Styling Notes from The Suffolk Nest

Give your guests a warm welcome this festive season with our quick guide to styling an entryway for Christmas There are many things that I love about this time of year but inviting our friends and family into our home is one of my favourite parts of celebrating Christmas. That’s why I always like to pay particular attention to the entrance of our home, aiming to make it as warm and inviting as possible. No matter the size of your space, you can create a welcoming entryway with some carefully chosen statement pieces and a dash of creativity. I recommend choosing a theme that will complement the rest of your Christmas décor as this will help you select pieces that match this tone without becoming overpowering.   Start with a wreath It’s no secret that we love wreaths at the Suffolk Nest, especially at this time of year. I think hanging a wreath on your door is the ideal way to welcome your guests at Christmas. If you have a covered porch that offers some protection from the elements, you could display one of our faux foliage wreaths; our Cypress and Norfolk Pine wreaths have a traditional look and provide the ideal base for bells, ribbons, and other seasonal accessories, while our Ultimate Faux Christmas Foliage Wreath will make you the envy of all your neighbours thanks to its expansive size, unique mix of foliage, and real pine cones. Inside the entryway, I like to switch things up and look for wreaths that offer a fresh twist on tradition. A standout design like our Jingle Bell wreath, for example, would be the perfect choice for an interior door. Featuring 600 antique gold bells with a delicate jingle, this spectacular, sensory piece is something you could display on the inside of your front door or hang on the wall above your console table and bring out again year after year.   Make a console display Many entryways have a console or side table – and it’s the perfect setting for a festive scene. You can add faux foliage, Christmas decorations, lights, and more but, personally, I love creating an abstract festive village with a selection of white ceramic houses, Christmas trees, bells, and pine trees in mixed height groupings. Add two or three of our Faux White Berry branches and a length of velvet ribbon in a contrasting colour like our Antique Blue or Crimson Red to break up the ceramics and complete the look with a lit candle or two – our Pine and Winter Berry scented candle perfectly captures the scents of the season with its warm clove and orange accents.   Decorate your staircase If you have a staircase in your entryway, decorating your banister is a great way to make a statement. I don’t think you can go wrong with a garland; our real touch Faux Norfolk Pine Garland is a beautifully realistic shade of green while the vivid tones of our Faux Cypress Garland look striking against a brilliant white banister. Add personality by weaving a string of white lights or our jingle bell garland into the foliage, finished with two or three velvet bows leading your eye up the stairs. To add a playful touch to your stairway, consider displaying wrapped boxes by the bottom step. Thanks to their placement, these can be more oversized than the gifts you’d find under your tree (and can be empty!) I suggest matching the wrapping to the theme; you could embrace a more rustic look with brown paper and string, lean into the Christmas colour scheme with red and green wrapping, or choose a cream paper with shimmering embellishment. To make the most of a smaller entryway, you can adapt your existing furnishings and décor and simply add a touch of festive flair. If you have a shoe bench, you could add some Christmas-themed cushions and a cosy blanket; use your coat pegs to display a stocking or small wreath; or switch out your existing artwork for snowy scenes or festive phrases.

In need of seasonal inspirational? Here are a few of my favourite winter stems and branches to help spark your curiosity and encourage you to experiment with your arrangements in the colder months   My favourite: green foliage As soon as temperatures drop to single figures, the leaves have fallen, and most wildflowers have hidden themselves away for the winter, I find myself looking to evergreen foliage to become the star of the show in my arrangements. Faux foliage stems are available in a wide range of different shades of green, from muted silver-grey to deep forest. They also offer a variety of textures and shapes that mean foliage stems lend themselves to creating interesting and unique displays. Our Faux Larix Branches have impressive height, which contrasts with their petite, spiky foliage in soft green and sprinkling of small pine cones. On the other hand, our Faux Pine Branches feature wonderfully chunky stems with long, lush foliage. For a more festive feel, I recommend our Norfolk Pine Branches. These have a slight downwards curve that adds movement and softness to an arrangement, while our Faux Cypress Branches offer a more vivid alternative thanks to their rich green tones. If you’re finding it tough to choose, you can always mix and match with foliage. Don’t worry about following strict rules, simply let yourself have fun and experiment with different combinations until you land on one you love.   My favourite: berry branches I love a berry branch and including one in your display can be the perfect way to add a pop of colour without making your arrangement appear artificial. They can be an especially effective addition at Christmas, which is when I reach for our Faux Red Ilex Berry Branch to reflect the traditional red and green shades of the festive season. If you prefer to stick to neutrals, our Faux White Berry Branch is an ideal – and more unusual - option and beautifully complements all our foliage options.   My favourite: rustic branches There’s something extra-special about bare branches in the winter months. These architectural pieces perfectly capture the spirit of the season while also providing structure and visual interest. I love displaying three or four branches on their own in our Bardwell Vase, combining them with white berry branches, or using them to provide the perfect finishing touch to a larger arrangement.   My favourite: textured stems  Dried seed heads are one of my favourite things to find in our garden during the winter months – they have a distinctive visual appeal – so why not embrace their structured beauty inside too? Consider our Faux Winter Lace Flower, which is delicate yet extremely textured and resembles frost on a cold, bright morning. I love how these dried flowers look styled en masse in our white glaze Norton Vase. For effortless elegance, I recommend our Faux Eucalyptus Boule, which has a striking appearance thanks to its dark brown stems and pale blue grey pods. Style these with our White Berry Branch, Faux Winter Branch, and the foliage of your choice to create a show-stopping winter arrangement.

Kick-start the festive season with our guide to how to style a faux Christmas wreath   Harmonise with your interior décor In our home, you’ll find many faux Christmas wreaths, but the one thing they all have in common is that they complement our interior décor. The best way to ensure your wreath captures that festive feeling but still looks like it could be displayed in your home year-round is to start with a foliage base. There’s a style to suit any space: our Faux Norfolk Pine Wreath has a realistic look and feel with its distinctive stems and rich shade of green; our Faux Cypress Wreath is an even more vivid green and has lush foliage that creates a unique silhouette; and our Faux Foraged Winter Wreath is our most naturalistic wreath with a mix of spruce, cedar, conifer, and berries interspersed with real pine cones. If you’re looking for an impactful Christmas wreath, you can’t go wrong with the Ultimate Faux Christmas Foliage Wreath. As its name suggests, this wreath is a showstopping piece, with a 60cm diameter and intertwined stems of spruce, fir, pine, and twigs as well as real pine cones placed throughout. Add pops of colour One of my favourite ways to inject a splash of colour into my Christmas wreath and embrace all things festive is to add a Bordeaux red ribbon. This rich shade of ruby red and the texture of velvet are perfectly suited to this time of year, providing a traditional yet effortlessly sophisticated addition to your wreath. It’s the perfect finishing touch; I like to tie the ribbon in a bow at the top of my wreath and leave a length of material to hang long. For a more rustic look, consider our frayed edge ribbon in crimson red.   To add colour in a more subtle way, I love the soft tones of our Champagne and Mistry Grey velvet ribbons, the warmth of our Cinnamon satin ribbon,  and the vintage vibes of our Antique Blue frayed edge velvet ribbon, whether used solo or layered with complementary colours.  Try a layered look Once you’ve chosen your wreath base, you can start to make it your own. Layering pieces is one of the easiest ways to create instant visual impact without overwhelming your foliage or making the wreath look too busy. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your own combinations but my go-to is to pair two ribbons with the same texture but different colours. I love how the deep navy shade of our French Blue velvet ribbon combines with our Bronze velvet ribbon – it offers a fresh twist on a traditional aesthetic. To complete the look, layer a string of our small cowbells, which hang on a natural jute rope.   Play with placement While many Christmas wreaths feature the same adornments – ribbons and bells, for example – how you choose to style these additions can make all the difference. When it comes to styling a faux Christmas wreath, you can often get the best results by breaking the rules. Let your creativity take centre stage and showcase your personality by making your wreath unique. Depending on your preferences, you could experiment with different lengths of ribbon – a long trailing ribbon can be eye-catching and elegant – or try tying the bow in an unexpected placement such as off-centre or at the bottom of your wreath. Tips for fixing Whether you’re planning to display your Christmas wreath on your front door, an internal door, or over your mantelpiece, you’re probably asking yourself how you can keep all your styling additions secure. If you’re accessorising your wreath with ribbon or a cluster of jingle bells, I recommend fixing them onto your frame with string or wire. This can be easily concealed by rearranging the foliage and ensuring all the ties are on the back. For indoor displays, you don’t need to be quite so heavy duty. My top tip? Use a bobby pin to hold the bow in place.

