Home Updates | Adding a shelf in the kitchen, new shade garden & my design inspo

[@benjiplant]

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[@scoty_does]

You have a great NPR voice.

[@benjamin40404]

the yellow pot looks fine, personally i think it adds fun to the room and it doesn’t stand out too much which is nice

[@amandaamanda5398]

I feel the yellow pot is beautiful by itself, but it throws the overall color theme off balance.

[@TubeTorte]

Would you consider painting the pot? A dull mustard would be better than the bright yellow, IMO.

[@christinecho779]

I would consider getting a clay moss colored pot. Still colorful but blends in better

[@aiai-j7i]

@@amandaamanda5398 Exactly, it is not harmonious with the space.

[@lucylynch5448]

Maybe add a yellow pillow or another yellow accent!

[@BdManus]

Winnie is an excellent addition to the family. I love the yellow pot, it balances with the green of the outside. Two separate videos so we can watch more of you.

[@meditationavecmaryse7293]

I also agree 100% with your comment. I'll be able to watch two videos instead of one. 😊 thank you 🙏❤️

[@Hep.F]

AGREE❤🐾🌿

[@michaelzeller7065]

Agree ❤

[@Joey-pl2jg]

28:55 I think having two separate videos would be better/convenient for viewers who are only interested in one aspect of either houseplants or gardening but as someone who is interested in both I would love to watch a whole mega video 😊

[@lfine6886]

Same. Would also love more clear distinction in the outside garden between which plants are native and non-native to Cali/the SW. Excited that you're getting into learning about soil amendments. Makes such a difference, especially for containers. The garden beds are looking gorgeous.

[@wishingonthemoon1]

Agree

[@Abel01436]

Hi benji! Strawberries are called “Straw” berries since farmers would use straw or hay to mulch them. This prevent the berries from touching the soil, go bad, or get eaten by insects. 🍓🍓🍓

[@kingaborowska4113]

Thats so cool to know, somehow I never realized there is straw in strawberries

[@derepischekeks1475]

Thats cool to know! The strawberries that grow in my parents garden (some kind of tiny, underbrushy variety) pretty much grow on the lawn and that doesn't stop them from spreading at all. :)🍓

[@wishingonthemoon1]

Huh! The more you know! This is a really cool tidbit, thanks for sharing

[@RachelShadoan]

I really like the yellow pot! Maybe bring in a couple pops of the same color in other places in the room, perhaps in a throw pillow?

[@mason5306]

agreed, like at 8:37, if there was another yellow pop of art or something on that wall to the far left, it would tie it together

[@starrynight899]

I like this idea.. I love both, the room's aesthetic and the yellow pot but it's true that the pot kinda stealing the attention.. Adding some small thing in same color could solve the problem..

[@nschilling3]

❤ KEEP THE YELLOW!! That tall plant with the yellow pot is gorgeous! The height and the pop of color make that little area work. Loving this video. Had to stop and comment the minute you asked about the yellow pot, though. Back to the video now….

[@philippschmidt80]

Definitely keep the yellow pot, it adds a nice pop of color and goes very well with the greenery outside, it's perfect in front of the large windows. The large windows and the yellow pot are the first things my eyes are drawn to whenever you show your living room.

[@miloruby8259]

That planter belongs exactly where it is! It's eye catching and defines the living area!

[@Karotsy68]

That pic of Winnie laying on the pot is so adorable. The yellow pot is very nice.

[@vivekm2757]

I think you can safely assume your audience loves you for both your house and your plants :) We love watching bothhhh! Keep them in the same video

[@ethel_lana]

And we also love Chris&Benji content😉 my favourite couple on the internet 🫶🏻

[@louisanow]

The yellow planter and that lovely tree complement each other well. The moss looks great, too. Together they brighten and fit that corner. If that much yellow bothers you, maybe add yellow accents elsewhere in the room for balance, or cover some, but not all the yellow (paint, pot cover, etc). Beautiful home!

[@louisanow]

The garden is an outdoor room of your house and together they are the home! I vote you keep them together in your home videos. Your garden is so beautiful and you've really improved this property so much I hope your landlord doesn’t decide to move back in anytime soon!

[@samanthapattersonr0]

I like the yellow pot, it doesn’t look bad but I feel like it shifts your living room theme to a bit more retro pop. I feel like something more earthy could fit better.

[@jackson615]

I think the white pot would look better in the living room for the song of India. Nice neutral tones in there and the yellow is indeed popping. Would love a combined video. I love longer format vids where I can watch while eating a meal or doing my own plant chores Maybe a video where you pop between sections of the indoors and outdoors to cater to both audiences ~ thanks for sharing!

