FAUX VERSUS FRESH
- Jill Coombs
- Apr 26, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: May 5, 2021
Why every home can benefit from going faux!
This little blog piece is going to sing the praises of artificial flowers and foliage and give you some tips and tricks for displaying them. But if you'd prefer some in-home help with adding faux flower style to your home then get in touch today, we'd be happy to help!
Now don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore fresh flowers and I love to fill my home with my fresh favourites from the seasons, namely tulips in spring, peonies in early summer, roses in later summer, dahlias in the autumn, and cyclamen in winter (more of a pot plant I know but still great for winter colour inside the house).
Artificial flowers, stems and foraging finds are a cost-effective way to add colour, style and interest to any room. They last for years and years so are a sound investment should you wish to push the boat out on luxury silk flower bouquets (just don’t put them in direct sunlight). Personally I’ve found that high street faux offerings look great and don’t cost the earth either. I also like to hold onto fresh flowers I’ve bought for real flower displays and once they’re past their best I then dry them into stems which will last for ages. I’ve even been known to spray Protea in Rustoleum Antique Bronze to give it a new look. Believe me when I say that a bit of spray paint on dried flowers means you'll get to enjoy them for years to come as the paint preserves their beauty.
So here are my 10 faves for creating no-fuss cost-effective faux displays for any home:
1. Pussy Willow - I love to use this as its height and delicate furry catkins give it an elegant quality and it can make quite an impact all on its own. Or mingle it into a fresh flower display to increase the size and drama of the bouquet.
2. Feather displays – Many wild birds such as pheasants shed their tail feathers and they are too beautiful to leave to get trampled in the countryside. Bring them home and display in a tiny vase to show off the length and majestic beauty of the feathers.
3. Cotton Stems – These are quite chunky stems which are tall and tactile (well they are cotton) and just displaying a single stem in a vase against a bold background is enough to create some drama in a room.
4. Pampas grass – This is having a real insta moment and pops up on many a stylist’s feed. It’s feathery quality gives a feeling of calm to an already neutral space or team it with blush and pale pinks for a feminine feel.
5. Sea Holly – It grows by the side of motorways, amongst the hedgerows and in pretty much any type of open space in the UK. It’s caramel colour adds warmth to a rustic display and it’s a great addition to a door wreath. Beware though, as it’s a little prickly!
6. Craspedia – These little yellow bobbles of sunshine are a great addition to many a display. I like to show them off in a more industrial looking concrete vase to add contrast to its friendly nature.
7. Eucalyptus – A well-known Swedish store must sell these by the ferry load the world over as they look pretty real and their price is very nice too. You’ll also find faux eucalyptus in pink and silver hues which are beautiful in a Christmas display.
8. Faux peonies – I love fresh peonies but their season is so short that they don’t get to be enjoyed for long. However these blousy pink fakes from Dunelm do a pretty good job of replacing the real thing.
9. Magnolia – Is there a more magnificent tree than a large Magnolia when its in full bloom. They quite simply can stop you in your tracks. These faux stems will be an elegant addition to any room.
10. Orchid – The tropical orchid is bound to have you dreaming of humid rainforests and beaches to The East. My personal favourite is a hot pink orchid to really brighten up a window sill but this pale beauty is elegance personified.
So take your pick because there’s an abundance of beautiful-looking faux flowers to choose from with the added benefit of no maintenance, easy styling (as they don’t damage when you’re struggling to get your display just right), no watering and no murky brown water if you neglect them!
Jill Coombs Interiors is a Hertfordshire based interior design company and we love to help with the finishing touches. Get in touch today if you’d like us to add some faux flower style to your home.