If you’re thinking of making the switch to faux stems for the first time or comparing the different options available, here are a few of my favourite things about investing in high quality faux flowers
Long-term value
While faux flowers can be more expensive to buy than fresh, it’s important to remember that they’re a long-term investment. This is even more true when it comes to high quality faux flowers; unlike a fresh bouquet that might need replacing every week or month, your faux arrangement can be enjoyed forever. Take time to maintain your faux stems and pack them away carefully when they’re not on display, and there’s no reason why you can’t continue to use them in your arrangements year after year.
Exceptionally realistic
One of the things that never ceases to amaze me when touring the world with Chris to source high quality faux florals is how realistic they are. The best faux stems consider every detail, from the texture of the leaves and the way the colour blends out from pistil to petal to the distribution of buds and full bloom flowers. Modern faux varieties are worlds away from the artificial flowers you might have encountered in the past; in fact, I think it’s now virtually impossible to tell the difference between faux and fresh florals at first glance.
Year-round beauty
Although I tend to take inspiration from nature and love creating arrangements that reflect the changing seasons, there’s nothing stopping you displaying the same faux flowers year-round if you like. Quality stems can – with a little TLC – stay out in your home from January to December. That means you can enjoy the beauty of peonies for far longer than just a few weeks, show off your sweet peas even when it’s snowing, and pair your favourite flowers with winter branches at the height of summer.
Low maintenance
It’s a common misconception that high quality faux flowers don’t need any maintenance – you’ll definitely get the best results if you take good of them. However, it’s true that they’re much less labour intensive than fresh arrangements. To keep your faux stems looking their best, try not to display them in direct sunlight (and rotate them so that any fading happens evenly), lightly dust them every few weeks, and, if you’re putting them away for a while, store them securely in the box they arrived in.
Durable
A big difference you might find between high quality faux florals and lower quality alternatives is their durability. This is especially important if you plan to reuse your flowers again and again in different arrangements. Look out for well-constructed stems that stand tall but can bend without breaking, petal and buds that are securely attached to the stem, and real-touch materials that tend to resist damage better than cheaper alternatives.
Allergy free
If you have any hay fever sufferers in your household, you’ll probably already know that one of the biggest benefits of faux flowers is that they’re generally hypoallergenic. This also means you won’t run the risk of having pollen stains on your furniture. With a faux flower arrangement, you won’t have to worry about causing any irritation to your guests and your display will be pet friendly too!
Versatile
For me, faux flowers and creativity go hand-in-hand. I love reusing my favourite stems in new arrangements, bending and re-bending them to stand at different heights and angles, and challenging convention by styling flowers and branches in unusual combinations. This also means my faux flowers never go to waste; even if I bought them with a specific arrangement in mind, I can either use them again in a different display or store them safely until I’m ready to use them again.