News

Herbs are aromatic plants, widely used in cooking, cosmetics and medicine. The strong aroma of herbs, most noticeable in warm days, is due to the essential oils found in their leaves and flowers. Herbs have a high decorative value and do not need much space or special care to look fresh and grow.
You do not need to own a large garden to create your fragrant corner. In addition to your favorite flowers, you can grow fresh herbs, spices, and even vegetables in pots. Even the smallest balcony or terrace can accommodate several pots of aromatic spices and herbs. The condition is to choose a sunny and sheltered place and to water the plants regularly, but only if the soil is dry. Excessive watering can lead to root rotting. This way you get the opportunity to always cook with freshly picked spices, and as a bonus you also get an incredible aroma, for more throughout the kitchen. Fresh herbs and spices are the secret ingretient to every delicious dish. The most suitable spices for growing in pots are: mint, thyme, parsley, basil, oregano, rosemary.
How to plant herbs?
March is the best month to create your own herb garden. You can start with seeds. Here the most important thing is to cover them with soil and press the soil well after the sowing. Until the seeds germinate, they should be watered every day. Here are some tips to always have fresh herbs on hand:
Basil (Ocimum basilicum) – Basil loves heat, plenty of sun and regular watering. It grows quickly. Just sprinkle the seeds in the pot, lightly cover them with soil and keep the pot in a warm and bright place until they germinate. You can extend its use by periodically cutting 1/2 or 2/3 of its height and not allowing it to blossom. Then the basil makes new branches and continues to produce new fresh leaves. The soil in the pot should be regularly fertilized during the growing season, allowing you to have fresh basil as long as possible.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) – Oregano grows best in a large pot (5-10 liters). It does not freeze, tolerates partial drought and prefers full sun. When the plant begins to blossom, the flowers with the stems are cut and dried. But the fragrant leaf mass can be used without blooming.
Lemon thyme (Thymus citriodorus) – This is a small evergreen shrub with small, oval and highly fragrant leaves. Thyme is a culinary, medicinal and decorative plant that reaches a height and width of 20 cm. It is generally unpretentious to grow, but in very cold and snowless winters it can be damaged by the cold, so it is good to do some protection. Thyme blossoms in June and July with small pink-purple flowers and grows best in a sunny and warm place with well-drained soil. It is undemanding to watering and soil fertility. This variety has a strong lemon aroma and is very good for making herbal tea.
What pot to choose?
Herbs can be grown in both plastic and ceramic pots. The condition is that the vessels should provide enough volume for the development of the root system and so that a more magnificent above-ground part grows accordingly.
Herbs and spices also grow in water. Water-grown spices are just as delicious as those planted in the garden. No need to water or think about the change of seasons. Here’s what you’ll need to create a small kitchen garden:
It is best to use cuttings from plants. Delicate cuttings make roots quickly in water. If you have any spices growing in the garden, just pluck a fresh cutting about 15 cm long and put it in a bowl of water. The best thing about this type of cultivation is that you can also use store-bought spices. Just wash them under running water and cut off the bottom. Remove the lower leaves from the cutting, cut near the nodes from which the roots will grow. When you put the cuttings in the pot, there should be no leaves that touch the water. They can easily rot, as is the case with flower vases.
For a small kitchen garden of spices you can put cuttings in glass bottles with fresh water. Usually the roots like to grow away from sunlight and therefore colored bottles, especially amber color are very suitable. You can also just wrap paper around the jar so that the roots are in the dark. This would also suppress the development of mold on the walls of the vessel and on the surface of the roots. Containers with a narrower opening have the advantage that they can keep the cutting in an upright position. In any case, the hole should be neither too wide nor too narrow around the cutting. The roots must breathe and the opening must allow air movement.

Above all, growing your own herbal garden is so much fun! From choosing the plants and pots, seeig them grow and using them to make great meals and tea!

Bohemian or Boho decorated homes are full of colors, emotions, exotic items, culture! The whole atmosphere is carefree, relaxed, and yet very intriguing. Every room, decorated in boho style is unique and very individual. Bohemian style is often chosen by people of art, constant travelers, actors and writers.
Bohemian homes like earth colors, warm colors, also metallic tones in each of their nuances. As base tones you can choose from the gray, green, brown range of colors. These cozy tones make the perfect neutral base and allows you to pile up expressive colors and patterns for your perfect mix. Accent the interior with brighter purple, rich orange or blue, add layers of textures and patterns. Play with the colors and make brave combinations to make your home alive. The same comes with textures and patterns – dream freely and mix different layers.
In regard to Decorative materials the ‘more is more’ philosophy is valid here. Gather items from other cultures, rich in symbols and history. Use your walls to show your favorite item – tapestry, art wall décor, rugs. They should have a little worn look, not shiny and new. Use lots of mirrors, candles, handmade items macramé art, fringe, crochet, tassels, pom poms. The whole feeling is for very cozy and comfortable space.
When choosing the furniture, look for old, vintage items. Every piece should carry special energy and story. The sofa and chairs are covered with plenty of plush, comfortable throw cushions, thick rugs, oversized floor pillows, big comfortable armchairs.
And don’t forget to add plants – Botanicals fit perfectly with bohemian style. They add relaxed vibe and dimension to the room. You will also get more fresh air, and will add one more color, without interfering too much with the rest of your design and making it too loud. Hanging plants are an excellent bohemian addition in any space, from a simple woven hanging basket, to something more ornate and sculptural – a variety of different plants in different scales are an effective way in bringing your bohemian style home to life.
If you are looking for a style that you can truly make your own, Boho might be for you. Use your imagination and express yourself freely to make your home outstand!