Create a festive focal point by transforming your fireplace with a Christmas mantel. In need of inspiration? Here’s what I’m planning to do this year While I love almost every aspect of preparing our home for Christmas, decorating the mantel is one of the projects I get most excited about every year. I tend to start planning how I’ll style our mantel a few weeks in advance so that I have time to get everything I need to achieve the look I want. The mantel is a focal point in our lounge, so I like to make a statement that is festive and cosy.  We’ve got big plans for our lounge in the coming year; we’re hoping to renovate and install a new log burner, surround, and chimney breast with joinery each side. Unfortunately, I don’t think it’ll be ready for this winter, but I must admit, I’ve already started thinking about how I’ll style our Christmas mantel next year when the renovations are all finished. Hanging garlands For me, every Christmas mantel starts with a garland. I think evergreen foliage is effortlessly festive and always looks good whether it’s displayed on a mantel, staircase banister, or as part of a seasonal tablescape. This year, I’ve been particularly drawn to the fullness of our Faux Cypress Garland, so I plan to use two to create a gentle curve across the mantel and still have enough left over to trail down each side. I’ll secure them with command hooks; they stick well, don’t leave a mark, and hold the garland in place throughout the festive season. For added variety, I’m also considering our Norfolk Pine Garland for a different texture. To complete the look, I’ll hang our matching Faux Cypress Wreath, or even the Norfolk Pine Wreath, above the garland so that the foliage ties the décor together beautifully. Add personality Now, it’s time for the fun bit. The most effective Christmas mantels have character; you might use the same foliage base as your next-door neighbour, but the elements you add make your display unique and ensures the mantel matches your personal style. These are a whole host of items that you can use to add personality to your mantel, from ribbons and bows to cowbells and ceramics. Consider including family heirlooms too, such as decorations passed down from your grandparents or pieces handmade by your children to make your Christmas mantel extra-special. This year, I’m going to pair a dramatic bow with our Jingle Bell cluster bells – it’s a modern twist on a traditional look. I think I’ll use our new velvet bronze, champagne, and satin cinnamon ribbons so that it ties in with the dominant colours in our lounge.   A touch of festive flair To amplify the festive feeling, I’m also planning to layer some festive ceramics along the mantel. White ceramic houses, Christmas trees, and bells can all add some height to the display and contrast beautifully with the lush foliage. At night, add LED flicker candles to create a wonderfully cosy ambience or add a string of simple white lights that can be lit day and night.

Find the perfect balance between spooky and stylish with Ashlee’s quick guide to aesthetic Halloween decorating.   Create a DIY Halloween wreath One of the best ways to celebrate Halloween with your home décor – and impress the trick or treaters arriving on your doorstep – is to create your own wreath. There are several ways you can do this, depending on the time and materials you have available. If you already have a wreath with a fairly neutral aesthetic, like a white willow wreath or one made with faux autumn foliage, you can simply accessorise it to give it a Halloween feel. Consider adding small spiders crawling amongst the leaves or paper bats sitting on your stems. Prefer to build a DIY Halloween wreath from scratch? In that case, I recommend starting with autumnal foliage, either faux or fresh. Depending on how far you’d like to go into gothic, you could dye faux leaves with a black or deep purple fabric dye, but I think you can get a suitably spooky effect with naturally gold and orange-toned stems or burgundy and maroon foliage. Add a sprig of white berries, foraged feathers, or artificial pumpkins to make it feel even more seasonally appropriate. Have fun with pumpkins Speaking of pumpkins, I think this autumnal favourite is essential to aesthetic Halloween decoration. I truly don’t think you can have too many; more really is more when it comes to pumpkins in our household. Pumpkin carving is one of our family traditions and is a great way to add personality to your décor. You can nod to your home décor style with the carving you choose, it’s up to you whether you lean into a classic spooky clown face or mix things up with a more alternative design like a set of stars, a black cat, a witch’s hat, or a crescent moon. If you’d prefer a more subtle pumpkin option, you can’t go wrong with ceramics. Ceramic pumpkins often come in more neutral colours like cream or white so could blend perfectly with your existing décor. You can also store them away safely and bring them out year after year. Beyond ceramics, faux pumpkins are available in a variety of colours and materials, from felt and paper to resin and wool. Build a spooky mantel When choosing the areas of your home to transform for Halloween, I’d recommend decorating your mantel. There’s something that feels inherently quite spooky about a fireplace so it’s easy to lean even further into the Halloween vibes. Start with candles; I like to display black dinner candles of various heights in metallic candle holders. Next, add autumnal accessories such as ceramic pumpkins, pine cones, or something a little scarier like a vintage goblet or empty birdcage. Finally, make or hang a simple bat or ghost garland to complete the look.   Embrace darker tones Even if your interior décor is dominated by light, neutral tones like cream, terracotta, and soft grey, you can embrace the Halloween aesthetic by making some small tweaks. Don’t worry; there’s no need to reach for a paint brush, you can embrace your darker side simply by switching up your artwork, vases, and soft furnishings. For Halloween, I like to replace my usual paintings with moodier pieces in cool tones and swap out my light linens for black monochrome cushions, blankets, and throws in dense fabrics like velvet and faux fur. I hope these ideas have inspired you to add a little spookiness to your space this season and Happy Halloween from all of us at The Suffolk Nest!

Get set for a season of entertaining with my top tips for creating a stunning autumn tablescape Aim for balance No matter the occasion, for me, building a tablescape is one of the best things about entertaining. You can really let your creativity run wild, get playful and showcase your personality while also reflecting the season. However, there is one rule I always follow: find balance. The most impressive tablescapes delicately balance florals, decorative items, and free space, incorporating pieces of different heights and sizes that allow conversation to flow across the table while also providing visual intrigue. That’s why I often use our rustic footed bowl for my centrepiece displays, with chicken wire providing a base of support. Embrace textures and textiles Every tablescape I create starts with textiles. Personally, I don’t often reach for tablecloths, even in the colder months, but I do like to introduce texture with runners and placemats. At this time of year, why not experiment with darker colours and heavier fabrics? Consider swapping out your while linens with dark moss green, add napkins with rustic frayed edges, or use a rattan ottoman tray to hold your condiments and extra crockery.   Choose autumnal florals When it comes to integrating florals into your tablescape, it all starts with the centrepiece. I recommend embracing the shades of the season with faux florals. I often start my autumn arrangements with our Preserved Autumn Beech stems. These have wonderfully full leaves in golden tones that contrast beautifully with their dark stems. With the Beech providing structure, I then mix in some softer shades from our Preserved Eucalyptus Cinerea alongside Café au Lait Dahlias and Linda’s Baby Dahlias. Go foraging One of our favourite free family activities at any time of year is to go out foraging. Autumn can be especially bountiful with sculptural branches falling in the woods, hedgerows filled with berries, and foliage that captures the colours of the season in shades of amber, orange, burgundy, and brown. For an autumnal tablescape, I love to use branches foraged from our garden including Panicum Grass, Dark Pink Sedum, Deep Burgundy Foliage, and red berries. Add candles With the nights drawing in, evening dinner parties offer the perfect opportunity to dine by candlelight. If you have candlesticks, tall taper candles can be particularly effective when placed at set intervals along the length of your table. Choose a neutral shade or lean into the autumnal theme with verdant green or deep red candles. I tend to save my scented candles until the meal is over so that the fragrances don’t interfere with the flavours but lighting our Jasmine and Mandarin candles after dessert has been served is a perfect palate cleanser.   Showcase pumpkins and seasonal fruits To add personality to your tablescape, consider placing playful seasonal motifs throughout your set-up. I can’t get enough of ceramic pumpkins; we have several variations in different sizes that can be displayed alongside a vase as part of your centrepiece, along the table runner, or within your place settings. You could also include real fruits and miniature pumpkins; white and apricot-toned pumpkins, berries, and figs can all add colour and texture to your table.

