Styling Notes from The Suffolk Nest

There’s something quietly sculptural about artichokes a form that feels both organic and architectural, like nature’s own ornament. In floral design, artichokes have long been admired for their layered depth and rich texture. But for those of us who love beauty without the upkeep, faux artichoke arrangements offer a fresh, timeless take on a classic silhouette that steers beautifully through every season.  A design that feels alive all year What draws me to an artichoke arrangement again and again is its effortless versatility. The Faux Artichoke Arrangement blends lush green eucalyptus with fern, waxflower and a single olive stem, creating a backdrop that feels both natural and refined. Set amongst delicate blooms and textured foliage, the artichoke stems become sculptural focal points that bring energy and balance to any space. Unlike delicate flowers that feel tied to a moment in time, this arrangement delivers a composed presence you can enjoy all year round. The greenery feels rooted in nature’s palette a calming, restorative backdrop that complements both classic and contemporary interiors.  Styling with intention When I style an artichoke arrangement, I think of it almost as a piece of living art. Tall stems and layered forms give it architectural interest, making it perfect for an entry console or dining table where it can be seen from multiple angles. Its textured green tones feel especially lovely paired with ceramics in soft neutrals my personal go-to is a simple stoneware vase that lets the arrangement’s natural shape take centre stage.  Because the stems are faux, there’s nothing to water, prune or think about as seasons change. It can stand proudly in a kitchen alcove, a bedroom corner, or even a hallway niche anywhere that benefits from a touch of nature that never wilts.  Everyday elegance What I appreciate most about this reimagined classic is how it quietly elevates a space without overpowering. The interplay of eucalyptus, olive and fern gives dimension and movement, while the artichoke heads provide substance and intrigue. It’s a piece that feels intentional not just an accessory, but part of the rhythm of your home.  And because it arrives thoughtfully gift-wrapped with the long stems bundled for care during delivery, it feels like a considered addition from the very first moment you unbox it. A timeless staple for considered living Artichoke arrangements are one of those rare décor pieces that feel both rooted in tradition and beautifully modern. With their sculptural form and enduring greenery, they bring depth, texture and a quiet elegance to any room. Whether you’re refreshing your dining table for the season or adding a beautiful anchor to your living space, a faux artichoke arrangement is a timeless choice one that feels like a gentle reminder of the beauty of nature, reimagined for modern living.

There’s something wonderfully comforting about a wreath on the door. Traditionally associated with festive seasons, wreaths have evolved far beyond Christmas styling, becoming a year-round design staple. One of the most versatile of all is the faux white willow wreath a piece that feels both timeless and effortlessly elegant, whatever the season. Why white willow works all year round I’m often drawn to white willow because of its softness and neutrality. Its pale, silvery tones feel light and calming, offering a subtle presence rather than demanding attention. This makes it incredibly adaptable, sitting comfortably within almost any interior or exterior setting. Unlike heavily styled wreaths that feel tied to a specific season, white willow has a natural simplicity that allows it to transition seamlessly through the year. It feels fresh in spring, airy in summer, comforting in autumn, and quietly elegant throughout winter. A warm welcome at the front door Placed on a front door, a white willow wreath creates an inviting first impression. Its gentle texture adds interest without overpowering the entrance, making it ideal for both traditional and contemporary homes. I love how it softens darker doors while offering subtle contrast against lighter finishes. For those who enjoy changing décor with the seasons, the wreath can be left beautifully bare or lightly enhanced. A simple ribbon, a cluster of faux berries, or a hint of foliage can be added and removed with ease, allowing the wreath to evolve without ever losing its core appeal. Styling beyond the doorway While wreaths are most commonly associated with doors, one of the things I enjoy most about the faux white willow wreath is how versatile it is indoors. Hung above a mantelpiece, it adds height and softness to a living space. Resting against a wall on open shelving, it introduces an organic shape that breaks up straight lines and structured furniture. In dining spaces or hallways, a white willow wreath can act as a subtle focal point, bringing texture and warmth without feeling overly styled. Its neutral palette allows it to work alongside ceramics, mirrors, and artwork with ease. Effortless beauty, season after season The beauty of faux white willow lies not only in its appearance but also in its practicality. There’s no shedding, no fading, and no need for maintenance. It retains its shape and colour throughout the year, offering long-lasting style with minimal effort. For busy homes or those who appreciate décor that quietly endures, this makes it an ideal choice. It’s a piece you can hang once and enjoy continually, knowing it will look just as beautiful months and years down the line. A timeless addition to considered homes A white willow wreath is more than a decorative accessory; it’s a gentle expression of thoughtful living. Its versatility, softness, and understated charm make it a natural fit for year-round styling. Whether welcoming guests at your front door or adding texture within your home, the faux white willow wreath offers a calm, enduring elegance that never feels out of place.

Create a Christmas faux floral piece you’ll want to display year after year with our step-by-step guide to styling our new Faux White Winter Arrangement    When choosing the faux floral arrangements that I’m going to invest in each season, I like to select a mix of trend-led displays and timeless pieces that I know I’ll enjoy year after year. During the festive season, those timeless winter arrangements become part of our annual family traditions, which makes them even more special. This Christmas, The Suffolk Nest has a new arrangement that I know will become a festive favourite: introducing our Faux White Winter Arrangement Deluxe.    Faux White Winter Arrangement    A layered, textured, and elegant design, our Faux White Winter Arrangement Deluxe features stems in the classic colour combination of white and green, making it ideal for those who have a neutral décor or aren’t so keen on statement Christmas shades like red or navy. It also features several of my favourite stems, including:   ·       Faux Larix Branch – a tall stem with distinctive needle-like green foliage and a scattering of pinecones. ·       Faux Pine Branch – a traditional Christmas stem that pairs dark wood with verdant green foliage.   ·       Faux White Willow – a light and delicate stem with beautiful white buds. ·       Faux White Berry Branch – a stunning alternative to traditional red berries.   ·       Faux Dried Poppy Head Spray – a distinctive stem with standout detailing and natural tones.   How to Style Your Arrangement: A Step-by-Step Guide   Step 1: Foliage  Always start by creating a foliage base as this will determine the shape of your finished arrangement.   For our Faux White Winter Arrangement, I chose our Faux Larix Branch for its impressive height along with a tried-and-tested favourite, our Faux Pine Branch. I don’t mind admitting that I can’t get enough of our Pine Branch, even though it’s been in our collection for some time now.   Make sure each stem fits perfectly in your vase by measuring it against the outside and bending to the right size. Don’t be afraid to bend all our faux stems – they can always bend back! It’s important to vary the height of each stem though to enhance the realism; no two stems are ever the same in nature, after all.   Step 2: Add volume    Next, it’s time to add in your faux florals. Take your Faux White Willow stems and tease out the side shoots so that they will fall more naturally before starting to distribute them throughout your foliage base. Aim to fill the gaps that have formed within your arrangement and try to have some stems at a lower height so that they drape over the front and connect with your vase. Bend, shape, and tease each stem until you get them exactly where you want them – your stems need to work for you!   Step 3: Aim for balance    Now, repeat with your Faux White Berry Branches. Look for the parts of your display where there isn’t any white willow to make sure there’s an even distribution of green and white. You might be concerned that having two white stems close together could clash, but the different shapes and shade of these stems work so well together, they’re perfect partners.    Step 4: Introduce texture    The final addition to your arrangement should be your Faux Dried Poppy Head Spray stems. Each stem comes with five poppy heads; I love how realistic they are, but you can make them appear even more natural before placing into the foliage by wiggling the stems connecting to each head to make them less straight and pulling some forward and backwards. These stems add an intriguing texture to the arrangement as well as a refreshing colour variation thanks to their frosted grey appearance.   Step 5: Finishing touches    The last thing to I do whenever I’m putting together an arrangement is to take a step back and look at the display from every angle. This allows me to double-check the positioning of each stem, the balance, and the overall visual impact.   Storing for the years ahead    When your new winter arrangement arrives on your doorstep, it will be carefully gift wrapped and securely tied in a recyclable cardboard box. But while the box can be recycled, I recommend holding onto it if you plan on putting your arrangement back out on display next year. Once the season comes to a close and you’re ready to embrace spring blooms, simply place all your winter stems into the original packaging and store them away safely - they’ll be ready and waiting for you when winter comes around again.      

