Decorating & Design
April 1, 2021
Shops We Love: Viridi Is A One-Stop Shop For Pretty Planters & Vintage Finds
Growing up, Katrina Huang was always surrounded by greenery — in fact, she owes her love of plants to her mother’s green thumb. But in her search for foliage-friendly accessories and decor for her first apartment, she felt the options were sparse. So, she started her business, Viridi (which means “green” in Latin), in 2020 to offer a range of sustainable and handmade finds for plant enthusiasts like herself. “I decided to work with artisans in Vietnam because they had a lot of great boho-inspired wicker and rattan planters,” says the 25-year-old Chinese-Canadian business owner.
While waiting for her planters to arrive, Katrina started an obsession with thrifting. “There’s a ton of quality items that people are just throwing away,” she says. So she also began selling curated vintage decor. “I want Virdi to be a go-to marketplace for thrifting, so that we keep the circular economy going, and we bring new life to these old goods that really look good as new,” she says.
Scroll down for a taste of what Viridi has to offer!
The vibrant Gemini planter is one of Katrina’s favorite items in the shop. Handmade with spun bamboo, the pot is double-sided, so it’s versatile for plants of varying sizes, while still remaining lightweight and durable.
Katrina designed the Gemini planter herself after one of her many trips to the nursery. “You’ll see they always stack their planters one upside down and then one upright,” she says. “And I was like, ‘That shape actually looks really cool! What if there was just a planter that looked like that?'”
Plinths from past generations are one of Viridi’s specialty items. “Not only are they vintage, but they hold plants and are timeless pieces that you can have in your space,” says Katrina. She’s currently sourcing more to add to her collection.
The Solis stand is a bohemian dream! Arched rattan detailing gives your plants the spotlight they deserve in any space. Need something a bit smaller? Viridi just launched the Stella stand — its little sister!
For warm coastal vibes, the Hoya stand, sister of the Terra pot, is for you. Katrina explains that these have been made in Vietnam for hundreds of years, and sold all around Asia, especially Bali. “I just wanted to bring those designs to Canada and to North America,” she says.
“I want Viridi to be a curated space for decor,” says Katrina. “I don’t want it to be intimidating for people.” You can also shop the collection of striking retro mirrors.