Styling Notes from The Suffolk Nest

  Beat the chill this winter with cosy candles ideas that can transform your home and help you make the most of the season. Winter and candles are the perfect combination; when the temperatures cool, the nights draw in, and we all spend more time at home, using ambient candlelight to create a comforting, cosy space can make all the difference. As well as providing warmth, candles can also set you up for the day or help you relax in the evenings, with scented varieties especially effective at changing the atmosphere. I love the way that a lit candle can lift your mood, no matter what the weather looks like outside. If you’re looking to warm up your winter, here are a few ways that you can introduce candles into your seasonal décor: 1.Create a festive shelf scene Whether you have a shelf, mantlepiece, or console table available to decorate, you can use candles to create a stunning festive scene. I like to use candles to create a focal point, and then surrounding them with seasonal foliage and home accessories to build a cosy Christmas display. Consider combining two or three mixed sized candles with faux fir stems, pine cones, dried orange slices, and ceramic trees and houses. To make it feel even more festive, you could place tealights or pillar candles inside a frosted glass container or on a brass candle votive that reflects the light with a golden glow. 2.Enhance your winter tablescapes Winter is a great time to entertain at home, whether it’s hosting a dinner party or inviting friends and family over to enjoy mulled wine and mince pies. I think candles can form part of your tablescape year-round, but they look incredible on dark winter nights, creating a warm and welcoming setting for your guests. You can use candles in a variety of different ways on your dining table; choose two or three pillar candles to create a luminous centrepiece or display single tapered candles at set intervals to cast of rays of light evenly across the table. Whether neutral toned or in festive shades of red and green, tapered candles are also a fantastic way to add height to your tablescape, but make sure you don’t choose a size that is so high it gets in the way of conversation. 3.Capture the scents of the season This time of year comes with some of the most evocative scents; warm cinnamon, gingerbread, evergreen fir, peppermint, and sweet vanilla are all distinctive winter fragrances. Personally, I’m drawn to seasonal scents that are fresh yet comforting, which is why we chose to feature a mix of pine and winter berries for our first The Suffolk Nest candle. Hand poured in the UK and crafted from high quality soy wax, our scented candle is the perfect blend of sugar and spice, combining intense notes of clove with the sparkling scent of fresh pine and vibrant orange zest. As soon as I trim the wick and light a fresh candle, I’m instantly transported to a winter wonderland. 4.Make your evenings extra-cosy One of our favourite evening activities as a family in the colder months is to settle down on the sofa with cosy blankets and a festive film. Adding candles (especially scented candles) takes these peaceful evenings in to the next level, instantly setting the mood and making our space feel soothing. Whenever I light a candle and turn down our electric lights, it’s a clear signal to my mind and body that it’s time to relax. If you don’t want to place a candle straight onto your coffee table, I suggest placing it on a marble tray to protect your furniture and make it even more of a feature piece.

Whether you’ve moved into a new home or are looking to add more character to your interiors, read on to discover my tried-and-tested tips on how to personalise your space Decorate your front door The front door of your home is the face it presents to the world. It’s that welcome sight that you return to at the end of a long day and the first impression your guests will have. If you’re looking to personalise your space, it’s a great place to start. Don’t worry; you certainly don’t need to rush out and buy a brand-new door to make it your own. Instead, consider freshening up the paint or choosing a new colour that better reflects your taste. If you’re not tempted to reach for a paint brush quite yet, a seasonal wreath is a fantastic – and simple – way to enhance your home’s entrance. Our front door is always adorned with a homemade wreath and it’s the perfect opportunity for me to showcase all my favourite seasonal stems. Every time we return home from a walk with the girls, our front door wreath always brings me joy. Display personal photographs and objects Thoughtfully accessorising your interiors with meaningful items can also help to personalise your aesthetic. It also allows you to keep treasured memories alive and ensure your most cherished items are available to be enjoyed. While frame photographs can be incredibly effective, especially when printed in black and white, I recommend displaying pieces that reflect your passions and interests. This could include showcasing souvenirs from your travels, family heirlooms, a beloved musical instrument, or a work of art. When placing each item remember that less is often more. Creating a small arrangement of just one or two beautiful pieces on your sideboard, for example, can be much more visually arresting that covering its entire surface with different things. Play with textiles Textiles are one of my interior décor staples, especially when the weather turns cool, and the nights start drawing in. Rugs, blankets, and throws can all add texture and depth to your space, as well as serving a practical use throughout the winter months. Textiles aren’t just for winter either; in spring or summer, you can personalise your home with lighter fabrics that add interest without dominating the décor. Natural fibres and neutral colours are a timeless choice, but you should always choose the pieces you’re most drawn to; I personally love cosy wool blankets and throws, handmade rattan baskets, fresh cotton table runners, and textured cushions.   Tailor the lighting It might not be the first thing you think about when looking at way to personalise your space, but lighting can be surprisingly impactful. Making a few small tweaks can complete change the ambience of a room and better reflect your mood. Overhead lights serve a purpose but consider investing in lamps of different heights as these can create different streams of light in one room. Floor and table lamps are both good alternatives to the ‘big’ light. If you’d like to make your indoor and outdoor spaces feel more intimate, I recommend lighting your dining table with candles or creating a warm glow in the garden with a selection of woven lanterns. Add floral arrangements Faux and fresh florals are a great way to add personality to your home. There are so many ways you can let your creativity run wild and bring your individual aesthetic to life through floral arrangements. This could mean choosing the flowers that are most meaningful to you or selecting a vase that speaks to your style. You can also update your displays each season, replacing summer’s white hydrangeas and olive branches with autumnal blush eucalyptus and faux figs.   Look at ways you can express your character with the ratio of florals and stems used in your displays. An architectural arrangement with statement cherry blossom and pussy willow branches will look and feel very different in your space compared to a softer piece dominated by faux sweet peas and white lilacs. Distil everyday essentials One of the easiest ways to instantly elevate your interiors is to distil your everyday essentials into alternative containers. While we all need to own staple ingredients like flour, pasta, and rice, as well as cleaning products, the bright packaging covering many of these items can steal attention in a room and affects your overall aesthetic. Instead, choose containers that capture your personal style. Depending on your taste and budget, alternative eco-friendly storage options include glass mason jars, ceramic pots, rattan trays, wooden-topped glass containers, and stainless-steel tiffin boxes. Nod to the season A playful way to show off your personality at home is to include fun nods to the season in your décor. These don’t have to be big or expensive items, instead they’re small pieces that you can display a few months each year, quickly transforming your space and harnessing your creativity. In autumn, for example, I enjoy complementing my floral arrangements with ceramic pumpkins and concrete fruits that celebrate harvest season. Once we enter December, I reach for my festive décor, creating tablescapes with ceramic trees and tall candlesticks, while Easter is the ideal time to display my collection of ceramic eggs and bunny rabbits.as

  You can kick-start the new season and welcome visitors in style with an autumn wreath. Discover my top tips and find out how you can create a standout wreath of your own For me, there’s no better way to welcome in a new season than making a wreath. It’s an activity that inspires my creativity, helps me feel more connected to nature, and something that I do alone, with our family, or alongside a group of friends. Towards the end of September, I like to switch over my summer display and replace it with an autumn wreath. This new arrangement refreshes our front door, provides a warm welcome to our visitors, and helps get everyone in the mood for crunching through leaves on an autumn walk and planning cosy nights in. If you’re feeling inspired to create your own autumn wreath, I’ve put together a real-time video tutorial on YouTube and I recently recorded a follow along Instagram Live, which you can find on our profile. Read on to find out how you can create an autumn wreath to welcome your visitors in style this season: Mix materials While autumn isn’t typically a season associated with fresh flowers and new life, it’s still an inspiring time of year. I especially love the colours we see in nature; rich shades of red, brown, burgundy, and gold make this an aesthetically beautiful time to enjoy the outdoors. To create an autumn wreath that captures the mood of the season and its abundant qualities, I like to incorporate a mix of materials including fresh foliage and dry and preserved stems. This year’s autumn wreath kit includes a striking combination of textured green foliage, pampas grass, panicum grass, and banksia. If you’ve never been foraging, autumn is a fantastic season to get started! Foraging is an activity that our family embraced during lockdown as it gave our daily walks purpose and inspired the girls to pay attention to their surroundings and appreciate the natural beauty. Now, it’s become second nature for us; every time we head out into the countryside, we look out for interesting materials that can be used in our seasonal wreaths and arrangements. I love incorporating items that reflect the season; for an autumn wreath, that could mean finding dried seed pods, blackberries, and horse chestnuts, which are happily all readily available. Think sustainably As well as providing a fun family activity, one of the reasons I love foraging is that it’s sustainable. Making pieces that are environmentally conscious is incredibly important to Chris and me, especially when we’re creating pieces like our wreaths, which are designed to be changed each season. All our wreath kits are created with sustainability in mind, and the autumn wreath is no exception. The base is crafted from straw, which can be kept and reused time and time again, while the wreath itself is made to last. I’ve purposely chosen foliage and grasses that will continue to look good as they dry out over time. That way, your autumn wreath can easily be displayed until Christmas and then be kept safely stored away until you bring it out again next year. Display indoors or out While the weather in the UK is always unpredictable, autumn is often a little more temperamental than most seasons. We can easily go straight from a mini heatwave to wind and rainstorms, seemingly in the blink of an eye. That’s why I choose to use pieces in my autumn wreath that are hardy and can withstand the weather. If you’d like to hang the wreath on your front door to welcome your visitors, you could attach it to your doorknocker or add a nail into your door if it’s made of wood. You could also experiment with command strips, but I’d recommend trying a few different sizes until you find one that can easily hold the weight of the wreath. Alternatively, your autumn wreath can also be displayed indoors. With its bold colours and intriguing textures, it’s the perfect statement piece to hang on the wall or over a fireplace. You could even repurpose it and turn it into a table centrepiece by placing it on top of a large try or plate.  