As the temperatures start to fall and the nights draw in, I’m happy to be able to share my top five tips for making your home feel warm, cosy, and inviting this autumn   1. Light a candle One of the quickest and simplest ways to make your home feel cosy is to light a scented candle. Not only can soft candlelight instantly change the atmosphere of any room, but the fragrance can perfectly capture the scents of the season. At this time of year, I’m typically drawn to scents that are warm, layered, and remind me of the comfort foods and hot drinks I’ll be reaching for throughout autumn. For me, that means choosing scented candles fragranced with ginger, mandarin, amber, and oak moss.   2. Snuggle up with textiles   Is there anything better than curling up on the sofa as the sun goes down with a mug of hot chocolate and a chunky blanket wrapped around you? Autumn is the ideal time to switch out your light summer linens and replace them with textiles that will help you stay snug as we move into the colder winter months. I love to enhance our interiors with rugs, cushions, throws, and blankets in natural fabrics and calming neutral and earth-toned colours. Think faux fur, weighted wool, and velvet picks.   3. Experiment with textures While textiles can add depth to your space, you can take this to the next level by accessorising with textured pots and vases. Whether displayed on a shelf, as a table centrepiece, or as an accent piece on a side table or console, I don’t think you can go wrong with an autumnal vase in a darker colour palette. While spring and summer inspire me to choose pieces in white and cream, as the nights draw in, I like to swap these for tonal vessels in dark brown, grey, or even black. Consider the Flatford Vase with its discreet rib detail and sculpted handles, the Occold Vase with its intricate bead detailing, or the Orwell Vase with its rustic off white finish.   4. Add seasonal stems Whether you go out foraging or choose to invest in faux stems, autumnal blooms are a fabulous way to create an inviting interior while reflecting the beauty of the great outdoors. If cosiness is your goal, I’d suggest experimenting with the rich burgundy and mulberry tones that match the vibe of the season. These colours instantly transform a neutral space without becoming overpowering. Our Faux Deep Burgundy Eucalyptus and Faux Dried Mulberry Hydrangea are two of my favourites, whether displayed solo or in combination. For a lighter variation, try the Faux Blush Eucalyptus, which combines silvery green leaves with blush pink at the tips.   5. Play with pumpkins If there’s one symbol that immediately springs to mind when you think of autumn, it’s the pumpkin. From pumpkin spice lattes to printed blankets, you’ll find pumpkin motifs almost everywhere. One of our annual family activities is visiting our local pumpkin patch and picking a few in different sizes to come home with us. Depending on your décor, you could dot your pumpkins around your kitchen, include them in your tablescape or place them in your porch. If you’re looking for something that will last a little longer, I recommend ceramic pumpkins. These are an enduring favourite as you bring them out as soon as the leaves start turning and then pack them away again once the seasons change. They can also look especially charming when paired with our ceramic pine cones.

Looking for an autumnal arrangement? Transform your table for the season with our stunning collection of faux flower autumn centrepieces Whether you’re inviting guests for a special occasion or simply want to elevate your everyday tablescape for the season, you can instantly enhance your autumn décor with our collection of stunning faux flower arrangements. This year, I’ve designed five new autumn centrepieces, each equally beautiful yet capturing different aspects of the season: The Faux Mulberry Hydrangea arrangement (available in Deluxe and Premium) The Faux Autumn Brambles arrangement (available in Deluxe and Premium) The Faux Foraged Autumn arrangement   Ready to transform your table? Read on for my guide to creating a standout centrepiece with each of these spectacular new autumn arrangements.   Embrace mulberry tones This season, all my arrangements take inspiration from the warm tones of autumn. The Faux Mulberry Hydrangea arrangement has a rich mulberry colour palette, which perfectly reflects the shades we see in nature at this time of year. The arrangement features a unique mix of faux flowers and textural stems; I love the colour of our Faux Dried Hydrangeas, which contrast beautifully with Faux Deep Burgundy Eucalyptus. Make a statement with your centrepiece by styling our Deluxe arrangement in our Orwell Large Vase or Lavenham Vase. If you’re looking for a piece to occupy a smaller space, I recommend displaying our Premium arrangement in a Flowton Vase or Orwell Small Vase, which are both an ideal size for consoles and coffee tables. Explore the allure of autumn brambles Our Faux Autumn Brambles arrangement showcases the mossy green hues that characterise the season. Each arrangement offers texture, depth, and movement, making it a showstopping piece for any room. For me, the Faux Dried Achillea stems steal the spotlight, especially when complemented by our realistic real-touch Blush Eucalyptus, brown Bracken Moss, and Willow. For effortless elegance, consider displaying our Deluxe arrangement in a Flatford Vase or Lavenham Vase. If you’d prefer a rustic yet sophisticated look, you can’t wrong by pairing our Premium arrangement with an Occold Vase or Norton Vase.   Reflect nature’s beauty Whether you’re new to The Suffolk Nest or a long-time follower, you may know that I absolutely love getting outside, going on family walks, and foraging for natural treasures. My love of the great outdoors inspired the final arrangement in this autumn collection: our Faux Foraged Autumn Arrangement. Crafted with Autumn Banksia and Dried Willow Seed Heads, this piece perfectly captures the mood of a foraging adventure. Imagine stepping outside into the crisp, cool air, snipping some of the beautiful stems growing wild, and bringing nature’s bounty back to your home. This arrangement not only recreates that experience, but also features a variety of textures and vivid autumn colours. I think it looks especially effective when displayed in our Norton Vase, Occold Vase, or Orwell Small Vase.   Mix and match While each arrangement can stand alone, don’t be afraid to get creative and combine them. One of the biggest joys of my 2024 autumn collection is that each stem can be easily mixed and matched as each arrangement has been designed to complement the others.  I suggest pairing our Dried Achillea Spray with Autumn Bracken for an instant injection of autumnal style. Alternatively, try creating a simple yet impactful arrangement with a cluster of Green Moss branches – they make a striking visual.

