for us. It has been really fun decorating it and making it my own. I'm actually redesigning the living room at the moment and tailoring it more to my current style. 

A bright and inviting space to focus, framed with the perfect touch of greenery, a desktop Jade Pothos and large Bird of Paradise.

What inspires you when you decorate?

I will have an idea in my head of what I want the space to be, but in order to form that idea into something more concrete, I look to Pinterest and Instagram. I also love flipping through an Architectural Digest for new ideas and future home goals. Since I don't do well in an eclectic space everything has to match in tone with minimal clutter. As you can see, I love white - I think it makes a space look calm and inviting. In order to liven it up a bit I add pops of color with smaller accessories such as books, artwork, and of course plants! 

The Jade Pothos, a trailing plant ideal for placing on a desk or shelf.

What are your plant care secrets?

I only recently started taking care of plants myself so having detailed instructions and knowing how the plant reacts under different circumstances has been very crucial! I often look back to the cards I received with my Léon & George delivery, just to make sure I'm doing everything right. And apparently, talking to your plants and showering them with love makes such a difference! My mom used to do this every day and our palm tree flourished. 

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Bird of Paradise

Jade Pothos

Snake Plant

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Born and raised in the South of France, model and activist Clémentine Desseaux (@bonjourclem) found a feeling of freedom and a lifestyle to love in the lush surroundings of Miami.

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How did you know this home was for you?

As soon as I stepped in it the first day I knew it was it. The original floors, the original fireplace details with gorgeous birds and plants on it. I loved how it was clean and redone but with the original touches that give it all its charm. The light was sooo important for me. I like to wake up and live with a lot of natural light, this place is drenched in light and beautiful palm trees views all around. Perfect for growing healthy plants! I also had a crush on those French windows! How cute!

A bright space that overlooks palm trees, the perfect setting for growing indoor tropical plants like the Bird of Paradise and Red Congo.

What inspires you when you decorate?

I am inspired by nature. I love everything tropical; animals, plants, decor. I have a great flying toucan planter, a jungle leaves wallpaper, a flamingo sculpture, art and images of tropical locations and scenes. Florida is my home and I love its nature, how I can hear the birds in the surrounding palm trees every morning, how I sometimes have a big lizard climbing on my window, or how I can pick up a giant avocado or a beautiful papaya in my friends’ trees. I love the lifestyle.

A Monstera Deliciosa grows in the bedroom with other tropical accents.

What are your plant care secrets?

I give them names. Each and every plant has a name. They used to be all girls, now we have a couple of boys. I talk to them every time i water them, cuddle their leaves and use spray on them in addition to just watering the soil. It’s like a morning dew everyday or so. They love it, I think! I also turn them once a week, so every side of them get some light. That’s about it. I have managed to keep them all alive so far, I went from killing every single one to mastering their growth. I am not sure what happened, I think it’s called quarantine. I needed company, they needed love. We found each other.

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Monstera Deliciosa

Braided Money Tree

Red Congo

Bird of Paradise

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Hannah Briggs (@thistleharvest) is a collector of sorts: beautiful moments, simple DIY tips, and of course, plenty of indoor greenery.

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How did you know this home was for you?

My husband actually grew up in our home so it’s been in his family for years and years. We have since renovated it and made it our own and we love it more and more all the time. It’s where he was brought home from the hospital and where we brought our daughter home. It holds lots of sacred memories. 

Pops of greenery like this Little Hope liven up Hannah’s neutral color palette.

What inspires you when you decorate?

Nature in the form of plants (obviously), light woods, various textures such as linen, wood, velvet, leather, etc. I’m drawn to a Scandinavian style with lots of neutral tones and pops of greenery to liven it up. I like to keep things fairly minimal, clean, and cozy. 

The Monstera Deliciosa pulls together a collection of plants in the living room.

What are your plant care secrets?

Live and learn! Haha. I’ve killed many a plant but I try to study up on what they like as far as how much light and water they need, prune them regularly, and repot when necessary. All of my plants are so special and it’s fun trying to figure them out!

All photos by Hannah Briggs. Find her on Instagram or her blog for more design and plant styling inspiration!

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Little Hope

Monstera Deliciosa

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Rheanna and her daughter found home in a historic 19th century farmhouse, tucked away in San Francisco’s Mission District. A sanctuary of sorts, their space is filled with small treasures and moments of inspiration that make it their own.

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How did you know this home was for you?

I was living down the coast, in San Luis Obispo, but wanting to come back to San Francisco. My daughter's former nanny knew I was looking and gave us a call when the house across the street had a sign in the window. The block already felt like family, my daughter knew the neighbors, and while the place needed some major work, I saw potential. But what really sold it was the idyllic backyard full of beautiful plants and flowers; it felt like a mini escape in the Mission and reminded me of what I had loved at my house on the coast. I later learned that it's also an old historic pioneer-era farmhouse built sometime around 1860, so while it's old, it has a special history too.

A slice of heaven in the city, Rheanna’s backyard is filled with gorgeous greenery.

What inspires you when you decorate?

I like to feel a sense of calm and lightness at home. For me, that comes from a type of minimalist meets bohemian style. I have a lot of textiles from Mexico, art from local creators, and hand-crafted furniture from my brother who's a designer and builder. I also love having little moments of inspiration around the house like well-designed housewares, fragrant candles, beautiful magazines, paintings and art by my daughter, and those classic old family photos that can only be found in your home.

A Fiddle Leaf Fig Bush adorns a bright minimalist-meets-boho living room.

What are your plant care secrets?