It’s safe to say I love Autumn! As the weather gets cooler and the days grow shorter, our homes become our sanctuaries, offering a cosy retreat from the outside world. It's the perfect time to bring the beauty of the outdoors inside with floral elements, rich tones, and layers of texture. Here are some of the elements I always consider for my home for what I think is probably my favourite season. When autumn arrives, our home transforms into a place of solace, where we can curl up with our loved ones and enjoy the comforts of the season. This Autumn is a big one for us, my eldest daughter, Orla, starts school, and my youngest, Florence, starts pre-school. Not only is the season changing but also our family routines and lives which we’ve become so accustomed to. The uniform is hung and ironed for Orla and she can’t wait to start. Chris has ordered the logs for the log burner, coats are slowly appearing in the downstairs cupboard and the choice of our usual iced coffees are slowing moving to hot chocolates! Below are just some fundamentals that I choose to transform my home to match the Autumn season. Blankets I love filling my home with cosy blankets and swapping lightweight linens for heavier fabrics. These perfectly complement the warming, earthy colours that nature presents during this time of year. I find myself curled up in these every evening on the sofa, whether I’m working away on my laptop or watching the TV. When not in use, these are great pieces to style over the arm of your sofa to add layers of texture, or simply folded in a rattan or wicker style basket. I also love using faux fur and sheepskin rugs on our sofas to add another textural element. The power of scent Changing the scent in our homes has such a simple yet immediate impact on the ambience you can create. Autumn fragrances can instantly transport us to a place of comfort and nostalgia – the moment we arrive home with wet shoes and cold lips. I've been swapping my vibrant fresh summer scented candles for warm and inviting scents like amber, pear and cedarwood. Wreaths! I think you all know by now that I LOVE a wreath! In fact, that’s how my business, The Suffolk Nest all started - by wreath making! It’s no surprise wreaths have become a beloved part of my autumn décor tradition, and it never fails to make our front door feel welcoming. I love incorporating textures and colours that epitomise the changing season. As always, I will be designing our fresh Autumn Wreath Kit soon, (due to launch early/mid September) and I’m already excited about the abundance of tones, textures and colours Autumn has to offer, whether it’s tones of burgundy and golden yellow, with vibrant red berries – I promise it really will be a showstopper. If you don’t have the time to create one of your own, then I’ve also designed a faux wreath for this year’s autumn collection that’s abundant in texture with warming and inviting brown tones. Home Décor Pieces We can’t forget Autumn is also the host season of Halloween! Pumkins will always feature somewhere in my home, especially opting for more muted tones like grey, white, and green pumpkins, you can seamlessly incorporate them into any room, adding a touch of autumnal charm.  They make stunning mantle, sideboard, or dining table displays, or can simply be nestled among your porch planters to greet your guests. As always my Autumn Collection includes our white ceramic pumpkins – perfect next to your floral display, mantle, coffee table or dotted down your dining table for a fun tablescape. I also like to use small home décor pieces to bring depth and texture to our shelves, coffee and side tables. The small details like our brass trinket box, Felsham black marble pot and Boyton stone pot in brown are perfect accessories for autumn that bring out accent colours and add depth to your décor. Faux Flowers Switching up your faux flowers is probably the easiest way to incorporate autumn colour tones and textures into your home. This year’s collection has a focus on earthy tones and textures and features our incredibly life like dried hydrangeas in Mulberry and Moss green. I’ve created 2 different arrangements this year, the ‘Mulberry Hydrangea’ and the ‘Autumn Brambles’, both available as a ‘premium’ or ‘deluxe’ size. I may be bias, but I personally feel that they both perfectly capture the essence of autumn, providing all the beauty of real flowers and foliage, without the maintenance. As always, each arrangement has a short video tutorial available to watch where I guide you through arranging it step by step. Add ambient lighting While darker evenings aren’t always welcome, they’re wholly suited to spending time at home and embracing the Scandinavian concept of hygge. Hygge is all about enjoying your space and finding ways to be cosy, and I think that ambient lighting effortlessly conveys this feeling.    Get creative Incorporating quirky nods to autumn in your home décor is an excellent way to honour the season while also showcasing your personality. Consider adding seasonal motifs like pumpkins, dried mintolla seeds, and buddha nuts. These items can add a fresh dimension to your shelves, coffee tables, and sideboards. I always associate this time of year with setting down on the sofa with a good book – and it’s an activity that inspires my interiors too. Try anchoring your vases by displaying them on top of a stack of books (ideally volumes with earth-toned covers) to add an artistic, literary touch to your space. It’s not only aesthetically pleasing but practical too! Don’t be afraid to flex your creative muscles. Embrace the colours, textures, and symbols of the season while incorporating your own personal style to seamlessly transition into autumn.

Discover how you can use our new footed bowl to create a spectacular and surprisingly simple summer arrangement with this handy step-by-step guide When the summer holidays start and the sunshine floods in through our windows, I find myself drawn to light and delicate flower arrangements. Stripped back displays using just two or three different blooms can be incredibly effective, enhancing your space without overwhelming it. With just two ingredients, this is one of my go-to arrangements to place on our kitchen sideboard or hall console table at this time of year – and it’s the perfect choice for our new ceramic footed bowl. This unique vessel is effortlessly elegant and always elevates the florals it contains. It’s a year-round favourite; I think it’s ideal for special events and can make a breath-taking dinner party centrepiece. Feeling inspired? Find out how to create your own footed bowl arrangement with my step-by-step guide: Before you get started To create a truly special arrangement, it’s important to have the right tools available. Happily, this display is all about the footed bowl and the blooms - the only additional materials you’ll need are probably already stocked in your florist’s toolkit. For this design, you’ll need: Footed bowl Chicken wire Pot tape 10 x Ammi Majus stems 20 x Cosmos stems Create a footed bowl arrangement in seven easy steps Step 1 Cut a generous length of chicken wire and scrunch it into a dome shape that will fit neatly inside your footed bowl. Ideally, create at least three to four layers within your dome as these will provide the support you need to hold the stems in place. Step 2 Use pot tape to secure the chicken wire to the bowl. I recommend using a strong cross shape and overlapping the sides by approximately one to one-and-a-half centimetres. Once you’re happy with the base, fill the bowl so that it’s around three-quarters full of fresh tepid water. Step 3 Start building your arrangement with the delicate Ammi Majus stems, which are used to form the overall shape of the design. As this arrangement is front facing, I like to work face on and in situ so that I can make small tweaks as I go. When adding these first few stems, focus on the highest point of your design. I suggest placing the smallest flower heads at the top of your display. Step 4 Next, start adding volume. Create texture by using large flower heads near the base, but don’t forget to save some stems to place at the neck of the bowl as this helps to bridge the gap between the flowers and the vessel. Step 5 Now it’s time to add the Cosmos stems. Again, I recommend using the smallest flowers at the highest points of the display and the larger heads lower down. Add interest by varying the stem heights and changing the way that the flowers are facing. The placement of your stems makes all the difference with this design. Step 6 One of my favourite parts of flower arranging is that it can be a meditative process – don’t be afraid to take your time. Build in breaks where you stop, step away, admire your handiwork so far, and look for any gaps or improvements you could make to the shape. The beauty of using chicken wire as a base is that you can very easily remove a stem and move it somewhere else if needed. I often find it easier to spot those opportunities in a photograph, so I often snap quick pics on my phone as I work. Step 7 To keep your arrangement looking its best for as long as possible, keep the water topped up using a long-spouted watering can. Then simply sit back and enjoy! 