Looking for vessels that will attract compliments this Christmas? Elevate your seasonal arrangements with six of our favourite statement vases    H2: 1. Henley Pot A new addition to The Suffolk Nest collection, our Henley Pot is the perfect shape and size to display in smaller spaces like a sideboard, bedside table, or shelving unit. A rustic design, its soft sage tones are ideal for this time of year, balancing cool shades with the warmth of its exposed terracotta undertones, and I love the way it looks with frostbitten winter stems like the grey-green leaves of our Faux Eucalyptus Bush and the delicate beauty of our Faux Winter Lace Flower. H2: 2. Helmingham Vase Another vase making its debut in our collection just in time for Christmas, our Helmingham Vase is a standout piece that would look equally stunning displayed on its own as it does hosting a winter arrangement. A handmade piece with a classically elegant silhouette, the Helmingham is also one of the most vividly coloured vases in our selection with a warm ochre glaze. It’s a statement, but not overpowering, shade and the rustic distressing enhances its vintage appeal. I recommend styling for the festive season with similarly distinctive stems like our Faux Red Ilex Berry Branch or Faux Blush Eucalyptus. H2: 3. Aspall Vase If you’re looking for a vase that will add a subtle pop of colour to your Christmas styling, our Aspall Vase would be my go-to option. It’s a charming design inspired by antique vessels, and I love using it to display arrangements on my mantlepieces, coffee tables, and sideboards. With a dark blue floral print and authentic distressing, it’s an elegant yet rustic piece, and its tapered neck is well-suited to tall stems. For Christmas, consider styling the Aspall Vase with our Faux Nordman Fir Branch, Faux Dried Poppy Spray, and Faux Cone Spray to create a traditional festive look.    H2: 4. Occold Vase A characterful choice that is perhaps more unusual for Christmas, the deep charcoal terracotta finish of our Occold Vase is reminiscent of Santa’s boots or the coal in a roaring festive fire. Each Occold Vase is handmade with unique imperfections that add to its beauty and intricate textured stripes. I really appreciate the proportions of this statement vase as they lend themselves to so many different styles of arrangement; contrast the dark tones with the lightness of our Faux White Willow or pair with the muted colours of our Faux Pussy Willow Branch. H2: 5. Minismere Vase For those drawn to the rich ochre of our Helmingham Vase but looking for something that’s slightly more subtle, let me introduce our Minismere Vase. This handcrafted piece is a smaller alternative with a lighter ochre hue and rustic distressing. The details on this design really make it stand out from the crowd, ranging from its curved handles to its central ribbing and circles surrounding the neck. It’s an ideal choice for our Faux White Willow, styled with abundance, or the more restrained form of our Faux Eucalyptus Bush.     H2: 6. Dunwich Pot With its rich dark brown glaze, our Dunwich Pot is one of those vessels that perfectly suits the cold winter months, bringing warmth and sophistication all season long. Its twisted braid design and small handles add to its charm while its vintage design perfectly complements timeless Christmas décor. I enjoy pairing its deep tones with lighter faux florals like our Faux Magnolia Branch or the bright white burst of our Faux White Berry Branch.  

From ribbons and bell garlands to ceramic decorations, Christmas accessories play an important role in transforming your home for the festive season. Read on to learn more about my favourite finishing touches.  When decorating for Christmas, it’s often the small details that make the biggest difference. Once you’ve put up your tree, wreath, and garland, it’s Christmas accessories that can capture a specific theme, add depth to your décor, and create alternative focal points in every room. Here are a few of my favourite festive finishing touches and how I like to style them that I hope will inspire you to get creative with your seasonal accessories.   Ribbons Ribbons are some of the most versatile items in my Christmas décor kit. They instantly transform a space, can be used in almost every room, and can be switched out each year to reflect different festive themes. I love using ribbons to adorn our wreaths and garlands, wrap gifts, and tie around candlesticks and cutlery to elevate our tablescapes. When it comes to the type and colour of ribbon, there are so many options to explore. If you love traditional seasonal shades, our Crimson Red Velvet Ribbon is a classic choice, a wonderfully intense and warm tone that looks incredible when combined with lush greenery. For a similar vibe but with vintage appeal, I recommend the bold elegance of our Bronze Velvet Ribbon with Frayed Edge, especially when paired with our French Blue Velvet Ribbon. To match a more calming Christmas theme, our Antique Blue Velvet Ribbon with Frayed Edge and Champagne Velvet Ribbon with Frayed Edge are both beautiful, elegant, and delicate, perfectly complementing neutral décor. Our Cinnamon Satin Ribbon is a more unusual shade but the satin is effortlessly sophisticated and the colour is rich and refined.   Ceramic Decorations  Ceramic decorations are another of my favourite festive finishing touches as they can co-ordinate with any theme – they’re truly timeless. I enjoy displaying them both individually and in clusters, and they look great on mantelpieces, sideboards, shelves, or as part of a table centrepiece. Nothing says Christmas like a tree. Our White Ceramic Christmas Trees offer an elegant addition to your festive décor thanks to their ceramic glaze, intricate diamond pattern, and star topper. They’re also available in three sizes so you can create a scene with multiple heights or choose one to complement your existing ornaments. A more stripped-back alternative, our White Ceramic Pine Tree has a sophisticated, Scandi-inspired tiered design with ribbed detailing. If you enjoy the idea of creating a Christmas village scene, invest in a White Ceramic House or three! These deceptively simple pieces exude charm and contain an array of design details including a glazed finish, delicate roof tiles, and intricately crafted windows. You can also place a tealight inside to enhance the atmosphere even more, although I recommend using LED candles to avoid damaging the interior. Freestanding Bells  This year, I’m enjoying adding to our existing Christmas decoration collection with pieces that I know will stand the test of time. With their antique appearance, freestanding bells can be displayed year-round but also capture the spirit of the season. I think these pieces look incredible added to a festive mantel, on a side table, or as part of a large display on our dining table. Both our Wilby Antique Brass Bell and Iken Antique Brass Bell are graceful designs with thoughtful details that never fail to attract compliments. The handle on our Iken Antique Brass Bell is one a feature that stands out from the crowd while the soft chime that our Wilby Antique Brass Bell produces is perfect for this time of year. When displaying two bells together, I’d suggest our Aldringham Antique Brass Bells. This set of two handcrafted bells combines one smaller bell in matte black and another larger bell with an antique brass finish and handle wrapped in high quality tan leather.   Hanging Bells  In contrast to our versatile freestanding bells, our hanging bells are a classic Christmas decoration. Depending on the bells you choose, they can be hung from mantelpieces, woven into wreaths and garlands, wrapped around stair handrails, or in placed in the boughs of your tree. Our Jingle Bell Garland is a traditional choice, featuring 15 perfectly spaced brass bells on a natural jute rope while our Jingle Bell Cluster has bells of different sizes suspended from a brown leather loop. Looking to experiment with a more distinctive bell garland design? Our Cowbell Garland is crafted from traditional Indian cow bells on a natural jute rope and is available in both small and large sizes.   Jingle Bell Wreaths  While our Jingle Bell Wreaths can be used as an alternative to a traditional foliage wreath on your front door, I like to use them to add a festive finishing touch to indoor spaces. Our Large Jingle Bell Wreath, for example, can be displayed on an interior door or hung from a wall in your entrance hall or kitchen. A modern take on a classic style that can be reused year after year, the Large Jingle Bell Wreath was handcrafted in India using approximately 600 bells. The Small Jingle Bell Wreath is ideal for more modest spaces as it still emits a delicate jingle without overpowering a room.

