Interior Landscapes
for Exceptional Spaces

In today’s commercial real estate market, Class A office buildings face a challenge that would have been almost unthinkable a decade ago: convincing people to come back to the office.

For the property management team at Chicago’s iconic Aon Center, the challenge was creating an environment people genuinely wanted to experience—not just work in. For more than a decade, Amlings has played a key role in helping transform the Aon Center from a traditional office tower into a hospitality-inspired workplace destination.

Working closely with Vice President and Property Manager Catherine Carlson and Senior Property Associate Linda Carlson, Amlings has helped elevate the building’s lobbies, amenity spaces, seasonal experiences, and tenant engagement through design-forward interior landscaping and holiday installations.

The result is more than a collection of plants.

It is a building experience designed to create community and reinforce the premium identity of one of Chicago’s most recognizable office towers.

The result is a building that feels warmer, healthier, more elevated, and more welcoming—while also helping strengthen tenant engagement in a post-pandemic workplace landscape.

For companies and property managers navigating similar challenges, the Aon Center offers a powerful example of how office plants can completely reshape the workplace experience.

The New Era of Tenant Amenitizing

When Catherine Carlson began her career in property management many years ago, the industry looked very different.

"Property management has become much more hospitality-focused," she explained. "Years ago, we might have offered an occasional treat like ice cream sandwiches in the summer. Now I have a dedicated team member whose entire role is creating experiences that engage and educate our tenants to enhance their daily workplace experience."

That evolution accelerated dramatically after the pandemic – and a new term emerged, tenant amenitizing.

Like many downtown office buildings, the Aon Center saw on-site occupancy numbers collapse during COVID-19. Before the pandemic, the building regularly welcomed approximately 10,000 people per day. During the height of remote work, that number fell to just hundreds.

Now, with office attendance recovering, the property management team is focused on engaging the growing number of employees returning to work. Before the pandemic, office towers primarily competed on location, prestige, and square footage. Today, it's all about amenitizing and beautifying spaces and creating engaging experiences. It’s interesting to note younger generations prioritize community and meaningful workplace environments.

Property managers across the country are investing heavily in:

• Workplace wellness
• Hospitality-inspired amenities
• Flexible gathering spaces
• Employee engagement programming
• Wellness-centered commercial office design
• Biophilic interior landscaping

“Companies want to draw people back into the building,” Linda Carlson said.

Designing for a Landmark Property

The Aon Center is one of Chicago’s most recognizable skyscrapers, home to major tenants including Aon Corporation, Kraft Heinz, KPMG, and JLL itself. The fourth tallest skyscraper in the city, the building houses approximately 30 tenants and thousands of daily occupants throughout the workweek.

For a property of that scale and visibility, design expectations are exceptionally high.

That mindset shaped the partnership between Amlings and the Aon Center team.

Linda Carlson, who has worked at the building for nearly 11 years and oversees both interior and exterior landscaping alongside Catherine Carlson, said Amlings distinguished itself by combining creativity with operational reliability. “We want to have that wow factor. The Amlings team has been phenomenal, their designs are beautiful and interesting and you don’t see them anywhere else.”

For the Aon Center, that meant creating installations that complemented the architecture and elevated the atmosphere of the building rather than simply filling space with greenery.

The building’s landscaping program includes:

• Large-scale lobby displays
• Rotating orchid installations
• Succulent arrangements
• Moss ball installations
• Conference room plants
• Amenity floor landscaping
• Seasonal and holiday experiences

The goal was not only visual enhancement, but also emotional impact.

“The plants must do two things: they must be aesthetically pleasing and wellness-focused,” Catherine explained. “Many of our tenants prioritize sustainability and wellbeing, so incorporating plants into shared seating areas is important to them. They bring warmth, beauty, and a greater sense of comfort to the workplace.”

