Artificial Flowers

The artificial flower has long suffered from a bad reputation. The new generations of models are completely rehabilitating it.

Rigid plastic, shimmering colors, metallic rods covered with green — this is often evoked by artificial flower in the collective imagination. This time is over. The artificial flowers contemporary are made of silk, high-definition polyester, latex or Japanese paper of quality, with levels of detail that deceive the eye at a reasonable distance. The stamens, the slightly translucent petals, the shades of colour that mimic the natural gradient of the real flower — everything is reproduced with a precision that would have seemed impossible ten years ago.

At Amberkiln, our collection of artificial flowers covers a wide variety of species, colors and styles: peonies, rose wines, orchids, renoncules, cosmos, chrysanthemums, cherry flowers, lavender, baby's breath, carnations, cotton flowers, eucalyptus, poppys — in natural tones, white, deep bordeaux, powdered pink, terracotta, gold and beige nude. Stem flowers to compose bouquets, heads of flowers without stems to decorate crowns and table centers, flower branches for large vases.

Artificial silk, latex or paper flowers: which one to choose from?

The material conditions the level of realism and the durability of the artificial flower.

The silk flowers are the most classic. Their slightly bright appearance is their main defect — it betrays fireworks in some lights. On the other hand, they are light, flexible, and resist well in time if protected from dust. They are suitable for decorative arrangements in vases or cups where they can be seen from a distance.

The latex flowers are much more realistic to touch and eye. The material imitates the soft and slightly matt texture of the natural petal with remarkable fidelity. These flowers are better able to support close examination and are suitable for arrangements where you want to fool your eye. They are a little heavier and can be sensitive to extreme temperatures (not to be left in a car in the middle of summer).

The flowers in Japanese paper (washi) or high quality fabric occupy a separate category — semi-artistic, semi-decorative. They do not really seek to imitate nature; they reinterpret it with their own lightness and grace. A paper peony in a glass vase, it is a decorative object that assumes its artifice and makes it a quality.

Compose a bouquet of artificial flowers: practical tips

A bouquet of missed artificial flowers is often too uniform a bouquet — all flowers of the same height, same species, same colour, too stiff stems. For a natural result, some simple principles.

Variate species and formats. Mix a large main flower (piony, pink) with smaller secondary flowers (baby's breath, renuncle) and foliage elements (eucalyptus, fern). This triptych main flower / secondary flower / foliage is the basis of virtually all natural floral bouquets.

Variate the heights of the stems. Cut some shorter stems to create depth — not all flowers should be at the same level in the vase. Short cut flowers, placed on the surface of the arrangement, create a natural density effect.

Slightly tilt the stems rather than leave them all perfectly straight. In nature, the flowers lean, bow, turn to the light. This movement is most often lacking in artificial arrangements too geometrically.

Artificial flowers: for what spaces and uses?

The artificial flower excels in specific situations where the fresh flower presents a problem. In a light room — a corridor, a desk without a window, a bathroom — where living plants struggle to survive, an arrangement of artificial flowers brings colour and life without maintenance constraints. In areas with significant temperature or humidity variations — veranda, air-conditioned room in summer — the artificial flower does not age. For people who are allergic to pollen, it is also an obvious solution. And for those who travel frequently and cannot maintain fresh flowers, a beautiful bouquet of quality artificial flowers is a definitely more satisfying alternative than an empty vase.