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August 2002
If an interior living or working environment is going to be comfortable and inviting, the space almost always calls for the addition of some sort of flowers or plants. But living plants or fresh flowers are not always practical in every situation. Fortunately, today's silk flowers....or, more appropriately, permanent botanicals....are better than ever. In just the past few years, new production techniques and more realistic features have vastly improved the quality and variety of fabric flowers available from your local professional florist.
When shopping for permanent botanical materials, keep in mind than not all silk flowers are created equal. The lowest priced blossom is not always the best bargain when we pay attention to quality, workmanship, and botanical realism. Some factors to consider include:
stem length - a longer stem allows for more flexibility
stem thickness - is it appropriate for the species?
leaf count - additional leaves may be added separately to fill in a design
leaf and petal edges - are they crisp and fused or will they fray?
wiring - fully wired leaves and petals permit better options for shaping
blossom attachment - do the flowers pop easily off the stem?
coloration - are leaves, petals, and stems realistic and natural in color?
detailing - shading, texture, and anatomical parts such as stamens or thorns
Better quality silk flowers will appear the most botanically accurate in all respects and will be well-constructed for long durability. They will allow the most flexibility for positioning the blossoms and stems. Whether they are created in a casual style or in a more formal design, the most pleasing permanent arrangements will be those that appear the most realistic. Savvy designers are aware of how plants and flowers grow, and will spend some time shaping their silk flowers to reflect that natural energy. For example, living plants exhibit a phenomenon known as phototropism, which is the tendency to grow toward light. Thus, the leaves of most growing things are usually positioned with their faces upward, facing the sun. Flowers and plants are subjected to rain, sunlight, wind, gravity, and insect attacks in nature, and consequently every single fresh flower, no matter how much it resembles a thousand others, has its own unique character. A professional floral designer understands these natural forces and strives to breathe life into artificial flowers by shaping and arranging them accordingly. A rose's head may be so heavy that it causes the stem to bend. Ivy will cascade down over a ledge but the tip of the vine will curve upward for the light. Delicate poppies seem to sway in the slightest of breezes. Peony flowers open and develop at differing rates. Remembering these characteristics will prevent silk designs from appearing static and lifeless.
Permanent arrangements will remain pleasing for a long time to come if we choose flowers that are realistic in color as well. It's not necessary, or even advisable, for silk flowers to match the color of your upholstery or wallpaper.....especially if it's an unnatural hue for the species. No one has ever seen a teal colored rose or an avocado green lily in the garden. Better to choose colors that accent or complement the room rather than try to duplicate it.
An emerging trend is silk floral design is the so called monofloral style, which features just one variety of flower used en masse in a container. These are often created in clear vases with the stems showing, so natural looking stems are important here. Another popular look is simply a thick clump of artificial grasses appearing to be growing in a bowl, displaying a Zen-like sense of freshness and purity. Of course, classically styled arrangements which resemble the lush floral compositions of Flemish still-life paintings will always have their place. Whatever your preference, your local professional florist can readily create a new custom-designed permanent botanical arrangement for your home or office, or update an older one for you. Stop in soon.
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