Research supports that impact. Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health has found that indoor environmental quality—including the presence of natural elements—can positively influence cognitive function and workplace satisfaction. The University of Exeter has also published studies linking office greenery to improved employee wellbeing and productivity.

Together, the research and tenant feedback point to the same conclusion: thoughtfully integrated greenery does more than enhance aesthetics—it helps create workplaces where people feel better, work better, and want to spend time.

Throughout the property, Amlings created layered interior landscaping installations designed to complement the architecture and elevate the atmosphere of the building.

The office plants program includes:

• Rotating orchid displays
• Succulent installations
• Large-scale fiddle leaf figs
• Moss ball installations
• Lounge greenery
• Lobby statement pieces
• Conference room plants
• Amenity floor landscaping
• Seasonal floral accents

The office plant installations are intentionally placed throughout key gathering and transition spaces.

According to Catherine Carlson, plants help soften seating areas and create more welcoming environments.

“We focus a lot on seating vignettes and adding plants to those spaces,” she explained. “It’s where people can go when looking for a place to meet someone.”

This is one of the most overlooked benefits of commercial interior landscaping.

Office plants do not simply fill empty corners.

When used strategically, they help shape how people experience a space.

An Amenity Floor that Reaches New Heights

One of the most significant developments at the Aon Center was the transformation of the building’s 70th floor into a dramatic tenant amenity space known as Cloud Level.

Completed in 2018, the space includes:

• A fitness center
• Conference facilities
• Tenant lounge areas
• Coffee and food service
• Evening bar service
• Multiple gathering and seating spaces
• Library
• Game Room

“It’s the highest tenant amenity floor in the city,” Catherine Carlson explained.

Amenity spaces are typically located on what are known as “dead” floors or middle to lower level floors – those that tend to be chosen last by tenants. Aon took a chance, and built the Cloud Level, and the result became one of the building’s differentiators.

With sweeping lakefront and skyline views, the space demanded equally sophisticated landscaping.

“The landscaping up there had to be dramatic and breathtaking too,” Linda explained. “Planters were specifically curated to have a very specific blue bowl for the plant display. Every finishing touch had to be elegant.”
Amlings helped create that atmosphere through carefully selected plant installations that reinforced the premium hospitality aesthetic of the space.

The installations included:

• Large fiddle leaf figs
• Orchid displays
• Statement containers
• Lounge area greenery
• Conference room plantings

The visual impact became so seamless that at one point, someone mistakenly assumed some of the fiddle leaf figs were artificial.

“They put our beautiful fiddle leaf figs in a closet,” Linda recalled, laughing. “I called Amlings in a panic, and they got them swapped out immediately.”

The story illustrates one of the key themes repeatedly emphasized by both JLL and Amlings: responsiveness. “There’s never a ‘we can’t do that’ from Amlings,” Linda said.

Creating Community Through Office Plants

At the Aon Center, landscaping is not viewed simply as décor.

It has become a tool for tenant engagement and community building.

One of the most successful examples has been the building’s orchid program.

Each month, orchid displays throughout the property are refreshed with new colors and arrangements. Once replaced, the orchids are offered to tenants through the building’s tenant mobile app.

“The message will say we have free orchids on a first come first served basis and they are snapped up in seconds,” Catherine said. “It’s a great way to build community among everyone.”

Over time, the program has become so popular that tenants have learned the replacement schedule.

“They don’t even wait for the announcement anymore,” Catherine said. “They come up to the property management office, in search of the orchids.”

The enthusiasm reflects a broader shift in workplace culture – workplace wellness and beautification.

Employees increasingly expect office environments that feel healthier, calmer, and more human-centered.

At the Aon Center, plants became part of that broader wellness conversation.

“There’s a trend of wellness and bringing wellness into corporate America,” Catherine said. “Plants provide oxygen and give the impression that it’s a healthy environment.”

This connection between office plants and wellness is one reason biophilic design has become such an important concept in commercial office design.

Biophilic design refers to incorporating natural elements into built environments to help reconnect people with nature.

