Gorgeous Green House Tours: Picky Sister Vintage

Today, we are touring the gorgeous green tiny apartment all the way from Gothenburg, Sweden. This is the home of Lovisa  who runs a small vintage shop outside her 312 sq. ft. apartment and online and it's called Picky Sister Vintage.

It's obvious from her interior styling that she is drawn to vintage things. Her home and shop has that unmistakable bohemian vibe made all the more irresistible by the addition of her plant collection.  Just looking at her  vintage collectibles is making me swoon. Wish we were neighbours so I could come by her shop often to admire her goodies and perhaps bring home one or two ever so often. Well, in this interview, Lovisa  talks about her favourite plants as well as some personal tips on how manages to keep her plants happy.

Could you please tell us a bit about you and how your passion for plants began?
I moved back to my hometown Gothenburg on the west coast of Sweden six years ago after traveling and living in different places for the better part of my 20's. When I finally got my current apartment some years ago, it was the first place that was just mine. This sparked my interest in interior design, and the whole plant thing sort of came along with it.

I love spaces that are completely filled with plants, but in my home I want to have a balance between them and the rest of my things. I see plants as a great way to complement my favorite decor pieces or vignettes, and I feel that any nook without a plant just isn't complete! 😊

I also like to incorporate plants when I style the items for my little vintage shop, because they have a way of making everything look better.



When did you start collecting houseplants?
3-4 years ago.

What is/are your favorite houseplants, and why?
My string of pearls is very dear to me. It's one of the plants I've managed to keep alive longer and it just looks beautiful. I also have a weak spot for my silver vine - they are easy to care for and grow like crazy.




Which room in your home has the most plants?
My combined bed/living room is bigger than my kitchen so I have more room for plants in there.

Do you have a particular routine in caring for your plants?
I'm trying to be better at having a routine, like checking on them every Sunday and watering the ones that need it, but I'm honestly not too good at it. For some I notice when they look thirsty, at which point I just give them some water. For most though I water them whenever I realize it's been too long.

In your experience, what has been the most challenging plant to care for?
Ferns, for sure. I've given up on having them at home. Fiddle leaf figs don't do well in my dark apartment either (among with most plants that require a lot of light)

What plant is or are still in your wishlist?
I would love to have a huge Birds of paradise plant, but I don't have the room or the light it requires.






Where do you usually shop for plants or what are your favorite plantshops to visit?
I usually go to one of the bigger plant shops in town as their selection is greater, but occasionally I buy a plant or two from a flower shop or interior design place.





What tips can you give those who want to start caring for plants at home?
My main advice is to do research on what each plant needs to thrive - amount of water and how often, nutrients, light conditions, etc. When you look this up a good thing to consider is the conditions you have in your home, like humidity and that different spaces get different kinds of light. A plant that normally requires water once a week will need less in a darker apartment and/or spot.

I don't even want to think about all the plants I've killed over the years, which has often been due to over watering, just because I didn't realize the recommendations didn't really apply to Swedish conditions and my dark apartment... The difference in the amount of light my plants get in summer compared to winter is huge, and now I've learned to cut down on the amount of water significantly when the darker season starts.












Hope you enjoyed the read and these snapshots from Lovisa's  apartment. I'll have to say, plants and vintage planters are the perfect combo!  Oh, and notice how healthy and green her plants are? Do you have some of her plants, too? Which are your favorites and which plants are still in your wishlist? I am simply in love with her succulent collection, especially the tall succs and her wild-looking trailing plants!