Looking for festive décor inspiration? Explore our faux wreaths and garlands collection to find pieces that will complement any theme this Christmas Faux wreaths and garlands are always an important part of my Christmas décor. They can be used in so many ways, adorning walls, interior doors, mantels, bannisters, and more. Each piece in our collection is made to last, so you can simply pack them away carefully come January and bring them out again and again for years to come. The perfect base pieces, you can simply add accessories like bells and ribbons to adapt your favourite wreaths and garlands to suit different themes and colours.   Classic Christmas Choices For a traditional wreath and garland, faux pine and cypress are the natural choice. Both offer lush foliage in verdant shades of green that perfectly complement the rich reds and metallics that make up a classic Christmas colour scheme. Our Faux Christmas Pine Wreath captures the essence of the festive season with a timeless design that means you can bring it back out year after year. The wreath is crafted on a natural base and features incredibly lifelike pine foliage with a beautiful, layered texture. If you’re looking for a complementary garland, I recommend our Faux Norfolk Pine Garland. Another piece that will stand the test of time, it is exceptionally full and lifelike with a generous amount of realistic pine A simple yet striking design in an even more vibrant green tone, our Faux Cypress Wreath mimics the natural texture and colour of real cypress. Measuring 70cm in diameter, it provides a bold focal point for any room, whether you choose to display it on an interior door or wall using the simple hook fitted on the base.   Rustic Festive Picks  This year, many people are choosing to embrace a rustic or vintage-inspired theme in their Christmas décor. I think that the wreaths and garlands that work best with this aesthetic are those that look as though they might have been foraged from the wild and crafted by hand at home. Our Faux Foraged Winter Wreath is a prime example; it offers a unique blend of green faux foliage varieties including spruce, cedar, and conifer, which provide an abundance of colour and texture. Its realism is enhanced through the addition of berries and real pine cones delicately scattered throughout the design, giving this wreath a wild beauty. The robust jute wrapping at the top is both stylish and practical, making displaying this statement piece effortless.  Another naturalistic choice is our Faux Woodland Wreath with its lush foliage interwoven with natural pine cones and twigs that could have come straight from the forest floor. This intriguing piece is set on a natural base and includes a discreet hook at the back for easy hanging. Our Faux Larix & Cone Wreath offers a lighter take on this trend, pairing delicate larix with small, scattered pine cones in a loose and airy style that has undeniable charm. Add the matching Faux Larix & Pine Cone Garland to form the perfect pairing. This garland echoes the wreath design with its textured – but still light – mix of larix foliage and pine cones. Statement Alternatives  For those looking for a more unusual wreath option this Christmas, The Suffolk Nest faux wreath and garland collection offers a design to suit every taste. One of my favourite year-round wreaths is our Faux White Willow Wreath. With its spray of delicate white willow giving this piece a stunning, soft texture, I think this wreath can elevate a room in any season but it’s also a great festive choice. Handcrafted on a rattan base, the delicate willow flowers resemble snowflakes making it ideal for the holiday season. Our Large Jingle Bell Wreath is about as far removed from a traditional faux foliage wreath as it’s possible to be but still instantly evokes Christmas thanks to its warm brass bells and delicate jingle. This striking piece was crafted in India by hand and features approximately 600 bells, although a smaller version is also available if you’re looking to display it in a more compact space. When you’re adding festive cheer to a smaller space or want to experiment with displaying wreaths in different ways, our Faux Mini Cypress Wreaths are sure to inspire your imagination. Presented as a set of four, these compact pieces are wonderfully versatile and can be used everywhere from the back of your dining chairs to windows or over works of art.      

The countdown to the big day has officially started and I’m heading into the festive season excited to transform our home with my favourite foliage and home décor pieces, starting with our fireplaces. Read on for my top tips on styling a mantel for Christmas Decorating our home for the season is one of the best parts of Christmas and styling our mantels is always at the top of my to-do list. It’s an area of our home that allows me to get creative, playing with garlands, bells, ribbons, and ornaments to craft a beautifully festive focal point that will elevate any room.   H2: Add a garland  A piece of seasonal décor that instantly makes an impact, a garland can transform your mantel and provide the perfect backdrop for your favourite festive accessories. I love draping them loosely across the mantel, using concealed cable ties, string, or command hooks to hold them in place throughout the holidays. Our Faux Norfolk Pine Garland  is a timeless choice, ideal for those who embrace that classic Christmas feel. Its vivid green foliage is full, lush, and incredibly lifelike – the needles even feel like real pine! It’s beautifully naturalistic and generously layered, whether you decide to add all the bells and ribbons or a simple string of clear fairy lights. A more delicate option, our Faux Larix and Pinecone Garland highlights the sophisticated pairing of textured larix foliage and scattered pinecones. It has a slender silhouette compared to the Norfolk Pine and a slightly deeper shade of green, while the pinecones ensure a rustic look that connects to nature. Both of these stunning garlands require only a little time spent fluffing and spreading the branches before they’re ready to hang straight from the box. Keep them looking their best year-after-year by coiling them loosely in a circle when you’re ready to pack them away and storing them flat. H2: Play with colour and texture   Once your garland is in place, it’s time to add embellishments. Each year, I enjoy experimenting with different textures and colours. Bells and ribbons always play a role in my Christmas mantel décor but whether I choose a traditional Crimson Red Velvet Ribbon with its soft frayed edge or a rich French Blue Velvet Ribbon will depend on my overall theme. Our Cinnamon Satin Ribbon is also a striking choice, especially if you’re crafting a festive look that blends sleek sophistication with warmth. When it comes to bells, these are not only incredibly festive but also provide a rich contrast in texture to a lush, green garland. Our Jingle Bell Garland is the quintessential Christmas choice, featuring 15 perfectly-spaced bells hung from a natural jute rope. A subtle yet playful option, simply intertwine the bells into your greenery to create a seamless blend. If you’re looking for something a little more unusual, I recommend our Cowbell Garland. This distinctive piece of decor features a set of traditional Indian cow bells suspended from a natural jute rope. Our Jingle Bell Cluster is also a great choice if you’d prefer to anchor your garland with bells or use them as a focal point in the centre. Offering a contemporary twist on a classic Christmas decoration, it includes a cluster of brass bells in various sizes, hanging from a brown leather loop.  H2: Embrace a vintage aesthetic   If you love the vintage Christmas aesthetic, there’s no better place than your mantel to start your festive styling. Adding antique-inspired décor to your mantel and within your garland is a quick and easy way to instantly set the tone for the season.   Our brass bells are a perfect fit for this theme; you could choose the elegant and intricately crafted Wilby Antique Brass Bell with its soft chime, the Iken Antique Brass Bell with its distinctive handle design, or our set of two handcrafted Aldringham Antique Brass Bells, which offer a delightful contrast of colours with one a traditional burnished brass shade and the other matte black.   If you’d also like to embrace the vintage aesthetic in your ribbon choice, our frayed edge velvet ribbons look like beloved Christmas decorations that have been used in your home again and again over the years. I love the delicate grey of our Champagne Velvet Ribbon with Frayed Edge while our Antique Blue Velvet Ribbon with Frayed Edge is a calming shade that looks especially striking when paired with bronze tones. H2: Integrate seasonal ornaments   The finishing touch for me when styling a mantel for Christmas is always adding seasonal ornaments with a refined edge. Our ceramic pieces strike the perfect balance between representing traditional festive motifs but also co-ordinating with your existing interior décor, especially if your home favours neutral colours and minimalist styling.   Available in three sizes, our White Ceramic Pine Tree is timeless with a simple tiered design and ribbed detailing. Our charming White Ceramic House is also offered in three sizes, so you can find a fit for mantels of any shape or size, and you can also place a tealight inside to add to the atmosphere (although I recommend using an LED light to avoid damaging the interior).  

  Make the most of seasonal blooms and foliage with this large, bold, and beautiful autumn planter arrangement.   Now that autumn is in full swing, my local garden centre is stocked with seasonal plants and flowers that I can’t wait to incorporate into my arrangements. There are so many beautiful options to choose from, ranging from chrysanthemum, heather, and ivy to the pale pink berries of Gaultheria mucronata (prickly heath) and deep burgundy foliage of heuchera.  One of my favourite ways to display these autumnal staples is to use a planter. Our Bedingfield and Parham planters are perfect for this type of display, offering the space you need to include an array of different blooms for instant impact. Keen to make your own? Here’s my step-by-step guide to creating an eye-catching autumn planter:   1.     Choose a planter Ideally, you’ll need a vessel that’s large enough to hold multiple plants yet still in keeping with the rest of your interior décor. Our Bedingfield Planter has rustic appeal with its off-white glaze, light distressing, and raised detailing, and it measures 32cm across its diameter. Alternatively, our Parham Planter has a similar diameter of 31.5cm but stands out thanks to its distinctive texture and matte white finish.    2.     Add gravel Once you’ve selected your vessel, the next step is to add a thin layer of gravel. This provides a solid base for your plants and helps with drainage.   3.     Position your plants Now it’s time to get creative. Gather all your plants together and start playing with their positions until you’re completely happy with the layout. For my display, I chose to use ivy, thyme, heather, chrysanthemum, Gaultheria mucronata, heuchera, and corkscrew rush. I love the way the different shades of pink and green work together, with the berries nodding to harvest and the heather and corkscrew rush reminiscent of the plants we find in the fields surrounding our home at this time of year. Don’t worry if plants hang over the sides of the planter, that just adds to the beauty and naturalistic appearance of this arrangement. 4.     Plant in place As soon as you’re happy with the positioning of your plants, take them out of their pots and fill any gaps with compost. 5.     Add fresh moss   To ensure the arrangement looks cohesive, I recommend using fresh moss to cover the compost and add another shade of green to the display.   6.     Enjoy!   Now you can put your planter on display. You might choose to use it as a table centrepiece, to add colour to your kitchen counters, or to welcome guests on a sideboard in your entrance hall. To keep it looking its best, try to choose a room that benefits from natural light, water sparingly to avoid overwatering, and wipe down the planter regularly to ensure it stays fresh and clean.    

