Tips for Making Faux Flowers Look Real

Faux flowers. In some decor circles, faux is a four-letter word. Yes siree, my die-hard, fresh-flower friends will argue that no self respecting household should ever be caught with faux flowers in their midst. Like never. Never. Ever.

Well, until recently.

Now, it seems that the fauxs are roaring back. With serious improvements in the quality of dried, paper, and silk flowers, faux is no longer the four-letter word of old. And with a few extra design tips and tricks, my Friends, fauxs can become fabulous.

Tips for Making Faux Flowers Look Real

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As a hat tip to my fresh-flower friends, I think we all agree that fresh flowers are just the absolute best. Nothing compares to the lift they provide a room or your spirits. But here’s the deal. The real life deal. Some people are so allergic that it’s pure torture to have these lovelies in the house. Then there’s the never ending cost and care. #justsayin 

 “Pink Ruffles” Azaleas in my backyard.

With this said, let’s explore some options. Some less nasally offensive, easier-to-care-for options. And while we’re at it, let’s talk about how to get the most out of the new and improved fauxs.

But first, let me show off one more flower. Can you tell I love me some flowers? I grow them like crazy, but always leave them outdoors. Always. #soallergic #ahchoo

Pink Tiger Lily taken last summer.

OK.  Thanks for letting me share some of my favorite fresh bloomers. Now, here we go…..with the fauxs.

Choose flowers with the same bloom time.

Instead of making a lot of bad bloomer jokes, let me just say that, in general, one shouldn’t mix their spring bloomers with their winter bloomers. Or summer bloomers with fall. This wouldn’t happen in real life, would it? So keeping it real means keeping your bloomers straight as to their blooming season. 

And with the exception of the white stems, the arrangement below is assembled from a collection of spring bloomers. But since the flowers on the white stems resemble tiny dogwood blooms (which bloom in spring), I hope to get away with the inclusion. This fall blooming stem was specifically chosen for its delicate bloom size and color contast. Honestly, it looks springy to me.

But here I go, breaking the first rule #thatsnotreallyarule. What do you think? Can it work this time?

Allow the flowers to stand as they do in nature.

Most flowering branches tend to arch up and over. Iris and tulips will reach for the sky with very little bend in the stalk. 

In this particular arrangement, I wanted the flowers to look as though they were cut and simply dropped into the pitcher.  To achieve this more relaxed and natural look:

• Flowers are arranged in the pitcher asymetrically.

• The iris and tulips are slightly bent at the stalk to gently relax the number of straight, vertical lines.

• And wispy fern fronds soften the hard edges of the pitcher and tie the “woody” look all together.

See? Again I show how these tips aren’t etched in stone, but merely go with the faux.

Use the same flowery stem in varying shades.

To add dimension and depth to a more formal arrangement, vary the shades of the same color stem. In my mind’s eye, a variation of shades (shown below) is more interesting than one solid shade.

And to support the long, heavy branches:

• Trim the stems so that the bottom of the stem touches the bottom of the vase.

• Place a couple layers of clear packing tape over the top of the container and poke small holes through the tape with a knife.

If using only one shade of flowery stem…

• Add depth and dimension by adding stems (without flowers) that have a similar color to the stems (with flowers).

• For example, flower-less brown woody stems match the brown woody stems of these flowering branches. 

I actually have this species of cherry tree in my front yard and the blooms look just like these silk stems in the spring. The tree blooms again in the fall and will have these delicate pinky-white blossoms dappled amid green leaves. It’s a seriously gorgeous tree with two amazingly different looks. 

Add stems to (fake) water.

Fake water, you say? 🙂

Yes, a stem of any length can be added to virtually any size container…..and set in fake water. I know! This arrangement was purchased, but custom arrangements can be easily made.

How to make Stems-in-Fake-Water arrangement

All you do is gather a clear container, some faux flowers and a bit of faux water. I kid you not. Did you know we can buy instant faux water on the internet? Don’t you just love living in 2018?

Turns out, there are several different kinds of faux water products on Amazon, but this kit looks like a good option for one container of flowers. I haven’t use it yet, but have it bookmarked for when I need a custom arrangement. (affiliate links) Click this link to see FloraCraft Floral Accessories Acrylic Water Kit. 

And while I was shopping around, this vase looks just like the one in the photo above Royal Imports Flower Glass Vase Decorative Centerpiece For Home or Wedding by Clear Glass, Cube Shape, 5″ Tall, 5″x5″ Opening.

Then, just for jollies, I bookmarked a taller vase, too. I really like the twisting column. It’s so original. WGV Clear Square Twist Block Glass Vase, 10-Inch. 

And last, but not least, are some silk peonies. Because…..we HAVE to have silk peonies, don’t we? #swoon  Duovlo Springs Flowers Artificial Silk Peony bouquets Wedding Home Decoration,Pack of 1 (Spring Pure Pink)

Once the items for the arrangement are collected, design your look, and follow the directions on the package to make the fake water.

And that’s all there is to it. If you’d like to save or share these tips, please….

Posts related to the Living Room Makeover:

• Week 1 – The Plan (click here)
• Week 2 – Design and Install Picture Frame Moulding for Walls (click here)
• Week 3 – You are Here
• Week 4 – How to Save a Bundle Using Remnants (click here)
• Week 5 – DIY Slipcover Basics (click here)
• Week 6 – Living Room Reveal (click here)
• Serpentine Chest Makeover (click here)

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