Compositions of artificial flowers decorated the interiors since ancient times. Traditionally, they were made of fabrics, paper, clay, ceramics. Time passed, and materials and manufacturing techniques changed. If earlier it took a lot of time to create each bouquet, as it was done manually, now you can go to the store and buy a finished stamping, which will not visually differ from the original. To determine the "artificiality" of such a flower is possible only by touch. There was a revolution in the materials. Instead of heavy ceramics or clay hardening after firing, modern lightweight plastic and polymer compositions began to be used. Artificial bouquets for the interior are used both as a festive decor and as a decoration that enlivens the everyday atmosphere. In the article, we will talk about what types of flowers are used in design and how to make some of them with your own hands.
Advantages and disadvantages of artificial flowers in interior decoration
Compositions of artificial flowers have certain advantages, compared with living plants:
they do not need care, you can forget about regular watering, top dressing, replanting, cleaning after flowering;
such flowers will not fade, an artificial plant, unlike a real one, will never begin to wither and house owners will not have to move the pot to different rooms in search of a better place for it;
you can safely go on long trips and do not need to ask friends or relatives to visit the apartment to water the plants;
if children or pets live in the house, then problems in the form of an inverted pot and land scattered on a snow-white carpet will no longer arise;
such compositions are optimal for allergy sufferers, since there is no pollen that causes a negative reaction of the body;
Artificial interior decor is easy to replace with a new one, while many people don’t get uplifting living plants (and rightly so).
To summarize, we can conclude that artificial decoration is ideal for busy people who have no time to spend time planting and caring for living plants. However, fake compositions also have disadvantages:
if they are made of fabric, then over time it will burn out and become dusty; the second problem is easily solved by washing, and in the first case, the bouquet will have to be thrown away;
the artificial composition is static - it does not change, you cannot admire the flowering period or see new sprouts;
imitation does not exude any pleasant smell, respectively, and there is no real hyacinth or hydrangea to smell comfort.Although recently, designers have been trying to solve this problem. They apply essential oils and other flavors to simulations. Such fashionable options are full of catalogs of expensive artificial compositions;
low-grade plastic store goods will become brittle and brittle over time;
for most fake bouquets, decorative lighting sources will have to be added separately.
By the way, an allergy to pollen can be replaced by a similar reaction to dust, so the advantage will easily turn into a disadvantage if the decor is not followed.
Indoor plants do not always “take root”, some of them have such a “capricious” character that it is difficult to grow on a windowsill. A bouquet consisting of certain artificial flowers will allow you to get the desired interior decoration, which cannot lively decorate your home for one reason or another.
Varieties of flower arrangements
For compositions of artificial flowers there is no single classification. Depending on the shape of the bouquet, they can be grouped into the following categories:
Biedermeier - compositions of the correct form, in which the flowers are arranged in rows in concentric circles. Design style appeared in Germany. As an additional decor, use ears of rye and wheat, gypsophila, fern. Start composing a bouquet from the top, which is gradually surrounded by rows of buds;
topiary - perfectly round bouquets on special long stem-legs. Often decorated with bows, satin ribbons, balls, beads;
panel - is a three-dimensional picture in a frame, like a bas-relief, but made in a special technique - assembly. Composite elements are made of shreds of fabric, silk ribbons or shibori;
liana - artificial flowers are placed on long branches imitating weaving plants;
a winter garden is the most overall composition, which is assembled from various components: flowers in pots, vases, flower pots, baskets;
artificial rock garden, it is made in a technique similar to sogetsu - another subspecies of ikebana, but using stones and other "inanimate" elements.
Depending on the container into which the artificial compositions are placed, they can be:
in pots - a classic version in which they use the usual containers for living plants;
in a cache-pot - a special knitted or plastic cover is put on the pot, which is hung by a loop from the ceiling;
in glass vases - in the original versions, instead of water, the container is filled with smooth stones or glass balls of different shades;
decorations in bowls or flat vases, their composition in many ways resembles one of the ikebana's affiliated techniques - moribana;
in wicker baskets - a nice and cozy addition to the interior;
miniature bouquets in bottles or glasses, the option is suitable for festive table decorations.