Mulberry, plum, ochre, chocolate brown; autumn offers one of nature’s most striking colour palettes, filled with rich hues that inspire creativity while also embodying comfort. Here’s how to embrace seasonal shades in your décor The shades of the season While I find beauty in every season, I must admit that the autumn colour palette is one of my favourites. There’s something so comforting about the rich, warm, earthy, and vibrant tones that define this time of year, especially when temperatures start falling and nights are drawing in. As nature transitions from the subtle pastel shades of summer to the intensity of autumnal tones, I like to reflect that shift in my floral arrangements too. There are so many beautiful colours to choose from; chocolate brown, ochre, plum, fig, and mulberry are just a few of my go-to picks. These tones also look incredible when contrasted with a neutral space or ceramic vase and they lend themselves to antique-inspired home furnishings. The power of colour One of the reasons why the autumn palette is so popular is that the colours included tend to evoke positive emotions. The shades most associated with this time of year strike the perfect balance between being warm and welcoming but also energising and optimistic. Here are the just some of the meanings traditionally linked to autumn’s richest hues: Red – Deep mulberry and ruby shades symbolise both cosiness and motivation. Orange – Pumpkin and burnt orange are connected to positivity, joy, and fun. Yellow – Amber, ochre, and mustard yellow are connected to energy, hope, and optimism. Brown – Mahogany and chestnut are linked to health, stability, comfort, and safety. Green – All shades of green are associated with wisdom, peace, and wellbeing. Purple – Violet and plum are often reserved for royalty but are also related to mysticism, luxury, and ambition. By exploring these meanings, it’s easy to see why the autumn colour palette has such wide-ranging appeal. Whether you associate the autumn months with getting cosy at home or always enter this time of year with the sense of renewed energy that can come with that new term feeling, you’ll find a shade to suit your mood. Autumnal faux floral picks> While there are many faux florals that I love using in my autumnal arrangements, these three always stand out in my mind thanks to their stunning use of colour: Faux Dried Mulberry Hydrangea With their abundant petals and distinctive shape, hydrangeas always make a spectacular addition to an autumn arrangement. In nature, their colour is affected by the pH of the soil, and I love the painterly appearance they have as a result. Our Faux Dried Mulberry Hydrangea>is unique as it offers a multitude of seasonal shades in just one flower. Each features a beautiful gradient of colour with rich, deep, and warm tones of plum, burgundy, brown, and green. Not only does this effect allow you to enjoy autumn’s richest hues but it also adds to the realism of this faux flower, which has been expertly crafted to look, feel, and even sound exactly like the real thing. Faux Plum Cimicifuga Less well known than hydrangeas, cimicifuga is a dramatic perennial and can be displayed on its own or combined with the complementary aubergine tones of our Limonium and Burnet Spray stems to create a striking arrangement. Our Faux Plum Cimicifuga is wonderfully intense with deep plum-coloured leaves that look almost black in low light. It’s lush, layered, and textured with cut-out leaves and richly hued stems that are sure to attract attention. I recommend reflecting its moody vibe with a graphite grey or black vessel like our Flatford or Occold vase. Faux Dried Moss Green Hydrangea While there are many beautiful colours to use in autumn faux floral displays, I often find myself craving greenery. The colour green is one of the most powerful and can impact your mood and wellbeing, bringing a sense of calm and grounding that I find adds so much to a busy space like your kitchen or a room that is designed for rest like a bedroom. That’s where our Faux Dried Moss Green Hydrangea comes in; it delivers that shot of green that I need but still feels appropriate for autumn thanks to its grey and brown tones. Simply display a few stems in a large vase – our Darsham vase is my go-to – and you’ll have a simple but effective seasonal arrangement in seconds.

Transforming your home for the new season couldn’t be easier thanks to our stunning faux blooms. Read on to learn more about the benefits of styling your space with autumnal faux flowers Instantly autumnal  You can’t underestimate the effect autumn faux flower arrangements will have on your interiors. No matter whether you opt for the rich warming tones of our Faux Mulberry Equinox Arrangement with its mix of seasonal stems, mulberry hydrangeas, and deep plum cimicifuga or the rustic style of our Faux Autumn Meadow Arrangement, a beautifully textured combination of field moss green hydrangeas, blush eucalyptus, limonium, poppies, and wheat grass, each can instantly transform your space while capturing the spirit of the season. With our autumn faux flowers, you can bring drama to a table centrepiece, add a splash of colour to a neutral room, or make your entranceway warm and welcoming. Minimal effort, maximum impact The beauty of faux flowers is that they will look incredible all season with just a little TLC. There’s no need to worry about making sure they have enough water, placing them in a shadier spot or seeing them wilt when it gets cold enough to turn the heating on. To ensure your faux flowers look their best as temperatures dip and the nights draw in, simply give them a light dusting with a soft cloth every few weeks, make sure they’re not displayed in direct sunlight to avoid any colour bleaching, and pack them away safely at the end of the season in their original Suffolk Nest packaging. Long-lasting beauty Autumn is a time of transition in nature as trees shed their leaves and plants retreat into the earth as they prepare for the winter months ahead. Happily, thanks to faux flowers, your displays don’t need to fade away until spring. Instead, you can enjoy your favourite autumnal florals all season long – and they’ll stay in full bloom during strong winds, cold snaps, and rainstorms. Our Faux Crimson Cone Hydrangea are a prime example; these are a perfect replica of the real thing and have a spectacular colour gradient that blends delicate pale pink and deep crimson hues with light green accents. Unlike fresh cut hydrangeas, which might only last five to nine days in a vase, our faux variations can be on display for months or even years!  Exceptional realism In the past, the difference between faux and fresh flowers may have been more obvious but today, they’re virtually indistinguishable. Chris and I take time to track down the highest quality autumn faux flowers to ensure they’re as realistic as possible. I’m so proud of our Faux Dried Hydrangea Mulberry, which not only offers a spectacular blend of deep warm plum, burgundy, brown, and green tones but is also incredibly realistic. The stems look, feel, and even sound the same as they would if you’d gone out to cut and dry them yourself. Our Faux Dried Angelica Spray is another favourite with its rich brown colour, elegant silhouette, and three dried flower heads. It strikes an effortless balance between naturalistic realism and artistic perfection. A sustainable choice One of the biggest benefits of choosing faux flowers over fresh for your autumn décor is that they can be an environmentally conscious choice. While you may need to invest more in your collection of stems at first, you can then continue to reuse the same faux florals in different arrangements year after year. Simply pack them away at the end of the season and they will be ready and waiting for you as soon as September rolls around again. There’s no need to replace them every two to three weeks, they don’t require any water, and you can simply bend the stems (and bend them back again) to suit different displays. That way, you can enjoy nature’s beauty without interfering with its ecosystem; our intricate Faux Dried Achillea, for example, are a replica of those found in hedgerows and fields. 