Examples include:

• Indoor greenery
• Living plant walls
• Natural materials
• Natural lighting
• Organic textures
• Outdoor-inspired gathering spaces

“Any time we do something with plants, we get a good response rate,” Catherine explained. “There’s a trend of wellness and bringing wellness into corporate America, and certainly plants do that.”

That same response carried over into tenant events.

Amlings partnered with the Aon Center team on educational programming, including a tenant plant propagation class.

“It was one of the better attended events we’ve ever had,” Catherine said. “We had to turn away many people.”

Linda echoed the success of those programs.

“Our Earth Day vendor fair is always popular when Amlings participates,” she said. “I ask and they do it. There’s nothing more you want from a vendor than that.”

The events reinforced the building’s emphasis on wellness, sustainability, and workplace experience—all themes increasingly important to office tenants.

Holiday Installations as Destination Experiences

Perhaps no part of the partnership better illustrates the creativity and scale of the relationship than the Aon Center’s holiday program.

For years, Amlings has worked with the JLL team to transform the building into a seasonal destination experience.

“We call it the Disney of the Aon Center,” Catherine said.

The process begins months in advance.

Each year, Amlings develops themed concepts complete with visual storytelling presentations and sketches.

“The Amlings team always presents it in such a storytelling way,” Catherine said. “It’s so hard to pick one.” The resulting installations extend throughout the building’s amenity spaces and public areas, creating interactive moments designed for photography, social sharing, and tenant engagement.

One particularly memorable year featured:

• Giant illuminated angel wings
• A large-scale sleigh installation in our plaza
• Oversized decorative frames
• Photo vignette areas throughout the building

“We received high praise from our leasing agents.” Catherine recalled.

Linda remembered another favorite installation involving oversized illuminated twig balls that were a new installation to the property’s holiday display. “I fought for those,” she said. “When they were installed, a manager who questioned them came up and hugged the Amlings team because he loved them so much.”

Measuring Success

For the property management team, success is ultimately measured through tenant response.

“When tenants and other property managers ask me who does the landscaping,” Linda said, “that’s success.”

She also pointed to comparisons with competing properties.

“We always love when we look better than our neighbors.”

The feedback often becomes deeply personal.

Linda recalled one tenant who recently relocated from the building.

“She told me, ‘I’m going to miss your Christmas so much. The building is so beautiful.’”

That emotional connection reflects something broader happening across commercial real estate. The future of the workplace is not just about work.

It is about how a space makes people feel.

The Operational Side of Commercial Office Plants

Behind every successful office plant program is an enormous amount of operational coordination.

This is especially true in large commercial office buildings.

At the Aon Center, Amlings regularly coordinates with:

• Security teams
• Dock management
• Engineers
• Electrical systems
• Lift operators
• Property management staff

Clients want vendors who:

• Understand commercial building logistics
• Communicate proactively
• Solve problems quickly
• Minimize disruption
• Maintain high presentation standards

Linda Carlson emphasized how important that reliability has been.

“There’s never a ‘we can’t do that’ from Amlings,” she said.

That responsiveness became especially important during the pandemic.

Even as budgets tightened and occupancy declined, the building still needed to feel welcoming.

Amlings helped the property management team adapt by:

• Extending rotations strategically
• Maintaining existing installations
• Adjusting seasonal programming
• Preserving the visual experience despite budget pressure

That partnership mindset helped the building continue delivering a premium workplace experience during an incredibly difficult period for commercial real estate.

Ready to Elevate Your Space With Office Plants?

If your building, office, or hospitality space is looking to create a more welcoming and hospitality-driven environment, Amlings can help.

From dramatic lobby installations to workplace wellness enhancements and seasonal experiences, our team creates office plant programs tailored to your architecture, brand, and audience.