[@jackson615]

I'm biased though cause I love natural/neutral tones in general. Not one for color....though your space has been making me reconsider my stance

[@RiverMark]

The contrast of the yellow pot is super-appealing. I hope you keep it where it is.

[@Eve65901]

I like the yellow as a mix of styles in the home vs. all more rustic and muted. I think especially in the day when it’s so bright outside, it blends in

[@haylee.noelle]

The yellow pot is beautiful. A pop of color brings more life to the space!

[@marykondras]

I love the yellow planter. It gives a pop of color without taking the spotlight.

[@junzaragoza608]

I loveee the yellow pot. It's an item that will definitely start conversations when visitors come and it looks great. Despite it being somewhat bright, it is not an eyesore and takes away from the concept.

[@carissakolcun9130]

the yellow compliments that vibrant blue of pillow (or blanket?) really well and i think white would dull out the space. it works well in the corner, especially during the day where the sunlight dulls out a bit of the intensity of the yellow

[@sydneyhager2]

I think the pot looks good in the living room! Because of the brightness of the windows I think it blends in good. And the plant itself softens that corner.

[@Stankyboi69]

I really love the yellow pot with the plant! The room is really earthy and cozy and it adds a bit of a pop to the room, maybe if you added yellow or an additional pop in the room with a light, a blanket/pillow, or an art piece of some media it might look more on purpose of mixing pop and earthy together. I think the moss on top of the plant helps a lot too of trying to make the plant pot earthier.

[@themeggymex]

Hey! I‘d prefer two separate videos about house plants and your garden. Thanks for your (as always) interesting and calming video! 😊

[@nuthinbutlove]

I l-o-v-e the yellow planter! The color is amazing and it adds happiness.

[@allisonwonderland5149]

Keep the yellow. It sends bright, happy vibes. I can't see it being possible to want to cry around it.😅

[@ThePawsomeRescues]

We love the yellow. Together with the tree and the moss it looks like a beautiful art installation. 🤗 Great work! The tiny Theo figurine is adorable. 🤗 In the dining room we vote for a large plant on top of the pedestal. Also, have you considered hanging a piece of art inside the bookcase? Perhaps the red framed piece that was previously hanging in your kitchen if it’s not too big. The plants under the grow lights are looking spectacular! 😀 The outside garden looks gorgeous too. We’re really into ferns right now too, but being in Queensland in Australia it’s really hot, so we have to be careful where we plant them. Have you tried Tibetan No Mow Grass? It’s a beautiful and soft ground cover. Another favourite of ours is Dicondra Silver Falls. It’s a lovely blue colour which pops in the garden. Sending so much love to you, Chris (we’re loving his channel), Theo and sweet Winnie. ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Ps: loving your gardening outfit, especially your modelling poses. 😝 PPS: We love watching gardening channels too, sone of our favs are: @GardenAnswer @VisitOurGarden @DigPlantWaterRepeat

[@BLANKU2]

I love the yellow pot in the room in how it plays off the leaves. What I would do is add in a small throw pillow also in the space in that yellow or like a smaller pot in the same shade on like the shelving to hold objects in. You could do a small photo or art in like the Columbine you have in your yard as a additional pop of color and frame it in the same room. You could go on marketplace and find some MCM pottery like a Harger piece in that yellow tone as well and work it in some place for whimsy.

[@iheartchaos]

I mulch my strawberry plants with straw, runners will be able to root themselves through it, just make sure it’s not too thick of a layer. If you notice any struggling to root, just move the straw aside to help them!

[@96llm]

Definitely mulch the strawberries! It's even in the name - they grow really well in straw. The runners will make their way regardless of mulch layer, and the mulch really helps with disease from soil splash onto the leaves and any garden pests. (You might not have them since you are in raised beds, but the biggest enemy of our in-ground strawberries are slugs and rolly pollies, they love eating holes in the berries.)

[@arianekamdoum7800]

the yellow planter is a beautiful addition to the room

[@moonpathwoman]

I love the yellow pot. It adds fun, a pop of color and interest. 💛 I like the idea of videos with variety. A bit of indoor plants and design with a bit of outdoor gardening. Also like the travel videos and your pets. Your videos make me smile.

[@sargasm227]

love the yellow planter. It's a great pop of color in that corner.

