World trends in artificial flower design. The one of our most interesting topic on the Floresy blog.

Floresy Products, Ideas, Interior Styles, Seasonal, Trends

10 great ways to give your home an autumnal makeover!

There are some lovely trending ideas this Autumn and many of them can be easily incorporated into your home, to give it a welcoming and cosy seasonal look. This season’s colour palette comprises of all the warm autumnal colours including burnt orange, golden yellow and the essential trending shade of dark forest green.

The décor and theme for the season is definitely nature-inspired with the aim of bringing outdoors indoors! Following so many long months of the global pandemic, many people have realised the importance of nature for their well being and what better way to celebrate its beauty than embracing the gorgeous array of autumn shades?

Here we bring you 10 clever ways to give your home a fashionable new look for Autumn 2021.

1. Incorporate the autumn palette

There are so many glorious seasonal colours to use

In many rooms, simply swapping throws, rugs and cushions can successfully change the character of your home. If you want a more dramatic change, why not paint one of the walls in your living room one of the trending colours? Muted terracotta brings a truly seasonal warmth to a room and sandstone gold softens the sharpness of some décor. The top trending shade of forest green is certainly dramatic and creates a wonderful cosy ambience, but can make a room feel much smaller.

2. Think colour!

‘Layering’ is the buzz word in interior design and this means choosing an assortment of different patterns for use in a room but in similar tones. This design idea works particularly well in a living room as it can inject seasonal colour into a neutral palette – a great example is an assortment of new cushions in various patterns all containing forest green – this will definitely inject a dramatic new feel to your room and can be emphasised with the addition of new lush indoor plants, candles and a throw.

3. Think texture!

Texture is really important this season and works well with the new bolder fashion colours. Natural textiles are important and can be introduced into a room with wool rugs, throws and cushion covers. Textured rugs for the floor in the season’s autumnal colours work really well too and as well as enhancing the autumnal character, will be great for bare feet on colder days too.

4. Personalise your home

Antique treasures can be successfully combined with modern furniture

The pandemic has made many people stop and take stock of their lives and to realise what family items they really treasure. Family heirlooms have become very important to many and a clever mixture of old family heirlooms and contemporary pieces has started to appear. A single statement piece of antique furniture can sit comfortably alongside other contemporary pieces.

Silver is the trending metal this season, so there is plenty of opportunity to display old silver photographs, vases, candlesticks and ornaments.

5. Consider a statement piece of furniture

To help develop the autumnal colours in your rooms you can transform some old pieces of furniture by upcycling them and painting them in one of the season’s new colours. If you prefer you can transform old wooden chairs and tables by staining the wood.

6. Add a room divider

Stylish room dividers add character and flexibility to a room

The lockdown certainly made many of us adapt our homes so they could be multi-functional and able to accommodate people working remotely from home, children on distance learning and still provide a leisure area for different generations – quite a task! Many people found that room dividers were perfect for using in open plan spaces to create smaller personal areas and the trend is continuing this autumn. There are many different fold away room dividers on the market to suit all styles of rooms. Alternatively, you can use a single large piece of furniture such as a blanket chest or sideboard to create the divide.

Indoor plants have enjoyed a bumper year as they have been so fashionable and if you have the space, a long trough of indoor plants provides an ideal room divider that gives privacy, lets in light and is in the season’s popular colour of forest green! If you feel that you are absolutely hopeless where indoor plants are concerned, consider using artificial plants as they look so realistic and they are impossible to kill!

7. Transform your kitchen!

The latest styles for kitchens are rustic and characterful

After several years of sterile looking minimalistic kitchens, the new fashion statement is ‘cottage style’ which certainly has more character! Gone are the pristine white cupboards and these are replaced by darker cupboards in the colour of your choice or dark stained wood. White marble worktops are also being replaced with beautiful stone surfaces with more colour – but must still be kept totally clutter free! The latest ‘must haves’ include large statement wooden tables and attractive features such as old-fashioned scales complete with weights!

8. Give your bedroom a makeover!

Beautiful snowy white bed linen has been popular for a while now, but this Autumn is being given a softer touch with the addition of soft-coloured, textured cushions and throws and plenty of natural materials for accessories including bamboo and rattan as well as seagrass rugs.

Indoor plants and flowers are introducing a lovely natural theme in the bedroom, but choose plants with dark green foliage and white or neutral coloured flowers. Again, if you have problems caring for indoor plants, cheating by using beautiful artificial plants is definitely the winning way!

9. Introduce natural fabrics wherever possible

Tactile colourful soft furnishings in natural fibres are the perfect seasonal addition

Nothing beats the introduction of natural fabrics and materials to enhance this season’s nature -inspired fashions. The careful introduction of tactile natural fabrics such as bamboo, cane, sisal and jute can easily transform a room and give it the relaxed ambiance of the seaside on a sunny day which is perfect as winter draws in!

If you don’t want to introduce large pieces of furniture into your rooms or don’t have the space, smaller accessories such as lampshades, waste paper baskets and plant pot covers are all really cheap but can develop the theme well.

If you are embracing the natural theme, why not think about reducing your global footprint at the same time and scour charity shops, online market places and garage sales to find the perfect pieces second hand?

10. Indoor plants are the perfect addition!

Beautiful indoor plants definitely bring nature into your home

2021 is proving a bumper year for indoor plants so why not introduce plenty to your home this autumn? Indoor plants are cheap, cheerful and the perfect way to bring life to a room or gloomy corner! Add a plant somewhere new like an empty kitchen windowsill, empty corner of the hallway, on the landing or in the bathroom. Choose the type of plants carefully so that they are the ideal species for your chosen spot. If you are adding plants to your kitchen, why not add a row to the windowsill? What better than an array of fresh herbs that you can quickly snip to add flavour to your meals?

This season, why not bring the outside inside? You will be delighted with the results!