Meet Zach Spencer, who brings nearly 30 years of interiorscape industry experience to his role in Operations Management here at Amlings. In this interview, he shares how his creative background shapes his daily work and what happens behind the scenes to bring large-scale commercial installations to life.

Q: How did you get started in this field?

I’ve been with Amlings since 2018, but I’ve been in the interiorscape industry for nearly 30 years. And I’ve also grown up around plants and design. My dad had a small landscaping business when I was younger, I worked at a nursery as a teenager, and creativity ran deep in the family. My grandfather was an old-school graphic designer — drafting tables, T-squares, Exacto knives, thousands of design markers, all of it. My uncle carried that into the digital era and ran his own graphic design company.

I answered an ad for an interiorscape company called Greens by White. I took the job, got involved in the industry, and really enjoyed it. From there, I immersed myself in the business and over time, I moved into operations management and grew with the company that has now become Amlings.

Q: What does your role at Amlings involve today?

Years ago, the design team jokingly called me “the dream crusher” because a big part of my role is bridging the gap between design vision and real-world execution. Our designers come up with beautiful concepts, and my job beyond coordinating the staging & installation details is helping figure out how we make those ideas happen successfully — not just visually, but logistically and sustainably. Largely, that means comprehending, communicating & executing the common goals for our team and the client.

Q: How has your artistic background influenced your work?

Tremendously.

I went to the American Academy of Art and studied fine art and illustration before shifting gears professionally. I still paint occasionally, play music, and stay involved creatively whenever I can.

That creative training certainly influences the work we do in interior landscape design. This industry involves much more than just plant maintenance. There’s composition, spatial awareness and balance. You develop an eye for how everything works together.

Q: We hear you’re in a band — tell us about that.

I currently play guitar in a band called Stiff. Fast paced, hardcore rock and roll — and a lot of yelling at things. LOL.

Meanwhile, my personal music taste is honestly all over the place.

Most of the guys I play with are longtime friends, and staying creative outside of work keeps me energized.

Q: What’s one thing people misunderstand about plants in commercial buildings?

I think many people have little understanding how much happens before a plant ever reaches their lobby. Some clients think we grow all the plants and have full access to any plant imaginable, any time. In reality, there’s this massive supply chain behind the scenes — growers, brokers, shipping logistics, acclimation, availability tracking, containers coming from overseas, receiving teams, installation schedules — and it all truly changes constantly because we’re dealing with live material, grown in live conditions.

There’s also understanding how a plant can go from a tropical, high-humidity climate to a conference room where the lights may only turn on twice a week. Availability and adaptability can be a real fickle dance. In operations we have to pivot on supply and problem solve, and also set up the plants for success. How will they be maintained by our team? What conditions do they need accommodated?

Q: What types of projects stand out to you most?

It’s honestly hard to choose! Holiday installations are always incredible. So many are large-scale and fast paced. You’re building these massive, magical scenes in luxury hotels and commercial spaces on incredibly tight timelines. Months of planning, giant trees, oversized decor, lifts everywhere, teams moving nonstop — and somehow you pull it all together over and over again in a month.

Those projects are instantly gratifying because the transformation is so dramatic.

Commercial lobbies and office spaces with stylized container designs are our “bread & butter,” but some of my favorite projects are the long-term, larger installations where architecture and landscaping were thoughtfully designed together as a focal point. Areas with built-in planters, ideal lighting conditions, and spaces designed ideally for plants to mature naturally over time really make me appreciate our work most.

Q: What do you enjoy most about the work?

At the end of the day, I enjoy making spaces better and making people a little happier.

Q: Have you continued to pass down those creative genes to your kids?

I have three kids, and they’ve all pursued creative paths in different ways. My middle daughter works in costume and apparel design and does work with the Joffrey Ballet.

My oldest daughter has a background in agriculture and horticulture. She works with a large CSA organization coordinating produce, vendors, and food delivery across the Chicago area – while also finding time to manage land that’s been in our family for a century.

