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Foliate – Featured in Sunset Magazine

f-admin — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 02:23:02 +0000

This Hotel Has the Wildest Plant Design—Here’s How to Get the Look at Home

Written by Krista Simmons

September 18, 2024

Full Article:

This Hotel Has the Wildest Plant Design—Here’s How to Get the Look at Home

The post Foliate – Featured in Sunset Magazine first appeared on Foliate.

Cruising the Rhône: A Journey Through French Splendor

f-admin — Tue, 24 Sep 2024 03:58:32 +0000

Beginning in the vibrant city of Lyon and ending in the sun-drenched south, a Rhône River cruise provides a leisurely way to explore this picturesque region, filled with charming villages,world-class wineries, and stunning landscapes.

Lyon: A Gastronomic Delight

Your journey begins in Lyon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its exquisite cuisine. Explore the city’s historic center, visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, and indulge in a gourmet meal at one of the many Michelin-starred restaurants.

Beaujolais Wine Country

As you cruise south, you’ll pass through the Beaujolais wine region, famous for its light- bodied red wines. Visit charming vineyards, sample the local wines, and enjoy the picturesque scenery.

Vienne: A Medieval Gem

The medieval town of Vienne is a must-visit destination. Explore its Roman amphitheater, visit the Gothic cathedral, and wander through the charming streets.

Tain-l’Hermitage: Syrah Paradise

Tain-l’Hermitage is a wine lover’s paradise, known for its Syrah wines. Visit the Hermitage Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and sample some of the region’s finest vintages.

Avignon: Papal City

Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was once the seat of the papacy. Explore the iconic Palais des Papes, visit the Pont d’Avignon, and enjoy a leisurely stroll along the riverbank.

Châteauneuf-du-Pape: Wine Lover’s Dream

The village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape is renowned for its full-bodied red wines. Visit the vineyards, sample the local wines, and enjoy the charming atmosphere of this medieval town.

Arles: A City of Art

Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its Roman amphitheater, Romanesque churches, and Van Gogh connections. Explore the city’s historic center, visit the Musée Réattu, and enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Rhône River.

Camargue: A Natural Paradise

Your journey concludes in the Camargue, a natural park famous for its wild horses, flamingos, and rice fields. Explore the park on foot, by bike, or by boat, and enjoy the stunning scenery.

A Rhône River cruise offers a fantastic opportunity to experience the beauty and culture of this enchanting region. With its stunning scenery, world-class wines, and charming villages, it’s the perfect destination for travelers seeking a memorable and relaxing
vacation.

Steven Menconi,
Foliate

The post Cruising the Rhône: A Journey Through French Splendor first appeared on Foliate.

The Tropical Oasis at the office: Discover the Many Benefits of Interior Plants

f-admin — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 17:22:08 +0000

Introduction

Indoor plants have long been adored for their aesthetic appeal, but their benefits extend far beyond mere decoration. These green companions offer a range of advantages, from improving air quality and boosting mood to reducing stress and increasing productivity. In addition to these well-known perks, interior plants also possess the remarkable ability to evoke a sense of tranquility reminiscent of tropical vacations. Hoteliers have known this for many years and have always implemented indoor tropical plants into their lobbies and public spaces. In this article, we will delve into the multiple benefits of indoor plants while exploring how their tropical origins can transport us to serene paradises, even within the confines of our homes.

Enhanced Air Quality

One of the most significant benefits of indoor plants is their capacity to improve air quality. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, thus purifying the air we breathe. Moreover, tropical indoor plants, such as the Snake Plant Chamaedorea or Areca Palm, possess a unique ability to remove harmful toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from the air, promoting a healthier indoor environment.

Improved Well-being

Indoor plants have been shown to positively impact our mental and emotional well-being. Studies indicate that being around plants can reduce stress levels and increase feelings of calmness and relaxation. Furthermore, the lush foliage of tropical interior plants evokes a sense of natural beauty, providing a soothing and therapeutic ambiance reminiscent of exotic destinations. The mere presence of these vibrant plants can transport us mentally to tropical landscapes, offering a respite from the stresses of daily life.

Increased Productivity

Believe it or not, indoor plants can significantly boost productivity and concentration. Research suggests that having plants in the workplace or study environment can enhance focus and cognitive performance. The visual stimulation and connection to nature provided by indoor plants help alleviate mental fatigue and increase attentiveness, ultimately leading to improved productivity and creativity.

Better Indoor Climate

Interior plants play a vital role in regulating humidity levels and creating a more comfortable indoor climate. Tropical plants, accustomed to humid environments, release moisture through a process called transpiration, which can help combat dry air commonly experienced in heated or air-conditioned spaces. By increasing humidity, plants contribute to healthier skin, reduce respiratory discomfort, and prevent issues like dry eyes and sore throats.