Floresy Products, Health, Ideas, Industry, Interior Styles, Trends

10 ways to add bamboo style to your home

Bamboo is proving a popular trend for interiors again in 2021 as it is inexpensive, simple to use, very stylish and eco-friendly. Bamboo evokes a natural feeling of summer on a tropical island and is instantly relaxing! No wonder it is popular! If you would like some inspiration on how to add bamboo style to your home, read on!

1. Clever ways with bamboo fencing.

Bamboo adds a relaxed vibe to rooms

Bamboo fencing is great for the garden, but can also be used very effectively in the home, office areas and In your home, you can use a bamboo partition to divide your lounge and dining area, to introduce a luxurious ambiance and make an eye-catching focus. In the bathroom a bamboo partition can be used to separate the shower area or toilet. A bamboo partition can also be successfully used to divide a children’s bedroom to give them both their private space.

To achieve ‘the look’, the bamboo can be set in concrete in long plant troughs and when the concrete is dry, a layer of natural pebbles can be poured on top to conceal the concrete. Choose lighter coloured bamboo poles to lighten a darkly coloured area.

2. Invest in some bamboo blinds

To continue the island feeling evoked by bamboo, add some bamboo blinds to the windows or choose some curtains with bamboo-print fabric. If you are not overlooked you can make an innovative plant display out of three or four pieces of bamboo of the same length, with a piece cut out to fit a small plant pot. The bamboo is then hung vertically at equal distances and suspended from just above your window. The holes can be filled with small trailing plants or fresh herbs.

3. Decorate a bare wall

A clever way to add character to a bare wall is to line it with bamboo as this will totally transform the room and there is something about bamboo that makes it very soothing. It is best to use split bamboo canes as these have one flat side which makes it easier to fix them to the wall. For a large area, bamboo panelling is very effective and can be used on the ceiling too. Bamboo comes in a variety of colours from light natural bamboo to shades of dark mahogany – your choice!

4. Add a bamboo framed mirror

Give mirrors, pictures and family photos a new look!

!Adding a large mirror to a plain wall always transforms the room as it reflects light, making the room brighter. You can buy such a mirror, but it is not difficult to use some split bamboo to make a frame and of course this works for wall pictures and photographs too.

5. Choose the perfect colour theme

Bamboo creates a natural feeling in any room and this is easy to mirror with your soft furnishings. Armchairs and sofas in cream, terracotta and green are perfect and cushions with palm tree designs or leafy patterns develop the theme. Watch out in charity shops, eBay and similar, for a large bamboo chair. This is the ideal choice and you will find it surprisingly light, sturdy and comfortable. Alternatively if you have a colour scheme you love in your home, get out the paintbrush and paint your bamboo to match!

6. Choose a bamboo coffee table

There are a variety of bamboo styles of tables that are perfect for your home or a waiting area at work. Some coffee tables have glass panels and others are made from slatted bamboo which is smooth enough for a tray of drinks.

7. Bamboo shelves are practical

Bamboo shelving is not only fashionable, but also very practical. You can find three and four tier shelf units and to keep things tidy, you can add natural woven or hessian baskets. The shelves will prove useful in any room in your home and your bamboo theme can be developed by dedicating one of the shelves to a display of seashells and driftwood.

8. Bamboo is perfect for towel rails

Bamboo is the perfect material for creating a versatile towel rail for use at home in your kitchen or bathroom or at work. The idea is simple and very practical. As well as traditional styled towel rails, the new ladder style works really well when space is tight. These are straight forward to make too –

https://uptodateinteriors.com/diy-bamboo-ladder/

9. Add some other bamboo accessories

There are plenty of bamboo products on the market because bamboo is environmentally friendly and is a sustainable crop. Amongst the accessories you will see are over-sized lampshades, stools and magazine racks. If you are adding a bamboo screen to your bedroom, a bamboo headboard will complement it perfectly. If you enjoy DIY projects, you will find some inspirational ideas online:

https://www.woohome.com/diy-2/top-21-easy-and-attractive-diy-projects-using-bamboo

10. A pot of bamboo for the finishing touch!

Bamboo trees come in a myriad of sizes

This year, indoor plants are big news and what better idea than adding a pot of bamboo to your home or office? You can buy small single bamboo shoots and several in a container can look good on a mantelpiece. You can get larger displays of several pieces of bamboo that are eye-catching for a desk or coffee table, but why not celebrate bamboo big time with a huge leafy tree? You can place your tree to add interest to a dull corner or as a dramatic feature and focus to your room.

To ensure that your bamboo always looks in perfect condition and maintains its size and shape, why not choose a pot of artificial bamboo? A large pot of leafy bamboo will bring instant colour and life to any setting and looks perfect in one of this season’s natural textured or metallic pots. Why not give your home a new look, with the garden vibe of bamboo?

Next month we look at ways to use bamboo creatively outside in your garden – and its not just as a plant trellis!

Exterior Design, Health, Ideas, Seasonal, Trends, Uncategorized

10 ways to make your garden bird-friendly this summer

The number of garden birds like sparrows, robins and blackbirds is declining each year in most countries because of habitat loss. In the UK, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and other environmental organisations are encouraging home owners to make their gardens ‘bird-friendly’ to help increase the bird population. We have 10 ways to make your garden bird-friendly this summer and to help stop the decline in the number of birds in your area?

Even if you do not have a garden, you can still create a small area for wild birds on your balcony or terrace and there are special bird feeders on the market that can be fixed on windows and windowsills that are particularly ideal for elderly people.