My youngest son is an amazing ‘people- person’! He lives and works locally as an insurance agent, enjoying pets and pastimes.

Q: We hear you’re a bit of a legend when it comes to hot peppers.

Ha! We have a small garden at the Amlings office and we planted ghost peppers & Carolina reapers. I was harvesting for the week, plucked one from the vine, casually took a phone call and then absentmindedly put nearly the entire pepper in my mouth.

Ten seconds later, all the cliches happened to me, in quick succession. Sweating buckets. Immediate pain as if someone was giving me gut punches. My mind was racing and crazy paranoia set in, “can I burn my esophagus or my intestines?” I was panicking and pacing around the office. In short, I got served!

Afterwards, I put up WARNING signs in front of the peppers– Listing Scoville units, and “Please proceed with caution.” Ha! I fear one day security footage of this incident will surface somewhere. Haha!

A huge thank you to Zach for taking the time to share his story with us. We deeply appreciate his hard work behind the scenes and the unique creative energy he brings to the Amlings team every single day.

In the downtown skyline of Chicago, where industrial history meets modern luxury, the air inside our buildings can often feel static. As we spend more time in renovated historic buildings and glass-walled offices, the disconnect from the natural world becomes palpable. This is where biophilic interior design steps in—not merely as a trend, but as a fundamental shift in how we inhabit urban spaces.

By strategically pairing the organic textures of various types of foliage plants with the hard surfaces of urban architecture, you can transform a sterile environment into a living sanctuary. Whether you are a property manager in the West Loop or an interior designer working on a high-rise, understanding the interplay of texture and contrast is the key to successful modern interior design with plants.

Understanding the Biophilic Connection

Biophilic interior design is rooted in the biophilia hypothesis, which suggests that humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. According to research published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), environments that incorporate natural elements can significantly reduce stress, enhance cognitive function, and improve overall well-being.

In a city like Chicago, where the winters are long and the landscape is dominated by steel, bringing the outdoors in is essential. But simply placing a pot in a corner isnt enough. To achieve true harmony, you must treat your plants as architectural elements.

Looking to revitalize your corporate office or residential lobby? Contact Amlings to ensure your plant selections are expertly maintained and aesthetically flawless.

1. Glossy Foliage vs. Industrial Matte: The Polished Concrete Pairing

One of the most popular finishes in Chicago’s urban renovations is polished concrete. Its cool, grey tones and smooth surface provide a minimalist backdrop, but it can often feel cold or flat.

The Pairing: Rubber Trees and ZZ Plants

To contrast the matte or satin finish of concrete, use types of foliage plants with high-gloss leaves. The Ficus elastica (Rubber Tree) or the Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ Plant) are perfect candidates.

• Why it works: The waxy, reflective surface of the leaves catches the light, creating a dynamic visual pop against the non-reflective concrete.
• Visual Impact: The deep greens of the foliage look richer and more saturated when placed against neutral greys.

2. Velvety Textures vs. Exposed Brick: The Historic Loft Look

Chicago is famous for its repurposed historic buildings. Exposed brick provides a high-texture, busy background with warm, earthy tones.

The Pairing: Calatheas and Alocasias

When dealing with the ruggedness of brick, you need plants that offer a soft, tactile contrast. This is where plant decor ideas involving velvet foliage shine.

• The Best Match: The Calathea warscewiczii or Alocasia Black Velvet.
• The Contrast: The softness of the leaf absorbs light, creating a deep, quiet visual space that balances the loud texture of the brick.
• Color Theory: Use the deep purples and dark greens of these plants to complement the red and orange hues of Chicago common brick.

If you are unsure which species will thrive in your specific light conditions, contact us for more information regarding our professional site assessments.

3. Fern-like Sophistication vs. Hard Brass and Metal: The Luxury Contrast

Modern luxury interiors often feature metallic accents—specifically brass, gold, and blackened steel. These materials are rigid, linear, and hard.