As the crisp air and vibrant colours of autumn settle in, it's the perfect time to embrace the changing season and the beauty it offers. For me, the autumn months are a wonderful opportunity to not only connect with nature but to enjoy long walks while hitting my 10,000-step daily goal. This year, I found myself drawn to the Suffolk countryside, where cooler days, blue skies, and the soft rustle of leaves beneath my feet made my walks even more enjoyable. One day, while exploring the countryside, I was inspired to channel the season's beauty into a creative project: crafting an everlasting foraged autumn wreath. The Inspiration Behind the Wreath The inspiration for this wreath came naturally as I ventured out on my walks. The landscape was bursting with a variety of dried stems, delicate seed heads, and wildflowers. Every step was a reminder of how breath-taking autumn can be, with the earth settling into its warm and rich hues. I was particularly drawn to the rustic beauty of bracken and burdock, both of which dotted the countryside like pieces of art, waiting to be gathered and transformed. It became clear that these natural elements could be the perfect materials for a seasonal wreath that would bring the outdoors inside. With my arms full of foraged materials, I headed home to begin my project.   Why Foraging? Foraging for natural materials not only connects us with our environment but also encourages mindfulness. Autumn, with its bounty of dried plants and earthy colours, is the perfect season for foraging. Whether you're in the countryside or walking through a local park, you'll likely find a treasure trove of stems, seed heads, and wildflowers to bring back with you. The act of collecting these items allows us to slow down and appreciate the textures and forms we often overlook in nature. Plus, it’s an eco-friendly way to create something beautiful without needing to buy anything new. Materials Needed for Your Autumn Wreath Creating a foraged autumn wreath is one of the most relaxing and creative activities you can do, and the process is surprisingly straightforward. Here's what you'll need to get started: Wreath Base: This is the foundation that will hold your gathered autumn elements. Wreath bases come in a variety of materials—metal, foam, or straw—but I opted for a vine wreath base, which is almost 18 inches in diameter. I personally love larger wreaths, as they make a bold statement and allow you to incorporate a wide variety of natural elements. Bind Wire: You’ll need this to secure the stems and other natural materials to the wreath base. Floral wire or any thin, flexible wire works perfectly for this task. Dried Stems: Here’s where the magic happens. Gather a selection of dried stems, wildflowers, and seed heads during your walks. For my wreath, I used: Burdock Bracken Evening Primrose Cow Parsley Curly Dock Mugwort Campion Tall Tickseed Pepper Weed You can mix and match your own finds depending on what's available in your local area. The beauty of a foraged wreath is its uniqueness, so don't be afraid to get creative with the materials you collect. How to Create Your Autumn Wreath Once you've gathered all your materials, it's time to bring your wreath to life. Here are the steps I followed to create my autumn wreath: Prepare Your Base: Start by wrapping your bind wire around the vine wreath base. This step ensures that your base is ready to support the dried stems you'll be attaching. Secure the wire tightly but leave enough length to wrap the stems later. Arrange Your Dried Stems: Before securing anything to the wreath, take some time to arrange the dried stems. Lay them out and experiment with different groupings until you achieve a balanced look that you're happy with. I like to think of it as creating small bouquets or bundles, combining different colors, textures, and heights for a dynamic effect. Secure the Stems: Once you’re pleased with your arrangement, begin attaching the bundles of stems to the wreath base. Using the bind wire, wrap it around the stems and base, ensuring everything is tightly secured. This will help your wreath maintain its shape and prevent any stems from coming loose over time. Don’t cut the wire just yet—you’ll want to continue wrapping and securing as you go. Repeat the Process: Continue adding bundles of stems, making sure to vary the colours and textures for a natural, organic feel. As you work your way around the wreath, try to keep the stems pointing in the same direction for a cohesive look. Trim any excess stem ends close to the wire so that they’re not visible. Final Touches: Once you've covered the wreath base with your foraged elements, take a step back and evaluate the overall look. You can always add more stems if needed by tucking them into the bind wire or weaving them between other stems. This is your chance to make any final adjustments and perfect the design. The Beauty of a Foraged Wreath What I love most about creating a foraged wreath is the personal connection it fosters with the season. Each walk brings new treasures, and every wreath tells its own story, unique to the materials gathered and the hands that made it. Not only does the wreath encapsulate the natural beauty of autumn, but it also serves as a reminder of the peaceful walks and quiet moments spent outdoors. The wreath-making process itself is soothing, encouraging creativity without any pressure. There are no rules, no strict guidelines—just you, the materials, and your vision. Plus, the end result is a beautiful, everlasting wreath that will adorn your home throughout the season and beyond. Watch the Process If you're feeling inspired to create your own wreath but want a visual guide, I've made a video that walks you through each step of the process. You can watch it here. Grab your materials, head outside, and enjoy the calming, creative process of wreath-making while soaking in the autumn atmosphere. Conclusion Creating a foraged autumn wreath is more than just a craft project—it’s a celebration of the season. It allows you to bring the outdoors inside, adding a touch of autumnal beauty to your home while encouraging mindfulness and creativity. Whether you're strolling through the countryside or taking a quick walk in a city park, the materials for your wreath are out there waiting for you. So lace up your walking shoes, step outside, and gather inspiration from the world around you. Soon enough, you'll have a stunning autumn masterpiece that encapsulates the warmth and charm of this beautiful season.

This autumn, we’re embracing the colours and textures of the season with new faux arrangements, individual stems, and ceramics as well as our eagerly anticipated Autumn Wreath As the days start getting shorter and the leaves turn from green to gold, the arrival of autumn is always reason to celebrate. It’s one of my favourite times of year, which is why I’m so thrilled to share our 2024 Autumn Collection with you all. This season, we’re embracing the beauty in simplicity and the warm tones of autumn with carefully curated products that will instantly elevate your home décor.   Charming ceramics Flowers might be the passion I talk about most, but I am equally enamoured by ceramics, especially high-quality pieces that can seamlessly blend into any space. Whether it’s complementing a vase filled with flowers, bringing character to your shelf styling, or creating an inviting tablescape, our ceramics are made with versatility in mind. This season, I’ve added a small and large ceramic pumpkin to our collection, both with a striking matte white finish. I love their simple shapes, ribbed details, and charming stem – they effortlessly capture the essence of autumn. Alongside our pumpkins, I’m happy to announce that we’ve been able to add a small ceramic pinecone to the mix this season. It features a distinctive specked design that serves as a subtle nod to the many changes we’ll see happening in the countryside around us as we head towards winter.   Seasonal faux stems   For autumn, we’ve expanded our faux stem range with 15 new varieties, sourced from all over the world and compiled into a cohesive collection at our home in Suffolk – it’s been a real labour of love! Each of these new branches and dried stems encapsulate our mission to celebrate seasonal beauty and allow you to bring the outdoors in. They are breath-taking on their own, but also complement each other beautifully when displayed in combination. For added height – and a dash of drama – I recommend experimenting with our bold maroon echinops, while the classically elegant mulberry hydrangea never fails to bring a touch of sophistication. Autumnal faux arrangements Alongside our individual stems, we’ve introduced five new arrangements for Autumn, all inspired by the colours of rich mulberry and lush moss. It’s hard to choose favourites, but I think our mulberry hydrangea arrangement is a collection highlight. Available in both premium and deluxe versions, the arrangement couldn’t be more autumnal thanks to its warm hues. It’s a show-stopping piece and wonderfully showcases the dried mulberry stem that I can’t get enough of! We have also launched a brambles arrangement in both premium and deluxe versions. This piece is a heartfelt tribute to moss, featuring an incredible moss branch paired with achillea beige. This combination provides an intriguing clash of textures that will add depth and interest to any room.  The Autumn Wreath The Autumn Wreath for 2024 is simply stunning, perfectly reflecting the shift from the bright tones of summer to the deep mulberry shades of autumn. This impressive 70cm diameter wreath is sure to attract compliments and is ideally suited to covered entrances or displayed as a statement piece on an interior wall. It’s been designed to blend wonderfully with the faux stems in our collection, helping to create a unified and harmonious look throughout your home. Preserved for posterity Finally, I’m delighted to re-introduce our enduringly popular beech and eucalyptus cinerea arrangements. These embody autumnal beauty with a seasonal blend of colours and textures. Not only are they easy to style, but once on display, they deliver maximum impact. In this case, I think the photos speak for themselves! Thank you for joining me on this whistlestop tour of our 2024 Autumn Collection. Each piece has been chosen with love and care and I hope they make your home feel warm, inviting, and in tune with the season. 