From quality and durability to functionality and size, check out Ashlee’s guide to what you need to consider when choosing the right floristry tools for you There are many factors that come together to create a truly incredible floral display. While the fresh or faux blooms you choose and the vase that contains them are important, having the right tools available can elevate your craft and enhance your arrangements. But with so many tools available, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming – and that’s why I’m here to help! In this guide, I’ll share my top tips on how to select the right floristry tools for you. Choosing the right floristry tools 1. Quality While it’s always tempting to bag a bargain, I recommend investing in high-quality, well-crafted floristry tools when you start to build your collection. Choosing cheaper options that don’t last very long can end up being a false economy. Instead, I look for tools made from strong, durable materials so that they can withstand daily use and produce consistently great results.   2. Durability Floristry is a hands-on craft, and your tools should be able to cope with various tasks such as cutting, shaping, and manipulating flowers without breaking or bending out of shape. When browsing, look for tools that are strong and well-constructed, so that they can be a go-to tool in your kit without fear of them wearing out quickly.    3. Functionality Before you start building your floristry toolkit, consider the specific tasks that you’ll be performing and choose tools that are specifically designed for those purposes. Whether you need to trim stems, arrange flowers, or create intricate displays, having the right tool for each task can make all the difference. Look for tools that lend themselves to easy and precise handling to make your work more efficient.   4. Ergonomics Ergonomic tools are designed to reduce strain and fatigue on your hands and wrists, even with prolonged use. There’s no need to suffer for your art! I recommend looking for floristry tools that have comfortable handles with a good grip as these reduce the risk of repetitive strain injuries or accidental cuts.   5. Maintenance When choosing floristry tools for your kit, consider how easy each piece will be to clean and maintain. Tools that have removable parts or can be disassembled and reassembled are usually easier to clean regularly and keep in good condition. Try not to use your tools for any non-floristry tasks if you want to improve their longevity. With your scissors and secateurs, it’s a good idea to regularly scrape away resin from the blades and rinse them with water, adding a small amount of washing-up liquid and a scrubbing brush if needed. Make sure to dry them thoroughly to prevent rust and, to go the extra mile, you can wipe the blades with a drop of camelia oil.   6. Size and weight When you’re working with your hands, the size and weight of your tools can have a big impact on your comfort and ease of use. Tools that are overly heavy or too large can be hard to handle, especially when you’re looking to do more intricate tasks. Try to choose tools that fit comfortably in your hand and are the right weight for you as this can make a significant different to your overall experience.   7. Brand and reputation Consider investing in tools from reputable brands that have a proven track record for quality and customer satisfaction. Reading reviews and customer feedback can also help you find out how reliable the tools will be and how they’ll perform over time. Floristry toolkit essentials Whether you’re looking to build your first floristry toolkit or expand your existing collection, it can be difficult to know what will make the biggest difference. I’ve personally experienced that sense of confusion that can overtake you when faced with a wall of tools at a warehouse or wholesaler. However, years of trial and error have left me with a list of toolkit essentials that I believe every florist needs to have in their kit.   1. Floristry Scissors or Secateurs A high-quality pair of floristry scissors or secateurs should form the basis of your kit. These are the only way to make precise cuts that will maintain the health of your flowers. My personal favourites are the Niwaki Higurashi Scissors and Niwaki Sentei Secateurs. These are both incredibly durable pairs and have carbon steel blades that help to reduce bacterial build-up and rust. I’d also recommend having a pair of fabric scissors in your kit so you can cut ribbons cleanly with a professional finish. Try to choose a pair that’s easily distinguishable from your other tools (mine have a sunshine yellow handle.) 2. Flower Conditioning Buckets Having a large bucket available is essential to provide the best possible care to your flowers, especially during the initial conditioning stage. Dutch floristry buckets are one option, but they can be expensive. I love using power-coated steel floristry buckets, which are available in various sizes and can accommodate a range of stem lengths. Apothecary-style glasses vases are also a good alternative and usually have medium-size openings so your flowers will have ample space to breathe and develop. 3. Collapsible Compost Bags When you’re engrossed in creating a design, it can be easy to disregard the mess that comes along with it. Standard household bins aren’t always suitable for long flower stems, which can snag on bin bags and cause holes. To avoid this, I suggest using a collapsible fabric compost bag, which can be easily moved around and cleaned out. 4. Twine Perfect for binding hand tied bouquets, twine is available in both natural and green varieties at most homeware shops and garden centres. 5. Paper-covered Wire Paper-covered wire provides additional support and security for larger bouquets or garlands. It can be neatly secured without the need for any unsightly knots or bows. 6. Bind Wire Available in a range of colours, bind wire is ideal for wreath-making. It’s the perfect choice for binding flowers and foliage onto wreath bases. 7. Stemtex Particularly useful for wired designs, Stemtex is self-adhesive and activated with warmth. It can take some getting used to, but it’s great at locking moisture into stems. 8. Pot Tape Also known as anchor tape, pot tape is a strong waterproof tape that secures chicken wire inside your vases. Dark green tape is an enduringly popular choice, but clear tape can work just as well for light-coloured or glass vases. 9. Chicken Wire Galvanized chicken wire with a 2.5cm gap between hexagons is a classic choice for floral arrangements. Choose a higher-end gauge to provide additional support in both large and small displays. 10. Kenzan or Flower Frog A Japanese invention, a kenzan or flower frog is a weighted disc with metal spikes that offers strong support for ikebana arrangements. Place them at the bottom of a low or footed bowl, secure with floral fix, and add chicken wire to create light and airy designs. 11. Floral Fix or Putty Floral fix or putty is a handy toolkit essential that can secure a kenzan or flower frog in place and stops it moving around in the vase. 12. Floristry Wire Offered in a range of lengths and thicknesses, floristry wire is ideal for making flower crowns. Opt for a sturdy width to ensure each flower is held securely in place. 13. Water Vials and Flower Picks Water vials are slim reusable plastic tubes fitted with rubber caps that help your wreaths receive additional hydration. Simply insert the spike into the moss, trim any excess, and fill the tube with water as needed. Watch my tutorial to learn more. 14. Wire Wreath Frame These reusable frames provide a solid base for moss-based wreaths. If you’re looking to display your wreath on your front door, I’d suggest buying a 30cm/12” frame.

Perfect for kitchens, potted herbs are a great way to bring a touch of greenery to your space. Check out our quick guide to discover how and why you should decorate with faux herbs The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s the place where we gather with friends and family, relax while cooking an evening meal, or enjoy our morning cup of coffee – a room that needs to be as pretty as it is practical. I love spending time in our kitchen and have worked hard to make it a warm and welcoming space. When it comes to incorporating greenery into the kitchen, herbs are the natural choice. Unfortunately, fresh herbs can be difficult to maintain, especially when kept indoors, which is why faux herbs are a fantastic alternative. Whether displayed alone or together, faux rosemary, basil, and mint can all bring life and texture to your kitchen décor. Read on to find out more about how and why you should decorate with artificial herbs: A realistic alternative   While faux plants haven’t always enjoyed the best reputation, today’s artificial herbs have come a long way in terms of quality and craftmanship. In fact, the advanced materials and manufacturing techniques now used mean that faux herbs are almost indistinguishable from their fresh counterparts. Choosing high-quality artificial herbs – such as our potted rosemary, basil, and mint plants – provide the beauty and vibrancy of fresh varieties without the upkeep. A lasting impact Like any plant, fresh herbs need some TLC. Most will need to be displayed in a spot with ample sunlight, trimmed back, and watered regularly. Faux herbs, on the other hand, offer long-lasting beauty and require barely any maintenance. No matter which faux herb you choose, you’ll get to enjoy the impact of the real thing without the extra responsibilities. They also have the power to effortlessly transform your space: rosemary, for example, is known for its woody aroma and brings a sense of rustic charm to your kitchen. Mint can be a more refreshing option, while basil is the perfect choice for those looking to take style tips from the Mediterranean. A versatile design There are countless ways to style and display faux herbs in your home; here are just a few of my favourites: Use faux herbs to refresh the hob or range cooker area I like to layer a few chopping boards against the splashback, place a set of tall salt and pepper mills in front, and add a touch of greenery with our faux everlasting potted herbs. Add intrigue to open shelving This type of kitchen storage has become more popular in recent years as it can be both functional and decorative. It’s a great way to showcase your favourite kitchenware and crockery, from glassware to serving plates. I love using our artificial potted herbs to break up these displays and add a verdant splash of colour. Decorate your windowsills Kitchen windowsills are perfectly suited to displaying faux potted herbs, blurring the boundaries between indoors and out. I love styling them in trios, using one of each herb variety to create an eye-catching focal point. A hypoallergenic and pet-friendly option One of the biggest advantages of using faux herbs rather than fresh is that they are suitable for those suffering with allergies. Fresh plants, flowers, and herbs can all trigger reactions in some individuals, whereas faux varieties should be safe for all. They’re also a great option if you have curious pets. The fabrication of faux potted herbs means that you can confidently decorate your kitchen, safe in the knowledge that your four-legged friends are safe. A cost-effective choice Fresh herbs can be expensive to buy upfront, to maintain, and to replace once they’re past their best. In contrast, faux herbs are a one-off purchase, creating the aesthetic you love without any recurring costs. Investing in high-quality faux herbs instead of buying fresh can save you money in the long run while still offering a realistic appearance that will look amazing in your kitchen. Decorating your kitchen with beautiful faux herbs can add vitality, beauty, and freshness to your cooking space. With their lifelike appearance and inherent versatility, faux rosemary, basil, and mint plants are a fantastic alternative for those who love the look of fresh herbs but don’t want to worry about maintenance. A hassle-free solution that can instantly elevate your kitchen décor.

