If you’re like a lot of people, the mention of artificial flowers evokes images of shiny plastic leaves, cheap plastic pots with painted pictures on the side, and blooms that look like what they are, colored fabric.
Well, that was once true for the majority of commercially available silk flowers and plants and indeed still is if you shop for them at your local big box store. Next time you’re in the local "everything world" store take a moment to examine their offerings. You'll likely note two things right off.
One is that they are cheap. From my own notes I've averaged their prices out to around twenty to twenty five dollars.
And secondly you'll notice that they LOOK cheap. Well, that's because they ARE cheap.
When it comes to artificial flower arrangements, it really is true that you get what you pay for. At these big discount stores you are being offered an arrangement that was likely put together in China or some other country where the labor is also cheap. Chances are it was designed with little attempt at style or creativity. And worse yet, with little regard for quality. And thousands of them were made in assembly line fashion by workers trained not in floral design, but in how to follow a set of instructions and meet a factory quota.
Not exactly the formula to have behind something you plan on placing in your home or office as an attention getter or focal point. With the all the effort you put into making your surroundings pleasant and attractive, why would you want to waste your time and money with a cheap piece of plastic and cloth that actually looks like plastic and cloth? And this is the thinking that has become the norm. Artificial plants are cheap, and look cheap.
These days, however, none of the above has to be the case. There is a whole industry out there dedicated to producing high quality artificial flowers and plants. You can find everything from a realistic rubber tree to a tiny three daisy vase, and they can fool just about anyone with their quality. So much so they won’t even think of taking a second look to note if they are real or not.
Ahh, but what about the cost? They are expensive right? Well, there are several things to consider when taking into account the higher price on these quality arrangements.
One of the first and most important is to understand that to get this level of quality it takes better materials and greater attention to detail. Just as important, however, is skilled design and construction. Even low quality artificials can become acceptable arrangements if in the hands of a skilled artist.
The above average results occur though when that skill is coupled with higher quality materials. Then you have pieces that don't just look more realistic, they are outright beautiful and rival the real thing. And it is this end result that you are paying for. Alicia's is a good example for reference. Alicia's demonstrates quite well how effectively skill and quality can come together to produce an exceptional silk floral arrangement while being very competitive in price with real flowers.
Despite this, there are many people who would still prefer to purchase real flowers. This group shrinks however when you also consider in the other added benefits of artificials.
For instance.
Longevity.
One area silk flowers have a distinct advantage is in shelf life. They won’t wilt, never need watering, and can be boxed and saved for future uses or moves. This is especially useful for the avid decorator who likes to keep in sync with the changing seasons or special occasions. Once the season is over, just store until next year. Changing colors of a room? Just rotate pieces and store those that are unused until the next change.
Hypoallergenic
Another definite advantage of silk flowers is that those who suffer from allergies can still benefit from the beauty of nature without the worries of watery eyes, runny noses, or any of the other symptoms naturals can trigger. This is a big concern these days, to the extent that some hospitals won’t even allow real flowers in their patient’s rooms anymore!
Ease of Care.
Silk flowers do not require watering. There is no soil to spill on your expensive rugs. There is no trimming or removing of dead or dying pieces. No cleaning or storage of empty pots once the arrangement has died. Simply place, and occasionally brush with a feather duster.
When you consider all these points, it becomes apparent that the higher cost of quality arrangements is in reality money well spent. For the same amount of money, or even less than you would spend on real plants that eventually die and have to be replaced, you could have a high quality artificial. One that will keep its beauty for years to come.
Silk flowers are an excellent choice for any occasion, and they certainly should be considered an option anytime a need arises for the beauty and color a good arrangement can provide to the home or office. Their ease of care and longevity make them a perfect tool in any decorator’s bag of tricks. So forget the old notions of artificials just being cheap plastic and cloth. Take a look at what’s available, and find a whole new avenue of choices for your decorating needs. |
