I love having fresh flowers in the house. After we moved into our house last summer, I'd occasionally treat myself to a bouquet every Thursday or Friday at the flower stall outside the tube station near my office, with the weekend in mind. In the spring, I patiently tolerated the crowds at Columbia Road flower market just to get my hands on some final reduced stems of hydrangea and peonies at closing time.
But as long as roses last, they also, um, eventually die, and sometimes I don't get around to getting a new bunch every week. So, when I popped into Abigail Ahern's new "atelier" in Islington (they recently moved from Upper Street to Essex Road) to pick up a bronze starfish I'd ordered online in the sale (don't ask), I used the last few minutes before closing time to choose some faux flowers for our home.
The hardest part? Choosing between all the different varieties and pretty colors. Finally, I gave up and asked a sales assistant for help - she was lovely and gave me some excellent suggestions, before I left the store with this bouquet.
(The starfish in question.)
Even before I knew that Red Magazine had dubbed interior designer Abigail Ahern, "the Chanel of faux flowers", I'd fallen for her beautiful, realistic blooms. John and I were walking past her concession at Heal's one evening and I stopped to admire the gorgeous arrangements, assuming they were real. Previously, I'd been dead set against having faux flowers in my house; they looked dated and tacky. But these - these were different. The flowers more relaxed than stiff; more rustic than formal.
I chose this gold vase from H&M Home that I featured in this wishlist post for my artificial bouquet because it happened to be the perfect size but also, I wouldn't have to worry about putting water in a clear vase to make the arrangement look more "real"!
What about you? Would you ever "go faux"?
They look so real! That's amazing. I'm heading there ASAP, haha x
ReplyDeleteLaura // Middle of Adventure
Go for it! My husband likes them too, haha! x
DeleteI'd not thought about going 'faux', or even the type of vase you'd use to house them ... maybe I should! The big question is: what happens when they get dusty?
ReplyDeleteHaha! Good question, Ruth. I do dust them off once in a while - nothing too drastic, sometimes just with my fingers, even! I know a lot of people like that "look" with clear glass vases and water, but I prefer to "hide" the stems just to make my life easier. These are all made with wire so you can cut them down to the desired length (but again, I was lazy and folded them up ... shhh ...).
DeleteThese look so realistic, not your standard faux florals from The Range. I have never bought fake flowers for exactly the same reason as you, but these are in a different league. I'll have to hop on to the website as I'm not in London but think a bouquet would make the perfect addition to my home for those weeks when you just don't get round to it xx
ReplyDeleteThere are still a few blooms on sale on their website, Kara (which is how I ordered my starfish, hehe)! I'm thinking about getting another bouquet of peonies for a ceramic vase I've got that's cracked on the bottom ... xx
DeleteIt's hard to believe these flowers are not real - they're so stunning! I could definitely go "faux" if it's with Abigail Ahern's collection :) x
ReplyDeletePhew, I'm glad you think so, Ayushi! I was still a little worried after I bought them, but I think they look great! x
DeleteI really have to check out her store or concession, keeping hearing so many good things. The flowers look amazing and yes, I too have been converted. I did a faux flower arranging evening a few months ago in conjunction with HomeSense for the blog at Somerset House and I had previously discarded them as naff but now still have the bouquet at home! Super impressed X
ReplyDeleteIt's so lovely, Lins! You'd love it. Her style isn't completely "me", but I love how you can mix and match to make it your own! x
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