This autumn, we’re proud to announce that the Suffolk Nest is releasing our debut Home Collection. Read on to dive deeper into our timeless new range and find out more about a few of my favourite pieces  I’m excited to be sharing our first ever home collection with you all. Interior design has always been one of my passions and, while our focus until now has been on our faux florals and vases, I’ve been quietly working away in the background to create exceptional homeware pieces that are in tune with everything The Suffolk Nest stands for. Each piece has a timeless quality yet is designed to enrich seasonal styling and layer beautifully with our existing stems and vessels. This first collection has an autumnal theme, inspired by the shifting hues and quiet poetry that defines this time of year.  Antique-inspired décor  Autumn is often a time to reflect as we spend more time at home and tap in to that back-to-school feeling that never fails to strike no matter how old we are! That’s why it’s also a time of year that lends itself to antique-inspired décor, pieces that feel as though they hold decades of history and could become future heirlooms, even if they’re brand-new additions to your home.  Our debut home collection includes a trio of antique-inspired brass bells, which can be displayed on a mantelpiece, side table, or shelf to add instant intrigue. Each piece is also functional, emitting a softly resonant chime when rung. The Iken Antique Brass Bell nods to nature with its central leaf motif, complemented by an intricately crafted handle, while our Wilby Antique Brass Bell has an innate elegance thanks to its rich colour and beautifully smooth surface. Rounding out the range are our Aldringham Antique Brass Bells, which come as a set of two. Handcrafted by skilled artisans, these bells feature two different finishes: one in antique brass and the other in matte black.  As well as bells, our new collection also features the Kersey Antique Brass Cup. Crafted by hand, this distinctive piece will add vintage charm to any display thanks to its warm metallic finish and fluted pattern. Personally, I love to place it as part of a sideboard display alongside one of our autumnal floral arrangements and a pair of our resin boxes.  Warm and welcoming When creating our first home collection, I wanted to ensure it reflected the refined yet approachable styling that runs throughout the Suffolk Nest range. It was important to me that the pieces could be used to make spaces that feel warm and full of character. That’s why candlesticks had to be included. Our Henley Antique Brass Candlesticks offer an appealing blend of warmth, elegance, and charm with a slender design that makes them an ideal choice for displaying on your mantel or sideboard. They are practical too with a handy spike insert, which secures the candle in place. Our Buxhall Antique Brass Candlestick pair are a bold alternative with a slightly weightier stem, balancing warmth with refinement, and would add instant sophistication to the dining table at your next dinner party.  When it comes time to snuff your candles, do so in style with our Corton Antique Brass Candle Snuffer. This is an elegant piece of home décor in its own right but is also highly functional and will ensure your candles are snuffed out quickly and cleanly. It features a crosshatch pattern engraving and curved handle.  Stylish storage solutions  The perfect blend of form and function, our brass and resin boxes are some of the most practical additions to our home collection. Each can be used to store important items, whether that’s cherished pieces of jewellery, notes, toiletries, or bits and bobs that have nowhere else to live. Each can be easily displayed on a coffee table, bedside table, shelf, or bathroom cabinet – it’s completely up to you.  Continuing the antique theme of our autumn collection, the Hengrave Antique Brass Box is a refined piece that looks as though it’s been handed down through the generations. It has been expertly crafted with detailed engravings and an ornate topper that depicts a flower in full bloom. Four ball feet ensure it can sit proudly on any surface.  Each of our resin boxes comes in a set of two with the smaller box designed so it can be placed within the larger for easy storage and transportation. You can choose to display both boxes together or separately. If you’re looking for a bold new addition to your interiors, I’d recommend either our Checkered Resin Box with its check pattern made from wood and cream resin or our Stripe Resin Box with its monochrome stripes and light grooving on the back.  If you would prefer a more intricate piece, perhaps to contrast with a neutral backdrop, our Herringbone Resin Box features a stunning raised herringbone braiding design in cream, so that it makes a statement without overpowering your space. Our Patterned Resin Box takes things a step further with a series graphic dots and lines appearing across its cream resin surface.  Our round resin boxes are an ideal choice for your bedroom or bathroom, whether you choose to use them for storage or as purely decorative items. Handcrafted using traditional techniques, our Melton Resin Round Boxes comprise a large box crafted from cream resin with a floral-inspired handle on the lid along with a smaller, simpler box with burnished gold accents. A more minimalist set, our Willisham Resin Round Boxes were also handcrafted and form a pairing of contrasts. The larger is made from cream resin and has a simple brass handle while the smaller also has a brass handle but this time paired with a classic black and white circus pattern. Timeless trinket trays  The final category in our new home collection is trays. Another practical item, trays are one of my favourite pieces of décor as they can be used as a display surface, somewhere where I can store everyday items like keys or jewellery, or to bring a new dimension to furniture like coffee tables and sideboards. I favour trinket dishes in neutral tones, crafted from tactile materials. Our Kenton Silver Tray is striking, stylish, and wonderfully useful thanks to its shallow design and conveniently-placed handles. Its metal finish makes it ideal for kitchens and dining rooms while the sleek ceramic glaze of our Scallop Edge Trinket Tray means it’s a great fit for dressing tables and nightstands. This popular gift is the perfect size to hold your favourite rings or watch but it’s also a great base for candles as it protects surfaces from any heat or stain damage. 

A new collection launch is exciting, nerve-wracking, and always worth the effort. Take a look behind-the-scenes as I walk you through the steps that led to our Autumn launch   The Planning Stages   Every collection launch is the result of months of planning. There’s a lot of moving parts to coordinate and a tight schedule to ensure we achieve the perfect balance of build-up and big bang when launch day finally rolls around.   We also need to pay special attention to all the different touchpoints that help us connect with our community, no matter whether they land on our website, receive our emails in their inboxes, or scroll our feeds on social media. As we get closer to launch, we work with our team to make sure we have a consistent message ready for every channel, each with the same look and feel to signal that we’ve transitioned into a new season.   Planning might not be the most creative part of the process but working on the details of the launch is often one of my favourite steps as it builds my anticipation and excitement for when our new pieces can be shared with the world!    The Samples   While we’re planning the collection launch, we also need to review our samples. This is our opportunity to check every new item landing on our website before it appears in our photoshoots and, most importantly, gets sent out to our customers.   We take time to carefully check every piece to ensure it delivers the quality and style that The Suffolk Nest is known for. This is also when we can decide how each piece should be packaged so that it can travel through the post safely and how many units we should order so that we don’t risk selling out straightaway.   The Shoots   Scouting locations for our new collection photoshoots is often when everything starts to come together. It’s when I can start planning the creative direction of the shoot as well as assessing how each piece should be styled, how they work together, and how they impact the overall space.   Over the years, I’ve found there are certain setups that I return to again and again: the kitchen, the entrance hall, and fireplaces all serve as ideal backdrops, bringing our collections to life in ways that our customers can hopefully replicate in their own homes.   Our locations change depending on the theme of the collection, but we always strive to find a home with lived-in charm and a timeless aesthetic. I prefer shooting in homes rather than studios as it feels more natural and helps our customers imagine what our faux flowers, vases, and homeware would look like in their own spaces.   The Colours   With the production design for our Autumn Collection, I knew I wanted to take inspiration from the autumnal colour palette. This season has so many beautiful, rich shades that contrast wonderfully with our more neutral tones and delicate faux florals. Mulberry, ochre, chocolate, and crimson were selected as our four key colours this season, lending a luxurious yet warm and welcoming aesthetic to our imagery.   The Moodboard   Putting together a moodboard is arguably the most important step when planning our collection photoshoots. It provides endless inspiration and helps me define exactly how I want our collection to look and the feels I want our stills and videos to evoke.   For autumn, I was spoilt for choice, but found that I was drawn to images with a vintage vibe, classic autumnal tones, pumpkins, fallen leaves, and scenes of rural living. I love the contrast between images that call to mind crisp, cold autumn mornings outdoors and those that depict the inviting, rustic appeal of indoor spaces adorned with candles, velvet ribbons, and antique brass.   The Details    The final step is taking care of all the details. Not only does this involve another quality check of our new designs – especially those in our debut homeware collection – but it also allows me to make those last-minute changes that make all the difference.   You might not think the size of a candlestick spike or the finish on a decorative bell would be that impactful, but it’s often these small details that take a piece from ordinary to extraordinary. And function is important too; a stunning candlestick won’t become a beloved part of your dining room setup if the candles always fall out! 