Ready for a new season spruce up? Find out how you can use pieces from our Summer Collection to refresh your home for summer with our guide to sunshine styling with faux plants and flowers Blur the lines between inside and out In my opinion, one of the best things about summer is that it’s the season of outdoor living. Chris and I love hosting relaxed get-togethers in the garden with friends, dining alfresco with the girls, and keeping our doors flung open all day long. When it comes to refreshing our home for the summer, I take this idea one step further by using faux flowers and plants to bring the outside in. Faux trees and herbs make an immediate impression, especially when displayed in the kitchen or entrance hall. I’m always tempted by the incredibly lifelike olives and rich green leaves of our large faux olive trees as well as our potted artificial mint and basil plants, which arrive pre-potted and ready to display in a timeless white container. Take notes from the Mediterranean Whether you’re planning a summer break in Italy or the Greek Islands or simply making the most of the sunshine in the UK, incorporating a touch of the Mediterranean into your interiors can help that holiday feeling last even longer! Our faux Mediterranean Summer arrangement instantly transports you to Tuscany thanks to its vibrant mix of white florals and intriguing textures. Olive branches and Limonium share the space with sweet peas, lilacs, hellebores, and waxflowers. This bouquet would work in any room, especially as part of a larger arrangement, styled alongside a faux parlour palm tree or potted rosemary plant. We also enjoy embracing the spirit of the Mediterranean by dining outdoors as much as possible. Crafted by skilled Portuguese artisans, our Easton tableware selection is made for sharing meals in the sunshine. Each clean white piece has a distinctive floral-inspired edge design, whether you opt for a salad plate, pasta bowl, or serving dish. Add handcrafted details Carefully curated accessories are a fantastic way to refresh your home and get that effortless summer style. I love the rustic charm of handcrafted and wooden items, which can often serve as both planters and storage solutions. Our rattan and bamboo mix containers have beautifully intricate patterns and can add warmth and texture to cool, neutral interiors. If you enjoy spending the longer light evenings outside, I recommend investing in a set of lanterns. These create a unique atmosphere, providing a light source that’s soft and inviting rather than harsh and jarring. Crafted from handwoven sea grass, our woven lanterns can be used indoors and out, and include a secure glass insert designed to safely hold a pillar candle in place. Invest in lush greenery For me, summer immediately conjures thoughts of rolling fields, lush foliage, and vibrant shades of green. Bringing faux greenery into your home is a wonderful way to reflect nature’s beauty in your décor. Our faux summer greens arrangement is a highlight of our Summer Collection; a vivid mix of foliage, branches, and wildflowers, incorporating cow parsley, green viburnum, and pittosporum. If you’d prefer something a little more understated, the faux summer leaf is a calming choice, featuring a spray of stunning umbrella leaves. Get creative with pops of pink While summer interiors often call for light-reflecting cream and neutral tones, adding a pop of pink can refresh your space without being too overpowering. There are myriad options to choose from: make a splash with vibrant pink ranunculus, display the delicate blush painted petals of the faux pink hellebore, or draw the eye of every visitor with faux anemones that have small round petals that peel back to reveal a deep mauve centre. One of my seasonal favourites is the pink scabiosa spray. Also known as the pincushion flower, this faux bloom has an elegant extended stem and irresistibly frilly flower heads. It’s such a beautiful option that you only need to display two or three stems to make a real impression. However, if you’re looking to add texture to your arrangement, I recommend a faux Limonium, which offers depth without stealing attention from your focal florals.

  Whether you’re planning a big summer bash or a cosy winter wedding, check out our guide to seasonal wedding flowers and find out how to choose the perfect blooms for your big day When planning for your big day, one of the most important tasks on your to-do list is to choose your wedding flowers. The right floral displays can transform your event, bringing beauty and elegance to the ceremony and reception as well as helping to set the mood. To make sure you choose the best blooms for your big day, it’s important to consider seasonality. No matter whether you’re planning a spring wedding in the sunshine or an atmospheric autumn celebration, there’s a flower option to fit the bill. Choosing the right seasonal wedding flowers for your big day There are many different things to consider when choosing your wedding flowers; your venue, wedding colours, and personal taste will all play a part in defining the perfect blooms for your big day. It’s also important to have a budget in mind, ensuring that you choose the right seasonal blooms and arrangements for you without overspending. Before you head online to start shopping, it’s always worth working with your florist or wedding planner to map out the different seasonal wedding flower options available. Your florist will be able to recommend the best blooms, help you determine the right colours and styles, and create a customised design for the day. Of course, if you’re feeling creative, you could try making some – or all – of the arrangements yourself! Head over to my Instagram page @the_suffolk_nest to explore a range of inspirational tutorials. Spring wedding flowers Spring is a popular time for weddings – and it’s easy to see why. This is the time when we can shrug off the winter chill and look ahead; there’s a sense of renewal and possibility in the air, which makes it the perfect season to start married life. I think spring weddings pair best with vibrant, colourful blooms: think ranunculus, tulips, anemones, and pastel roses. These delicate seasonal flowers are especially well suited to outdoor garden receptions and rustic barn weddings. Summer wedding flowers Summer signals the start of the traditional wedding season. For me, weddings held at this time of year are all about enjoying the sunshine, drinking chilled cocktails and Champagne, and dancing under the stars. Summer weddings suit elegant, timeless florals: peonies, dahlias, sweet peas, and English roses are all great seasonal options. With their soft, romantic hues, these blush-toned blooms offer effortless style and serenity, whether displayed at the ceremony, the reception, or both. Autumn wedding flowers While autumn weddings are a little more unusual, I think it’s the perfect season to host a rustic, earthy, and cosy celebration. There’s something inherently romantic about this time of year as the leaves change colour, the nights start to draw in, and the holiday season is on the horizon. I love the rich, warm shades found in nature, from burgundy and rust to deep reds. Dahlias, chrysanthemums, and Japanese anemones are all great autumn wedding flowers. Why not add a playful nod to the season to your decor by incorporating pumpkins, gourds, and loose leaves? Winter wedding flowers Winter weddings have a certain magical element that can’t be replicated in any other season. It’s the ideal time to hold an intimate celebration, lit by candlelight and decorated with cosy romantic touches. Despite the cold weather, there are many seasonal blooms available. White flowers like lilies and orchids can help you to create an enchanting winter wonderland, while roses, ranunculus, and anemones are always elegant choices. If you’re looking to add depth, texture, and scent to your décor, consider adding pine, eucalyptus, and cedar foliage to your arrangements.

 Flowers are one of the most important aspects of wedding décor, but should you choose fresh or faux? Find out more in Ashlee’s guide to using faux flowers for your big day From bouquet to top table There are few days that are as magical as your wedding day. Chris and I got married in Ravello on the Amalfi Coast of Italy surrounded by our family and friends in a quaint little garden overlooking the most breathtaking views – we partied into the early hours of the morning! There are many things that go into making it a day to remember: the dress, the guest list, the venue, the cake, the first dance, and more. However, it won’t surprise you to learn that I believe flowers can make all the difference, especially when designing your wedding décor. In my opinion, flowers have the power to elevate any venue, from registry office to historic country estate. Faux flowers are a fantastic alternative – or addition – to fresh florals and can be used in every part of your big day. Artificial flowers can be incorporated within your table decorations, top table centrepiece, bridal bouquet, and wedding party flowers such as buttonholes and corsages. Personally, no matter whether they’re faux or fresh, my favourite style of wedding florals is romantic, blousy, and elegant. I tend to be drawn towards timeless styles that won’t go out of fashion, but I also like to explore the meaning behind each stem. Every flower variety has its own meaning, but they may also have a special significance to you and your partner, making it even more special to include on your wedding day. A timeless keepsake One of the main reasons why faux flowers are becoming more popular in wedding décor is their resilience and longevity. Invest in arrangements that you can treasure forever, save as a memento, or reuse in your home to serve as a constant reminder of your special day. If you’re planning to keep your wedding flowers as a keepsake or wish to reuse them in the future, consider investing in high quality faux stems. Since creating The Suffolk Nest, Chris and I pride ourselves on tracking down the very best artificial flowers from suppliers around the world and these blooms are truly indistinguishable from the real thing, in both look and feel. Prepare in advance While I loved planning our wedding, it was certainly stressful at times, especially liaising with a wedding planner in a different country! With so many things on your to do list, suppliers to coordinate, and guests to invite, I believe the more you can prepare in advance, the better. The last thing that any bride or groom wants to be worrying about on their wedding day is whether the flowers have arrived in time or that they’re started to wilt due to an unexpected heatwave! With faux flowers, you can prepare your wedding décor well in advance. Your arrangements can be delivered well ahead of time and put on display without having any concerns about the blooms not looking their best. Not only can this give your venue more time to decorate, but it’s also one less thing to add to your big day butterflies. An elegant solution While exclusively using faux flowers and foliage in your wedding décor may be a relatively new phenomenon, there are several unexpected advantages to choosing artificial blooms. The range available is especially appealing. Couples aren’t restricted to the flowers that are in season, which could be important if you have a particular variety in mind that means a lot to you and your relationship. With faux flowers, you can have easy access to Peonies, Sweet Peas, Ranunculus and Dahlias throughout the entire year. This resilience makes artificial flowers a great choice for destination weddings too; they can be transported relatively easily and withstand hot, humid climates. To make choosing your faux florals for your wedding day a little easier, I have created a new collection of wedding faux flowers that you can now shop! There are 2 colour pallets, the first, of course, is a classic whites and greens, and the second is a beautiful soft and romantic blush pinks. Both colour ranges are available as a Bridal bouquet, Bridesmaid bouquet and button holes. Discover our full wedding & bridal collection right here! 