[@andielx]

personally i agree that the yellow doesn’t match. needs more of a muted textured pot to compliment the room ❤

[@jobro45]

Totally agree. Yellow pot is way too jarring. The plant is enough and should be in a more neutral pot.😂

[@Mimi-harper]

I like the yellow planter because it becomes an item that draws your eye into the space, and then you look at the surrounding items you have which compliment the space!

[@kamalani808]

Your home is beautiful ❤ Oh yeah, I go to plant nurseries for my birthday, too. Greetings from Hawai’i❤

[@CC-QIrsh]

I’d say don’t remove the yellow planter. It adds colour into the living space. I love it. The garden is coming along really nicely. 👌🏽

[@nuthinbutlove]

Winnie has already grown considerably 🤗

[@craftingnatura]

In my experience using Light color Pot Covers (together with the mulch) helps to keep the soil cool with plants that are in full sun ☺

[@junzaragoza608]

Kittens are indeed crazy and they are very playful at that stage but do please enjoy the moment now. She will be more chill and mellow once she grows up and you won't see her play as much as she used to.

[@fredos8170]

Hi Benji! i just wanted to say thanks for helping me realize how much i always loved gardening ✨🌱

[@draanamariapineiro4988]

Hi Benji. I like your yellow pot very much!!! And for the videos I prefer 2 separate ones. Love your house and your taste!!! Kiss from Buenos Aires, Argentina 🇦🇷

[@DailyDoseOfGardening]

There's something special about owning and being able to hold it! I love your magazine collection! and the native garden is growing pretty well! 🏡

[@Grieldric]

The yellow pot looks fine, but maybe you can accessorize with a couple brighter pieces, maybe a couple nat geo mags or some cool small frames somewhere

[@slowvintagedays5963]

Tiny Theo is so cute! What a precious gift.❤

[@rodadelossantos6194]

Love the shade garden area you've recently developed...especially the tree ferns with the moss and those hastas!!!

[@klarawendrich5713]

If you mulch your strawberries they won't be able to root themselves, but they'll form "nodes" where leaves sprout and you can just push them into the earth manually. Then they'll root. I do that too🥰 I think the yellow planter doesn't really match with the carpet, but it's not that bad. I absolutely love your videos!! Please keep on making more🥰

[@cuteeeeelife]

It's raining here in India and watching your vlogs makes days more comforting and relaxed.. thank you benji : )

[@rogansmith8986]

You posted!!!! I missed these videos so much last week :) also the yellow pot makes your dracaena stand out more and feel more vibrant which makes the room So much more cohesive

[@ceruleanroses]

Hope you keep the agapanthus in your shade garden. It adds nice texture! It’s all looking lovely~

[@serahsmiles]

The yellow is really nice and adds character to your home. I think it depends on how it makes you feel, and if you want to have more of a unique vibe or a more typical minimalistic feel.

[@notarobot528]

Loving the yellow planter, it ties everything together and gives the room a warm cozy feel

[@badplantsofkim]

I’m a houseplant owner as well as a gardener, and I love those type of videos where you show both of your interests ✨🌱

[@jocylenyoung4005]

Hello ❤ Benji and Chris also your pets😊❤❤ Watching from New South Wales Australia..❤❤watching Benji and Chris vlogs Have a happy and healthy day.. Looking forward to watch.more vlogs from you both❤❤❤

[@nokateno]

I am a huge Casa Brutus/Japan Interior Design Magazine stan. Google’s translator app works pretty well to read it. I am surprised you haven’t been featured in Casa yet!! Also I love the yellow pot. It somehow works like an anchor and is so lively. I hope you keep it. White is kinda basic. Whenever I get the plain white version of something I feel like it’s the safe choice and I could have been more fearless and created something more special?? Anyway, I love this channel and always look forward to more ❤

[@grisespino5342]

2 long videos with lots of growing tips please. What hydrangea variety did you plant? Did you keep the foxtail fern? Mulch your strawberries 🍓 the runners will grow thru the straw. Love the yellow pop of color from the pot. Really adds something to the neutral calm surroundings.

[@ITcanB]

I love the yellow planter, just add a beautiful vibrant red throw pillow on the chair to balance it out so your eye moves around ❤

[@kimberlybeck3949]

Two separate videos for house plant tour and gardening tour would be great!

[@rexytomatoogirl]

15:28 that plant is so beautiful also very happy to see the new addition to the home

[@Clowncakesoupp]

I LOVE the yellow planter in the living room! It illuminates the light from the window, as ur other furniture is a little on the darker side ❤️

[@yvette4217]

I'm from Australia and it's been really fun watching Benji garden with native plants but also non natives that are very popular in Australia. I feel way more connected to these types of plants then the ones he normal works with.