A piece of home décor that’s close to my heart, seasonal wreaths have a charm that instantly elevates any room, can be customised to suit your own personal style, and provide a warm welcome to your guests. They’re a Suffolk Nest tradition for a reason… The origin and meaning of wreaths  Nowadays, we’re used to seeing wreaths displayed on doors on or walls year-round. Whether they’re honouring an event like Christmas or Easter or welcoming the changing seasons throughout the year, seasonal wreaths have become an essential piece of home décor.  But did you know that wreaths have roots in the ancient world?  The very first wreaths were items of clothing rather than home décor. The earliest examples were crafted from jewellery and other adornments and styled as head pieces, which eventually evolved into laurel wreaths worn by Romans. However, the Ancient Greeks were the first to hang wreaths from their doors. They made their seasonal wreaths from crops like wheat, and they served as a tribute to the Gods in the hope that they would grant a healthy harvest.  By the 16th century, wreaths were starting to look more like the ones we know and love today. Johan Hinrich from Germany is credited with crafting the first advent wreath, which was used to count down to Christmas. These wreaths were used as table centrepieces and decorated with candles lit each Sunday during advent.  Today, wreaths can be purely decorative, but they also have many different meanings. Their circular shape can symbolise eternity as well as the circle of life and the cyclical nature of seasons. These meanings have led them to be associated with celebration, hope, and remembrance.  Making the first Suffolk Nest wreath  Wreaths will always occupy a special place in my heart. They have become a Suffolk Nest signature and, each season, remind Chris and I of the early days of our business and how far we’ve come in the last five years.  Before the pandemic, we were known for our wreath-making classes, and they were our most popular offering. Of course, when we entered lockdown, we had to cancel all our upcoming events and find a new way forward. To help people stay inspired and indulge their creativity while stuck at home, we decided to create a DIY wreath kit. Back then, we didn’t have a website so I announced the kits on my Instagram stories with no idea whether anyone would be interested. In the end, the response was overwhelming, and we had over 100 orders in a matter of hours!  What followed were some chaotic but incredible days as Chris and I compiled all the kits by hand at home while also taking care of two children under two! Each kit had 19 different elements that we had to source and pack, which meant staying up until 3am almost every night. The kits also led to our first Instagram Live and fostered the close community that is still an integral part of The Suffolk Nest today.  How to style your own wreath  No matter whether you choose a wreath crafted from lush foliage, branches, or fallen leaves, you can put your own stamp on it with careful styling.  There are several ways you can make your wreath unique. One of my favourite ways to personalise a wreath is to add a ribbon. You can choose a fabric that reflects your sense of style, from elegant silk to vintage-inspired velvet, and then tie it at the top of your wreath. Add more layered by hanging a string of bells alongside your ribbon or experiment by weaving pinecones, berries, or seasonal dried fruits into the foliage.   Where you choose to display your wreath is also completely up to you and will depend on what would best suit your space. You could hang it from an internal door, display it on the wall above a fireplace or sideboard, or lay it flat as a table centrepiece.  Our wreath range Faux Autumn Wreath  An ideal way to welcome the new season, our Faux Autumn Wreath perfectly captures the transition from summer into autumn with layers of vividly coloured eucalyptus. With a 70cm diameter, it’s a striking statement piece with a beautifully rustic appearance and distinctive texture. The wreath is crafted on a sturdy vine base and comes equipped with a convenient loop for easy hanging, but I’d recommend displaying it indoors (it looks especially effective against a solid white or cream wall) or in a sheltered spot outdoors to ensure it stays looking its best for as long as possible.  Faux Fallen Leaves Wreath  Our Faux Fallen Leaves Wreath is a unique design that celebrates the vibrant colour palette of autumn and the carpet of crunchy leaves underfoot that characterises spending time outdoors at this time of year. With its layers of autumn leaves, this wreath is an elegant choice and perfect partner for natural materials like wood panelling. It is set on a sturdy vine base for durability and comes with a loop to make hanging it above your fireplace or on a door effortless.  Faux Olive Wreath  If you’re looking to bring a touch of the Mediterranean to your interior décor year round, our Faux Olive Wreath is the perfect choice. It captures the essence of the Greek Islands with its wonderfully realistic faux olive stems in vivid green, dotted olives, and lush texture. It sits on a natural vine base and has a secure hanging loop so it’s easy to display whether you choose to hang it from a sheltered door, wall space, or wood panelling.  Faux White Willow Wreath  When you need a wreath that has that wow factor, look no further than our Faux White Willow Wreath. Its delicate white willow branches create a mass of soft texture and a stunning appearance that transcends seasons. I love the way it looks set against a dark background, but it can be equally effective adding a new tone to a neutral space and accessorised with a ribbon in a rich shade of red or brown. It is constructed on a sturdy rattan base to stand the test of time and has an in-built hook for easy hanging. 

Your fireplace can be a focal point of your home décor, especially when the weather cools and you start spending more cosy evenings at home. As we look ahead to the new season, read on for our quick guide on how to style your fireplace for autumn Decorate with intention One of my favourite things about this time of year is that it encourages us all to slow down. After the hectic summer holidays when we try to make the most of the sunshine and lighter evenings, the start of autumn signals it’s time to relax, take stock, and enjoy spending time at home as a family. I like to embrace that same energy when decorating for the season, looking for décor that matches my mood and tells a story. Fireplaces encapsulate this spirit of relaxation so, when they’re part of a room, I recommend styling them intentionally with carefully chosen pieces in complementary colours. Embrace autumnal tones Autumn offers one of the year’s most exciting colour palettes and can provide plenty of inspiration for your interior décor. Warm tones are the perfect match for a fireplace, no matter whether you have a tiled, brick, or marble hearth or even a log burner in place of a traditional fireplace. You might choose to style your fireplace with faux stems, wreaths, or home accessories but be sure to embrace the shades of the season to create a cohesive, naturalistic look. Think golden yellow, rich brown, burgundy red, vibrant orange, and deep purple. Add a wreath A wonderful way to instantly transform your fireplace for autumn is to add a wreath. You might choose to display a wreath on the wall above your fireplace or set it on the mantlepiece if you already have a mirror or artwork occupying the wall space. This year, our autumn collection includes a striking wreath inspired by the way trees shed their leaves to prepare for the colder months ahead. Our Faux Fallen Leaves Wreath is a stunning celebration of autumnal colours and features layered leaves in shades of brown, ochre, and deep russet. It’s designed to be both versatile and durable so you can continue to enjoy it year-after-year. Adorn your mantlepiece Your fireplace mantlepiece is ideally suited to seasonal styling. The items you choose to display will depend on your own personal sense of style, but you can’t go wrong with our ceramic pumpkins and pine cones. These charming pieces offer a sophisticated way to nod to the season’s biggest events – Halloween and harvest – without overwhelming the rest of your interior décor. I also like to add faux branches; our green and mulberry-toned Faux Fig Branches are a distinctive option and can be placed along the mantle or displayed in a vase on the hearth while your fire is unlit. Be bold with brass Our new home collection has been carefully curated to seamlessly coordinate with our faux stems, but each piece can also stand alone. Brass is one material that feels inherently autumnal; its rich colour is in tune with other seasonal shades, and it has an antique charm that is in keeping with the slower pace of life I associate with these months. Consider adding a decorative accent with our Wilby Antique Brass Bell or Iken Antique Brass Bell or add height with our Henley brass candle sticks. A pair of candle sticks with tall, tapered candles can help balance your mantelpiece display and add another source of soft lighting to the room to bring warmth as the nights draw in.

