Faux florals: no longer a no-no

If you think decorating with fake flowers is tacky, think again.  Today's offerings have come a long way from the plastic, waxy-looking florals you might associate with waiting-room lobbies or outdoor cemetery arrangements.

Case in point:  a sunflower arrangement in my home tricked my late father-in-law one Thanksgiving.  Because he was a country boy familiar with this summer flower, he couldn't figure out where I found a fresh arrangement in November.  He asked, "Where did you get sunflowers this time of year?"  That particular arrangement happened to be from NDI, one of the vendors Decor & You uses to supply clients with realistic florals.  The faux water in the vase of sunflowers, complete with "hair" from the stems really helped pull off this con job.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge fan of using real flowers in the home.  But yesterday's official arrival of spring doesn't mean the tulips and daffodils are ready to be plucked for a centerpiece.  So going "faux" is a perfect way to get your floral fix in the interim.  Faux florals are also cost-effective since you can use them year after year!

Here are a few tips on how to use faux florals:

1.  Buy the most realistic-looking florals you can find and can afford.  While some of the best ones may be pricey, consider them as an investment piece.

2.  Display only in-season florals (OK, maybe I should have put away those sunflowers before November!).  For spring, this means tulips, daffodils, forsythia, or hyacinth, for example.  If you want a faux flower that you can keep out year-round, consider a faux orchid.  Because they are now widely available at florists year-round, an orchid won't scream "I'm fake!"  While many flowers are available all year at florists, your trick to pulling off faux florals is to keep this rule in mind:  you want your arrangement to look like you just picked the flowers from the garden.  So don't display something like a tulip--a signature spring flower--in say, October.

3.  Think beyond the dramatic dining-room table centerpiece.  Consider using faux arrangements in a powder room or on a kitchen window ledge or on a bedside table.  Smaller arrangements scattered throughout the home help bring the outdoors in, even when the flowers aren't real!






4.  Give them as gifts!  If you're looking for a unique gift, consider a two-part, "now and later" gift:  a bouquet of fresh flowers for the recipient to enjoy now and a beautiful faux arrangement for later.

Now that you know these tricks of the trade, do you think you can spot the posy poseurs, the impostor impatiens or crocus con artists?  Still baffled by how to make it work?  Don't hesitate to contact me at aboesen@decorandyou.com.  I can help you find the right flowers for your space, considering size and scale--and your budget.  And if you want a truly unique piece, I can help you pick your favorite flowers and order a personalized arrangement through a vendor that makes custom faux florals for Decor & You.

Happy Spring!

Man Cave(s)

My client, John M., is the proud and lucky owner of two "man caves".  Yes, two.  Man Cave #1 (MC1) is an outstanding theater room in the basement of his home, the creation of which was the brainchild of his wife, Karen, and their adult children as a surprise in honor of a milestone birthday. My lips are sealed as to which milestone. 

Anyway, MC1 is replete with all the amenities a man could want--theater seating, high-def projection unit and 96" screen, surround sound that rattles your molars, refrigerator and ice machine, etc.  You get the picture...guy heaven.

So, you may ask, "Where is Man Cave #2 (MC2)?  For what purpose is it used?  Why does John get two man caves when some  men have none?  Why are we even talking about this?".  The answers are (in order):

- MC2 is in the finished attic space over John's garage
- John uses the room for naps, to listen to music and to do miscellaneous paperwork
- John is extraordinarily lucky
- I'm even luckier because I've been called upon to decorate MC2 (Did I mention that I was also the decorator of MC1?)

In the interest of making this post shorter than a Tolstoy novel, I'll leave you with some "before" pictures of MC2 (and John).  My goal is to post the progress of redecorating this space and any inspirational moments along the way.  I look forward to sharing this project with you and to hearing your feedback!

Man Cave 2

Reverse view of above photo

Reading the newspaper--a typical Man Cave 2 activity

John M. (and his wife, Karen, in the background)