[@My9EtherHair]

🌿 Welcome Winnie! 🥰 Her and Theo are so adorable together. I love the peace and calm your channel brings. All of your plants are so beautiful. 🌱 The yellow pot brings a nice pop of color to the space. Two separate plant tour videos would be nice. 💚🪴

[@1101naomi]

The yellow doesn’t present as very yellow on your video. I think it looks nice

[@nuthinbutlove]

Same

[@alexandros1973]

Thank you for another interesting and relaxing video 🙏❤ The self with the plant looks good but ivies tend to not perform indoor. Usually they decline fast and they eventually die. Maybe a tropical vine would be a wiser option. The yellow planter looks great! It is indeed very bright and it has intense presence but it goes very well with the mid century modern color palette of your living room and it adds interest to the room. I would keep it. The lush green moss in the pot also looks great 👌 About the strawberries, mulching with straw or grass clippings is highly recommended, not only for the reasons you mentioned in the video but also because the mat of straw prevents the fruits from touching the soil.

[@klaaskingma7435]

I love the yellow pot. It draws down some of the draecena’s variegation and adds a spot of brightness because a lot of your decor is more natural tones. Also it’s fun and something else

[@leonduplessis]

Your garden looks lovely and so full of growth. I hope you two enjoy your trip To Ireland. It is such a lovely place to visit. Have a safe journey around Ireland as there are so many places to enjoy other than Dublin.

[@mdbmdbmdb]

The yellow pot adds a nice pop of color - perhaps a small yellow pillow on the couch or a yellow vase in the bookshelf would add a tie-in that would help make it feel more integrated. In your dining room, a picture in the shelf with your new lamp would be nice. To translate the magazine, take a picture with your phone and use the phones translation services. What a treat to live I such a fabulous house and garden - you make it look so wonderful.

[@mamalovesthebeach437]

Winnie is darling! She’s a great companion for Theo and yes, kittens are constant entertainment. I love the cheerfulness of the yellow pot. The tree is stunning and the moss adds serenity and balance. I really like how you added moss beneath the ferns. I adore hostas but the deer eat it to the ground. They’ve also eaten my cranesbill. What a gift to have the connection and love of gardening and plants with your dad and your mom.❤ ❤We lost my mom, December 2020… I so very much miss our times in the garden and sharing plant knowledge and plants… I also miss talking tomatoes with my stepdad who we lost in March. I love both home and garden updates so for me a combination would be fun. You’ll get a idea here in the comments which people prefer. Thank you for the garden and home update!

[@annaluisacruz1296]

that first shot of the kitchen had me in awe. that's exactly the type of home I wanna have in the future. green everywhere!!

[@christinecho779]

Two long videos, please!!! I love watching these when I workout or am having a tea break. 😍

[@IvanSim]

LOVE the yellow planter in your living space. 100% belongs there.

[@poissonCHA1]

LOVE THE YELLOW PLANTER, adds vibrancy

[@ramakrishnasakethmuntha3279]

The yellow potter is in the right place it just enhances the light coming through the window and makes the room more lit to it’s nice

[@carolstuff]

You did an awesome job in your garden! Congrats on getting Winnie; Theo has a playmate now! Regarding the yellow pot & the videos, do what you love & what works for you. Thanks for sharing Benji!

[@mabuhayPinay]

Absolutely keep the yellow pot, it's tasteful in that corner. The personality of the tree is aligned with the color of the pot so there's unity. Together they exude brightness and happiness. Yellow means cheer, youthfulness and fun. Sometimes, we have to allow a certain color into our vista so that our subconscious mind can pick it up. Over time, you notice that you are imbibing the qualities of that color. Thanks for the video. I'll continue watching... I'm only half-way.

[@geolee9522]

Love the yello planter. Love the snap of colour it ads to that area.

[@alexiatychkowsky641]

The yellow pot adds a nice touch of whimsy to the cosy living room space. Especially being in front of the bright window, it doesn’t look out of place. If it was against another wall it might look strange.

[@ube_princess]

i think separating the house plant and garden tour videos sounds good! but whatever's easiest for you! also thank you for this video. been going through some rough stuff so watching your videos makes my day better. :)

[@codyleeser392]

The yellow pot is wonderful. Take the runners from the stawberry"mothers" and guide them where you want them and pin down with a bobby pin. The straw is good. Love the moss.