As a passionate advocate of artificial plants and blooms, I think they’re a fantastic alternative – or addition – to fresh flowers. Read on to discover the top 10 benefits of artificial flowers.   1. An allergen-friendly alternative Allergies aren’t only inconvenient, but they can also be dangerous if the reaction is severe. While I’m lucky that no-one in our family suffers from a pollen allergy or gets eczema from encountering fresh flowers, I can’t guarantee that my guests will be immune. Displaying faux flowers instead means there’s one less thing to worry about and I can trust that every visitor to our home will leave without watery eyes or a red nose! 2. Easy to maintain When you have an ever-expanding to-do list, caring for your plants and flowers can sometimes feel like just another chore. One of the best things about artificial flowers is that they need very little attention. Instead, they’re simply there to be enjoyed. To keep your faux flowers looking their best, I recommend gently wiping them down with a soft cloth to remove any dust and regularly rotating arrangements on display in direct sunlight to avoid uneven discolouration. 3. A timeless investment I love the look and fragrance of fresh flowers, but they can be costly. It’s unlikely that even the best bouquets will last longer than two or three weeks before needing to be replaced. In contrast, artificial flowers can remain in full bloom for years with a little TLC. The initial expense may be higher than fresh blooms, especially if you choose high quality, highly realistic faux flowers, but that one-off investment can represent much better value over time. 4. Perfect for pets If you have a four-legged family member, artificial flowers can be a pet-friendly alternative to fresh plants. Not only are they less likely to be displayed in vases filled with water that can easily be knocked over, but they also don’t risk putting your pets in harm’s way. Unfortunately, many fresh flowers can cause harm to cats and dogs, including daffodils, lilies, tulips, and hyacinths, but can easily be replaced with beautiful faux variations. 5. Versatile placements One of my favourite things about faux stems is their versatility. There are so many different varieties available in a wide range of sizes and shapes. This means that I can choose large artificial flowers to form a focal piece on my dining table or opt for something smaller to place on my bedside table or sideboard. There’s also no need to consider their proximity to sunlight or heating, which makes artificial stems the perfect choice for shady corners or spots near to the radiator.  6. Reflect your interior style When buying fresh flowers, you’re limited by the season and the selection available. This could mean restricting the varieties, colours, shapes, and sizes that you can use in your home arrangements. If you have a calming, neutral interior like me, for example, you may be frustrated if your only options are bright summer shades of orange, red, and purple that don’t work with your aesthetic. With faux flowers, you can curate a collection that reflects your personal style year-round without having to consider seasonal availability. 7. Robust and long-lasting High quality faux flowers are incredibly long lasting. In fact, I’ve been reusing some of my favourite stems for years. They’re also surprisingly resilient and can easily withstand accidental knocks, which is especially beneficial when you live in a household with small children! While you might choose to display some artificial flowers in a clear vase with water, you could choose a solid vase instead, with no fear of unexpected spillages damaging your floor or furniture. 8. In full bloom year-round I personally find inspiration in nature and like to reflect the season in my faux flower arrangements, but I must admit that I also enjoy knowing that I have the option to use artificial flowers and have access to my favourite blooms year-round. This benefit is especially helpful with flowers that only have short seasons and may not be available to purchase fresh for very long. With my faux stem collection, I have the freedom to incorporate white roses in my winter designs or use bare branches in my spring creations if I wish. 9. Encourage creativity One of the many reasons that I started flower arranging is that it allows me to express my creativity. Now that Chris and I have The Suffolk Nest, I get to flex my artistic muscles every day. Artificial flowers are ideal for experimentation; the sturdiness of each stem means that I can swap them in and out of different displays until I find the perfect combination. I can also play with height by bending each stem and simply bending them back when I come to reuse them. If you’re new to flower arrangement and want to indulge your creativity, I highly recommend faux flowers. 10. Unbelievably Realistic In the past, artificial flowers didn’t have the best reputation. Happily, today’s faux florals are completely different to the ones you might have seen in childhood. The stems that Chris and I source and stock are incredibly realistic. In fact, it’s almost impossible to tell the difference between my favourite faux flowers and their fresh counterparts. They not only look like the real deal, but they feel authentic to the touch too.

When staging your home to sell, faux plants and flowers can transform the space, offering a warm welcome and promoting a calming atmosphere for buyers and sellers alike. Read on to discover Ashlee’s top tips for using faux flowers in your house sale Setting the scene to sell I know from experience that moving house can be one of life’s most stressful experiences, for both buyer and seller, so the more that you can do to put people at ease, the better. I think the most effective home staging brings the space to life while leaving enough of a blank canvas so that the viewer can imagine themselves living there. Flowers can make all the difference. Faux flowers and greenery can not only give your home a new lease of life, but they also create feelings of calm and serenity. In fact, research shows that plants can make a home feel happier, lowering anxiety levels, and improving the way people perceive each room. If you’re showing your home in the autumn or winter and your garden isn’t looking its best, staging faux flowers and plants inside can help to blur the lines between indoors and out. This technique has several benefits, including making your rooms seem larger and reminding potential buyers of the possibilities that having an outdoor space can offer. Faux flowers vs. fresh I love displaying fresh flowers in our home, but they’re not my first choice when it comes to staging a home to sell. As beautiful as they are, fresh florals can have a short shelf-life and need attention to stay looking their best. If you choose fresh displays and your home is on the market for a few weeks, you’ll likely need to invest in replacement flowers several times over. Real plants can also be an allergy trigger for potential buyers, giving them watery eyes rather than the warm welcome you intended. Today’s artificial flowers are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing and offer a fantastic alternative. Chris and I travel the world to track down the most realistic faux flowers and stems, ensuring that The Suffolk Nest stocks the highest quality artificial flowers year-round. These blooms can be kept on display for many years to come; simply wipe them down if dust starts to build up and keep them out of direct sunlight to make sure the colours don’t fade. How to stage your home with faux flowers  Choose different styles and sizes One of my favourite things about faux flowers is their versatility. There are so many different types available, from architectural stems that structure and texture to each display, to flowers in a selection of colours and sizes, ranging from emerging buds to full blooms. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your arrangements, cutting or folding the stems to create a range of levels within each display. This technique can make your faux flowers look more interesting and realistic. When it comes to placements, I like to mix things up. If there’s an open space in a room that looks a little empty, I might choose to install a faux fern, palm, or olive tree that commands attention without making the space look any smaller. Taller plants are a great option if you have high ceilings as it draws the eye up, helping the room feel light and airy. My dining room table is a good enough size to display a large floral arrangement, which can serve as a focal point, but I prefer to use smaller vases, like the Westley or Henley, with just three or four stems on my bedside tables and countertops. Focus on neutrals When staging a home to sell, I aim to make the space feel lived in but adaptable. That’s why I tend to favour neutrals when selecting the faux flowers and vases to display. There’s a misconception that neutrals are safe and boring, but I think our white and green faux flowers are some of most spectacular styles we offer. I can’t resist the romance of a classic white peony, the intensity of an olive branch, a wild waxflower stem, or a delicate sprig of cherry blossom. If you do want to add a splash of colour, you can’t go wrong with a soft blush pink. Tulips, hydrangeas, dahlias, and ranunculus are all favourites of mine, especially when the sun is shining. Select complementary vases When creating arrangements with faux flowers, I recommend choosing a solid vase. These can be more forgiving than a glass vase, concealing any folded or cut stems from view. Consider styling your flowers in a vase that reflects the room; I like to use a large stoneware jug in my kitchen or dining area, a simple white pot in the entrance hall, and a small Westley on my side tables. Neutral earth tones have a grounding effect and can be easily reused if you wish to swap out your artificial flowers to reflect the changing seasons. Make an entrance  First impressions are important, especially when you’re hoping to sell your home. If you choose to display faux flowers anywhere, I recommend your entryway or porch. Choose a style that complements the space; if you have a shelf, consider adding a small vase with just two or three stems, or enhance a large empty hallway with a freestanding faux fern. For the perfect finishing touch, why not add a seasonal wreath to your front door? In my opinion, there’s nothing more welcoming. You can buy a ready-made wreath or create your own using one of our signature wreath kits.