The Pairing: Maidenhair Ferns and Asparagus Ferns

To break up the rigidity of metal shelving or brass light fixtures, incorporate delicate, airy types of foliage plants.

• The Best Match: Adiantum (Maidenhair Fern) or Asparagus setaceus.
• The Contrast: The fractal nature of fern fronds provides a chaotic, soft texture that softens the sharp lines of metalwork.
• Sophisticated Styling: Drape ferns over brass planters to allow the green mist of the foliage to veil the reflective metal.

4. Matte Broadleaves vs. Rich Fabrics: The Executive Suite

In high-end Chicago boardrooms or boutique hotel lounges, you’ll often find velvet upholstery, heavy linens, and plush carpets.

The Pairing: Bird of Paradise and Monstera Deliciosa

For modern interior design with plants in these soft environments, you need bold, architectural foliage that stands its ground.

• The Best Match: Strelitzia nicolai (Giant White Bird of Paradise).
• The Contrast: The large, matte, structural leaves provide a clean silhouette that doesnt get lost in the patterns or textures of the fabrics.
• Space Management: In large Chicago spaces with high ceilings, these massive leaves mirror the scale of the furniture, creating a sense of proportion.

Designing for Success: Best Pairings for Chicago Businesses

When implementing biophilic interior design, consistency is key. Below is a comparison table to help building managers and designers choose the right foliage for their specific interior finishes.

Texture Matching Matrix

Interior Material	Ideal Foliage Texture	Recommended Plant Species	Design Effect
Exposed Brick	Velvety / Soft	Calathea, Alocasia	Softens ruggedness
Polished Concrete	Glossy / Waxy	ZZ Plant, Rubber Tree	Adds light and life
Brass / Gold Metal	Fern-like / Fine	Maidenhair Fern, Plumosa	Softens sharp edges
Reclaimed Wood	Variegated / Bold	Marble Queen Pothos	Adds visual movement
Glass / Mirror	Broad / Structural	Monstera, Fiddle Leaf Fig	Creates clean silhouettes

For those looking to overhaul a large commercial space, learn more about our custom design consultations tailored to the Chicago climate.

The Science of Green Productivity

The benefits of biophilic interior design extend beyond aesthetics. A landmark study by the University of Exeter found that green offices—those with significant plant life—increased worker productivity by 15%. For Chicago businesses, this translates to better employee retention and higher performance.

When you invest in plant decor ideas, you arent just buying decorations; you are investing in the health and efficiency of your workforce. The combination of improved air quality and the psychological restorative effect of nature is a powerful tool for any building manager.

Selecting the Right Types of Foliage Plants for Low Light

Chicago interiors are not always blessed with abundant sunlight, especially during the winter months. To maintain a successful biophilic interior design scheme, you must select plants that can handle the urban canyon effect.

1. Sansevieria (Snake Plant): Architectural, sword-like leaves that contrast perfectly with soft textiles.
2. Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen): Provides variegated patterns that break up the monotony of solid-colored walls.
3. Pothos: The ultimate trailing plant for high shelves, adding a waterfall of green to hard wooden surfaces.

Maintenance: The Secret to Long-Term Biophilic Success

A dying plant is the antithesis of biophilia. It signals neglect and can actually increase stress in an environment. This is why professional care is essential for commercial spaces. Dusting leaves, proper fertilization, and precise watering schedules are what keep foliage looking velvety or glossy as intended.

To keep your investment thriving year-round, contact Amlings for a comprehensive maintenance plan that takes the guesswork out of plant care.

Elevate Your Chicago Space

The intersection of texture and contrast is where biophilic interior design becomes an art form. By pairing the right types of foliage plants with the materials of the Chicago landscape—brick, concrete, and steel—you create a space that feels both grounded and revitalized.

Whether you are looking to refresh a single executive office or an entire residential complex, the right plant decor ideas can redefine the user experience. Dont leave your interior environment to chance.