It is fun to create a haven for wild birds and it is a great project if you have children and are wondering how to fill their school holidays! Making your garden bird-friendly will teach them a valuable lesson about caring for the environment and nature and will definitely give them a great new interest as they spot the different species of birds enjoying time in your garden. (https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/gardening-for-wildlife/creating-a-wildlife-friendly-garden/)

Here are 10 of the many things you can do in your garden:-

A natural area provides valuable nutrition

● Create a natural corner at the bottom of your garden. Let the grass and weeds grow naturally there and plant some wild plant seeds. Although this area will contrast sharply with the rest of your tidy garden, it will be perfect for the birds! It is best to choose a part of the garden that is well away from where your children play or where you enjoy al fresco meals as these activities could disturb the birds.

Packets containing a mixtures of wild plant seeds can be bought in most garden centres and these are ideal as the variety of plants that will grow are particularly rich in berries, nectar and seeds and these are all really nutritious for the birds. As well as attracting wild birds to your garden they will attract butterflies, bees and dragonflies too – what a bonus!

● Plant thick climbing plants as the birds will like to be able to hide among the foliage. Don’t be tempted to have any trees cut down as they are valuable for wildlife and will attract woodpeckers and owls. Fruit trees are ideal for wild birds too as they will enjoy pecking the fruit – so make sure you pick what you need first! Shrubs with berries are a valuable source of food for wild birds too.

Sunflowers not only add colour to a dull corner, they are good for wild birds too

● Plant some bright yellow sunflowers as these usually attract bees, caterpillars and other insects. Sunflower seeds are important for birds to eat. Asters and cornflowers are not only pretty in the garden, they also provide a good supply of seeds for wild birds too. Honeysuckle not only looks and smells gorgeous in the garden, the birds will enjoy the nectar too.

● Don’t ‘dead head’ all your flowers as soon as they have finished blooming, as these seed pods are much appreciated by the wild birds and are very nutritious for them.

● Don’t get rid of all your garden rubbish! Dead leaves can be swept up, but put them in a pile in the natural corner of your garden along with any decaying wood as these will soon become rich in insects and will provide food for the birds.

This must be the top way to make your garden bird-friendly!

● Install a bird table, but make sure it is well away from where you sit in the garden as the birds could be put off by your presence. If you have cats, make sure the bird table is high enough for them not to reach. Effective deterrents to use for cats include planting prickly plants like holly around the base of the bird table stand or encasing the bottom part of the stand in plastic to make it slippery – large plastic water bottles can be easily adapted for this and are perfect. (https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/feeding-birds/all-about-bird-tables/making-a-bird-table/)

● Wild birds need food, water and shelter in your garden to find it attractive. Pick up a bird bath in the summer sales, eBay, Gumtree or similar. Ensure that it is always full of fresh water as birds love to clean they wings as well as drink. Ideally, place the bird bath in a place where it will catch rainwater. It will need a regular clean and the best way to do this is to wash it in nine parts cool water, one part white vinegar as this will get rid of limescale. You may need to give the bowl a gently scrub and then rinse it in clean water, before replacing it in the garden.

● Install a small fountain in your garden. It isn’t only people that enjoy the sound of running water, birds are really attracted by the sound too – especially migratory species.

● Make or buy a nesting box and fix it somewhere cats cannot reach. It is a good idea to do this well before springtime so that your local birds will know where it is located. (https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/actions/how-build-nesting-box-birds)

● Don’t use any pesticides in your garden as insects are an important source of food for the birds as well as frogs, bats and even dragonflies. You will enjoy a garden much richer in wildlife, but interestingly, the insects will still be kept well under control – the natural way!

Enjoy wild birds in your garden all year round

Within a short time you will soon enjoy seeing more wild birds in your garden and may well spot Blue Tits, Great Tits, Chaffinches, Goldfinches and even Wrens.

If you do decide to build a bird table to feed the birds, it is important to keep it well supplied all year round, as the birds will view it as a safe refuge, where they can always find food. Seeing many more wild birds in your garden is definitely a win-win situation as the birds will enjoy visiting your garden and you will feel as though you are definitely doing your part for the local environment…. .

Exterior Design, Floresy Products, Ideas, Seasonal, Trends, Uncategorized

Great balcony garden ideas

If you live in a flat and the only outdoor space you have is a balcony – no problem! Following the Covid pandemic and the need for private space, balconies are now being given plenty of attention – and rightly so! Balconies can be easily transformed into lovely outdoor spaces for relaxing and entertaining and with some clever thinking, you will be able to display indoor plants too that will help create the right relaxing ambiance- and without taking up too much space.

Why not use some great balcony garden ideas to give you a gorgeous new outdoor space- one that you would never know is right in the middle of town!

Choose your colour scheme

colourful balconies are appealing

A colour scheme for your balcony will make it look very chic and this can be developed with chairs and cushions, rugs, flowerpots and even your choice of flowers! Grey is a really popular colour this year and can look particularly smart for your balcony- especially if you opt for plants with green and grey foliage or ones with only white flowers.

Soft natural shades look really good with plenty of wood and rattan for chairs and even plant pot covers. Blue is another popular colour this year and work very well on balconies with a nautical theme.

Floor first!

You may be happy with the tiled floor your balcony has as it is quick and easy to sweep and mop, but why not soften the look by adding a colourful striped rug or practical rattan runner? Wooden decking works well on balconies, especially decking tiles, as these are easier to fit. Wooden flooring, either hardwood or a laminate, will transform the space and can be in natural wood colour or painted blue or grey.

Some people cover their balcony floor with astro turf grass to develop the idea of a ‘mini garden paradise’.

Add some furniture & decorations

Transform your balcony into a restful oasis

The choice is yours! Would you like a chic iron café table and chairs for impromptu coffee with a friend and al fresco meals, or a soft sofa for relaxing moments with a small table for placing glasses of wine or your favourite book? If you are still working from home, you can opt for a stylish wooden table and office style chair for work plus a comfy armchair for restful times!

