Apparently this is a controversial topic in the decorating world. People have very strong feelings about faux florals. Well…I’m going to say it anyway. I love them.
Now before the decorating police come for me, hear me out.
I’m not talking about those sad, shiny plastic flowers your grandma had in the ‘80s that collected enough dust to qualify as another houseplant. I’m talking about today’s faux florals that are honestly so good people have to walk over and touch them.
Fresh Flowers Are Wonderful…
Don’t get me wrong. I love fresh flowers. Especially the affordable ones you can pick up at any grocery store or market. My personal favorite is a bouquet with all the same flowers, not a mixture of various interesting flowers. Those are pretty and people love them, but personally, for me, I like them simple. And I absolutely love fresh herbs in decorative pots. I grow them every year, though admittedly, I don’t really cook with them unless making mojitos with the mint counts. There is something about bringing home a grocery store bouquet that instantly makes a room feel happier. If someone wants to send me fresh flowers every week, I promise I won’t argue.
But…they’re expensive. And they die. Usually right about the time you finally get around to changing the water.
Faux Doesn’t Mean Fake Looking
The secret is buying good stems. I’d rather have five beautiful faux stems than twenty cheap ones that scream, “I came from your grandma’s attic.” Though there are lots of other things from your grandparents attic I probably would love!
I also don’t buy everything at once. I’ll grab a stem here and there whenever I find one I really love. Before long you’ve built a collection that you can mix and match all over the house. Some can stay out all years, others can rotate seasonally.
Faux is Perfect in places where fresh just isn’t practical
Where Faux Really Shines:
● Large statement arrangements that would cost hundreds of dollars to recreate with fresh flowers.
● Entryways that need to look beautiful every day.
● Bookshelves and cabinets where watering would be inconvenient.
● Bathrooms with little natural light.
● Bedrooms where you simply want something pretty to wake up to.
Here’s My Favorite Decorating Hack
You don’t actually have to choose.
I love mixing fresh flowers or greenery with faux stems. Seriously…it’s one of my favorite tricks. Buy a small bouquet of fresh flowers, then tuck in a few faux blooms that match or some Eucalyptus. Suddenly your little grocery store bouquet looks like you spent three times as much.
Same thing with greenery. A few fresh eucalyptus stems mixed with faux eucalyptus? Nobody is going to know where one ends and the other begins. It gives you the beauty of fresh flowers while making the arrangement look fuller and last a whole lot longer.
At the End of the Day…
Decorating isn’t a contest.
Your house isn’t being judged by a panel of floral experts. If fresh flowers make you happy, fill every room with them. If faux florals make your life easier, use them proudly. If you’re like me, you’ll probably do both.
Because here’s the thing…
Nobody walks into a beautiful home and says, “I wonder if those hydrangeas are authentic.”
They just think…
“Wow. This feels like home.”
Cheers! Kerri
Leave a comment