The Fake, The Artificial-- my Best Friend.

The season is giving way to longer days, sunnier patios, muddy puppy paws, hesitant spring blooms, and the sweet song of evening birds whistling into the night--

It is Springtime here in the northern states and we couldn't be more excited about our outdoor lives as the nicest months ahead begin to unfold.

Like every shift in season, I am in 'The Mood'.  The mood to create and to celebrate Beauty anew!  Today I am thinking about my front door wreath and how I want it to 'Sing of the Season' as Spring truly does arrive.

I am a designer who loves to use artificial stems to create my illusion of Perfect Beauty.  Do not judge.  I know, I know--silk flowers have SO gotten a bad reputation as they grace the lobbies and offices of some of the biggest corporations in the world.  Some of these pieces on display make me wonder why artificial stems are still being used at all!

Everlasting- yes...Carefree- yes...

Dusty and Tired- usually...

In need of Help- ALWAYS.  

But they are not to be looked at in a negative light at all!

Find the perfect person for the job and your silk pieces can look as amazing as they should!

I have a whole corner of my basement dedicated to all the stems I've collected over the years--nicely boxed up for easy access when this urge in me pops up-- leading me to create something great whenever I want!

Most people see tacky, imperfect representations of the 'real deal'...but I see opportunity!  These stems will give me the means to fool the eyes and trick the senses!  I love Silks!

One thing I have learned over the years as a designer-- Keep it Simple!  Overdoing things oftentimes leads to destroying things.  I have learned the hard way.  After all, Mother Nature is a simple gal--represent her in your work the way she really is:  Intricate- yes.  Simple- always.

My work tends to reflect nature as best it can.  I like using singular elements in a concept...to give the illusion that all my stems are as authentic as the ones growing in my garden.  For instance, a crystal vase filled with a fresh bouquet of live lilies would be a lovely flare for the top of my hutch...but since I don't have live lilies just yet, I use 4 stems of artificial lilies instead.  I create the awesome illusion that they are freshly picked and soaking up water in my vase.

As soon as I start to add other elements into the vase- it becomes messy, contrived, and unrealistic.

Keep it Simple!

I have created hundreds of wreaths for clients throughout many years and one thing is certain- it never gets old to me!  Finding one or two elements to represent in any concept is the first step...putting 'Life' to your piece is the second.

Peony and Viburnum work alongside each other beautifully on the left, giving me a very 'cottage garden' feeling.  And on the right, I've used Delphinium and Lilac loosely- giving this a breezy, natural appeal- fresh from the garden! The tidy double-tailored bow is a nice way to 'bunch' the look together at the bottom.  I love using wide wired ribbon in my work- nothing is more exciting to me than a Kick-Ass ribbon!

As we approach the later summer months, it is key to use elements that are active in the garden at that time.  At the right, I have used gorgeous orange Dahlias and a twining Stephanotis vine wrapping throughout.  These flowers would actually be blooming together in the garden- so placing them together in a wreath is a great fit.  Again, ribbon runs through both pieces and adds a wonderful dimension to the overall picture.

Fall is a fun season to design for- all the harvest tones and textures!  Sunflowers and berries work with grasses in this wreath to give me a post-summer flare!  Though very symmetrical, this wreath looks like the early fall garden right outside our door!  And here, ribbon is not used.  Sometimes just a 'gathered' look is nice.

I have shown a 'dried' floral concept on the left, using more elements than I usually do to appeal to the person in need of a bouquet of flowers bundled up nicely with a great burlap ribbon.  And on the right, I wanted to celebrate the coming of Halloween.  Deep orange pumpkins, white and orange berries, and a stunning striped ribbon create the essence of this playful holiday!

All this designing with artificial stems can happen anywhere throughout the home- at any time!  Tastefully, however.  Simple.  A great season to embrace the silk stems in your design is The Christmas season!  I do a lot of personal decorating for the holidays!  What better way to truly practice my craft than to do it in my own home!?

My dining room was a lovely place to present a semi-garden concept.  I've focused on lilies, magnolia leaves, and Dogwood flowers in this design.  Though these flowers aren't at all in bloom at this time of the year, it sure creates the illusion that they are when used casually throughout the tree.  Those white blooms really lighten up the tree too.  A wonderful trio of ribbons is worked into the design as well, giving me great dimension again.  Gosh, I love ribbon.  Did I mention that?

And no table would be complete without an eye catching centerpiece.  All silk stems.  I don't want my centerpiece to pull focus from my tree, though, so I purposefully keep lilies out of the design here.  It becomes a 'supporting role' to the tree behind it.

In our living room, I wanted to create a more casual country feeling with the design- so I used silk stems that supported this concept.  Berries, Amaryllis, Hydrangea, and vanilla-toned leaves cascade down this tree.  I have also made sure to feature one of my most prized ribbons here- it is embroidered 100% silk ribbon adorned with crystals and beads.  Stunning!

And what space would be complete without a mantlepiece that is dripping with Beauty?  Our mantle was rather traditional in theme- using Poinsettias, berries, and various finial glass ornaments.  The beloved French Horn even found its way into the design!  Here, a simple duo of silk elements- Poinsettia and berries- give me plenty to work with.  Also, the linear movement created here is an important aspect of silk design.  Mother Nature provides us with endless movement- we need to mimic that in our work.  Nothing is ever stagnant- it is always moving.

So- after all this praise given to the wonderful world of Silk Floral stems, I hope this brought some much-needed light to the subject at hand here.  Tired, old silk arrangements are a MAJOR pet-peeve of mine.  If you are in possession of any such item- please discard it immediately.  And see me for your new beginning!  Your home...and guests will thank you.

I guess I should be including a photo of my latest wreath; seeing as how it was the whole reason for my creative journey today!

 Lilac and Lily

Spring is in Bloom!

Silks do not have to be a part of our embarrassing past any longer.  Use them tastefully- use them casually.  Find ways to accent the season with your stems...it really can bring some great energy into the home!  And if you have no clue where or how to start: Murfmagic can help!  

Beauty is my Life.  You are in good hands.

Cheers!