If space is limited, a traditional wooden bench looks good – and very inviting when decorated with scatter cushions and a throw. Several large floor cushions or wicker stools are other fun ideas and if your balcony is really small, folding chairs and a table give you extra versatility. You will also find other great ideas on on https://www.digsdigs.com/45-cool-small-balcony-design-ideas/

A wall clock is always a useful addition and a barometer or wind chimes are fun to hang on the balcony. A small bird table fastened to the railing is another option. Ornaments can be used to emphasise the theme of your balcony such as a rustic country style or smart nautical. If you have a larger balcony, a stone garden statue can look good, surrounded by plants.

Clever ways to decorate with plants

Indoor plants are the ideal way to create your own leafy oasis! Choose your plants carefully- depending on the amount of sunlight you get on your balcony. It is also worth remembering that many of the plants will need to live indoors during the winter months. If your balcony is not going to be ideal for indoor plants, a collection of artificial plants will look equally good – especially if they are mixed with some good tempered flowers such as geraniums! Another fun choice for really sunny balconies is to grow a citrus tree such as a lemon or miniature orange tree. If you would prefer to add some shade to your balcony, a clever way is by using artificial bamboo plants.

Colourful annuals such as petunias can be purchased cheaply from garden centres and supermarkets and will certainly help transform your balcony. If you would like to grow some vegetables, you can grow them successfully in grow bags, long narrow plant troughs or a couple of large flowerpots.

If your balcony is large enough, you can build a raised flowerbed along the length of the balcony at the front – this definitely makes gardening easy! You can used recycled wood from old crates to make the container and then the wood can be stained or painted in your chosen colour.. To save money on soil- as it will take a large quantity to fill It-, carefully fill the bottom third with plastic boxes or empty bottles and top with soil before planting with flowers or herbs.

Be creative with your plant display!

Because there is limited floor space on a balcony and priority must be given to furniture, here are some clever ways to enjoy plants and flowers in a limited space:

Tiered shelving is a great space saver and perfect for plants and vegetable growing

Several conical woven planters grouped on a bare wall can look dramatic when filled with leafy ferns and spider plants. Alternatively, a few colourful pots on ropes, hung at the same height just in front of a bare wall completely transforms it! Metal plant pot covers are trending this year and can look really smart – especially if they are filled with flowering plants or those with colourful foliage.

A really eye-catching design is to attach a long piece of driftwood high on a bare wall – high enough that you can suspend a line of matching macramé hanging baskets at regular intervals. Alternatively, three or four, matching planks of wood, that have been stained or painted, will give a completely new look to a bare wall and an interesting collection of planters can be attached to the wood at different heights. This is a great way to grow your own herbs and you can tie a large luggage label with a description of the herb to each planter. Another option is to fix a piece of trellis fencing to the wall and hang assorted planters at different heights.

To add vibrant colour to a small piece of wall, suspend two flower-filled hanging baskets at different heights.

If you have a window sill on your balcony, this is another ideal spot for growing an assortment of herbs in small matching pots. If you have really limited space, look out for tiered shelving that you can fill with plants. If you only have a spare corner, look out for a corner tiered unit as this works really well.

Add colourful plants to the balcony railings…

Invest in some plastic railing planters that will sit on the railing or some window boxes with large hooks that will fit snugly over the railing. The ideal flowering plants for these are colourful trailing petunias and scarlet geraniums.

If you would like to add privacy to your outdoor space, consider hanging lightweight rattan blinds from the ceiling above the railing or a series of hanging pots at the same height – with each filled with a leafy fern or training plant.

… And some lights

Pretty lights are perfect for lazy evenings

If you are planning to relax on your balcony in the evening, you will need some soft lighting. Tea lights placed on every flowerpot or several candle lanterns will create a golden cosy ambiance. A string of fairy lights look pretty too or a large table lamp.

No matter how small your balcony is, you can transform it into an attractive outdoor room which you will love for quiet moments and your friends will enjoy visiting too! If you are fearful that you will not be able to enjoy your new retreat because of winged insects, we have a clever idea to solve this problem too! Hang very fine netting for the entire width of your balcony from the ceiling above the railing, down to the railing and secure it tightly. Not only will you not be bothered by any insects, no birds can mess your balcony or leaves get blown onto it – leaving you just to relax and enjoy your new oasis with a long cool summery drink and a good book….

Floresy Products, Health, Ideas, Interior Styles, Trends

10 Clever ways to enjoy indoor plants in small spaces

Use every available space

Even if you are living in a modest-sized flat or house or working in a tiny office, with some creative thinking and smart ingenuity, you can make space for some flowers and indoor plants. If you do manage to find room for indoor plants you will be able to experience all the benefits that come with them. Indoor plants can lower stress levels and because they purify the air, if you have one in your bedroom, you will find yourself sleeping better too. We suggest 10 clever ways to have indoor plants in small spaces…

You will find several of our display ideas that will really work for you – which is great! Before you buy the indoor plants, it is worth assessing exactly which type of plant will be happiest in each location. Sometimes because of lack of space, you cannot offer the plant optimum growing conditions, so it is best to choose good-tempered, easy to care for plants. If you feel that the growing conditions will be a challenge to any indoor plant, why not opt for beautiful artificial plants? The secret to success is that if you are planning to display the plant in a place that is quite shadowed and gloomy, choose an artificial plant in a species that normally can thrive in such a spot and in doing this, friends and family will never suspect that your plant is artificial- clever thinking!

1. Create a living room divide

A fun way to divide up your living space is with a live living wall. This can be as simple as some garden trellis set into a large rectangular planter, Choose interesting plants with different coloured or textured foliage. Alternatively, you can hang plant covers on the intersections of the trellis and pop in a variety of interesting trailing plants.

2. Small tiered shelves

Cheer up bare walls with shelves of plants!