Did you know that each shade of flower has its own symbolism, meaning, and psychological impact, especially when used in home décor? Join Ashlee as she decodes the secret language of flower colours One of my favourite things about flowers is that they’re so much more than a beautiful addition to your home décor or a gift for a loved one. They have their own secret language; each stem has its own meaning and some even have the power to change your mood. Different flower colours also come with their own symbolism, meaning, and psychology. Even so, it’s important to remember to remember that these meanings can change depending on where you are in the world; every culture has its own traditions when it comes to colourful florals. In Western culture, for example, red is closely linked with love, but in Asian societies, it’s seen as a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. I’m especially fascinated by the way flower colours can change the feel of a room. Certain colours, like blue, white, and green, can make a space calm and soothing, while others like yellow, orange, and pink can fill your home with a vibrant, positive energy. I’m especially fascinated by the way the secret language of flower colours changes the mood of a room. Certain colours help to create a space that’s calm and soothing like blue, white, and green, while others can fill your home with a vibrant, positive energy like yellow, orange, and pink. Read on for a more detailed look at the meaning behind the most popular flower colours: White It’s no secret that I love white flowers; you’ll see many of our arrangements featuring stunning stems like classic white roses, wild waxflower, or intricate white ranunculus. No matter which variety you choose, you can trust white flowers to infuse any space with a sense of calm, balance, and serenity. White flowers symbolise purity and innocence. White is also often associated with fresh starts making this flower colour the perfect choice for anyone celebrating a new beginning like a new job or house move. If you’re looking for a bloom to convey sympathy or remember someone special, white flowers are the traditional choice. Pink If you prefer flowers with a pop of pink, you’re certainly not alone: pink florals are enduringly popular. There are so many different varieties to choose from, ranging from the abundant petals of a pink peony to the delicate beauty of powder pink lilacs. Pink flowers can have several different meanings. They’re most frequently associated with grace, sweetness, and young love but, as a symbol of gratitude, they’re a go-to gift choice for showing someone your affection or admiration. Purple The colour purple has historically been linked to royalty and, today, it’s still a colour that conveys a sense of luxury. Depending on your preference, you could opt for a deep purple flower like an iris, a soft shade like lavender, or an even more subtle variety like a mauve hydrangea. Purple flowers also have an air of mystery about them, an enchanting quality that makes blooms in this colour feel extra-special. It’s these traits that make purple flowers an ideal option when you want to congratulate someone on a success like graduating from university or securing a promotion. Green Green flowers can be a little harder to find but this flower colour is one of the most powerful when it comes to psychological impact. Greenery in all forms, including foliage, has been scientifically proven to boost mental wellbeing while creating harmony and balance in a room. These blooms also symbolise renewal, growth, and health. When looking to include greenery in my arrangements, I love the unique appearance of green hydrangea and you can’t go wrong with any variation of eucalyptus or fern. For something a little more unusual, consider a green artichoke stem or green berry branch. Yellow Yellow, the shade of sunshine, is a naturally cheerful colour and yellow flowers are no exception. Traditionally, these blooms are said to represent joy, positivity, and optimism. Yellow flowers can also convey feelings of warmth and friendship, making them an ideal gift. There are several different fresh yellow flower varieties to explore; depending on the season, you could choose spring primroses or a summer daffodil. Red Red is one of the most dramatic colours to use in your home, a true statement shade whether you use it to decorate an entire room or in bold accent accessories. Red flowers are equally intense and often used to communicate strong emotions like love, passion, and desire. Red roses are the quintessential symbol of romance but red flowers as a category are also associated with courage and bravery. Poppies, geraniums, and dahlias are all popular red flowers, available in vivid tones, but you could choose a less intense pigment such as a mulberry hydrangea or burgundy-toned maple samaras spray. Orange A bold and punchy colour choice, orange flowers symbolise energy, excitement, and an irresistible zest for life. It’s a colour connected to enthusiasm and creativity making it an ideal gift for someone artistic or someone celebrating. Popular orange flowers in different shades include California poppies, bird of paradise, marigolds, and chrysanthemums. Blue Blue is known as a calming and tranquil colour, lending itself to creating relaxing living rooms or bedrooms when used in home decor. Blue flowers are also associated with serenity, peace, stability, and quiet contemplation. When offered as a gift, they are said to signal trust and dependability. If you’re looking for a blue bloom to mark a milestone, consider blue hydrangeas, alliums, or bluebells.

Ready to embrace that summer feeling at home? Capture the joy of the season in your interior décor with our top tips and find inspiration in a few of our favourite new pieces from our summer collection Let in the fresh air As soon as the temperature starts to rise, we love welcoming the fresh summer breeze into our home by throwing open our windows and doors. It’s a simple tip but one that can make a real difference to how comfortable your home feels, especially in a heatwave, and it’s a luxury you’ll remember fondly once winter sets in. Make the most of the summer warmth and enjoy all the wellbeing benefits that come with fresh air, from increased energy levels and focus to a better night’s sleep. Find your new favourite fragrance Summer scents are simply irresistible and an ideal way to capture the spirit of the season in your home. Perhaps unsurprisingly, florals are our favourites; Chris and I love the unique and powerful fragrance of sweet peas as well as the sweet scent of fresh lilacs with their notes of honey and jasmine. If you’re looking for a seasonal fragrance that will encourage relaxation, you can’t go wrong with lavender. At this time of year, you can buy a bunch or invest in a candle to burn on cooler summer evenings. For a more refreshing alternative, choose a citrus scent: lemongrass, mandarin, and yuzu are all great options. Switch up your vases  A quick and easy way to update your interiors for the summer season is to switch up your vases, especially if you have faux flower arrangements that you like to display year-round. Our new ultra-lite planters are the perfect choice for faux trees: they’re lightweight enough to move into position without needing help from a second pair of hands and have a timeless, rustic aesthetic that would suit any décor. For smaller arrangements, our handcrafted Minismere Vase stands out from the crowd thanks to its distinctive ochre hue and realistic distress marks, while our Aspall Vase is ideal if you’d like to add a pop of colour to your room thanks to its vintage-inspired dark blue floral design. For lower-level placements, we recommend our Bedingfield Planter, a ceramic bowl with an off-white crackle glaze.   Refresh your foliage  Summer and greenery make the perfect partnership. There are a whole host of options to explore, depending on the space you have and your own personal taste. Our new faux tree collection is a good place to start; our Faux Lemon Tree is effortlessly summery thanks to its Mediterranean look, deep green leaves, and delicate hanging citrus fruit. If you’re working with a smaller space, then a Faux Potted Spanish Moss or Faux Potted Eucalyptus Bush will provide a shot of green and a visually intriguing texture without adding too much height. For a greener version of a classic summer faux floral arrangement, consider our Summer Foliage Arrangement, which has an unusual and beautiful blend of textured wild grass, fern, and green berry branches.   Get the lighting right    With the long, light evenings of summer stretching until well past 8 or 9pm depending on where you live, the last thing you’ll want to do is turn on the big light or be flooded with fluorescents when the sun goes down. Instead, keep your lighting soft. It’s worth investing in a few different items so you can gradually illuminate your space as it gets darker. Candles, table lamps, and floor lamps with warm-toned bulbs are ideal substitutes for an overhead light, but you could also try installing accent lighting within an alcove or bookcase to create an inviting, intimate atmosphere.   Create harmony between indoors and out   One of our top tips when it comes to summer floral arrangements is to take inspiration from the great outdoors, instantly blurring the lines between indoors and out. That’s one of the reasons why we love our Faux Summer Meadow Arrangement so much – no matter what we’re doing, each time we look at this display it instantly transports us to a family walk through the countryside on a sunny afternoon. It’s a beautifully wild mix of olive stems, populus, seeded eucalyptus, scabious sprays, white budding lilacs, and white ranunculus.

Inspired by beauty in all its forms, our installation at Galerie Betty Charles proves what’s possible with faux flowers. Discover how this unique piece came to life, from concept to execution, and how you can recreate it at home This July, The Suffolk Nest was honoured to be invited by fellow Suffolk-based business owner Lucy Charles to collaborate on a bespoke floral installation in the windows of Galerie Betty Charles Modern & Contemporary. Nestled in the heart of Yoxford village, this wonderful gallery specialises in British and European art from 1860 to 1960, presented alongside a range of selected contemporary works.  From 4th July until 16th August 2025, the gallery is hosting an exhibition titled, “Ravishing! A Celebration of Beauty” presenting works by contemporary artists Naomi Munuo, Lucy Perry, and Lucy Corbett in conversation with Cedric Morris, Edward Seago, and Cecil Beaton. The exhibition highlights beauty in all its forms and we jumped at the chance to explore our own interpretation of the theme by taking over the gallery’s windowscape for the summer season. It all started with a sketch. My concept for the installation took inspiration from the exhibition’s evocative theme and I set out to create a visual ode to botanical beauty using several of our signature faux flowers and foliage. In tribute to Cecil Beaton’s romantic aesthetic, I wanted to experiment with florals that are synonymous with love, in dreamy pastel hues. Curated with this in mind, the installation brings together some of my favourite faux flowers in our collection, including:   ·       Faux White Roses ·       Faux Blush Magnolia ·       Faux Mauve Cone Hydrangea ·       Faux Powder Pink Lilac ·       Faux Power Pink Ranunculus ·       Faux Blush Eucalyptus When it came to building the installation at Galerie Betty Charles, I started with a framework of contorted hazel. These distinctive branches not only provide a strong contrast to soft florals but also offer structure while guiding the eye upwards. Once the hazel was in place, I started to add florals. To showcase each stem, I created tonal, seasonal groupings set in metal vessels. These were carefully arranged to ensure the different colours, textures, and heights all complemented each other perfectly. Each grouping was anchored using chicken wire. This is one of my go-to bases as it’s sustainable and allows me to build reusable, foam-free floral designs. The finishing touch was a lush carpet of moss to conceal the wire, which grounded the installation and brought it life thanks to its verdant, meadow-like appearance. I’m so proud of the finished piece and the way it blurs the lines between art and nature. I think it perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the exhibition, speaking to themes of poetry, fantasy, and nature’s abundance. To create your own mini installation at home, I recommend starting by choosing your flowers. Look for faux stems that share a similar colour palette but different textures, heights, and shapes. Replicating the way flowers grow naturally leads to simply stunning displays; think the refined beauty of white roses balanced with an abundant hydrangea and delicate lilac. And don’t forget to add a layer of carpet moss to the base of your vessel. If you live locally or will be paying a visit to Suffolk this summer, we’d love for you to pay a visit to Galerie Betty Charles to explore the exhibition and see our installation in person.

