Tuesday, September 9, 2008

P.O.O.P.I.E.



The Nester is hosting a POOPIE party to showcase our fake/faux plants we have in our home. It's funny she's doing this because I too hear it on all the "TOP 25 DESIGN MISTAKES".... blah blah blah on HGTV and in various decorating articles that faux plants are a big faux-no.

Well, here's the thing. I enjoy topiaries. I enjoy them at the bargain price of $12.99 from Ross. I do not have, nor would I spend if I did have, like $100 for a real one from Smith & Hawken or something. They die in about a month anyways.

Also, I enjoy greenery and flowers (hydrangeas only, that I mix with real, dried ones) in my home without worrying about my 15 month old pulling the leaves off and getting toxic shock poisoning or something. I can't keep up with which plants are poisonous, anyways.

So, what to do? Yup. You guessed it. I am guilty as charged of having at least 4... okay 6 arrangements in my house that are faux, either in entirety or mixed with dried hydrangeas, real sticks, etc. I won't show you all of them tonight at this late hour. :-)


I will, however, show you the one that was driving me most crazy. Now keep in mind I got this wonderful vase as a wedding present 6 years ago from Crate & Barrel from a bridesmaid, so it's special. Also, those hydrangeas are like from 2 years of my Mom's bush and heinous drying attempts that went awry at least 5 times. But it's true... I did beef up the dried ones with a few strategically placed silk ones. So sue me.










*Disclosure: Those paint samples on my family room wall ARE NOT highlighter yellow. They are like french vanilla. Not sure why they show up so off color. I am not that color blind. Thanks for checking.


So, as much as I love this whole thing, the colors, in combo with my antique heavily distressed chest, and artwork, was just way too much. Yet the antique tray holding my glass collection was too sparse on it's own. It needed some softening, not the ginormous hydrangea explosion.

So, I did what any self-respecting woman would do. I put the kids to bed (my hubby was home with them) and went to Michaels. About 30 minutes and $20 later, I had what I needed.



  • Greenish/brownish greenery that looks real or like it could have been real at one point: CHECK.



  • Weird brown pom-pom balls that I never would have even looked at prior to "knowing" the Nester: CHECK



  • Feathers (I love 'em so much I almost ringed my black magic rose bouquet with feathers for my wedding): CHECK



  • 75% off clearance sticks: CHECK



  • .49 cent faux succulent that has nothing to do with this post: CHECK

Here is the result. I think (I wish, I hope) the Nester would approve. I swear I never would have even paid any attention to half these items if it wasn't for her guidance via her site. It makes sense though; avoid shiny green things with white backs and look for texture and believability.









I hope you all (or y'all as Nester would say) approve. I think it's a huge improvement. I'm just not sure if I need a couple more of the green branchy things (they are faux "huckleberry". I like the sound of that.)



***EDITED TO ADD: I ADDED EVEN MORE STUFF TO THE ARRANGEMENT, AND SWITCHED OUT THE ARTWORK FOR A CLOCK. ANY FEEDBACK? And, I am finally adding more pics of my faux-no's in my home.... see below.....




One of the tricks of my faux kingdom is I keep the really fake stuff (read: plastic topiaries) up really high on top of cabinets or armoires so you can't get right up on 'em. That keeps you guessing and you can't smell the plastic. :-)


-Kari

10 comments:

The Nester said...

let me tell you that no matter what you ever do, good, bad or ugly, YOU will always be approved and accepted by me!!!!

I LOVED The Hydrangeas!!!! I love the new stuff you bought! I think you could mix them together even more!!!!

Thank you so much for playing and Marie/Kari? I'm gonna delete your post on the Mr. Linky and then I want you to go RIGHT back and relink to this actual post so everyone is sure to see it!

To link to this post just click on the title of the post and copy and past the address from your bar at the top of the page!

Thanks so much!

Blogger said...

Everything looks beautiful :)

Nice to meet you,
Bella

Unknown said...

Hi Kari,
I love your faux plant...looks great to me!
diane

Nancy Rosalina said...

Love the hydrangeas and really love those topiaries! Nancy

Melissa Stover said...

everything looked beautiful to me!

The Nester said...

Hey girl--just saw your comment and I cannot change anything in a link I just have the option to delete it! If it really bothers you, you can relink and I'll try to remember to delete the first one, but, I have a feeling that no one will notice.

Thanks!

Beth Cotell said...

Looks great!

And you got the Nester seal of approval!

Kari said...

I know... one of the inspirations behind me starting a blog actually APPROVED (batting eyelashes a million miles an hour over here).

Seriously, thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your instant love and acceptance. I had no idea or I would have started blogging earlier!

Robin said...

Wow!!! What nice work on that new arrangement!

Love the hydrangea's and if you want a hint at HOW to color them if you caught them too late, is to buy the Floral Sprays in the Floral Aisle...They are a transparent color and just a little goes a VERY LONG way...I just added Robin Egg Blue to mine...check it out at My Blog!

Isn't it funny how Nester gets everyone into a different way of thinking??? I am now collecting plates & plate hangers, and scouting for new ideas everywhere!

Great to meet you!

Meghan said...

I think your fakes look great.
And as for that leafy frame...LOVE IT!