These are ideal when you don’t have too much space on a desk or shelf and are a fun way to display a collection of different plants. In the kitchen, this idea is perfect for displaying an array of herbs on the windowsill. The shelves look lovely in wood but are easy clean if they are in white plastic. The plants can either be in flowerpots with drainage sauces or in flowerpots popped in a pot cover. These can be in a uniform shape and colour, or an eclectic selection of different sizes and shapes in shades that mirror the colour scheme of the room

3. Baby succulents look great in tiny pots

A group of small terracotta pots each filled with a tiny succulent can look really cute. This year’s trending pot containers are glazed square plant containers, which work really well as they can easily slot next to each other to take up the minimum of space.

4. Hang a plant in a bird cage!

If you don’t have too much floor space, be creative and use the ceiling! A small metal bird cage filled with a leafy plant like a Spider Plant or Boston Fern looks really good and add colour to the room, you can paint the cage in a colour to match your chosen scheme.

5. Wall mounted looks great!

You can make your own wall planters by attaching rustic basket pot covers to squares of wood that you have painted with wood stain or in your chosen colour. Don’t forget to place plastic plant saucers in the bottom of the pot covers to ensure that no water runs down the wall when you water the plants. Another fun idea is to attach a section of garden trellis to your wall – either wood stained, or painted to complement your colour scheme. Clip planters containing a fun variety of plants on all the intersections of the trellis.

6. Add a row of hanging baskets!

Hanging baskets can cheer up a bare wall and look great in front of windows

These can make an interesting feature if you have a large bare window. Suspend a collection of similar hanging baskets at different heights and fill each with an interesting leafy plant such as different ferns and a spider plant -if the window gets plenty of direct sunshine, choose your plants carefully.

7. Grow herbs on your kitchen door!

Use every available inch of space to enjoy your indoor plants! Use a lightweight plank of wood, cut to size and painted to match your colour scheme. Attach smart metal plant pot covers at regular intervals and pop in pots of fresh herbs – for fun, add luggage labels to each pot, describing each herb.

8. Buy some hanging glass planters

A row of stylish round glass planters instantly adds interest and colour to a dull wall! Hang the planters from the ceiling, just in front of the wall and fill them with good- tempered flowering plants such as kalanchoe or chose leafy plants with coloured or textured leaves.

9. Jazz up a dull corner!

Invest in a tiered corner unit and fill it with a variety of interesting and eye-catching plants..Choose your plants carefully so that they have different colours and textures to make your display look interesting. Display them all in pot covers that are in toning covers- but a variety of textures to add interest.

10. Add a terrarium

A large bottle containing a handful of plants can look really dynamic! You can buy some snazzy ready made ones that even have optional lighting and because of humidity they only need to be watered every couple of weeks. It is great fun to create your own terrarium and not as difficult as you think! Alternatively, you can grow several cacti or air plants in an opened topped bottle and these can look very dramatic.

https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/how-to-make-terrarium

Whether you have a tiny office, cramped reception or small home, it is possible to add plants to your space – and you will definitely feel better for having done so!

Exterior Design, Floresy Products, Health, Ideas, Interior Styles, Trends, Uncategorized

The miniature world of Bonsai trees

Bonsai trees are growing in popularity. They first appeared 1,500 years in Ancient China where they were called ‘Penjing Trees’. The miniature trees were exchanged as gifts among the rich. Five hundred years later, Buddhist monks took the idea to Japan. The Japanese developed the art of cultivating and caring for Bonsai. Today the hobby is growing. People all over the world, are fascinated by the idea of owning such a beautiful type of tree and are discovering the magic of the miniature world of Bonsai trees.

The miniature world of Bonsai comprises of evergreen, deciduous and flowering trees

Bonsai is both the art and science of growing beautiful miniature trees and shrubs in ornamental pots. Bonsai trees come in many different varieties, some suitable for indoors and others outdoors like the Juniper Bonsai. There are evergreen and deciduous varieties and even flowering Bonsai. Some species such as the Ficus group are relatively easy to care for, whilst others are notoriously challenging.

Many plant enthusiasts are apprehensive about caring for a Bonsai tree, but it is not too complicated to master but can be time-consuming because the process involves nurturing the tree and keeping it in its miniature size while also making it as aesthetically appealing as possible by shaping it. There are fundamentals to master too, as the size and shape of the pot the tree is planted in, the level of humidity and temperature can each make a big difference.

Why are Bonsai trees so expensive?

All Bonsai trees are more expensive than other plants. Their larger price tickets reflect their rarity, the age of the Bonsai and how much expert care has been needed to nurture it – and of course, there are transportation costs on top of this. If the Bonsai tree has been nursery grown, it is often not ready to sell until it is 6- 7 years old and many are much older and will have taken many hours of care by experts.

Older trees are more expensive because they look so spectacular with their gnarled and twisted trunks. At the top end of the price range are Yamadori Bonsai. These trees are ones that naturally grow in miniature in the wild, but are incredibly rare to find. The most expensive of all is the Japanese Pine – often up to 800 years in age and priced at over one million dollars. As well as buying the Bonsai, you will need to buy an array of miniature gardening tools and fertilisers.

Where can you display a Bonsai

In the last ten years, Bonsai trees have become popular around the world. Spot the Bonsai in hotel and company receptions and also on office desks. If you buy an outdoor variety, it can become a stunning focal point of your garden.

What care does a Bonsai need?

Each Bonsai has so much character and history

Caring for a Bonsai can take years to master which is why many people find it so challenging and rewarding. The Bonsai will need regular watering and pruning as well as certain light conditions, levels of humidity and nutrition. Unexpected pests and disease can present problems too.

Taking care of a bonsai tree is different from attending to the needs of just about any other type of plant. Bonsai owners are disciplined, well- organised and patient. Dedication to the idea of creating a beautiful miniature tree is key!

Are there certain Bonsai suitable for beginners?