Taking inspiration from the foliage you can find in nature; a DIY foraged spring wreath is a fantastic way to bring the outside in. Find out how you can make your own with this step-by-step guide Spending time in nature is one of my favourite things to do in spring; the world feels like it’s waking up again after the cold winter months and there’s an inspiring sense of renewal. I love observing the changes all around us, taking the opportunity to slow down and notice the buds forming and the blossom starting to bloom. Foraging for flowers Foraging is a family activity that first became part of our routine during lockdown and it’s still a great excuse for us to get outside with the girls. If you’re keen to give it a try, I recommend checking your local laws and guidelines first as each country has different rules you need to follow. My book ‘House of Flowers’ contains an in-depth guide to foraging for flowers and how you can source your arrangement materials more generally, but when I’m heading out to forage for my spring wreaths, I tend to gravitate towards stems and branches that are relatively hardy. My top finds often include ivy, olive, eucalyptus, pittosporum, viburnum, hawthorn, oak, conifer, and yew. However, the true beauty of any foraged spring wreath is that your creation will be completely unique. No two wreaths are alike, but I believe the most effective reflect your surrounding environment, bringing the wonders of the outside world into your home. Once you’ve foraged your flowers and stems, it’s time to get to work and create your wreath: A step-by-step guide to making a DIY spring wreath Select a wreath base and find some wire or twine that can keep your materials in place. If you’re using a wire frame, I recommend weaving the twine in a zigzag pattern so that your moss can sit on top of it. Build a nice chunky layer of moss and secure it in place by threading the wire or twine over and under the entire frame. Gather your flowers and stems and trim them down so that they are a more workable length. 6 – 10 inches should be just about right, but don’t worry about being too precise; personally, I prefer working with a mixture of different shapes and sizes. Decide whether you want to work clockwise or anti-clockwise (I’m right-handed so find clockwise the most comfortable). Choose the direction that works for you, but make sure you don’t change your mind halfway through! Pick up a selection of your trimmed pieces and combine them to create a bundle that’s similar in shape to a fan. Position the bundled stems on the middle of your base and let the foliage fan out so that it covers the moss. Use wire to attach the bundle to the base and wrap the ends of each stem around two or three times until it’s held securely in place. Make your next bundle and position it so that it slightly overlaps with the first bundle and covers the wire and stems. I like to include a slightly different mixture of stems and flowers in each bundle to keep it interesting. When you reach the final bundle, simply lift the foliage from your first and tuck the stems underneath to conceal them. Once all your bundles are attached, flip the wreath upside down and trim the wire. You’ll need around 6 – 8 inches to loop back and forth across the wire frame. It’s at this point that I like to take a step back and look at the wreath as a whole. This helps me spot any gaps or areas that could use some additional texture, which I then fill in using leftover stems. Experiment with different ribbons to hang your wreath in your home. If you’d prefer to follow along with me and create a wreath together, check out my spring wreath kit video here, which shows all of these techniques in action.

Greenery can transform your home, bringing life and a feeling of peace to your space and improving your mental health and wellbeing. Find out why faux foliage is a timeless home décor option When I first started pursuing my interest in flowers, I saw it as an opportunity to explore my creativity and translate my love of nature into an activity that I could enjoy at home. The one thing I could never have predicted is the difference that being surrounded by flowers and foliage has made to my family’s overall wellbeing. Life can be hectic. We often find ourselves moving through the day at 100mph, juggling several different plates all at once: pursuing careers, caring for our children, staying on top of our life admin, keeping the house clean – the list goes on! Naturally, these fast-paced lifestyles can take a toll on our mental health and wellbeing. Experts advise us to slow down and spend more time in nature, but these well-meaning suggestions can sometimes feel like just another thing we need to add to our never-ending to-do lists. That’s where green foliage can help. The power of green Green is one of the most powerful colours found in nature. In fact, it’s been proven that spending just a few minutes of the day surrounded by greenery can drastically improve our moods. It’s also a colour with multiple meanings, representing new beginnings, renewal, growth, and abundance. When used in our homes, green can bring feelings of peace, harmony, and balance. It can rejuvenate and restore us, helping us to feel more connected to nature and instilling a sense of safety and security. And that’s not all; its many positive psychological effects include enhancing our creativity and focus. Experimenting with faux foliage If the thought of caring for house plants and keeping up with a watering schedule feels like just another chore, faux foliage can offer a fantastic alternative. Artificial plants have evolved a lot in recent years and the dusty, plastic plants you might remember from childhood are thankfully long gone. Today’s faux foliage benefits from advanced technology, materials, and incredible attention to detail. Not only that, but they’re also fuss free and hypoallergenic, so they won’t affect those suffering with allergies. The faux stems I use in my displays are unbelievably realistic, but do they offer the same benefits to our homes as fresh greenery? From my own experience, high quality faux foliage brings the same sense of calm and balance to a space as the real thing. And the science agrees with me, confirming that both fresh and faux plants can have a positive effect on our mental wellbeing. How to use faux foliage in your home At The Suffolk Nest, we believe that we have the most realistic and lifelike stems on the market - we’re very proud of our foliage range. I’ve also found that there are endless opportunities to create interesting and distinctive displays with faux foliage. Using greenery on its own can make a real statement and add vitality to your home, but sometimes all you need is a couple of stems and your favourite vase to keep the arrangement light and airy while infusing your space with peace and harmony. Green eucalyptus is one of our most popular foliage stems and it’s easy to see why. It’s real-touch qualities and dusty green leaves can instantly lift a room, especially when grouped together (I recommend four stems at a time). Artificial foliage: my top tips To achieve a natural look with your faux foliage, it all starts with the stems. While each piece you receive will be the same, you can differentiate them by bending and arching them into shape. There are no set rules when it comes to this, so don’t be afraid to play. You can also try trimming the top off a couple of the stems to create varying heights. I tend to use shorter pieces at the rim of the vase and build asymmetric arrangements, which look and feel more authentic, especially when using the same stem throughout. In my opinion, you can’t go wrong when investing in great faux foliage for your home. It looks fantastic on its own or when used as a base for different arrangements year-round. Artificial greenery is timeless, easy to maintain, and offers a wealth of benefits for your mental health and wellbeing. It’s one of the most important features of my interior design and a tool I use to freshen and brighten spaces throughout the seasons. 

With temperatures rising and evenings getting lighter, spring is a great time to entertain. Read on for my top tips on how to create the perfect spring tablescape Entertaining friends and family at home is one of my favourite pastimes year-round, but it’s something I especially enjoy in spring. The warmer weather and lighter evenings always inspire me to open our space and welcome in guests after months of hunkering down for winter. For us, spring also means celebrating Easter and it’s an occasion we mark as a family. Easter egg hunts around the house and garden are a beloved tradition, as are our long, relaxed lunches. When creating the perfect spring tablescape for a family lunch or dinner party, I aim to design a table that is effortlessly sophisticated yet intriguing. By combining crisp fresh linen and neutral tones with a dazzling centrepiece and thoughtful details, I can trust that my guests will be presented with an inviting setup as well as a talking point. Incorporate layers I like to start every spring tablescape with a fabric base. This isn’t just practical; it also serves to ground the display and brings a textural element that I really enjoy. Neutral tones tend to draw my eye and I gravitate towards high quality cotton and linens. You might opt to use a tablecloth, but I’m personally finding myself using fabric runners more often as they’re less likely to fall victim to spillages from our little ones and help to create a simple, relaxed feel. But that’s not all; I always complement this fabric base layer with placemats. For me, placemats are investment pieces and I use them season after season as foundations of my tablescape. On top of each placemat, I like to use charger plates to add height. If I had to choose a favourite style for spring, I’d opt for these grey rattan chargers; they look beautiful whether displayed with or without crockery and bring an extra dimension to the table. Create a focal point Once your base layers are in place, it’s time to build a focal point. No matter whether you choose to incorporate a large vase filled with your favourite flowers, a selection of candles of varying heights, or a suspended floral arrangement, your focal point should draw attention to the table and spark conversations between your guests. As regular readers of my blogs will know, I look to the seasons for inspiration and like to reflect the scenes I see in nature to tell a story with faux and fresh flowers. In spring, I recommend experimenting with seasonal blooms like tulips, daffodils, ranunculus, and sprigs of blossom. Consider combining these florals with potted bulbs such as muscari or hyacinths, which can then be transferred elsewhere once your dinner party ends. Dine by candlelight As soon as the clocks go back and the evening start lasting longer, I like to reflect the mood with candlelight. A harsh transition from natural light to an overhead spotlight can affect the atmosphere of your meal, whereas using candlelight makes the shift from day to night feel more natural. If you’re looking for an alternative to real candles, I highly recommend our new range of LED candles in white. Not only are they safer to use around children, but they also look incredibly realistic – and the batteries last for up to 400 hours! I also love the fact that I don’t need to worry about blowing them out and ruining my fresh flowers. Add finishing touches In my opinion, the most effective spring tablescapes reflect your individual sense of style and personality. I might keep the foundations of my tables relatively fixed each season, but I like to nod to the time of year, occasion, or special event being celebrating by adding an array of finishing touches. In spring, I embrace the spirit of renewal and rebirth we see in nature by accessorising my tablescape with our adorable white ceramic bunnies and seasonal eggs. 