Lately Pantone Institute launched its Color of 2021. And guess what: it’s not one, but two great colors: PANTONE 17-5104 Ultimate Gray + PANTONE 13-0647 Illuminating.
These two adorable colors carry the message of perfect combination between strength and hopefulness.
Illuminating is a bright and cheerful yellow, full with vitality, a warming sunbeam, spreading solar power all over. On the other hand Ultimate Gray is famous with its stability and everlasting elements, providing a solid foundation. These two independent colors come together to create an inspiring color burst of deeper feelings of thoughtfulness with the optimistic promise of a sunshine filled day.
These days for all of us it is extremely important to keep our positive energy high, to have clear minds and strong bodies, hoping to overcome this continuing uncertainty. We need the practical and solid like a rock gray, and at the same time we reach for the warming and optimistic yellow. We need to feel encouraged and uplifted, this is essential to the human spirit.
Pantone’s Color of the Year reflects color trends in fashion, beauty, design and home décor. Do you plan to include it in your home décor or outfit?

You know, like everything else in our lives, trends in home décor change each year. New colors and shapes evolve, old ones gradually disappear. Looking over longer periods of time, we will easily notice that sometimes old trends become new again. As year 2021 is almost here, home decor designers start to make predictions of what will be popular in people’s homes in the coming year.
It seems the main focus will continue to be comfort and tradition, following 2020 trends. Cottagecore, Vintage and Rustic style are here to stay. As we are spending much more time at home these days, comfort and coziness in combination with functionality will be our focus. Old-school décor, combined with modern lines, crotchets and classical design forms and patterns with neutral materials. All you expect to see in your grandparents’ house, but more functional. People are looking for comfort and safety in these uncertain times, they are starting to pay more attention on the nature and our impact on the environment, looking for quality furniture that can be used for years.
Overstuffed furniture and softer curves are the easiest way to welcome traditional style in your home. Big armchairs and sofas, soft touch and mild fabric, and lots of lots of pillows will help you embrace your dream living room. The place you cuddle in and watch TV after the long working day. Wooden furniture details add warmth to the atmosphere. In regard to wood, lighter nuances are preferred, as they create the feeling of more space in the room and zen feeling. Light wood is also easier to design around. It doesn’t matter if you like rustic, farmhouse or other home décor style, light wool will always fit great. Also, compared to metal and glass items, wooden furniture is easier to combine with any décor idea.
Leading home décor designers also expect that people will look for items with more natural look in 2021. Furniture and accents with softer lines and made with natural materials, such as leather, ceramics and lots of plants.
All types of houseplants are popular. Hanging creepers, beautiful blooms, big green plants have never been more fashionable. Plants are great, bringing vibrancy and color to our homes, but they also freshen the air and releasing oxygen.
People are also appreciating more and more the value of handmade and decorative items. Did you already choose something special from our Cozy with Grandma store? We will be happy to help you make your home even more cozy and comfortable!

The color of 2020 and its place in our home decor
In general, colors affect our mood and emotions, creating specific atmosphere in the room. When choosing the main colors in our home décor, we should have in mind our state of mind and nature. The closer the chosen colors are to our soul, the better we will feel at home. This is more important than just choosing the most modern colors at the moment. Still, we can always add details and nuances in this color and feel trendy.
The Pantone Institute announced that in year 2020, the top color will be “Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue. Comparing with previous years, 2020 Blue can easily be added in any interior. Blue will be great successor to the always modern gray. It is said that blue has a calming effect and creates the feeling of security and relaxation. This is the color of the sky and the sea, it makes you dream and brings a feeling of infinity. The darker the blue, the stronger the emotions.
Blue salons give the feeling of depth and calmness, caring the idea of infinity, greater volume and airiness. Everything in your sunny room can be blue – walls, ceiling, couch, carpet, curtains, etc. Or just use blue in small details to freshen up the décor. Combined with wood details, the furniture deepens all these emotions. Blue color also goes well with different décor styles – bohemian, vintage, modern, art deco, etc.
Feel the calmness and enjoy the sense of dream-like emotions by adding Classic Blue to your home décor. But above all, make your home decor correspond better with you and your mood. We spend so much time at home these days, aren’t we?