It is fun to create the perfect shape for your Bonsai

The best Bonsai for beginners is Ficus. This attractive indoor evergreen Bonsai has a thick knotted trunk and dark glossy leaves. Ficus is a tolerant and resilient Bonsai and can grow in spaces with low humidity. The Ficus is easy to shape and will forgive you if you forget to water it!

The Chinese Elm is another good choice as it is an attractive semi-evergreen with numerous small leaves that can be placed outside in the warmer months and can survive a frost. This Bonsai does need regular pruning, but it is easy to create and maintain an attractive shape. If you would like a deciduous Bonsai, a Japanese Red Maple or Cherry Bonsai are both good choices for beginners. For further inspiration about which Bonsai trees are best for beginners, log onto:

https://www.bonsaitreegardener.net/bonsai-trees/best-beginners

How can I have a Bonsai without all the effort?

Bonsai are always fascinating

Does having a Bonsai tree appeal? Do you feel that realistically you not have the ideal growing conditions or the time to dedicate to nurturing one? The perfect answer is to cheat a little! An artificial Bonsai trees is impossible to tell them from a real Bonsai! Why not enjoy discovering the miniature world of the Bonsai tree without a single fallen leaf?

Floresy Products, Ideas, Industry, Interior Styles, Trends, Uncategorized

How to create the perfect reception area

First impressions really count! Your company, restaurant or hotel reception is the first place visitors see and it is important that it conveys the right message to them. Your reception should be attractive and welcoming and importantly, reflect your company’s unique character. The reception area should also project a feeling of professionalism and efficiency as well as trustworthiness. If you are planning a makeover for your reception area, think about the style that will suit you best. Our ideas tell you how to create the perfect reception area.

Extending a warm welcome

How to create the perfect reception area – add a large indoor plant!

A welcoming reception area is important when you have a doctor’s surgery or dental practice and want to put your visitors at ease. This type of character for a reception works well for hotels too and any business where people matter and you want to establish a good relationship with them.

Choose warm, muted colours as these are more relaxing than stark and clinical white. Furniture should be comfortable too. If you choose fabric covered seating, make sure that the fabric is stain resistant so that it will be easy to keep them looking good. Add some relaxing touches such as paintings on the walls, lamps and plenty of large leafy indoor plants.

A relaxing character

A relaxing and calming design

Stylish reception areas with smart furniture, no clutter and the emphasis on natural materials are a popular style for beauty salons and spas. This style exudes serenity and zen and also works well for companies as it can prove both relaxing and inspirational. Soft muted colours such as cream, browns and greens all work well and are enhanced by soft lighting. Mellow wooden furniture in a minimalistic style is ideal and large abstract wall paintings that mirror the colours of nature will also accentuate this style. Bring the outdoors inside with some extra large indoor plants or a dramatic wall display of numerous trailing plants. If you do not feel particularly ‘green fingered’, you can invest in some quality faux plants as the carefree alternative.

Exude luxury

use luxurious floral displays

If your company specialises in prestigious goods or your hotel or restaurant is appealing to those with plenty of money, your reception area needs to be very stylish and reassuring to your customers that are the elite and are going to get truly excellent service throughout.

Your style should be carefully chosen pieces of beautifully made, quality furniture such as a leather Chesterfield with some unusual accents in polished metal such as occasional tables or wall lights. Add drama to the area with bold colours and large painting. Mirror these in a large arrangement of beautiful fresh flowers.

Be dynamic in your style

Your reception can have fun appeal too!

If your company style is fast moving, enthusiastic and trendy, this is a fun style to mirror in your reception area. Showcase your company’s colours with a feature wall in the main colour with either your logo or inspiring slogan. Seating and accessories should be in any other company colour. Furniture styles should be smart and in practical styles. Plenty of natural daylight is perfect, but if not, excellent lighting will prove practical and energising.

Changing the look of your reception area can be relatively easy and the three main points to focus on are to maximise on space, use colour effectively to help create your chosen style and thirdly, to ensure that your chosen lighting is of the right style and in the right location. Your bright new reception area is definitely the best way to define your company’s character – along with a warm personal welcome to everyone who steps through the door.

For further inspiration, take a look at –

● http://www.smbceo.com/2016/11/29/how-to-choose-the-right-furniture-for-your-office-reception-area/

Floresy Products, Ideas, Seasonal, Trends, Uncategorized

Great ways to improve your garden!

After the long months of winter and lockdown, everyone is wanting to get out in the garden once again! Gardens have never been so important as they are now and an attractive garden can add real value to your property. Your garden can be like an outdoor living room, giving your family extra space. There are some major garden projects to consider, such as installing a decked area or a garden office. Home working is likely to be an option for many months to come! Having your garden professionally landscaped is not as expensive as you think and is a great way to achieve the garden of your dreams! Here are some great ways to improve your garden yourself – without denting your wallet!

Cut the grass and prune all the trees & bushes

Be as creative as you like!

The first step in creating a lovely garden for the summer is to get it in shape! Cut the lawn and trim the edges. If the lawn is looking in poor condition, plenty of lawn nutrients will make a real difference.

Prune all your hedges, bushes and trees – you will be surprised how much they have grown since last autumn and they will be much more manageable!

Paint all the fencing

Painting fences is a great way to improve your garden

Painting all the fencing definitely makes the biggest single improvement to your garden because the fencing will suddenly look like new again and add act as a natural backdrop, emphasising the colours and textures of the various plants and bushes.

If you use a wood staining preservative, it will definitely prolong the life of the fencing. Repair the garden gate and oil the hinges and then apply a couple of coats of wood stain to make it look smart! If you have a wooden bench or garden chairs, they will benefit from similar treatment!

Create an al fresco dining area

summer means barbie weather!

Eating outdoors make an ordinary meal taste like a banquet! Is there somewhere you can easily transform into an outdoor sitting area? You will find that it will quickly become a popular place to relax with a good book. If you have an area of concrete next to the garage wall, this can be quickly adapted by painting the garage wall, adding some wall planters and decorating the area with fairy lights for the evenings.

