Interior designers Azar Fattahi and Lia McNairy, founders of the LA-based studio LALA Reimagined, have joined Homes & Gardens as Editors-at-Large for By Design. They’ll be sharing their insights on creating personality-filled interiors and the art of blending eclectic ideas into richly characterful schemes. See the rest of their articles here.
At LALA, one design principle runs through nearly every project: bringing the outdoors in. And not just with flowers or small plants – we mean real, living, breathing trees. Our love of landscaping and gardens naturally extends indoors, where one of our favorite stages of the process is curating greenery throughout a home – even trees in unexpected places.
We believe greenery is one of the best investments you can make in your space. When we’re mapping out floor plans, we often designate a spot for a striking tree or oversized plant in any room that can accommodate one. Our favorites include sculptural, easy-to-care-for varieties like ficus and fishtail palms.
Sometimes, we’ll even sacrifice a piece of furniture to make room, because a tree in your living room can be as impactful as a work of art. Add a subtle uplight in the planter, and suddenly it transforms –serving not only as a living sculpture but also as mood lighting. By day, it creates a calm, serene atmosphere; by night, it sets the stage for a dramatic, inviting ambiance perfect for entertaining.
If you have an awkward corner or a stretch of 'dead space' in your home, resist the urge to crowd it with extra furniture. Instead, make a statement with a tree. Concerned about the cost of a larger specimen? Here’s our favorite trick: place a smaller tree in a tall planter to instantly give it presence – it’s the equivalent of putting your plant in high heels.
When sourcing, we gravitate toward unusual shapes over perfect symmetry. We lovingly call them our 'Dr. Seuss trees' – quirky, characterful plants often overlooked for their irregularities. To us, those imperfections are what make them special. Each one carries its own personality, and it’s precisely that individuality that brings soul and beauty to a space.
And don’t forget the planter – it’s just as important as the tree itself. We tend to favor antique-inspired, neutral-toned ceramic vessels that quietly complement the greenery rather than compete with it, allowing the tree’s sculptural form to take center stage. One of our favorite sources is Inner Gardens, which offers a beautiful selection.
The benefits of bringing trees indoors go well beyond aesthetics. They not only lift your mood and foster a sense of connection to nature, but they also help purify the air, creating a healthier home environment.
So the next time you’re wondering what’s missing from a room, consider skipping the extra chair or console. What your space may truly be craving is a tree.