Artificial bouquets can be placed in boxes, drawers, jars. This decor is ideal for interiors designed in the style of Provence.
Another alternative to these plants will be dried flowers or specially dried stems with petals. From them make bouquets or decorate them with decorative artificial compositions along with other natural components: branches, cones, roots.
Styles of flower arrangements
For compositions of artificial flowers, the same classification is used as for live cut plants. In floristry there are several stylistic trends:
vegetative. The bouquet most accurately imitates the true location of each component, as in a live composition. In this case, the ideal proportions will have to be forgotten. Not bad similar decoration will look in the interiors, decorated in the styles of Provence, eco, rustic, modern;
massive.The composition has a volume and a magnificent, regular shape. Bouquets are suitable for classic interiors, Art Nouveau, colonial style;
linear. All the components of floral architectonics line up. Additional jewelry use a minimal amount. Suitable option for high-tech, avant-garde, constructivism and futurism;
parallel. The composition is composed according to a simple scheme: it is based on two lines, a pair of conditional centers, the gaps between which are filled with secondary "characters". The option is universal and suitable for both classic and modern styles in interior design;
decorative. This trend in floristry was created to decorate houses. Compositions, as a rule, are collected from different plants, while not having a specific “center”, that is, all its participants are equivalent. In this case, it is important to maintain a balance of color, shape and size between the components. Knowledge of styles will come in handy if the designer bouquet is hand-picked.
Varieties of materials and care
The most practical are plastic flowers. They are lightweight and inexpensive. Unfortunately, the low price is “compensated” by the short term of use. The pigment on the surface of the material will fade sooner or later and the decoration will have to be changed. Bouquets made of polymer clay are heavier, but more durable. Such jewelry can not be dropped, as the material easily splits. Paper compositions (using the kanzashi technique) look spectacular, but do not last long. Fabric flowers mimic the original in detail, but collect dust. Additional elements are made of beads, beads, satin and silk ribbons, glass beads, pebbles, buttons, chains, pearl threads, burlap, rope, twine. Care for such a decor consists only in the timely removal of dust from the surface. To extend the life of the jewelry, it is not recommended to put it on a windowsill or other place generously caressed by sunlight.
Compositions and bouquets in various room interiors
Flowers are a universal decoration that fits every room. In addition to matching the style, the composition should emphasize the mood of the room, its atmosphere. This nuance is expressed in the color scheme, shape, size, "character" of the components. In the latter case, they pay attention to floral symbolism, that is, each bud has a certain meaning, and the bouquet can “tell” a whole story about sadness, love, happiness.
Hallway
The entrance hall, devoid of natural light, is considered the best place to place artificial flowers. First, natural in a dark room will have to be tight. Secondly, in the light of light bulbs, the imitation will not look too caricature-artificially. As a rule, the hallway is decorated with a volumetric vine, which braids around the corner of the closet, hanger or part of the wall. A strict composition of tulips, gerberas, asters or lilies in a tall vase will also look good here.
Kitchen
For the design of the kitchen, simple compositions of wildflowers with light, rustic motifs are suitable. Baskets with strawberries, blueberries, branches of sea buckthorn and cornflowers, forget-me-nots, pansies will look beautiful. Also suitable are miniature shrubs of lilac, hydrangea, petunia, spirea, barberry, wisteria. Floral style can be vegetative or decorative. The ideality of the topiary or the solemnity of the Biedermeier in this room may seem inappropriate. The kitchen or cornice above the window is decorated with long branches of creeper, artificial grapes, clematis, bindweed.
Living room
For the living room, compositions in the style of Biedermeier, topiary, flowers in a cache-pot, in tall floor vases or gathered in a crown wreath on a door or accent wall are suitable. The main thing is that the bouquet is in harmony with the style of the interior. Modern living rooms recommend using blue, purple or white buds.For ethnic or classical halls, flowers with red, yellow, pink and orange petals are suitable.
Bedroom
For the bedroom, delicate bouquets are selected from flowers of calm shades. As components of the composition, lilies, azaleas, gladioli, orchids, roses, agapanthus, amaryllises, sunflowers, lisianthus, dahlias, ammi, lilies of the valley, peonies are used. The best option would be a bouquet of plants of the same type, decorated with a sprig of artificial fern or “chill”. Flowers are placed in tall vases, which are filled with sand, river pebbles or details made of transparent plastic, glass. The decor is placed on bedside tables, shelves, on a boudoir table by the mirror.
