I know that artificial plants are not perceived as a classy staple for decorating, but I am here to tell you different. The problem is, I can’t seem to keep a plant alive. They always look good the first couple of weeks and then they start to turn on you. They wilt, turn brown or grow in weird directions, or just plain die. Unless you have a green thumb, which I don’t, putting live plants in bookcases or tablescapes can be defeating. Until I discovered these artificial plants at Ikea for $5.99 each and my decorating world changed
They are the bomb for fillers in decorating and for people like me who can’t keep plants alive. They look real, have great texture and are the perfect size as stand alone or in clusters.
My favorite use so far has been using them outside. Yep, fake plants outside, and they totally fake people out when I tell them they are not real. I have had these Ikea plants outside for over a year and they are hardly fading. Here I used two different varieties in one buket
Even close up they look pretty realistic don’t ya think? You might remember when I “potted” some in my Radio Flyer Wagon last year {and they are still looking fresh a year later}
But I mainly use them inside the house for fillers in my tablescapes and bookshelves. I used them in this fall trayscape mixed with dried hydrangeas
This weekend I decided to bring a couple out to my river house.
I used one on my newly painted Ikea Vittsjo shelving by placing it in a white bowl {no need for drain holes, gotta love that!}
Can I just tell you how much I love my new Nate Berkus Rams Horn from Target? I couldn’t pass it up for $14.99.
I also covered some random books I had with vintage wallpaper. I picked up a full roll at an estate sale for .50. Yep .50 for a whole roll! {you might be seeing that paper being used a lot in my decorating now that I have so much of it hehe}
Then I put one on my nightstand in a white iron bowl
{ I also added the red velvet ribbon to the lampshade with a glue gun, love that easy trick to add color to a white shade}
Once I started looking around, I realized I need to bring more out on my next trip.
Like on this table I bought at World Market that sits next to my loveseat
{the blue table lamp is from Lampsplus $139.91 in case you are wanting one}
I think the table needs one more accessory, something with texture, and an Ikea plant in a pretty bowl would do the trick. They don’t sell the artificial plants online, such a bummer, but if you have an Ikea near you, pick some up next time you’re there, you won’t regret it. They last for ever and are like chameleons they transform to whatever style you want just by changing out the container you put them in. Now that’s my kind of plant!
{I honestly don’t get paid to promote any of these products. I just like passing on great ideas and deals}
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Such a good idea! I have zero plants in my house because I dont want to keep up with them haha. But I could totally do fake plants!
I used to have half dead plants all over my house Ashley until I discovered these Ikea plants, so I hear ya! If you get some, let me know how you like them. Stephanie http://cre8tivedesignsinc.com/
I’ll actually be stopping at Ikea on my next Team Depot trip (next week) I’ll be picking up some Christmas gifts. I guess I could buy some of these great plants since they’re such a good deal–but I would be clueless how to use them for decor.
I love, love, love how you have done everything. But as I read your post, and looked at your pictures I felt like you were talking a different language. It truly does not sink into my brain how to stage/decorate. It’s like I’m tone deaf, but with decorating…which by the way I am tone deaf with music. hahahaha I better stick to building.
I’m so glad to hear you say it’s ok to use artificial plants. I see decorators disdaining them…but at least they are green! I’d love to have two topiaries flanking my front door.
Chris, I bought two large topiaries from HomeGoods for outside and I love them. I have tried and tired to grow real topiaries in my yard and I just can’t keep them alive. Although, right now I have been having good luck with Texas Privet at my front door, they seem to be holding up well. It is a pretty hardy plant Stephanie http://cre8tivedesignsinc.com/
I would definitely kill a real plant, so this is right up my alley!
I love the idea of covering books with wallpaper, or any printed paper really. You can make any book look great! Thanks for the idea!!
I can’t take the credit for covering books in decorative paper, gotta thank Pinterest for that lol I am glad that I finally remembered to do it, it was so simple to do, and makes such a difference. Stephanie http://cre8tivedesignsinc.com/
I LOVE this! I mix in artificial plants too with either the real version or my bookshelves, etc where a plant would not get enough sun, water, love… I’ll also have a few on my porch and I think I’ll add more! You can’t tell at all. Lovely job.
I think they would look fantastic on your new outdoor table
Stephanie http://cre8tivedesignsinc.com/
You’re making me want to head to Ikea right now! Those look great!
You should Megan! Those plants are the bomb! I love real they look, especially the ones I put outside. Stephanie http://cre8tivedesignsinc.com/