The vessel that you use to display your floral arrangements is arguably just as important as the flowers and foliage you include. If you’re deciding between glass and ceramic vases, here’s my guide to choosing the right material for you How will it work with your existing decor? While both glass and ceramic vases can fit in with almost any style of décor, if you’re choosing between the two materials, it’s worth taking some time to consider whether the vase will match your overall aesthetic. I love the versatility of glass, and while it can suit any space, I think it particularly works in functional spaces like the kitchen or bathroom. These rooms can often be quite busy and feature lots of different materials – wooden cabinets, marble counters, metal taps – and glass vases complement them all. Plain clear glass is timeless and has an innate elegance, whether it’s a simple cylinder shape or something more distinctive. If you are looking to make more of a statement, why not try a textured glass? Vessels with ripple details, fluted edges, or a vintage-inspired design (like our apothecary vases) can add character to a room without being overpowering. Ceramic vases also offer variety and are available in a range of different colours, shapes, and textures. If you’re a fan of neutral tones like me, matte and glazed ceramics naturally lend themselves to shades of white, cream, and stone grey. Ceramics also often feature thoughtful design details like the grooves in our Flowton and Lavenham vases. I enjoy displaying this type of vase in places where I want my arrangements to be a focal point like our entrance hall, on a mantelpiece, or on a side table in the living room.   Where will it be displayed? All floral arrangements affect their surroundings and vice versa. When choosing the right vessel for your own arrangements, where it will be displayed will impact the ideal shape, colour, texture, and material of your vase. When displaying an arrangement in front of a glass backdrop like a conservatory or bay window, glass vases can work well as they won’t block any lines of sight or spoil the view. However, a spot that gets a lot of sunshine might not be the best fit for a glass vessel if you don’t have a lot of time to maintain your fresh flowers. There’s nowhere to hide with glass; stems that have started to turn will be on full display, as will any water that has discoloured over time. Ceramic vases can be a more forgiving option as they let you conceal your stems and any wire, tape, or flower frogs that you’ve used to keep your arrangement in place. This can be especially helpful if you’re planning to display it in a place where it will be viewed at 360-degrees like a table centrepiece. On the other hand, if you want to choose ceramic but don’t want to obscure a view or break up the space too much, a smaller vessel like a bud vase or footed bowl could be your best bet. What type of flowers do you want to display? When choosing a vase material, the type of flowers and foliage you’re planning to display is arguably the most important factor to consider. If you’re creating a piece with faux flowers, I’d recommend a ceramic vase. That’s because the opaque material will conceal the stems and any materials you’ve used in the construction process. It will also hide the fact that there’s no water in your vase – a tell-tale sign that your arrangement is faux rather than fresh. That’s not to say that you can’t display fresh flowers in a ceramic vase, although it can be more difficult to keep ceramic vessels clean compared to glass. If you opt for fresh, it’s also important that you choose a ceramic vase with a glazed interior; unglazed ceramics can absorb water and may harbour microorganisms that could harm your flowers. No matter which material you choose, there really is no right or wrong option. I enjoy sharing the tips I’ve learned over the years, but I also love that a big part of flower arranging is following your instincts and being creative. Rules are there to be broken; if you like how faux stems look in a clear glass vase or how a large ceramic vase pulls focus from your patio doors, then that’s what really matters. Don’t be afraid to experiment, learn by trial and error, and have fun!  

Wondering whether to use faux or real flowers in your arrangements? Read on for my top tips to help you choose the best option for you. When it comes to choosing between faux and real flowers, there is no right or wrong answer. The right option for you will depend on things like your personal taste, priorities, budget, and more. Here are a few things to consider when weighing up the pros and cons of faux and real flowers: Seasonality One of my biggest inspirations at The Suffolk Nest is the changing seasons. I love the way nature shifts throughout the year, with different plant varieties and colours emerging as the weather turns. You’d be forgiven for thinking that the only way to reflect the seasons in your home décor is to choose fresh florals. There’s something extra-special about celebrating the transition from spring to summer while making the most of peony season, for example, during those few weeks a year when this variety is in full bloom. The same could be said of daffodils (the symbol of spring), autumnal dahlias, and Christmas roses. However, there’s no reason why you can’t also showcase seasonality with faux varieties. Simply select faux stems that replicate the fresh blooms you’d find growing in nature, alongside foliage that captures the same aesthetic, whether that’s lush greenery or bare branches. Once the season changes, you can simply pack your faux stems away for the next year and replace them with the new season’s blooms.  Plus, with faux flowers, you’re also not limited by the seasons. If you love the look of pink peonies, choosing a set of faux stems means you could enjoy them year-round. Maintenance If you’ve got green fingers and find tending to your floral arrangement therapeutic, taking care of fresh flowers could well feel more like a pleasure than a chore. To help your fresh arrangements last longer, I recommend trimming each stem at a 45-degree angle before adding them to a vase, changing the water every two or three days (ideally at room temperature rather than hot or cold), and displaying them in a cool room. On the other hand, it you’re short on time or simply don’t want to commit to the level of maintenance fresh flowers can require, faux displays can be much easier. Of course, you don’t need to worry about keeping them in water – although I personally do love to do this for some arrangements as they look even more authentic. Just make sure you don’t use paper stems which The Suffolk Nest rarely choose. To care for your faux flowers, I suggest dusting them over with a damp cloth, keeping them out of direct sunlight (or rotating them so that any discolouration happens evenly), and store them somewhere cool and dry while they’re not in use. If you’ve bought a faux arrangement from The Suffolk Nest, consider keeping the box it arrives in as it’s the perfect size for storage.   Cost Although high quality faux flowers can be more expensive to purchase, they could be a more cost-effective option over time as you won’t have to purchase any new blooms unless your taste changes, or you simply want to fresh up your interior décor. Faux florals can last for several years if you take good care of them. The price of a bouquet of fresh flowers can vary; you might be able to pick up a bunch at your local supermarket for less than £5, but florists could offer premium arrangements that reach three figures or more. Even if you buy the most affordable varieties, keep in mind that spending £5 or £10 every two weeks to keep your flowers fresh might not seem like a lot, but it can quickly add up. Fragrance Modern faux flowers can be virtually indistinguishable to real blooms in look and feel, but one thing even the finest faux varieties can’t replicate is the fragrance that fresh flowers offer. Fragrance is one of my favourite things about real flowers; I love the way scent can transform a space, improve my mood, and evoke memories.   If you’re looking for a flower with a distinctive scent, I love the sweet aroma of peonies, the soft fragrance of lilacs, or the slightly citrus tones of Magnolia. That doesn’t mean you need to miss out on enjoying scents in your home if you choose faux flowers – you can always burn candles instead. Our Jasmine and Mandarin candle combines sweet and spicy tones with its mix of citrus and soft blossom tones, while our Rose and Freesia has a delicate blend of rose, pear, cedar, and amber. Allergens Whether you have a family member who is sensitive to allergens or want to welcome guests into your home without having to worry about them having a reaction, faux flowers can be a great alternative to real for those with a pollen problem. This is also one advantage of them being fragrance free as they’re unlikely to cause any irritation. If you’d like to create an allergen-free environment, I recommend considering swapping out real flowers for faux alternatives. However, if you love real flowers too make to make the switch entirely, there are some hypoallergenic varieties that may be better for allergy sufferers. These include lilies, hydrangeas, orchids, tulips, and roses. The best of both worlds? If you really can’t choose between faux and fresh flowers, the great news is - you don’t have to! Personally, I enjoy mixing fresh varieties into my faux arrangements; it helps to inspire my creativity and means I can switch things up throughout the season while keeping my base display consistent. My advice if you’re thinking of combining both types of flower is to consider building a base of faux foliage that can act as blank canvas for your fresh blooms; choose high quality hyper-realistic faux flowers.