Alternatively you can create a sitting area. First, clear the area of weeds, before covering it with the special plastic matting you can buy. Stack the matting down before covering it with shingle. Large terracotta pots filled with colourful flowers will give the area a real Mediterranean feel – even if the weather doesn’t! Solar lanterns around the edge of the area look lovely too and create a lovely ambiance in the evening.

Bring color to your garden.

Terracotta pots add interest

It is fashionable to choose a colour scheme for your garden which can be highlighted by flowers as well as your garden furniture. The garden centres are full of colourful annuals right now and these are a quick and cheap way to bring instant colour to your garden. Different shades of lilac and white look very pretty and can be accentuated with a hanging basket suspended from a tree branch.

Creating a focal point with an array of terracotta pots in different sizes and shapes works well too. You can fill the pots with a variety of flowers in your chosen colour scheme or else an interesting collection of plants with leaves in different shades of green and with textured foliage. The terracotta pots are perfect for a collection of herbs too.

Create a vegetable patch.

Home grown veggie taste good!

Vegetable growing increased in popularity during lockdown and

!will continue to do so as more and more people have found that it is a fun way to get a supply of organic vegetables. Once again, having a vegetable patch can add real value to your home. If you have a large empty flowerbed, why not consider converting it into a veggie patch? It is amazing how many vegetables you can grow in a relatively small area. To save space, butternut squash and courgettes both grown really well in a large terracotta pot and happily will trail over the lawn or concrete.

If you just have a small area, why not change it into a herb garden? There is something special about picking your own fresh herbs for your cooking.

●https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/herbs/hgen/plant-herb-garden.htm

Build a rockery

This is the perfect solution if your soil is not good quality or you want to add interest to your garden. You can build a rockery in just a few straight forward stages and incorporate some interesting chunks of stone. Adding peat in the crevices between the stones will give nourishment to your new Alpine plants.

● https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-build-rock-gardens-2132674

At each stage of your renovation plan, it is a good idea to assess how much maintenance work will be required and wherever possible, opt for easy-care plants and vegetables. If you really do not have too much time at all, an increasing number of people are choosing to have just grass with a variety of large terracotta planters and those who are not ‘green fingered’ at all, will never admit it, but they are planting artificial plants in the planters – and the effect is simply stunning!

Floresy Products, Ideas, Interior Styles, Trends

10 great ways to display your indoor plants

Indoor plants are the perfect addition to your home as they can make any space look luxurious and transform it into an attractive leafy oasis. How you display your indoor plants is important as this will affect their dramatic impact. If you have plenty of space, adding indoor plants to decorate it is easy, but if space is limited, there are some ingenious ways to display them to add character to your rooms. Here are our clever ideas for 10 great ways to display indoor plants.

1. Use wall planters

Use wall space to display plants

If floor space is limited, a great alternative is to hang planters on the wall to display your indoor plants. One large planter with a beautiful trailing ivy looks lovely or you can complement the ivy by grouping it with a pretty wall mirror and large sun hat.

Alternatively, you can choose a group of smaller wall planters that are in the same or toning colours. White always looks good, but a shade that emphasises the colour scheme of the room also works well. The perfect choice of indoor plants for wall hangers are a variety of succulents or plants with different coloured foliage such as crotons and leopard lilies as these add interest.

2. Wall shelves are perfect too

Instead of arranging your books on your wall shelves, why not use a variety of indoor plants or a mixture of both to create an interesting display? Choosing plant pots in the same colour, but different shapes and sizes looks really cool. A selection of pots in different styles of wicker or textured metal looks really stylish.

3. Hang a plant from the ceiling!

one of the great ways to display your indoor plants

A huge Boston or Maidenhair fern in a hanging basket always introduces a ‘wow’ factor to a space. The hanging basket needs to be in a light spot, but away from direct sunlight. A regular misting will help keep your fern looking good. If you want an easier indoor plant to care for, a large spider plant will look equally good.

If you hunt carefully, you may find some really stylish hanging mini-glass terrariums. Three of these, suspended in a group at different heights or in a straight line, can look both innovative and stylish.

As with all our ideas, if you do not have the time to dedicate to carrying for indoor plants, why not invest in a beautiful artificial fern or other trailing plant as it will look so realistic, will be regularly admired and save you all the effort.

4. Cheer up your staircase!

If your staircase is wide enough and in light position, why not add an indoor plant to the side of each step for fun? Good tempered succulents work well as you need to choose plants that grow upwards and do not trail. To add colour, Kalanchoe and African violets with their colourful flowers will look good. If you prefer, you can select a variety of leafy plants with foliage of different colours.

5. Jazz up all your rooms with plants

Add style to your kitchen

Bathrooms can be transformed into a gorgeous oasis by plants to the windowsill, on shelves or if space is tight- hanging from the ceiling. Check plant labels for the best choices as the atmosphere in the bathroom is regularly warm and humid. Pothos, calathea, ferns and Aloe Vera are all good choices.

Good tempered indoor plants can add style to the kitchen too – especially as they can be used to complement the current minimalist style perfectly.

Bedrooms can benefit from the addition of some plants and of course, they are healthy to have as they replace carbon dioxide with oxygen.

6. Add drama to your living room

If you have the space, one really large indoor plant can look dramatic in your living room. As well as choosing a large and suitable indoor plant for your space, care must be taken to buy the correct decorative plant pot. Ideally, the pot needs to complement the décor and character of your room, but also it needs to complement your chosen plant and accentuate the beauty and colour of its leaves. Dragon tree, Birds of Paradise, Swiss cheese plant) and even olive trees are all large plants/ indoor trees that will make certainly a statement and add character to your room!