Bathroom
For the bathroom, “river” and coastal flowers are suitable: lotuses, shift, water lilies, mertensia, waterwort, buttercup, wing-wing. They are decorated with sedge, reeds, calamus, reed, mannik and arrowhead. The compositions are placed in glass bowls or vases on the floor, on a shelf under the mirror and on the side of the bath. It is not recommended to choose flower buds for such a wet room, since the material will quickly become worthless. The best option is ceramic or plastic.
Workshop on the manufacture of polymer clay compositions
To create flowers from polymer clay you will need:
stationery knife;
clay of two colors for a bud and a green shade for a stem;
beads for the decor of the core of the flower;
wire for the frame;
toothpick;
latex gloves;
board for work.
Consider making flowers with the calla bud as an example. Two-color polymer clay is needed to create a “marble” texture with characteristic stains. Before work, wear gloves so that the material does not stick to the hands and does not stain them. From two bars of clay, pinch a piece of the same size. On the board they are rolled into "sausages." Then one of the “strips” is wrapped in a spiral around the other. Now the clay is rolled into a ball.It is cut in half and two pieces are obtained, from which a pair of buds will be obtained. Then each hemisphere is rolled into a round pancake. One of its tip is slightly stretched and lengthened like a leaf. Then it is twisted into a bud, similar to a water funnel. To calla looked more natural, a wide part of the flower is also slightly extended and lengthened. A hole is made in the core of the bud with a toothpick. A stem of wire is inserted into it, which is wrapped on top with a thin layer of polymer clay or crepe paper. If the material dries quickly and it becomes hard to work with it, add a regular baby cream. When the clay sticks to the hands and the board, it is sprinkled with talcum powder. To create complex flower buds, use stacks, texture patterns and stamps.
Self-hardening clay elements are brittle and brittle. They must be handled very carefully, since any mechanical damage will entail the complete destruction of the jewelry.
DIY foamiran flowers
Foamiran is sometimes also called "plastic suede". It consists of sheets of foam rubber of various shades, which upon tactile contact resemble delicate silk. To create a lily from foamiran you will need:
a sheet of cardboard;
foamiran white and green;
wire for the stem;
brown felt-tip pen;
glue;
scissors;
decorative stamens or beads not wire that replace them;
iron.
First, two templates for leaves and petals are cut out of cardboard. Finished stamps can be purchased at a craft store. Then the template is applied to the foamiran leaf and the required number of flower details is cut out. On each petal on both sides, a dark core with characteristic veins is drawn with a felt-tip pen. You can also use a pink or purple hue. Then lightly heat the iron and apply a petal to it. It will become softer and more supple, so a texture pattern is carefully applied to the surface with a toothpick.The edges are also applied to the iron so that they become wavy. The same operation is carried out with leaves. Stamens are glued to a wire wrapped in green paper, which plays the role of a stem. Then around them are fixed three petals. It is better to use a thermal gun. When the glue sets, three more petals are attached to the bud just below the first, observing the checkerboard pattern. Finish the work by gluing leaflets.
To create the poppy flower of their foamiran, in addition to the main material of red and green colors, glue and wire for the stem, you will need black threads and a large bead. The principle of making the petals is the same as that of a lily, only without applying veins and tint gradation. The bead, previously fixed on the stem, is wrapped in a green foamiran circle. To hold the material, it is wrapped three times with thread. They form “strips” that intersect in the center, resulting in six rays of “snowflakes”. To understand technology, you need to look at the core of a real poppy. Then “pompoms” are made of threads, which are also fixed on the stem around the bead. Now the poppy flower will have a fluffy middle. They complete the work by gluing the petals in several rows, so that the bud turns out to be naturally magnificent.
Conclusion
Creating artificial flowers can become a full-fledged hobby. A technician for every type of material there is a mass. Having achieved a high level of mastery in this matter, you can not only decorate your own housing, but also give fashionable handmade gifts to your loved ones. If the painstaking work is not suitable for someone, then try to buy a set of different artificial flowers and become a flower arranger, applying the rules of floristry or ikebana.