Honestly, I don't have many secrets. I get so nervous that I'm not doing it right, but the plants from Leon and George have been some of the most beautiful and healthy plants I've had. My daughter and I have given them names, we wipe them down regularly, stroke the leaves, and I actually think the poor insulation in this home benefits the plants with extra moisture in the air. Sometimes I think that my daughter's constant singing makes them happier.

Photos by Aubrie Pick for Mother Mag & Rheanna Martinez.

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Snake Plant

Magenta Triostar

Cascading Pothos

Fiddle Leaf Fig Bush

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Barlow Gilmore a.k.a. @theweekendmixologist knows how to make a mean cocktail, and likes to shake things up in his home with a heavy dose of natural, lush greenery.

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How did you know this home was for you?

We'd been looking for a few years and had seen so many places, and finally this home felt just right. The light here is amazing, as photographers we knew it would be perfect for us (and our plants). 

The Parlor Palm adds an organic softness to geometric shapes.

What inspires you when you decorate?

To be honest, we are inspired by plants! Our style tends to be more modern, and it’s a nice balance to add lush, organic shapes and colors to break up the straight lines. 

Large statement plants like the Kentia Palm can tie all the elements of a room together.

What are your plant care secrets?

Name them! Spend the time to nurture them, and delight in their new growth.

All photos by Hailie & Barlow Gilmore//The Weekend Mixologist.

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Kentia Palm

Parlor Palm

Pink Rubber Tree

Bird of Paradise

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Shane loves a clean, modern look, but keeps things warm and cozy with thoughtful and timeless pieces, big west-facing windows, and of course, plenty of indoor greenery.

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How did you know this home was for you?

We were in the market for a bigger spot and had a few must-haves for our new space. Besides in-unit laundry and a parking spot (#citylife), we knew we wanted lots of light and an open floor plan. We found a random listing online for a loft-style apartment and decided to check it out. When we first walked in and saw the huge west-facing windows, cement floors, and high ceilings, we were sold. No questions, we had to move in! 

Shane has had his Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree for over six years.

What inspires you when you decorate?

My two favorite colors are white and gray, and I tend to gravitate towards more minimal looks. Luckily, my partner Ben and I have really similar tastes and styles, but I'd say he pulls us back towards a homey vibe when I get too carried away.  We're both super into clean, functional, and modern looks. More than anything, we don't like junk. We try to be super thoughtful about the pieces we buy and usually plan on keeping them for the long haul. The only downside is that sometimes we're slow to make decisions. It took us 9 months to decide on a couch for our downstairs living area, but hey, we love it! 

Books and plants add color and character to an otherwise minimal space. Pictured: Jade Pothos

What are your plant care secrets?

I try to be intuitive with plants and not overthink it. Typically I'll select a plant based on looks, and then research what conditions it prefers when I get it home. After that, I'll place it somewhere I think it will do well and try and check in with it regularly. If I notice any changes I try not to overreact (easier said than done sometimes) and make small changes in watering or lighting and see what happens. Other than that, I mist, clean, love on, and talk to them daily (more for me than the plants, but I think it helps)! 

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Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Desert Cactus

Cascading Pothos

Magenta Triostar

Ashley and Danny have lived in their San Francisco home for almost ten years. In a way, taking care of plants together has been a crash course for the real parenting adventure they have only just begun.

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How did you know this home was for you?

It actually took us leaving this apartment to realize how special it is. We had to patiently wait for the new tenant to move out so we could move back in! There is something about having an expansive view of the ocean and the Golden Gate Bridge ... seeing that beauty everyday must calm the nervous system or something. It has an ineffable quality. 

What inspires you when you decorate?

We wanted to honor the older details of this building by adding a more antique, vintage touch. Comfort is also a key decorating theme so we sought beautiful, cozy pieces that jived with the historical elements. 

What are your plant care secrets?

Top secret: pick easy to care for, healthy-already plants! We also had a bit of negotiating to do as it relates to their care-taking. One of us (we won’t name names!) is a bit more enthusiastic about owning plants than the other, and that person also happens to be the one who travels more often and needs more help keeping up with them. But even though we aren’t equally passionate about the hobby, we both benefit so much from having plants, and in the end we found a care routine that works for both of us. Splitting the responsibilities means every plant gets what it needs and we maintain our marital bliss. Kind of like regular parenting, but maybe a little easier!

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Rubber Tree

Bird's Nest Fern

Cascading Pothos

Also the home of George of Léon & George.

Barbie and Nico are team members at Léon & George, and partners in real life. Here they share with us some of the behind the scenes of getting this startup started in their very own home.

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How did you know this home was for you?

A very finicky Fiddle Leaf Fig we named Fifi #2.

The morning we saw our apartment listed, there were no photos and we were feeling hopeless after visiting 30+ places in the span of 2 weeks. But this one was just around the corner from where we were staying so we had to give it a try. As soon as the door opened, we were welcomed into a long hallway and bright living room with the charming details of a San Francisco home. We looked at each other and knew this was it.

What inspires you when you decorate?

A blank canvas is always nice, but chaos also works. We see the opportunity of creating order, space and beauty. We're pretty minimal when it comes to decor, mostly only buying pieces out of necessity, but we take a long time to decide on each piece. We do our best to buy pieces we really love, that spark inspiration or have personal meaning, items we want to invest in and keep for a long time.

What are your plant care secrets?

Let them do their thing. We try to cover their basics of having the right amount of light and we err on the side of underwatering. But mostly we leave them alone. Barbie likes to talk to them. She greets them in the morning or at night. When we leave on trips she reassures them that we'll be back.

Bootstrapping a startup means your home becomes your office, distribution center, photo studio, and lastly the place you sleep. It was also a great way for us to learn about plants and how they react in a real home environment over time.