7. Use plant stands for extra style

If you have a corner that needs decorating, why not add three or four different indoor plants and use matching plant stands in different heights to add interest to your display. Snake plants, Yucca and Peace Lilies are all good choices. Simply styled plant stands in metal will accentuate the beauty of your plants and not detract from them – which is ideal.

8. Or add a small step ladder!

Be clever with plant displays

You may well be able to find a three/four step ladder with broad enough steps to take plant pots, books and anything else. This type of display looks really good when placed at an angle in the corner of the room and will give you a surprising amount of storage space – with indoor plants of course added too! If you prefer, you can use the steps just for displaying all your houseplants and this can be equally eye-catching. .

9. Use indoor plants to add interest to hallways

Unfortunately, hallways often become a general dumping ground for coats and footwear. Why not have a big tidy up and add some style to the area? A long wooden trough on legs placed against the wall and will look really attractive with a few tall leafy plants in different colours and textures. If you have space, a bar trolley is another display option. If the hallway is a little dark for plants to thrive, artificial plants could be the perfect solution.

10. Have fun with your plants!

Be crafty with plant pots!

If you don’t want to splash out on new plant pot containers, or feel like doing something completely

different and slightly wacky, indoor plants can be displayed in many different types of containers which can certainly add fun! In Greece and other countries, outdoor geraniums are often potted up and displayed in olive oil canisters.

Taking this idea a stage further, you can use clean old food cans as a plant display on the kitchen window sill – if you love baked beans, why not tell the world! Another classic for the kitchen is a teapot on the windowsill containing a pretty leafy plant. A large beer stein filled with a spider plant looks fun in the living room as does a large model of your favourite classic car filled with an elegant leafy plant.

There are just so many ways to display your indoor plants so that they are real features in your home. Displaying them with care, using clever and original ideas that accentuate the beauty of each plant, will really add to the style and character of your home. For more information, log onto-

https://balconygardenweb.com/99-great-ideas-to-display-houseplants-indoor-plants-decoration/

Floresy Products, Interior Styles, Trends

Be dramatic! Add a tree to your space!

Big really can be beautiful! Large indoor trees with their lush green foliage just cannot be beaten as the perfect way to change the whole look and character of a room instantly. Installing a tree in your reception area, restaurant or office space is like adding a large piece of furniture or a painting as it definitely makes a bold statement. It can also define the look of the space and become an interesting focal point. Introducing a large indoor tree into your space links it to the beautiful natural world outside. So why not be dramatic? Add a tree to your space?

Popular indoor trees

If you like the idea of an indoor tree, it is best to consider its location before

Be dramatic add a tree to your space plants

The Swiss Cheese Plant is an ideal low maintenance choice

you buy to ensure that the tree will be well-suited. It is a good idea to assess how much natural light your tree will enjoy. Most plants need bright spaces but no direct sunlight. Another important consideration is whether your chosen tree will need a humid environment. If the answer is ‘yes’ this will involve regular misting during the warmer months.

There are a wide variety of popular indoor plants that be bought in much larger ‘tree’ sizes measuring several metres in height. Some of them like Rubber plants (Ficus roberta) and Swiss Cheese Plants (Monstera deliciosa) are low maintenance and grow easily. Kentia Palms (Howea forsteriana) and the various different types of fig trees are other good choices. If you buy one of these, it is a good idea to transplant it into a much larger pot before settling it into its new home.

If your chosen position for a plant has plenty of sunlight, a citrus tree could be a fun choice and an olive tree will certainly create a lovely Mediterranean ambiance. The Karaka tree from New Zealand is another tree to consider, but this one will need a minimum temperature of 20ºC all year round. There are many different species to choose from. Be dramatic! Add a tree to your space that suits both your style and the room you have available. The most popular indoor trees are shown here for inspiration: https://blog.mytastefulspace.com/2020/04/01/tall-indoor-plants/

Consider buying an artificial tree

An indoor tree is an ideal focal point

Real trees can of course take years to grow and many of them do need care and maintenance.If you want to add a tree to your space quickly, the popular alternative is a really good quality artificial tree. The trees are manufactured in an array of different sizes and styles. They are the perfect choice if you feel that a live tree might not get the TLC it deserves. You may want to give your space a makeover and need a sizable and beautiful indoor tree to complete the new look instantly.

With an artificial tree, you can think exotic! Bamboo is trending this year and a display of artificial bamboo is the perfect way to brighten a dull corner or create a little privacy in a restaurant. An artificial banana tree certainly adds interest to an office space or reception area. These looks so realistic that customers will be waiting for your tree to fruit!

If you would like something more traditional, the laurel ball tree and the double laurel ball tree both add style and interest to entrances and reception areas. Leafy Lady Schefflera Trees really help bring nature indoors and others in our range of artificial trees include wisteria, palm trees, Ficus and the Pachira Tree with its distinctive braided trunk. All of our artificial trees are perfect for adding a ‘wow’ factor to your space and will enhance earthy colours or brighter palettes. The clever trick is to choose a tree that could naturally thrive in your chosen space. Choosing your tree carefully will make it seem truly authentic.

When big means huge!

Does your creative side feels that a really large tree is needed for your restaurant? Do you think your guests would love to dine

An artificial tree gives your space impact without extra work

under a leafy canopy? Do you want your reception desk under an olive tree? Be dramatic! Add a tree to your space! You will be delighted to learn that both ideas are totally achievable! We have our own made-to-measure tree service and can create the most beautiful tree to your own specifications! The trees are carefully moulded so that they have authentic textures. We are happy to create the tree of your choice – Oak, Acer, Baobab to name just a few.

The only way you will know that one of our trees is faux is to touch its leaves. The trees are created by craftsmen and fully protected so that their colours do not fade over time. Artificial trees are easy to maintain all year through. Artificial trees always look good…and just to tempt you, they are the ideal option for using indoors or out….