Wonder if a poll was done who would agree and not.
For a dark house it brings life in.

desigh stars judges act like it?

Having had silk plants in the past, I wouldn't do it again. It could just be me, but they ended up just a dusty potential spider home, and they didn't really add the life I wanted them to into the room. I find real plants do that. There are plants that don't need alot of light - and I think there's a world of difference between real and fake. That is just me though - I also don't like dried flowers, and they're real (but dead, and once again - dusty... )

In a word, YES! They rank right up there in tackiness w/ velvet paintings of Elvis and stringes of water droplet lamps. J/K

Seriously, this is a reoccuring question on this BB and the concensious seems to be (summerized) that they have their place ie. when you have a brown thumb, if you haven't the proper lighting, if you don't have the time to maintain real plants, if the space they're needed is too inexcessible to water them, if you have allergies, if you have curious pets or small children, etc. etc.. It's also advised to purchase only a few of exceptional quality so they fool the eye. Many decorators will mix quality faux w/ real for an even more convincing look. It's also advised that you keep them clean as they can harbor dust and grime. If faux silks suits your wants/needs, go for it.

Any recommendations on where to find really quality fake plants?
Thanks!

There have been polls on here before, and I do think the majority think they are ok.
I am a dessenter. I don't like them, I don't like real plants in the house either (I do love cut flowers)
I think there are other ways to bring life & color into a room.

Upscale nurseries and perhaps Hobby Lobby, Micheals, and other chains will carry decent silks. Here's what to look for that will indicate inferior silks:
fraying edges
unrealistic coloration and veining
connection between leaves and stems
pin holes in leaves
lack of lighter leaves indicating newer foliage
viens that have become seperated from bottom of leaves
fake trunk vs real wood

TIP: repot plants if they come in inexpensive containers/baskets to upscaled containers. Cover oasis/foam/etc. w/ spanish moss, pebbles or green moss. Do not purchase the silks that feature dew drops. Latex silks/flowers cost more but are more durable and realistic. They do dry out if over exposed to heat or sunlight however. Do not buy silks w/ berries that can crack in sunlight. If buying a silk bush, cut stems w/ wire cutters. Attach picks (wooden or metal..metal type requires a pick machine to crimp them) to bottom of stems before inserting in container. Be sure to shape leaves/stems in natural bends before inserting.

uhoh water droplet lamps. Not sure what those are. I think it was something i used to want. a statue surrounded by strings that look like water flowing? never really saw one work. 'were they eighties or nineties popular or never made it or older? or was it worse than that.
Thanks for many suggestions. Luckily I have light. Though i water less than I should.

I used to think really tacky was moms yarn flowers or those crocheted wire flowers. Now I have the wire flowers in a box and think they are pretty enough in there. As for beaded ones or glass ones on wire,,,never never would even keep them in a box.
Is apost on tacky over done here?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: loverofdesign,

Well..suffice it to say, tacky related threads do pop up from time to time. Though they can be humorous (not to mention insightful), "tacky" is relative from individual to individual. Obviously, I broke my own rule,though my examples were meant purely as tongue in cheek, by listing some items that others may find lovely. I appologize if I've offended anyone. For this reason, we risk hurting those who view their treasures as tasteful. The ol'addage, "beauty is in the eye" is oh so true. It's best to steer clear of labeling what some deem is tacky while others may call treasures. The bottom line remains, if you like it, then use it in your home proudly. I do caution all to show a degree of restraint in terms of numbers (group/display collections if you fit that catergory) and you should be happy with your choices.

I think they are OK if they are clean. I can't have real plants because of allergies and pets. I try to keep some fresh cut flowers and a few fake plants.

Where is it written that dust only falls on fake plants? Over the years, I've had both...lots and lots of both...the real ones get just as dusty as the fake ones, and the real ones need watering, fertilizing, re-potting, light, humidity, etc, etc. For me, it's a no-brainer. And that's the key..."for me". I draw the line at plastic, however.....

Sorry if I offended any one in my expression of my person choices likes and dislikes. It was not intended to hurt anyone if I did.
Thanks. It always helps to know if a lot or a few on things like taste.

I found a spray silk plant cleaner to keep the dust off. I have a dark area which I decorate seasonally, cleaning them before storing until next year.

I have a "real" rubber tree plant, which I love. But those real leaves get really dusty, as mentioned here. They are a pain to dust & shine individually. In the summer it is outside where I can just wash it off but indoors takes a lot of TLC.

Ok, have you girls been to my house? I do have some silk plants that do look quite real. I do have allergies but even if I didn't I would probably still have them b/c I never had any real plants that looked as nice as my fake ones.

I'm totally tacky.

I even have some silk flowers outside in my garden baskets....

A friend of mine supplements her real garden flowers with silk ones when the real ones start to die back and start looking just a little too scraggly if just left to their own.

When the real ones are gone, she pulls the silk supplemental ones.

It's really just a matter of what works for our own situation. But, as someone mentioned before, plastic flowers aren't my style.

Inside, I keep one vase of fresh flowers in my office.

A small live plant (expendable) graces my table from time to time. I call it expendable because I don't try to nuture it for life. There isn't enough light to keep a plant growing for eons in my home. If the table plant lasts for 3 months, it's done well.

A neighbor of mine does her entire outdoor garden in fake flowers. It's kinda hilarious. In the spring, literally overnight, her yard goes from bare to colorful, with dozens and dozens of pink & purple plastic petunia plants. Then in the fall, literally overnight, the petunias disappear and there's dozens and dozens of orange and gold mums. Then in December, literally overnight, the mums disappear and there's dozens and dozens of holly bushes and pointsettias. Then in January, it's bare again till the cycle repeats in the spring.

Too funny! I'd love to see that!

quote:

Originally posted by maureenz:
A neighbor of mine does her entire outdoor garden in fake flowers. It's kinda hilarious. In the spring, literally overnight, her yard goes from bare to colorful, with dozens and dozens of pink & purple plastic petunia plants. ...

I hope she keeps them in season. I was visiting my previous home looking at how "my" flowerbeds were doing and what the new residents were adding. I turned the corner and saw a bed of tulips in a very shady spot that I had trouble growing stuff. But this was last week! There have not been tulips here since May! I had to chuckle. They were obviously fake just because they were out of season.

I think fake plants inside are fine if they are real looking and clear of dust.

I have a few. To me if they "look real" they work.

I'm notorious for killing plants, but I have some weird architecture in this house such as higher niches, and a basket of fake greenery sometimes fills the bill.

Branches in a vase and dried real botanicals are another idea, if silk is so fakey for ya. I love manzanita and other branchy things, too.

You girls are talking about my mother. LOL She is 81 and puts those fake flowers out on her front yard. I said Mother, please get rid of those. I told her, your not fooling anyone they look fake.

Her reply to me was, "I don't care what people think they make me happy".

You've heard that saying "If mama ain't happy aint no one happy. i said, I love you mother, lets go buy some more.

I'm thinking someday when she's gone, I'm gonna miss those fake flowers.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: catfishbelly,