Aesthetic Appeal

Indoor plants are renowned for their aesthetic value, instantly transforming any space into a green oasis. Tropical plants, with their vivid foliage and exotic shapes, lend an unmistakable touch of the tropics to interior settings. Their vibrant greens and lush foliage evoke a sense of relaxation and serenity, reminding us of sunny beaches, dense rainforests, and tropical vacations. Incorporating interior plants with tropical origins allows us to infuse our homes and workspace with the spirit of paradise, creating an atmosphere of year-round vacation bliss.

Conclusion

Indoor plants offer a plethora of benefits that extend beyond their tropical allure. From purifying the air we breathe to enhancing our mental well-being and productivity, these natural companions bring a touch of nature into our indoor spaces. Furthermore, tropical indoor plants have the unique ability to transport us mentally to tropical destinations, reminding us of blissful vacations, infusing our homes and offices with a sense of tranquility. So why not bring a piece of the tropics into your home and office? Embrace the lush foliage and tropical charm of indoor plants and create your very own tropical oasis within the confines of your living and working space.

The post The Tropical Oasis at the office: Discover the Many Benefits of Interior Plants first appeared on Foliate.

The Tie That Binds

f-admin — Sun, 23 Feb 2020 19:00:18 +0000

By Steven Menconi.

I recently traveled to Europe in search of a common denominator between the United States and Europe. I didn’t have a particular agenda or any idea as to what this common denominator might be… I just figured I’d know it when I saw it. Although we can discuss endless similarities and differences between Europe and the US, my first taxi ride through Paris wasn’t remarkable for what was different, but for what was the same. While riding down the Champs-Elysees, I immediately felt the familiar reception of my favorite American tree, the sycamore tree. Sycamores lined both sides of the Champs-Elysees, and while they were uniquely shaped into tall rectangles, the effect was so familiar. The warm embrace of these massively trunked trees that open into expansive canopies, when allowed, providing shade, texture and structure in cities, parks and suburbs throughout the United States…just like home!

These sycamores are the preferred showpiece tree planted time and time again across the US in almost every large and small city. Whether lining a boulevard, or providing a canopy in a park, the sycamore tree has become the go to tree when landscape designers are going for a stunning yet familiar look and feel. I would call the sycamore the ‘Americana’ of trees, but I can’t, as I’ve now discovered they were being planted all across Europe hundreds of years before America was even discovered…A World Tree? As I traveled across France into Switzerland without expectation and an open mind, “the tie that binds” made repeated appearances in city after city, village after village, countryside after countryside. Paris lined them along the Champs-Elysees where they are featured prominently in great formal grandeur. Meticulously shaped and pruned to provide impressive rows of uniformity. In numerous French villages, one might find a single massive, 500 year old sycamore tree in the center of the town square providing a gathering place and shade along with natural sculpted beauty. It’s like running into a familiar face or an old friend in an unfamiliar town, again and again; the sycamore was always there to welcome me. Growing up in northern California, whether the Bay Area or Sacramento, sycamore trees were ever present.

The light bulb went on as I’ve often heard San Francisco described as ‘Paris of the West’ and I see sycamore trees in San Francisco emulating their Parisian counterparts, lining San Francisco’s Market Street and the Embarcadero. Ironically San Francisco is the one place in the northern hemisphere where sycamore trees don’t thrive, as the cool weather and fog cause them to mildew; no matter though, San Francisco plants and replants the sycamore again and again… Paris of the West ’till the end! Paris has nothing on us;)

Leaving Paris and arriving in Lucerne, Switzerland, I presumed my dance with the sycamore would surely end as this was a drastically different climate and elevation but was pleasantly rewarded with yet another large-scale planting of sycamore trees throughout the city scape. The climate differences between Paris and Lucerne Switzerland may be considerable, but the sycamore tree seems to thrive in both regions.

Surely something must change as I journeyed through the Swiss Alps down into northern Italy. Not to be!!!!! Sycamore trees line almost every boulevard of Turin Italy and continue to make repeat appearances throughout the hills of Piedmont, the coastal regions of Cinque Terre, Tuscany’s Lucca and down into Florence, my favorite Italian city. The constant presence of the sycamore tree throughout these European countries seems to create a sense of community, a familiarity that may not be initially obvious to a traveler. And though the culture, architecture and topography can vastly change throughout Europe and the United States, your old friend the sycamore tree is waiting to greet you at every turn…. the tie that binds.

SM.

The post The Tie That Binds first appeared on Foliate.

Summer Special from Foliate!

f-admin — Wed, 31 Jul 2019 17:27:26 +0000

First impressions are everything to your valued customers. Take advantage of our Summer Special & Let Foliate take your business landscaping to the next level!

First impressions are everything to your valued customers. Take advantage of our Summer Special & Let Foliate take your business landscaping to the next level!
#watering #summer #sale #customercare #quality #pro #landscaping #plants #sacramento #sanfrancisco #curbappeal

The post Summer Special from Foliate! first appeared on Foliate.