Style, Survive, and Thrive: How to Design with Plants at Home
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Seated with Furniture Row, Barb sits down with Kossi, creator of Only Plants and Denver’s beloved “plant daddy,” to explore how plants can transform how your home feels, functions, and supports your wellbeing. From turning a millennial-gray townhome into a moody, cozy oasis to opening a glass-front plant shop in Denver’s Dairy Block, Kossi shares real-life design stories and practical styling tips anyone can use.
You’ll learn how to start from zero plants, what thrives in low light, and how to decorate with greenery in apartments, small patios, and pet-filled homes without sacrificing style or your security deposit. The conversation also covers biophilic design, washable checkerboard rugs, sofa beds in plant rooms, terrariums as mini ecosystems, and how plant care can support self-care and personal growth.
Key Topics00:00 – Intro: How former franchise consultant Kossi launched Only Plants
12:28 – Only Plants: Community, Plant Bingo, and a nontraditional retail model
16:31 – Glow & Grow: Transforming millennial-gray homes with plants & furniture
25:14 – Styling: Decorating with plants in apartments and small spaces
34:12 – Biophilic design: Living walls, natural textures, and everyday spaces
39:05 – Starter Plants: Beginner options, watering rhythms, reading plant signals
43:24 – Plant care basics: Drainage, nursery pots, and simple routines
61:13 – Pet-friendly homes: Plants, pets, and washable rugs
72:07 – Mini ecosystems: Terrariums, flowers, and plant care as self-care
96:25 – Bringing plants home: Getting help and visiting Only Plants
Quick Tips
* Start with easy-care plants like snake plants, ZZ plants, pothos, and philodendrons.
* Keep plants in nursery pots placed inside decorative planters for easier watering and drainage.
* Use existing surfaces—books, coffee tables, fridges, kitchen islands—as plant stands.
* In pet homes, choose washable rugs and patterned styles that hide wear and mess.
* Use hanging plants or higher shelves for curious pets; prioritize pet-safe species in reach zones.
* Turn a guest room into a multifunctional space with a sofa bed, shelves, and layered plants.
* Add grow bulbs to table or floor lamps for low-light rooms while keeping a warm ambiance.
* Treat plant care as self-care—schedule a weekly “watering walk-through” to reset and check in.
Featured Hosts / Guest
Barb Chandler – Interior Designer, Furniture Row
Jessa Murphy – Marketing Director, Furniture Row
Kossi – Founder of Only Plants (Denver’s Dairy Block), content creator, and community builder known as “plant daddy”
Suggested SEO KeywordsHouseplants, indoor plants, plant decor, home decor with plants, interior design plants, houseplant ideas, plants for the home, plant room, green home decor, small space plant styling, biophilic design living room, beginner houseplants, pet-friendly plants, apartment plant decor (no drilling), monstera decor, snake plant indoor, pothos styling
Calls to Action
* Follow and rate Seated with Furniture Row to help others discover the show.
* Ready to build your own plant-filled sanctuary? Visit a Furniture Row showroom to explore modular sectionals, sofa beds, washable rugs, and storage-friendly shelving.
* Learn more about plant styling, small-space layouts, and biophilic design on the Furniture Row blog.
* In Denver? Visit Only Plants inside the Free Market at Dairy Block (1801 Blake Street) for in-person help and inspiration.