Compositions of artificial flowers decorated the interiors since ancient times. Traditionally, they were made of fabrics, paper, clay, ceramics. Time passed, and materials and manufacturing techniques changed. If earlier it took a lot of time to create each bouquet, as it was done manually, now you can go to the store and buy a finished stamping, which will not visually differ from the original. To determine the "artificiality" of such a flower is possible only by touch. There was a revolution in the materials. Instead of heavy ceramics or clay hardening after firing, modern lightweight plastic and polymer compositions began to be used. Artificial bouquets for the interior are used both as a festive decor and as a decoration that enlivens the everyday atmosphere. In the article, we will talk about what types of flowers are used in design and how to make some of them with your own hands.
Content
Advantages and disadvantages of artificial flowers in interior decoration
Compositions of artificial flowers have certain advantages, compared with living plants:
To summarize, we can conclude that artificial decoration is ideal for busy people who have no time to spend time planting and caring for living plants. However, fake compositions also have disadvantages:
By the way, an allergy to pollen can be replaced by a similar reaction to dust, so the advantage will easily turn into a disadvantage if the decor is not followed.
Varieties of flower arrangements
For compositions of artificial flowers there is no single classification. Depending on the shape of the bouquet, they can be grouped into the following categories:
Depending on the container into which the artificial compositions are placed, they can be:
Artificial bouquets can be placed in boxes, drawers, jars. This decor is ideal for interiors designed in the style of Provence.
Styles of flower arrangements
For compositions of artificial flowers, the same classification is used as for live cut plants. In floristry there are several stylistic trends:
Knowledge of styles will come in handy if the designer bouquet is hand-picked.
Varieties of materials and care
The most practical are plastic flowers. They are lightweight and inexpensive. Unfortunately, the low price is “compensated” by the short term of use. The pigment on the surface of the material will fade sooner or later and the decoration will have to be changed. Bouquets made of polymer clay are heavier, but more durable. Such jewelry can not be dropped, as the material easily splits. Paper compositions (using the kanzashi technique) look spectacular, but do not last long. Fabric flowers mimic the original in detail, but collect dust. Additional elements are made of beads, beads, satin and silk ribbons, glass beads, pebbles, buttons, chains, pearl threads, burlap, rope, twine. Care for such a decor consists only in the timely removal of dust from the surface. To extend the life of the jewelry, it is not recommended to put it on a windowsill or other place generously caressed by sunlight.
Compositions and bouquets in various room interiors
Flowers are a universal decoration that fits every room. In addition to matching the style, the composition should emphasize the mood of the room, its atmosphere. This nuance is expressed in the color scheme, shape, size, "character" of the components. In the latter case, they pay attention to floral symbolism, that is, each bud has a certain meaning, and the bouquet can “tell” a whole story about sadness, love, happiness.
Hallway
The entrance hall, devoid of natural light, is considered the best place to place artificial flowers. First, natural in a dark room will have to be tight. Secondly, in the light of light bulbs, the imitation will not look too caricature-artificially. As a rule, the hallway is decorated with a volumetric vine, which braids around the corner of the closet, hanger or part of the wall. A strict composition of tulips, gerberas, asters or lilies in a tall vase will also look good here.
Kitchen
For the design of the kitchen, simple compositions of wildflowers with light, rustic motifs are suitable. Baskets with strawberries, blueberries, branches of sea buckthorn and cornflowers, forget-me-nots, pansies will look beautiful. Also suitable are miniature shrubs of lilac, hydrangea, petunia, spirea, barberry, wisteria. Floral style can be vegetative or decorative. The ideality of the topiary or the solemnity of the Biedermeier in this room may seem inappropriate. The kitchen or cornice above the window is decorated with long branches of creeper, artificial grapes, clematis, bindweed.
Living room
For the living room, compositions in the style of Biedermeier, topiary, flowers in a cache-pot, in tall floor vases or gathered in a crown wreath on a door or accent wall are suitable. The main thing is that the bouquet is in harmony with the style of the interior. Modern living rooms recommend using blue, purple or white buds.For ethnic or classical halls, flowers with red, yellow, pink and orange petals are suitable.