 Looking for the perfect faux wreath? Here are the six important things to think about before choosing a wreath for your home.   If you’ve been following The Suffolk Nest for a while, you’ll know that we love wreaths. In fact, our seasonal wreath kits have become our signature product and I think they can be a wonderful addition to any home. Faux wreaths are a fantastic option if you’re looking to bring florals into your home year-round as a permanent piece of décor without needing to worry about intensive maintenance. To help you choose the perfect faux wreath for your home, I recommend asking yourself six questions – how you answer will help you narrow down your options and ensure you land on the ideal wreath for your needs: Is it versatile? Wreaths can adorn so many more places than just your front door. Before investing in your faux wreath, consider where it might live in your home and whether it has the versatility to be used in several different locations. A few of my favourite places to display wreaths include in the bathroom, above the bed, over the fireplace, on internal doors, lying flat on consoles, and providing a centrepiece for shelf styling – don’t be afraid to get creative!   Is it seasonal? The answer to this question will depend entirely on your own interior style and how you want to display your faux wreath. If you love changing your décor throughout the year to reflect the transitions in nature, you may be looking for a faux wreath that captures the vibe of a specific season. Store it away carefully and you will be able to enjoy the same wreath year-after-year. On the other hand, if you prefer to use fresh florals to nod to the season or aim to create a timeless interior that stays consistent year-round, you may prefer to buy a faux wreath that is more neutral like our new white willow wreath.   How big is it? It’s all about proportion. Once you have a space in mind, it’s important you choose a faux wreath that complements its surroundings. Our standard wreaths are between 60 and 70cm in diameter, which makes them larger than many other options out there. While they might not be the best fit for small spaces, they are ideal for doors (large enough to make an impact without affecting the mechanism) and can make a real statement when hung on a plain wall.   How will you hang it? The size and weight of your faux wreath will also affect how it can be hung in your home. Make sure you check the material of your door or wall as that can make a big difference to the type of wreath that will work in that space. Your wreath’s overall appearance will also be affected by the type of hanging you have, whether that’s a small screw, command hook or wreath hook. At The Suffolk Nest, we like to lend you a helping hand by adding a large loop to every wreath for easy hanging.   Can you add to it? When you buy a faux wreath, it can be ready to hang immediately, but you shouldn’t feel that you can’t add your own individual touches. Check whether the style you like will let you add in new foliage or faux stems so you can make it more personalised or ensure it changes with the seasons. You could add your favourite fresh florals in springtime, for example, or make the wreath feel more festive by adding bells and velvet ribbons. Which materials is it made from? Every wreath base has different qualities – and some can be more heavy duty than others. If you’re planning to display your wreath on your door, you’ll need to double-check it won’t leave a mark or scratch each time it moves. A heavy or metal frame may be at risk of causing more damage than a softer alternative. All our wreaths are built on a natural rattan base, which keeps them light and means they don’t damage our precious walls or doors.    

Now that we’ve settled into our new home, it’s time to tackle the garden. Here’s a glimpse into our process as we start to transform our outdoor space, starting with the flower beds. Chris and I love sharing parts of our lives with you all and one of the most highly requested is a tour of our garden. I wanted to make this into a blog series as we’re currently in the middle of a garden makeover and this space lets me go into much more detail than I could over on Instagram (although I’ll still be sharing snapshots on our page). When we moved house, we intended to leave the garden for a while, but the temptation proved too big to resist! I quickly found myself tinkering away, pruning, edging, and exploring the plants we’d inherited. Ideally, we would have started planting in the spring, but better late than never. I think we’ll be grateful next year once everything has started to settle in and grow (fingers crossed!)  Our current garden has a large lawn, a relatively small sandstone patio, a Buxus hedge around perimeter, a few established trees, a huge conifer hedge, and a couple of flower beds. It’s a pleasant space, but I knew that by creating separate zones and adding a lot more planting, it could become truly amazing. Back to the drawing board I started by looking at the layout. Sitting at our kitchen table, I started to draw some different options that would expand the patio space, add an outdoor kitchen and dining area, build in a corner sofa, and introduce a gravel garden, morning coffee spot, and an area dedicated to the girls. These were all very rough sketches but they helped me understand what might be possible before we measured the perimeter so I could adjust the plans to scale. Next, we started to tackle the existing flower beds. One urgently needed a little TLC; we removed some of the plants we weren’t so keen on and cut back some of the varieties that had become overgrown. With this, the project was officially underway. We decided on the ideal shape and size for the bed and marked it out with some string and pegs to ensure the lines were all straight. We then edged the border using COR-TEN steel edging from the Ideal Garden. It wasn’t the easiest thing to install at first, but we soon found a rhythm that worked. I love the finished product and know it’ll only look better as it ages. Some have asked why we didn’t make the steel flush to the ground for easier lawn mowing, but I felt it would be such a shame to hide it! The steel’s stunning finish deserves to be seen and I really like the idea of geraniums spilling over the raised edges as they grow. Pinterest and planning When it comes to buying plants, I like to take my time and get organised. Otherwise, visits to the garden centre can quickly get out of hand as I let my imagination take over and end up taking home armfuls of plants with no specific theme or placement in mind. In our old garden, I found that I could create a sense of structure and consistency by repeating the same plants along the length of the borders and in other parts of the garden. In this new space, I knew I wanted to plant a lush border with lots of zesty greens, beautiful purple shades, my favourite roses, and some statement trees. I set about making a Pinterest board to build a shortlist of plants that would thrive with our soil (clay) and sun positioning (a mix of full sun and shade) and take seasonality into consideration. It can be tempting to buy the garden centre plants that are in full bloom (I’ve made this mistake before) but ideally, you want to have a range of varieties that will flower from March to October. Most plant websites will let you filter by soil type, sun positioning, and flowering period. I ended up with a Gantt chart that plotted when the plants would be in bloom and where I had gaps. At the moment, things are looking a little sparse in early spring, so I’m planning to add some spring bulbs this autumn (more details to come). Now, back to the fun bit. I found it quite difficult to stick to my initial plan of having repeated plants as there are so many beautiful varieties to choose from. I’m happy with my decisions but one of the things I love most about gardening is that it allows for some trial and error. Even if something doesn’t work out as you hoped, you can learn from it and make changes. Seasonal variations Once I had a wish list of plants, I made a mood board to understand how all the colours would work together. I loved the combination of purples and greens, but to help them pop, I added a splash of pink with some David Austin roses and Scabious and introduced some white from Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’ and Viburnum opulus. Many of the plants I’ve selected are relatively low maintenance perennials, which means they’ll die back each winter, before resurfacing in spring, so our flower beds will look a little bare during winter months. To help offset this, I’ve added some evergreen spheres using Green Spire as well as some ornamental grasses. We bought most of our plants in local garden centres and had some very kindly gifted by Crocus. We needed quite a few as the border is 20 metres long and 2 metres deep, so we chose smaller, less established plants to make it as cost-effective as possible. There are still plenty of gaps, and I’m sure we’ll add more in the coming months and years, but I’m thrilled with how it’s coming together and can’t wait to watch it grow. I’ve compiled a complete list of the plants we’ve used and how they’ve been laid out below. I hope you’ve found this useful if you’ve just started to plan your own outdoor space and I’ll be sure to keep you updated with how the beds fare as well as any further changes in the garden. Lots of love, Ashlee x  

When it comes to creating a summer tablescape, I always like to have an arrangement that is pretty and low maintenance. Crafted with fragrant herbs, this simple summer planter is an ideal accompaniment to relaxed outdoor gatherings. To gather the ingredients for this simple summer planter, I ventured out to our local garden centre to find inspiration. While exploring the plants on offer, I found myself drawn to a beautiful mint with mauve-tinted leaves. That discovery led me to a trailing flowering sage in a soft reddish pink, which I knew would pair wonderfully with the tall and elegant Scabious. When it comes to creating your own display, you can use whichever plants inspire you the most. Lavender, rosemary, oregano, and geranium are just a few of my favourites to include in a planter at this time of year. I recommend gathering the pieces that catch your eye into a trolley and using that to get an idea of how the different colours, shapes, and heights work together. Personally, I like to play with contrasts to ensure the arrangement has depth and visual interest. Once you’ve made your plant selection, it’s time for the really fun bit: creating your planter!   For this simple summer planter, I like to use our Nayland Rattan Planter. It’s made from Kubu rattan with a plastic liner that makes it suitable for use indoors and out. I love its naturalistic appearance and the subtle statement it makes when displayed on our dining table.   Ingredients The plants I’ve used in my display include: Mint Creeping Lemon Thyme Silver Queen Thyme Pink Chintz Thyme White Bacopa Silver Mist Helichrysum Pure White Scabiosa Flutter Method Step One Gather all your plants in their pots and place them in your chosen planter. Don’t be afraid to play around with the positioning until you find a combination that works for you. I tend to place the taller and larger plants in the middle and then add the shorter and trailing plants around the edges, but there are no hard and fast rules – let your creativity lead the way!     Step Two Once you’re happy with the placement, take them all out of the planter so you can add a shallow layer of gravel to the base. This provides stability and allows for drainage.   Step Three Next, add another shallow layer of compost over the gravel.   Step Four Take your plants out of their pots and position them on top of the compost. You can always add more if you need to raise them up, so they are on the same level as the planter edge.   Step Five When all your plants are in place, fill any gaps with more compost. Step Six  Finally, give the full arrangement a good water, sit back, and enjoy!  