With the House of Flowers publication date just a few weeks away, Ashlee shares more secrets from the book’s creation process and what readers can expect to find inside It’s almost time! The House of Flowers publication date is just a few weeks away and it’s been a hectic, but very exciting, lead up to the launch. Chris and I have been busy working behind-the-scenes to schedule book signings, live floral demonstrations, and a whole host of very special events that I can’t wait to share with you all. We’ve planned activities that will be taking place throughout the year so hopefully there will be something for everyone.  In the meantime, I wanted to share a little more about the creation of the House of Flowers and what you can expect to find if you pick up a copy on 16th March. Inspiration and information When I first started exploring my love of flowers, I wanted to learn as much as possible. I spent almost all my free time experimenting with supermarket flowers and scouring the internet to find the names of different flowers as well as helpful arrangement tutorials and techniques. While I enjoyed improving my knowledge and getting to try new things, I found it frustrating that I couldn’t find all the information I needed in one place. With this experience in mind, I wanted my book to be both inspiring and informative. It was important for me to create a work that was beautiful and would encourage you to create your own floral arrangements while also including the knowledge I’ve accumulated throughout my journey so far. In the House of Flowers, I’ve shared several of my personal experiences alongside a wealth of tips, techniques, and technical details. The book covers a wide range of topics from how to find inspiration and develop your style to practical advice on how to choose flowers, flower conditioning, and sustainable techniques. I’ve also included my favourite flowers, the blooms that never fail to capture my heart and my imagination each season. The House of Flowers is very detailed, but it doesn’t read like a textbook. I believe strongly that flowers are here to be enjoyed and I’m passionate about making flowers accessible to all, no matter your age or experience. It’s this mission that has driven me to write this book and I’ve been mindful to create something that I would want to read, with language that’s fun and easy to follow. If you enjoy the way I talk things through in my video tutorials, then I’m sure you’ll love the style of this book. Projects and Photography I’ve included 30 projects in the House of Flowers, each using fresh seasonal flowers rather than our faux stems. There are projects dedicated to each of the four seasons so, no matter when you pick it up, you’ll find ideas that capture the spirit of the season and use flowers that are easy to find. The projects cover almost every type of floral arrangement imaginable, including spring planters, flower crowns, hand tied bouquets, seasonal wreaths, and tablescapes. Each arrangement has been beautifully shot by the incredibly talented photographer Helena Dolby, but we aren’t just showcasing the finished product. On every page, you’ll find helpful images from throughout the creation process displayed alongside clear, step-by-step instructions detailing the techniques used as well as a full rundown of the flowers and foliage included. If these insights have inspired you to pick up the book, you can find a copy here: The House of Flowers: 30 floristry projects to bring the magic of flowers into your home.  

Our faux branches are the perfect way to mark the changing of the seasons in your home. Here are my top tips for how to style them this spring For me, spring is a season of renewal. The lighter evenings, milder temperatures, fresh blue skies, and new green shoots all help to bolster my energy and ignite my imagination. I find inspiration in nature year-round, but my connection to the natural world feels especially important at this time of year. I’m always keen to blur the boundaries between our home and the great outdoors, flinging open our doors and windows, and making the most of the longer days. It's also important to me that I mark this shift in seasons by refreshing our home décor. I love the architectural beauty of spring branches and think they look particularly special when housed in a classic vase. No matter whether you choose Magnolia, blossom, contorted willow, or pussy willow, these branches are visually impactful yet still light, airy, and delicate, bringing a unique quality to any space.   Cherry blossom Cherry blossom is synonymous with spring and, in my opinion, is one of the most instantly recognisable seasonal branches. While the living cherry blossom branches are incredibly beautiful, they also have a reputation for being difficult as it can be tough to prevent them from wilting and dropping. That’s why I recommend trying our faux replicas. Our faux cherry blossoms feature a long wooden branch adorned with off-white flowers. The delicate flowers offer a pleasant contrast to the rich tone of the wood, which helps make them surprisingly easy to style. Simply find your favourite vase, create a naturalistic arrangement, and it’ll last you a lifetime! I’ve chosen to style five cherry blossom stems in our Reydon vase.  Sakura blossom If you love the look of cherry blossom stems but would like something a little lighter, our faux Sakura blossom branches offer an ideal alternative. Light, airy, and covered with small cream flowers, these neutral branches provide effortless elegance to any space. Despite their delicate appearance, just three or four Sakura blossom stems can create a stunning focal display. In the examples below, I’ve styled four stems in our Elvedon vase and three in our Lavenham vase.  Magnolia While I love each of the faux branches in our spring collection, our faux Magnolia branches will always occupy a special place in my heart. Each branch features stunningly realistic flowers in bud, set on lichen-covered branches. These can look striking when styled on their own – include branches with varied lengths to give a more naturalistic appearance – or combined with our blossom stems to create an explosion of spring. We have two varieties available; the short branches are ideals for smaller displays, such as those set on coffee tables or by your bedside, while the taller versions look best on larger surfaces such as consoles, kitchen islands, and dining tables. Pussy Willow If you’re mourning the end of winter and would prefer to ease into spring a little more gently, our faux pussy willow branches are the perfect transition piece. Simple yet effective, each faux branch has a realistic dark wood base and soft grey buds. These look incredible when displayed in a clean white vase or to provide contrast and texture when arranged alongside our faux Magnolia branches or white Hellebore stems. Spring Branches Arrangements Not sure where to start? If you’d prefer a pre-arranged display, I’m particularly proud of the faux spring branches arrangements we’ve created this year. I spent time studying all my favourite branches to find the ones that complement one another, ensuring each individual pieces comes together to create a balanced – and beautiful – display. There are two options to choose from: the Premium celebrates spring with a mix of Magnolia, Pussy Willow, and delicate blossom branches while the Deluxe takes these branches to new heights! Find out how to style each arrangement with my video tutorial here.

This Valentine’s Day, I’ve created a selection of faux flower arrangements featuring irresistibly romantic powder pink blooms. Read on to find out more about this very special seasonal collection No matter whether you’ve found a partner or happily single, Valentine’s Day is a fantastic excuse to treat yourself to an extra-special floral arrangement. Everyone celebrates the day differently, but Chris and I tend to have a quiet celebration, setting aside time for a date night and decorating our space with seasonal flowers. This year, I’ve absolutely loved creating our Valentine’s Day collection; each of our faux flower arrangements will feature blush-tipped eucalyptus stems alongside real-touch roses, ranunculus, and dahlias in the most incredible shade of soft power pink. While we all have our own favourite flowers, I personally don’t gravitate towards traditional red roses at this time of year. Instead, I prefer to choose florals that are in keeping with our home décor and think there’s something inherently romantic about these everlasting faux flowers. Small but perfectly formed If you’re looking to bring a little love into your home this February, I’d recommend our smaller Valentine’s Day arrangement. We have two designs available, and both look amazing displayed on a bedside or dressing table. I think they look particularly good in our Henley vase; the soft grey ribbed design of this piece does a fantastic job of grounding the soft pink blooms without dimming their impact. Place an order online and your Valentine’s arrangement will arrive at your door beautifully present and hand-wrapped by me. Then, it’s time to get creative. When using clusters of the same flowers, I think they look best – and more natural – if you take time to vary each stem’s height. This technique also allows you to show off the intricate rose head from multiple angles. Make sure you regularly take a step back to assess the full arrangement and ensure you’re happy with the result. To help you get started, I’ve prepared a video with all my top tips for creating the perfect arrangement. A grand gesture Whether you’re planning a Valentine’s Day proposal or just keen to go all out, you’ll probably be looking for a show-stopping arrangement. I’ve created two hand tied bouquets designed to make an impression. Each is a 360-degree arrangement featuring an abundance of roses, ranunculus, and dahlias. Not only will these bouquets delight their recipient, but they also make fantastic centrepieces for your dining or coffee table.  None of the faux flowers in this collection are pre-cut, meaning that experimentation is encouraged. When transferring your bouquet into a vase, don’t be afraid to bend the stems. You may even find you want to bend them back on themselves to make sure that they sit in the vase correctly. Spend some time fluffing out each stem; this helps them to look more natural and gives the arrangement a unique personality. Long-lasting love Valentine’s Day is celebrated on 14th February, but your floral arrangements can last much longer with a little attention. Like any good relationship, faux flowers need some tender love and care to look their very best. The good news is that maintaining these blooms couldn’t be easier. Our Valentine’s arrangements feature real-touch flowers that look and feel incredibly realistic. The best way to keep them clean is to invest in a pack of baby wipes. As a Mum of two girls under four, I always have a pack handy, and every so often, I’ll use a wipe to dab each stem and individual petal to remove any dust. I find that each wipe holds just the right amount of moisture and won’t damage the petals, even if you need to apply some pressure to remove stubborn marks. I hope you’d agree that these faux flowers are so stunning that they can be displayed in your home year-round, but if you’d prefer to store them away until next year, simply keep hold of the packaging that they arrive in. This box is the perfect size for storage and will help each flower look fresh until you’re ready to bring them out again. Finally, I’d like to wish you all a very Happy Valentine’s Day from Chris and I.   