Bedroom
For the bedroom, delicate bouquets are selected from flowers of calm shades. As components of the composition, lilies, azaleas, gladioli, orchids, roses, agapanthus, amaryllises, sunflowers, lisianthus, dahlias, ammi, lilies of the valley, peonies are used. The best option would be a bouquet of plants of the same type, decorated with a sprig of artificial fern or “chill”. Flowers are placed in tall vases, which are filled with sand, river pebbles or details made of transparent plastic, glass. The decor is placed on bedside tables, shelves, on a boudoir table by the mirror.
Bathroom
For the bathroom, “river” and coastal flowers are suitable: lotuses, shift, water lilies, mertensia, waterwort, buttercup, wing-wing. They are decorated with sedge, reeds, calamus, reed, mannik and arrowhead. The compositions are placed in glass bowls or vases on the floor, on a shelf under the mirror and on the side of the bath. It is not recommended to choose flower buds for such a wet room, since the material will quickly become worthless. The best option is ceramic or plastic.
Workshop on the manufacture of polymer clay compositions
To create flowers from polymer clay you will need:
Consider making flowers with the calla bud as an example. Two-color polymer clay is needed to create a “marble” texture with characteristic stains. Before work, wear gloves so that the material does not stick to the hands and does not stain them. From two bars of clay, pinch a piece of the same size. On the board they are rolled into "sausages." Then one of the “strips” is wrapped in a spiral around the other. Now the clay is rolled into a ball.It is cut in half and two pieces are obtained, from which a pair of buds will be obtained. Then each hemisphere is rolled into a round pancake. One of its tip is slightly stretched and lengthened like a leaf. Then it is twisted into a bud, similar to a water funnel. To calla looked more natural, a wide part of the flower is also slightly extended and lengthened. A hole is made in the core of the bud with a toothpick. A stem of wire is inserted into it, which is wrapped on top with a thin layer of polymer clay or crepe paper. If the material dries quickly and it becomes hard to work with it, add a regular baby cream. When the clay sticks to the hands and the board, it is sprinkled with talcum powder. To create complex flower buds, use stacks, texture patterns and stamps.
DIY foamiran flowers
Foamiran is sometimes also called "plastic suede". It consists of sheets of foam rubber of various shades, which upon tactile contact resemble delicate silk. To create a lily from foamiran you will need:
First, two templates for leaves and petals are cut out of cardboard. Finished stamps can be purchased at a craft store. Then the template is applied to the foamiran leaf and the required number of flower details is cut out. On each petal on both sides, a dark core with characteristic veins is drawn with a felt-tip pen. You can also use a pink or purple hue. Then lightly heat the iron and apply a petal to it. It will become softer and more supple, so a texture pattern is carefully applied to the surface with a toothpick.The edges are also applied to the iron so that they become wavy. The same operation is carried out with leaves. Stamens are glued to a wire wrapped in green paper, which plays the role of a stem. Then around them are fixed three petals. It is better to use a thermal gun. When the glue sets, three more petals are attached to the bud just below the first, observing the checkerboard pattern. Finish the work by gluing leaflets.
To create the poppy flower of their foamiran, in addition to the main material of red and green colors, glue and wire for the stem, you will need black threads and a large bead. The principle of making the petals is the same as that of a lily, only without applying veins and tint gradation. The bead, previously fixed on the stem, is wrapped in a green foamiran circle. To hold the material, it is wrapped three times with thread. They form “strips” that intersect in the center, resulting in six rays of “snowflakes”. To understand technology, you need to look at the core of a real poppy. Then “pompoms” are made of threads, which are also fixed on the stem around the bead. Now the poppy flower will have a fluffy middle. They complete the work by gluing the petals in several rows, so that the bud turns out to be naturally magnificent.
Conclusion
Creating artificial flowers can become a full-fledged hobby. A technician for every type of material there is a mass. Having achieved a high level of mastery in this matter, you can not only decorate your own housing, but also give fashionable handmade gifts to your loved ones. If the painstaking work is not suitable for someone, then try to buy a set of different artificial flowers and become a flower arranger, applying the rules of floristry or ikebana.