Looking for a way to elevate your interiors and your mood? Here are six ways that scented candles can transform your home Set the mood Whether you’re looking to inject a sense of freshness into your space on a spring morning or spread warmth and cosiness on a cold winter evening, scented candles can instantly transform the atmosphere in your home. Fragrances have a unique ability to communicate and affect emotions; I find notes of amber can feel as comforting as a warm hug, citrus tones are vibrant and energising, and the scent of floral peony inspires my sense of adventure.  Ashlee meticulously selects each scent for our candles, often agonizing over the perfect combinations. Our kitchen table is perpetually covered with around 100 samples, and after extensive testing, she has chosen just four promising scents. We handle this laborious process to ensure you receive the finest candles without the hassle. In addition to being eco-friendly and made from soy wax, our candles are crafted with careful attention to vessel design and wax colour, ensuring they complement any home décor beautifully Connect to the season One of the reasons why I love flower arranging is that it allows me to take inspiration from the seasons to bring the outside indoors – and scented candles are no different. Choosing scents that you’d encounter on a walk through the countryside will help you blur the boundaries between your home and nature, forging a stronger connection with the world around us. If you love the sense of possibility that comes with spring, for example, I highly recommend our White Blossom candle, which captures the scents of a sunshine-filled spring day with notes of white blossom, violet leaf, and lily.   Spark memories Thanks to the unique way that scents impact our neural pathways, it’s often said that fragrances have a direct line to our memories. Whether you want to evoke childhood nostalgia, bring that holiday sunshine home with you, or connect to an unforgettable moment in time, scented candles are a quick and easy way to bring those memories to life. Our Jasmine and Mandarin candle instantly transports me to our last getaway with hints of Valencia orange and lime blended with soft jasmine to evoke a sun-soaked beach, palm trees, and tropical cocktails made with freshly squeezed fruit juice.   Encouraging relaxation While scents can set the mood in a room, they can also help you to relax. There are no rules when it comes to the fragrances that make you feel at ease – it’s a personal choice – but I tend to find candles with warm base notes immediately soothe my anxieties and help my worries fade away. Amber, certain spices and cedar all convey that all-important sense of comfort and serenity. Light a candle in your sitting room at the end of the workday, in your bathroom as you relax in the tub, or on your bedside table as you read in bed (just make sure to extinguish it before you fall asleep!)   Mask other scents Unfortunately, there are times when our homes don’t smell as appealing as we’d like them to. Whether you’ve accidentally burnt the toast, decided to cook a particularly aromatic fish dish for dinner, or have a four-legged friend who is damp from the rain, you might be looking to mask these more unpleasant smells with a scented candle. In this case, you can’t go wrong with the fresh, floral fragrance of our signature Rose and Freesia candle. An uplifting blend of rose and freesia with refreshing notes of pear and base tones of cedar and amber, it’s intense enough to cover unwanted scents without being too overpowering.   Add to your interior décor Scented candles can enhance your interiors even without being lit! I love the simple glass vessel and natural cream colour of our soy wax candles as they suit any space. Whether displayed on their own, alongside other candles of varying sizes, or as part of larger arrangement, I think they convey a timeless sense of style. Consider placing two or three small candles at intervals along your mantlepiece, surrounded by foliage or nestle one at the base of a flower-filled ceramic or glass apothecary vase.    For information on candle care see our guide here. 

Celebrate the start of the season with one of my favourite pieces, a garden bowl arrangement inspired by early summer blooms. Here’s our quick and easy guide to creating the perfect display Choose your ingredients One of my favourite things about this early summer arrangement is that you can use foliage and florals that you find in the garden, while out foraging, or bought from your local supermarket. Personally, my go-to ingredients for this type of display come from our garden: different varieties of cream and yellow-toned roses; foxgloves; clematis; honeysuckle; and beech tree branches. Each of these stems bring different colours and shapes to the arrangement and serve different functions while allowing me to recreate a corner of our garden indoors.   Start with a secure base The first step in a garden bowl arrangement is to prepare your footed bowl. I love this vessel as it’s the perfect height for a table display and works in harmony with florals and foliage, especially when they drape over the edge. To hold my stems in place, I use scrunched chicken wire. I make a pillow of wire with about three or four layers, but you could also use a flower frog or angel vine instead (a sustainable and waterproof option!) The wire is then secured with clear pot tape in a cross shape. I think clear tape looks best with white and clear vessels and save the green varieties for binding bouquets and buttonholes. Build structure with foliage Foliage helps to create the shape of the arrangement. To build the perfect garden bowl display, I’m always aiming for a light and airy look, so I tend to strip away some of the foliage leaves to ensure it doesn’t become too dense or heavy. The vibrant green of beech branches is irresistible but removing some of the leaves means it won’t become overpowering.   Asymmetric designs can look more natural, so I cut the first branches so that one side is higher than the other. If you’re arranging in the heat, consider searing your foliage stems first by cutting them at a 45-degree angle, plunging them in boiling water for approximately 30-40 seconds, and then placing them in tepid water. This helps the stems drink as much water as possible and will hopefully increase their staying power.   Add interest with florals Once you’re happy with the height and overall shape, start adding the clematis and foxgloves. I like to arrange the clematis so that is falls over the edge of the vessel and display the foxgloves at a similar height to the beech branches. Recut all the stems before placing them in the water and keep turning the bowl so that you can see it from every angle. This is a 360-degree design, so don’t be afraid to take a step back to make sure you’re happy with every side.   Consider the placement of focal flowers Finally, it’s time to add your focal flowers. I love the cream and yellow tones of roses, even though it can be difficult to cut them to use in my displays when they look so beautiful in the garden. Luckily, I know I’ll enjoy seeing them in my arrangements just as much. A good rule of thumb is that the larger the bloom, the lower down in the arrangement it should be. Be quite considered with your placement and find gaps where each stem can nestle into the foliage as it would in the garden. Also be careful not to create any lines; the overall look should be natural, light, and spacious.   Enjoy your summer arrangement Now, it’s time to sit back and enjoy. This arrangement should last between five and seven days but there are things you can do to help it look its best for as long as possible, even in a heatwave. I recommend changing the water regularly – every day if you can - keep it somewhere cool (or move it to a cool spot whenever you’re out of the house) and be cautious with your use of thirsty foliage.   For more inspiration and guidance, you can follow along with my live tutorial here: https://www.instagram.com/the_suffolk_nest/reel/CtSBFQ3pXrP/