[@VM-kb5jt]

I like the yellow pot a lot! I think what I would change is how the two "brights" (The yellow pot and the light wood round table) are next to each other, it throws off the balance. I would take the round table and put it in the corner between the chair and the couch and get rid of that square cabinet side table.

[@babushkka]

so curious if you and Chris will try leash training/walking Winnie? her energy is so silly and I think she might love it

[@EditaVargova-xb4oh]

Hi Benji. Keep the yellow pot. I love the view of your window with the curtains and the greenery in the background. The dracaena in that yellow pot goes very well with it. It all creates a balanced atmosphere🌴💛 If you are not satisfied with that, try adding a few accessories in yellow (pillows, bowl, etc.), or put a smaller pot next to the yellow in brown or sand color, or a combination of these colors)

[@rebeccamaddickpratt4849]

I love the yellow planter in the lounge it looks fabulous 😊

[@TerraBuns]

You can always move the mulch aside where the runner is if you want to be very sure that it will root! I usually will mulch if I have them in a bed. Most of my strawberries are in vertical planters which don’t have a lot of exposed surface area and is mostly covered by the strawberry plant itself so I don’t bother with those. I like watching both gardening and houseplant stuff, but I am okay watching them in separate videos. I wonder if keeping them separate helps with the algorithm (if that’s important to you).

[@rphelps8002]

HUGE fan of the yellow planter! I think it’s a fun color and adds something unexpected to the space, but because it’s so low down on the floor/is behind some other objects from different angles it’s not so obvious that it sticks out

[@user-rc2ym5tr3v]

That is the dreamiest kitchen I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen a lot of kitchens. 😍

[@fbmbassist]

Before you mentioned the yellow pot, I honestly didn’t see it when you were sitting in the chair. I think the yellow just blends into the whole picture, and creates an overall fun space to be in. If it were a more neutral color the space might lose its zing/specialness. It was only when you pointed it out, that I was like oh wow yeah there’s a yellow pot there!

[@knarigirl]

I love the yellow! It's such a happy color, and it looks great in your space!

[@rogermcgehee4526]

I like the yellow pot -- especially because it contrasts with the green mosses on top!

[@coleenhaeg]

Great update! I like seeing how the native plants are filling in. I think two videos is the way to go. You could give way more information about light conditions, soil type, regional ecology and hydrology, or just the importance of choosing native plants for a garden. Thanks for spreading the good word!

[@pr-ll5ku]

I usually mulch around my creepers (strawberries thyme etc) and they don’t mind. When you’re planting consider getting some bone meal and putting it in the hole! It’s a slow release fertilizer, great for your container plants and especially anything you put in the ground! A shot of root start for your plants in the ground also will help them get established faster!

[@heathervandewalle8954]

Mulching strawberries is a good thing as another viewer said... also keeps the berries off the ground. Tuck it around the plants. For runners, train them to go in the areas you want to fill in. Then put a small rock on the runner stem near the plant to weight it down. If the straw is too thick in the area you want the runner, move a little away.

[@YouArePrecious229]

Hi Benji, been waiting for a new vid from you & was glad to see you on Chris' about a week ago. But this is actually a treat, a new vid! I remember you had a new patio furniture, did you change your mind about it? Anyway, love the home that gets a lot of love from you. Any video from you, a house update tour or a plant tour I can't wait to see. Happy to see you again here!

[@random-code1]

The native garden actually looks pretty good. 👍

[@cdeanna1]

I think the yellow planter looks good because you have so many different patterns throughout your living room so it works!

[@critiqueofthegothgf]

i didn't actually notice the yellow planter until you pointed it out, so I'd say it blends in fairly well. white would also fit due to the neutrality but the yellow adds a lot of personality and makes it a unique feature of the living room. also, the moss greatly elevates the look

[@charlie-zl6oh]

Love gardening videos from you! Gardening and interior design are my fav topics you cover. You have such a natural eye for how to build up your garden, very inspiring. Have been avoiding our shade area because I find it trickier but you’ve got me excited about it now 😊

[@Benjamin-qf9ni]

I like the yellow pot, it brings the color from the bookshelf to the other side of the room!

[@larab5214]

Hi Benji! Someone may have commented this already. But sometimes when you add straw mulch, it will temporarily lower nitrogen in the soil. I believe you can counteract that by adding some good compost or composted manure or worm castings to the soil under the mulch. You may want to Google. (I went to school for horticulture, but dont work in the field and it was a long time ago!)

[@wishingonthemoon1]

Aw! Welcome, Winnie! Edit: loving the pictures on the bookshelf. Very cool, very innovative. And the yellow pot looks good.