There’s something really special about the gardens in Suffolk. Whether it’s the wildness of an overgrown border or the calm of a perfectly clipped hedge, they each tell their own story. I recently had the chance to visit two very different, but equally beautiful, gardens in the village of Kersey as part of the National Garden Scheme, and it felt like the perfect moment to reflect on just how inspiring our local landscapes can be. The NGS is such a brilliant initiative, opening private gardens across the UK in support of nursing and health charities like Macmillan, Marie Curie, and Hospice UK. And beyond the fundraising, it’s a reminder of the joy and wellbeing gardens can bring. The first garden we visited was incredibly structured and had been thoughtfully divided into neat, symmetrical sections with gravel paths and 4 lush Buxus hedging, with mature Silver Birch Trees and carefully placed blooms such as Geraniums, Euphorbia, Foxgloves and Alliums. It felt calm, elegant, and really considered. A sculptural statue sat at the back in the centre, bringing everything together with a sense of quiet confidence. It reminded me how much I love a balanced, architectural style in arrangements, something we often reflect in our more structured bouquets or by pairing clean-lined planters with soft, neutral florals. The second garden was the opposite in many ways - looser, wilder, and bursting with life. Mediterranean plants spilled over pathways, herbs filled the air with scent, and the borders were full of movement thanks to tall grasses and billowing roses. It felt informal and joyful, the kind of space that makes you exhale. I always find gardens like this inspire our more relaxed, flowing arrangements where colour, texture and shape evolve naturally, without too much structure. Visiting these gardens was such a lovely reminder that inspiration is everywhere, especially right on our doorstep. And it’s exactly this connection to nature that continues to guide us at The Suffolk Nest. Whether you prefer a perfectly poised display or something a little more wild and whimsical, our summer range has been thoughtfully created to help you bring a little bit of the outdoors in—no green thumb required.

Designed to offer multiple styling options, our new collection of faux trees and ultra-lite planters are the perfect partners, instantly elevating your home décor with effortless elegance.  I’m so excited to introduce you all to our new collection of planters. Each option in this four-piece range perfectly balances style and durability with lightweight construction, making them the ideal choice for your home. Each ultra-lite planter has a rustic aesthetic, designed to mimic weathered stone, and beautifully complements the lush greenery of our faux trees. The planters are also weatherproof with a built-in drainage hole so you can display them inside or out. And that’s not all; each planter also comes with a handy custom insert that means you can simply slot any of our faux trees easily into place.  Perfect Pairings  My favourite thing about our new ultra-lite planters is that they can all be paired with each of our faux trees. Invest in the entire collection and you could explore up to 16 different combinations! They’re also a great option if you like to switch up your décor seasonally, whether you want to keep the same planter but swap your Faux Black Olive Tree for a Faux Lemon Tree in summer, for example, or move your favourite Faux Olive from the Bucklesham to the Southwold when you’re ready for a change.  Meet our planters  Ultra-Lite Barrow Planter With its generous circumference, elegant curves, and stunning off-white taupe colouring, our Ultra-Lite Barrow Planter is a sophisticated option that will suit any décor. While it can provide the perfect base for any of our faux trees, I love the way it looks with our Faux Olive Tree, which has a similar visual impact thanks to its split trunk and soft green leaves.  Ultra-Lite Bucklesham Planter I can’t play favourites when it comes to our planter collection, but I have to say that our Ultra-Lite Bucklesham Planter is a standout piece. It has impressive height, reaching 66cm, and its cylindrical design is embellished with two decorative lines. The off-white taupe colour is authentically distressed, giving It effortless rustic appeal. One of my favourite faux trees to display in the Bucklesham is our Faux Black Olive Tree, especially in rooms with high ceilings.  Ultra-Lite Southwold Planter The Ultra-Lite Southwold Planter is not only the smallest planter in our new collection, but also the only one to boast a warm terracotta hue. It has classic urn dimensions with two beaded decorative lines and a subtle ribbed surface that lends it an antique appearance. For me, the earthy elegance of the Southwold immediately makes me think about sun-soaked holidays in the Mediterranean, making it an ideal choice for our Faux Lemon Tree.  Ultra-Lite Tuddenham Planter Our Ultra-Lite Tuddenham Planter is a fabulous entrance piece – I like to display two with our Faux Buxus Balls set either side of our front door to greet our guests. It’s a perfect square in a timeless shade of slate grey with symmetrical decorative detailing. A statement piece that will instantly enhance your exterior.  Ready to start creating your own tree and planter combinations? Check out this video we’ve put together to help inspire you: VIDEO   

The Black Olive Tree (also known as Shady Lady) has become the go-to greenery choice this year for good reason. Here are a few reasons why it’s dominating design trends 1. It’s Architecturally Striking  Reaching 190cm into the air, our Faux Black Olive Tree is one of the tallest trees in our collection and an option that will have an instant impact on your interiors. Its sculptural branches, adorned with highly realistic green leaves, provide a sense of balance that is both visually appealing and naturally lends itself where neutral colours and soft furnishings can contrast with its structured beauty. The arrangement of each branch ensures that the Faux Black Olive Tree commands attention without becoming overpowering, with plenty of space between each individual branch making it feel light and airy. 2. It’s An Ideal Anchor For professional interior designers – and enthusiastic amateurs – a Faux Black Olive Tree is a dream décor item as it can anchor any room. The anchoring point of any space is an element that acts as a focal point and reference around which all the remaining décor and furnishings can be arranged. Having an anchor in your interior design not only reduces the feeling of overwhelm that can come with trying to style a large empty room, but it also creates balance and harmony. Choose our Faux Black Olive Tree as your anchor to a design that is rooted in tranquillity and elegance. 3. It’s Effortlessly Versatile  There are many advantages to choosing a faux tree over a real variety, but the versatility faux trees offer is probably the most important factor for me. No matter the setup of your space, you can alter your Faux Black Olive Tree so that it better suits its surroundings by moving the individual branches into different angles – and you can bend them back again if you decide to place it in a new spot or move house. Your tree will arrive at your door ready to be assembled, so all you need to do is find the right planter to match your interior décor. Our collection of ultra-lite planters truly offers something for everyone, and each comes with a handy insert that means you can simply slip your tree in place. I think our Bucklesham Planter pairs perfectly with a black olive tree, it’s distressed off-white shade complements the deep green leaves of the Shady Lady wonderfully. Simply add a layer of moss at the base of the trunk for a naturalistic look. 4. It’s Sophisticated and Slender The Faux Black Olive Tree might be trending right now, but it’s a timeless piece of home décor. While certain trees can dominate the trend cycle for a season or two, there’s a reason why black olive trees continue to be the go-to choice year-after-year. Visual interest is guaranteed, but it’s the distinctive slender stem and architectural branches of this enduring favourite that lend it its sophistication and elegance. And with our faux version, you can enjoy its beauty for years to come with little to no maintenance needed.