With the release of my debut book just around the corner, I wanted to share with you the story of how the House of Flowers came to be and what you can expect to find inside The initial idea When I first started sharing my floral arrangements and interior design posts on Instagram, I could never have imagined that those posts would one day inspire a book. As many of you know, each week, I go live and demonstrate different flower design tutorials to our community on my Instagram platform, every Friday at 8pm. Two years ago, after watching my tutorials for a while, an editor reached out to ask if I’d be interested in creating a floral project book – a physical representation of my Instagram lives that people could keep and refer to throughout the year. We had an initial meeting, and my imagination immediately took flight! I had so many ideas, it was difficult to know where to start, but I was certain that any book I created should reflect my commitment to making floristry accessible to all. A concept starts to bloom  The concept that started to emerge was a book that would showcase floral arrangements for every season. I wanted to shoot the photography at home to ensure that the pictures resonated with our community and people would be encouraged to recreate the projects in their own spaces. There are 30 different projects featured in all, several of which are small, accessible designs such as place settings, bud vase table designs, hand-tied bouquets, seasonal wreaths, and planters. I’ve also included one larger project per season, such as garlands and fireplace designs using different types of flowers, to help readers develop their skills. Image credit: Helena Dolby The book is a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to start creating with flowers, as well as experienced florists in need of a new challenge. I’ve included pieces of my floristry knowledge on every page, so that you can discover the tips and tricks I’ve learned from experience, alongside a guide to where you can source your flowers, the best tools to use, and the sustainable mechanics to include. There’s also a detailed flower directory featuring all my favourite flowers and the seasons when they look their best. At that time, The Suffolk Nest was still very much in its infancy. I had so many ideas and plans for the business and that was primary focus. Chris wasn’t yet officially working for the company, and we had no other employees, so to say we were already overstretched would be an understatement! Preparing to shoot Despite my full schedule, those who know me will know that I’m an ‘all or nothing’ type. Once I got started on the designs for the different projects, it was full steam ahead. I completely lost myself, often working into the early hours of the morning, as I sketched out new designs and plotted out how they would come to life.  Our first shoot for the book was scheduled for late August to highlight our summer projects. Unfortunately, by the time we were ready to move forward, the flowers I most wanted to include were already past their best and the growers were moving into autumn, so I decided to push the shoot back to the following year. This decision ultimately delayed the entire launch of the book, but I knew it was the right thing to do.  We shot our Christmas and winter projects in the first week of January 2022 – it was very surreal filling our house with festive foliage again, so soon after packing it all away! This was quickly followed by our spring and summer projects, timed so that I could feature the very best peonies. Image credit: Helena Dolby Pulling everything together While I’d always planned to shoot in our home, it didn’t immediately occur to me that I’d need to source and style everything myself, not only the arrangements but also the candles, plates, tablecloths, and even new furniture. If you’re a regular viewer on my Instagram lives, you’ll know that our kitchen island is one of my favourite places to work because the light is always very good, and the flowers look beautiful displayed against a neutral background. But I didn’t want to offer you an entire book of arrangements shot on our kitchen island! Instead, I sourced new furniture for our bedroom as well as buying new chairs and side tables so that we could mix things up and hopefully inspire you to get creative too.  It was a mammoth task for one person, especially someone who was already running a business full-time. Each season features around eight projects, which all had to be shot back-to-back. We could only guarantee the light between 10am and 4pm, so I needed to create and style every project within this short time frame. The shoot days were my favourite part of bringing this book to life. It was amazing to see my sketches, iPhone notes, and PowerPoint graphics come together and become real. Each day, I would drop the girls off at nursery, treat myself to a Starbucks coffee to try and steady my nerves, and pick up our incredibly talented team at the train station: Helena, our photographer, and Sarah, our Art Director. I’m not an athlete, but I imagine the feelings I experienced were akin to those a sprinter experiences before the start of a 100m race: intense butterflies that remind you that you’re embarking on your biggest challenge to date.   Admittedly, I’m a bit of a perfectionist and it was challenging to get everything done to my desired standard in such a short time frame. With my workload not easing anytime soon, I needed to embrace a more organised approach to make it through! I had to know exactly which flowers and props were needed to be featured in each project, even though the house had been turned completely upside down with furniture moved, buckets of flowers dotted around the floor, and props left all over the place. There was a moment when I looked around and realised, I had created this beautiful chaos.  Image credit: Helena Dolby Once the first shoot was complete, and I felt a small sense of achievement, it dawned on me that I now had to write up every project and plan the next shoot. Being a night owl does have its perks sometimes! If you’re curious to see how everything came together, you can find a copy here: The House of Flowers: 30 floristry projects to bring the magic of flowers into your home. I hope it inspires you to create your own floral arrangements to celebrate each season.

As we enter 2023 and start looking ahead, Ashlee shares some reflections and behind-the-scenes insights from a hectic but rewarding year for The Suffolk Nest Happy New Year! I hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year break, surrounded by loved ones. Our decorations have now been packed away for another year and I’m ready to make the most of 2023. While I love our home when it’s filled with festive magic and twinkling lights, I always get a fresh burst of energy when we say goodbye to the season and start reclaiming our space by stripping it back to basics. While I don’t tend to make New Year’s resolutions, I appreciate the mental reset that entering a new year can bring. January is the perfect time to pause, take stock, and reflect on all the successes and challenges of the past year. It’s also a month that I like to use to get organised and lay out our plans for the year ahead. A look back at 2022 It’s fair to say that 2022 was a bit of a rollercoaster. The Suffolk Nest celebrated its second anniversary but reaching this milestone came with several unexpected challenges, stress, worries, and sacrifices. But despite the tough moments we experienced, it was an incredibly rewarding year overall. No matter what obstacles were thrown in our way, your messages and emails gave me the strength I needed to push through. I’m so grateful that we receive thousands of messages each month from people who love the community we’ve created at The Suffolk Nest. Inspiring others and encouraging them to fall in love with flowers is the reason I established the business, and it remains my purpose today. You’ve told me that The Suffolk Nest has had a transformative effect on your lives, whether you’ve been empowered by our weekly Flowers for the Weekend live video tutorials, got creative by building your first Christmas wreath, or found a new source of joy in flowers. I’m incredibly proud of the positive impact we’ve had on so many of you. A family business Being an entrepreneur and founder is challenging every day. Our business can move at break-neck speed sometimes and everything can change in the blink of an eye. Having a young family has its own difficulties; our two little girls, aged two and a half and four, are developing and having new experiences all the time. I often find myself torn between wanting to spend my every waking hour with them, while also loving my business and wanting to give it my all. It’s a daily juggling act. As I write, it’s currently 4.30am and we’re enroute to the airport for our first business trip of 2023. Christmas is still dominating my thoughts but this time, it’s our new lines for Christmas 2023, which we’re hoping to confirm during this trip. It’s almost unbelievable that this is my job now – it really doesn’t feel like work, and I get to do it all with Chris by my side! I’m often asked how Chris and I find working together and I can genuinely say that it’s one of my favourite things about our business. We’re completely immersed in each other’s worlds; I understand his anxieties, dreams, and ambitions, and he understands mine. If Chris were to ever wake me up at 3am, excited to talk about something business-related, I’d be more than happy to sit up in bed and have the chat right there and then! I know some people might think that’s a bit odd, but I care so deeply about The Suffolk Nest and knowing that my husband feels the same way is very special. We share the same concerns and make the same sacrifices but, most importantly, we share the same vision. If you’ve ever sent us an email or made an enquiry through our website, you’ll have likely received a reply from Chris. And you might have noticed that the reply arrived in the evening or over the weekend. Chris is incredibly passionate about managing all our customer service messages and responding personally, so he makes time to prioritise this when the girls are asleep, and we can finally sit down and open our laptops after a day on the go. Work can be all consuming, especially as my main hobby has now become my full-time job, but this does mean that my health and wellbeing are often neglected. It’s been on my mind a lot recently. I did join a gym, and despite only managing to work out there once in the six months I’ve been a member, I can confirm that it serves great coffee, and the girls love the soft play area! In 2023, I want to find more balance and dedicate time and energy to this part of my life. I won’t be able to give my all to this business or my family if I end up burnt out and permanently exhausted. This year, I’m hoping to bring more nourishment, more water, more fresh air, and more time in nature into my daily life. Our hopes for 2023 I’m so excited for what’s to come in 2023. January is going to be a very busy month with a few more business trips and the photo shoot for our Spring collection booked in. I can’t wait for you to see it: think budding branches, striking magnolias, delicate blossoms, an abundance of tulips and more! The new collection of faux stems and arrangements will also be offered alongside some gorgeous new additions to our vase collection, all carefully chosen to pair beautifully with our flowers. We’ll also be launching a new Spring wreath kit; I started working on it in December and am now in the process of making the final few tweaks.  On the logistics side of The Suffolk Nest, we’ll be moving warehouse. We were supposed to be moving at the end of last year but, unfortunately, this fell through at the last-minute. Happily, we’ve now managed to secure a new premises so look out for more information coming soon! Our accountant also let us know that he would no longer be able to work with us and so we’ve been busy hiring and onboarding a new team. This type of business admin might not be pretty, but it’s essential if we want to ensure The Suffolk Nest is here for years to come. This month, Flowers for the Weekend will also be back! I’ll be appearing live on my Instagram channel every Friday night from 8pm to show you how to create a different style of bouquet each week. We’ll be starting 2023 with a classic, a traditional spiral hand-tied bouquet, and I’ll be sharing a weekly shopping list ahead of each tutorial session. I’m also counting down to the launch of my book, House of Flowers by Ashlee Jane, on 16th March. That’s only 12 weeks away – and there’s a lot of work still to be done before the big day arrives. The next few months will also include the launch of collections for Valentine’s Day, Spring, Easter, and Mother’s Day. So, it doesn’t look like our workload will be getting lighter any time soon! Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Thank you to everyone who has supported The Suffolk Nest in 2022, purchased a faux stem or arrangement, tried making their own wreath, or tuned in to Flowers for the Weekend. You inspire and encourage me every day and I can’t wait to see what 2023 will bring for us all.