This summer, blur the lines between indoors and out with green foliage. There are so many shades and stems to choose from, you’re sure to feel inspired by our quick guide to greenery. Make it a moss Moss is often one of those plants that we take for granted, whether we stumble upon it our summer walks through shaded areas or need to remove it from our patios and decking when the sun starts to shine. For me, it’s the season’s unsung hero. Not only can moss provide a perfect topper for floral arrangements, cleverly concealing any chicken wire or potters tape that you’ve used in your construction, but it’s also a surprisingly easy and effective way to bring the outside in. I’m a big fan of our faux potted Spanish moss. It has a brilliant texture and tactility that is sure to attract attention, whether set on your bookshelf, sideboard, or coffee table. Tree time Whether you’re jetting away for a week in the Mediterranean this summer or simply want to bring a touch of the tropics to your interiors, you can’t go wrong with an olive tree. The rich green leaves of this abundant tree pair wonderfully with its light wood branches, and the lifelike olives included add even more visual intrigue. With its impressive height, this is a tree that would work displayed next to your sofa or in your hallway to greet your guests. If you’d like to experiment with this deep shade of green on a smaller scale, consider creating an arrangement with our faux olive stems. Just two or three pieces can transform a ceramic vase or glass apothecary vase, creating a simple yet stunning piece that instantly transports you to the Tuscan hills. Call of the wild When I think of summer, I can’t help but conjure images of wild meadows, filled with knee-high grasses that sway in the wind. A blanket of green interspersed with pops of colour from yellow buttercups and white seeds. One of my favourite foliage arrangements to help bring the outdoors inside is to replicate this scene with faux grasses and ferns. Choose one variety or mix and match with two or three stems from each to echo the varied greenery you’d find in a real meadow. I really enjoy the way our dramatic faux wild grass contrasts with the more structure stems of our faux fern and the flattened spikelet leaves of our faux wild oat grass. Each offers a different shade of green; the fern is slightly bleached, as if warmed by the sun, while the wild oat is a vivid tone that almost resembles an artichoke or lime. Branch out If you’re not quite ready to transition to these darker pieces, our eucalyptus stems are an ideal middle ground. There are a wide range of different green shades to choose from; the silvery green of our faux eucalyptus populus stem is vastly different to the lush tones of our standard eucalyptus, while the rosy tips of the faux blush variety add a subtle dash of colour to an otherwise all-green arrangement.

  Increase your confidence with creating floral arrangements with our guide to the four components that can help you design a memorable display every time. Whether you’re looking to create your first floral arrangement or you’re an experienced arranger ready to elevate your pieces, understanding the fundamentals that lie behind the art of flower arranging is a great place to start. While you should never let your imagination be limited – do what makes your heart happy most of all – using this formula can offer some helpful guidance, especially if you’re still developing your own sense of style. Each individual arrangement is unique, inspired by seasonal blooms and individual creativity, but when you dissect the different components, you might start to see some surprising similarities. Most floral arrangements will be built on four main components: foliage, focal, supporting, and filler flowers. Each of these serves its own purpose and plays a different role in your display, coming together to create something truly spectacular. Read on to learn more about the role that each component plays and how you can use them in your own arrangements:   1. Foliage Foliage is one of my favourite parts of any arrangement. Far from being boring, the shades of green, brown, and deep burgundy that these pieces provide always inspire me. I also love the way they build structure into my pieces. The addition of foliage can transform a display, taking it from a beautiful bouquet to a true work of art. I find it helpful to think of foliage like the shrubs in our garden; they work to break up the space, define its shape, and set the overall tone of the design. It’s often also the foliage that connects your arrangement to the season: think lush green eucalyptus, and silvery-green eucalyptus populus in spring, floaty wild grasses and ferns in summer, blush tipped eucalyptus in Autumn, and pine in winter. Green Eucalyptus Blush Eucalyptus Wild Grass Fern Burgundy Eucalyptus  Pine Branch   2. Focal These stems are the stars of the show. Your focal flowers will be the first to catch the eye of anyone viewing your arrangement, drawing them in closer to discover the more subtle intricacies of your design. That’s why focal florals tend to be large and attention-grabbing, whether that’s due to their shape, colour, or size. Less is often more when it comes to focal flowers; you don’t need many stems to make an impression. I like to use odd numbers of focal flowers to ensure it looks natural some my favourite are: Peonies  Hydrangeas  Roses  Dahlias  Lilac  3. Supporting   In most arrangements, your supporting flowers will play two roles. Not only will they complement your focal flowers, but they’ll also help to reinforce the shape defined by your foliage. I think tall stems are great supporting blooms, they provide height as well as a touch of dramatic flair. When choosing your supporting flowers, consider pieces that complement your focal stems and provide visual intrigue. Some of my favourite supporting flowers to use are: Blossom Branches  Viburnum   Ranunculus  4. Filler  The final component is your filler flowers. This group of flowers are often the most delicate stems that help pull a design together. Fill in gaps, conceal the mechanics and enhance the complete design.  Whilst focal flowers help to draw your eye to the arrangement, the filler flowers are what bring the design to life adding movement, depth and texture. Some of my favourites are: Waxflower Limonium Sweet Pea  White Willow

This summer, we’re going green. Discover our exciting new summer 2024 collection dedicated to the beauty and versatility of nature’s most verdant colour. Each season, I’m inspired by different aspects of nature. For summer 2024, I’ve found myself continually drawn to the colour green and that is the shade that defines our new collection. Green is one of most powerful colours and one that is abundant in nature. In fact, it’s been proven by scientists that spending just a few minutes each day surrounded by greenery can drastically improve our moods, enhance creativity, and improve focus. When included in our home décor, green can bring the space a sense of peace, harmony, and balance. For me, my love of greenery extends to faux foliage and plants. I find that highly realistic artificial pieces are just as calming as the real thing! Happily, the research agrees with me, confirming that both fresh and faux greenery can have a positive effect on our mental wellbeing. Read on to discover how we’re celebrating all things green in our summer 2024 collection:   Faux foliage stems Foliage always plays an important role in my arrangements, whether accompanying my favourite blooms or acting as the stars of the show themselves. This summer at The Suffolk Nest, we’ve focused on extending our range of lifelike faux foliage so that you can create multiple displays and enjoy the full benefits of being surrounded by greenery at home. Ferns, wild grass, green berry branches, and pittosporum are just a few of my favourites and I love the different shades of green they provide, as well as their diverse textures. Curated designs If you’re looking for a piece of greenery that’s ready to display, I recommend our new Summer Foliage arrangement. It’s ideal for this time of year with a light and airy feel that’s simply irresistible. I love to display this piece in our Hemingstone vase as I find it always brings a sense of freshness and balance to a space. Our new Artichoke Deluxe arrangement takes this idea one step further by incorporating both our bold Artichoke stems and our bestselling real-touch Green Eucalyptus. I think this distinctive arrangement looks particularly stunning styled in our Suffolk or Lavenham vases. Alternatively, our Green Hydrangea arrangement is, as its name suggests, focused on our incredibly lifelike green hydrangea mopheads. The mix of foliage that surrounds these focal pieces provides a beautifully wild and textured canvas for them to nestle into. This display looks brilliant in our Hemingstone vase too. Simply classic If you’re looking for a timeless and elegant arrangement, our Summer Greens display will add intrigue to your space year-round, not just summer! Pretty, delicate, and classic, this green design will contrast beautifully with the more relaxed style of our large Apothecary vase. You can take a look at my top tips on how to cut and care for faux flowers and place in water here [LINK]. For an arrangement that’s simple yet effective, we have three curated designs that use just two stems. Our Eucalyptus and Waxflower; Eucalyptus and Limonium; and Eucalyptus and White Willow arrangements look wonderful as they are but can also be accompanied by other stems if you like to change up your displays throughout the season. Top of the trees Olive trees are an enduring symbol of friendship, peace, and prosperity – and they’re also one of my favourite plants. Unfortunately, keeping them alive indoors and ensuring the conditions are just right isn’t always easy and can be incredibly time consuming. Personally, it’s one of those extra jobs that struggles to earn a spot on my to do list! That’s why we’ve made it our mission to find the perfect faux olive tree, one that’s zero maintenance and looks great year-round. Our olive tree looks so real because some of it is real; the trunk has been carved from real wood, which, in my opinion, makes this tree really stand out from the crowd. It also has lush green leaves and olives. I like planting these trees in chunky planters stuffed with cardboard packaging to raise it up and then topped with our preserved reindeer moss or dried Spanish moss. For a while now, I’ve also been searching for the perfect faux planter for shelves and coffee tables. It needed to be low enough that you could still watch TV or store in on a set of shelves, have a beautiful stone pot, and feature textured realistic foliage. And I think I’ve found it – introducing one of the highlights of our summer collection: the potted Spanish moss planter.