Screenwriter and creative Trinity Shi knows how to tell a good story. On screen, she’s written, directed, and produced several film projects. And through her own blog, Cube House Jungle, as well as her popular Instagram account, @cubehousejungle, she talks about her love of plants and decor, sharing tips on plant care, plant styling, and other design inspiration. Her home is full of bold bursts of colors on a crisp and modern background, surrounded by lots and lots of leafy green plant life.

“Purchasing our first home was pretty intimidating, especially for a competitive market like LA,” begins Trinity. “We were really lucky to find this place. We fell in love with the house as soon as we walked through. It is an open-concept, modern home with tall ceilings, lots of windows, and tons of light. It’s also centrally located, close to Echo Park and Downtown LA. I love the accessibility to cafes and taco stands within walking distance.” And of course, her favorite features are the huge windows that let in ton of light, making for a bright home and lots of happy house plants.

My Style: My style is a mix of mid-century and airy California Modern.

Inspiration: I love clean, naturalistic design, but I also like to style vintage pieces and unique quirky finds. I usually prefer neutral tones with pops of color. I like pieces that will coordinate with my plants.

Favorite Element: My favorite feature is the large windows. The southern and western walls of the living room are glass and provide an abundance of light throughout the day. This made having an indoor jungle an easy choice. We live in the middle of the city, so the goal was to bring nature indoors and create an urban jungle sanctuary.

Biggest Challenge: The biggest challenge was to utilize wall space properly. We didn’t have the floorspace for lots of bookshelves or cabinets, so we installed strategic wall shelving in the dining room, bedroom, and bathroom. This really opened up our floorspace while still providing storage.

Proudest DIY: We had wall space on the upstairs landing and bedroom that felt too bare, so I learned macrame just so I can make two large macrame wall hangings to decorate them! By doing it myself, I was able to create the exact size and look I wanted on the cheap.

Biggest Indulgence: My ongoing collection of plants. Some are rare and difficult to find, some are specimen plants I’ve grown from cuttings. I haven’t crunched the numbers on what I’ve accumulated over the years, but I’d say it was all worth it because it brings me so much joy!

What are your favorite products you have bought for your home and why? One of my favorite items is a disco ball! I have several around the house to catch the light in the afternoon. They can make any room feel magical.

Please describe any helpful, inspiring, brilliant, or just plain useful small space maximizing and/or organizing tips you have: I think it’s important to surround yourself with what makes you happy. The trick is to balance aesthetic with function in order to create a home you love to live in. If you’re short on space, install wall shelves to maximize your vertical real estate!

Finally, what’s your absolute best home secret or decorating advice? I am a big fan of white walls. I think they can make a small room seem bigger. I don’t want to throw shade (no pun intended) at colorful walls — I’ve seen a lot of beautifully painted accent walls and wallpapers, but white walls will never go out of style!

• Holmes sofa — Room & Board
• Dunn coffee table — Room & Board
• Pillows — The Citizenry, Room & Board
• TV cabinet — Target
• Case Study Shell Rocker — Modernica
• Story Bookcase (used as plant stand) — Design Within Reach
• Credenza — IKEA
• Planetary mobile — Amazon
• Various planters — Modernica, West Elm, UO Home, Target, vintage, and handmade
• Wall art — Vintage and handmade

• Dining table — West Elm
• Case Study shell chairs — Modernica
• Cabinet — Vintage
• Wall shelves — IKEA
• Glassware — Vintage
• Planters — Case Study by Modernica, vintage
• Mirror — Target
• Willow Chandelier — Mitzi by Hudson Valley Lighting

• Wall hanging — Handmade/DIY
• Plant Stands — IKEA

• Hartley bed — Room & Board
• Adrian dressers and nightstands — Room & Board
• Plant Stands — IKEA
• Wall Hanging — Handmade/DIY
• Bedding — Parachute Home
• Tova Rug — Room & Board
• Wall Shelf — IKEA

• Wall shelf — IKEA
• Towels — Parachute Home

Thanks Trinity!

This house tour’s responses were edited for length and clarity.

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Apartment Therapy’s Styling with Plants vertical was written and edited independently by the Apartment Therapy editorial team and generously underwritten by Greendigs.