GASP......USING FAUX FLOWERS!





Go ahead and start the hate because I am about to discuss a very heated topic.....in the design world anyway......  I mean we aren't talking health care here.

Faux flowers.  Yep there I've actually said it.

Gulp

Sinful.

But before you slam down the computer and write me off as a complete nut job....thinking "what a fraud"....just take a minute and hear my side.

Yes...I totally agree that real is better than fake.  I hear the sighs now.....whew!  I can appreciate a pretty vase of flowers to perk up a corner or two.  

But....Sometimes I am just too busy to keep up with that live bouquet and more often than not I look over and it is dead as a doornail and the water is so murky there is a slight swamp smell coming from it.

So....occasionally when I do an install I will use faux.  One of the reasons is that my clients appreciate it cause then they don't have to worry about what to put there!

Like this guest bedroom at a second home.....

 
In my own bookshelves I used a faux fern on the left side.



And in my keeping area straight ahead


Another faux fern I used in my bathroom once when I was photographing for the ORC.

In my bedroom.....

When I staged my sister's guest room for another ORC I used this small faux succulent.

Some faux branches in the blue vase.....

I did these bookshelves using a faux succulent. 

Faux fern again....

Small faux white flowers.....


My Homegood's loot recently.

So listen....here is a test......

"Flower questions for 500 Alex".....Things to do before a party?"
 
 Ding....ding...ding......Change out faux flowers for real.

 I had some time over the holiday and surfed the internet for some swell looking faux plants.

These had pretty containers....






















I have read  that many bloggers gave up and bought this fig tree from Pottery Barn.....I would put it in a larger container though.....just saying.



So are you on board....or do you have my picture on the back of a door throwing darts and mumbling what is she thinking.

Go on.....I can take it.

Shafauxproud




20 comments

Chris said...

Love faux...especially greens !

Anonymous said...

Agree,I work for Pottery Barn and they have some really nice faux plants coming out in Fall.Nothing beats the real thing but it's not the end of the world if you add a little faux here and there.Love your designs Sherry and your sense of humor!

Donna Thibodeau said...

Just watch that they don't get dusty. That is not a good look.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

I love faux, some are really fabulous.

Kimmothy said...

Palm Springs and Sonoma California were where my two florist shops were. I specialized in wedding work and some of the biggest named clients would call on me occasionally. Due to heat factors or allergies, it was not uncommon for requests to come in for silks. There is nothing wrong with silk arrangements. How silk flowers got such a bad rap is because it takes an entirely set of different skills to make them look stylized. Not many are trained in silk arranging. It has been my experience from many women that they've seen larger big box craft store's silk arrangements and associated these looks with all silk arrangements which is sad. YOU did a wonderful job on your arrangements and I wished you lived in Texas where I am now at and I would show some large arrangements of silk in which you would never know they weren't real.

Unknown said...

Not sure if you posted this earlier, do you have the sources for that awesome mirror above the fireplace and the oversized balls next to the fireplace. Candlesticks? I love everything😍😍😍

Cindy said...

Hahahaha! Way to go Shafaux!


Cindy

Anonymous said...

👎

Kathysue said...

The faux plants and flowers you seem to use look very real, but I have to say I am in the real flower camp. I have used faux ferns and branches before, but if they don't require a touch to feel that they are real then it is a big no for me. I think because some homeowners go way over board and use them everywhere and they use a cheaper quality it has made the no faux camp and the yes faux camp alive and well. Quality is everything even in faux flowers. Good post and you handled it perfectly!!!

Mary said...

I think it's all about the mix. I have real plants in the parts of the house that get good light. And faux in the darker areas. But keeping them dust free is key.

cindy hattersley design said...

I have to weigh in...I use faux...I love real but sometimes I go in the dining room and there is a crumpled up mess from a past dinner party. I am from the camp of mix it up...there are some great faux flowers out there. I never buy the ones in containers I put them in my own...

Mary Beth at www.mbzinteriors.com said...

fee fi faux fum, even I have some! ;)

Mary Ann Pickett said...

I was all about only using real...but some of these are so GREAT! And I've mixed fake hydrangea with real to expand the bouquet with a nice effect. Thanks for these sources.

Lynne said...

I agree, I'd rather see beautiful faux than dead real any day. But GOOD faux, none of that Michael's business!

debra @ 5th and state said...

brilliant post! unless I am having a party, it is faux.
GOOD faux is hard to tell from real, some even feel real. my shop carries the good stuff and it sells like mad!

on a side note, I have been here in Atlanta for 5 days, and NO FRIZZ, OMG, a product worked, I am usually Brillo pad city down here. drop me a line sherri miracles do happen!!!
debra
debra@scentimentalgardens.com

Anonymous said...

I am totally for faux florals in a photo shoot, but not as a daily plant. Something about it turns me off. I absolutely love everything you do but unfortunately I can't agree with you on this one. At home, we don't have enough natural lighting in any of our bathrooms, which I opted for air plants on petrified wood dishes. Today, there are options for the blackest thumbs, like preserved boxwoods, air plants, and snake plants which can thrive in any environment. Even $2 succulents from homedepot would last without water and light for at least 3 weeks. The beauty of having fresh flowers is to be able to enjoy the seasons of each one of them, plus you get a new look every time you buy a new bouquet . So, definitely no faux for me. I still love though Sherry ;)

swedecollection said...

I use faux Orchids all the time. That is one plant that TOTALLY looks real especially the white ones if they are well made. I didn't see any Orchids in your photos but I highly recommend them. I also use faux succulents because it is very difficult to tell real from fake. Now trees are a different story. Most look fake. My rule is if you have to touch it a couple times to make sure it is fake/real then it is good to use.

Virginia Girl said...

I remember and sadly participated in the late 80's use of faux flowers. Since then I have been against them until the past few years. By using them SPARINGLY and choosing ones that look real they are a nice addition. To me the ones that work the best are small in size and tend to be plants vs flowers. Having one plant on the bookcase as you have looks real vs the 10 plants/flowers above the kitchen cabinets we had in the 80s. I agree with Lynne...no Michaels!

therelishedroost said...

I do like Diane James Home florals, and NDI with branches and greens during the winter when you cant cut a branch down in your yard ! I just purchased some dried and then faux stemmed Cotton branches and I think they are fun and whimsical. So no dart throwing here!

Marisa Franca @ Allourway said...

I'm all for you!! I want to spruce up some areas with green and by golly, I'm going to use faux. We are planning on selling our home next year. The purge is on and in some places I'm adding green or flowers!!

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