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For years, fake plants and flowers have been considered the horticultural equivalent of a plastic-wrapped couch: They’re a practical way to preserve the look and feel of a room—especially for those who inadvertently kill their live, leafy greenery—but they’re not exactly known for their style. In fact, selecting an artificial plant that looks too perfect can have your space veer into kitschy territory, fast.
But recently, faux plants have begun to shed their tacky reputation and are adopting a new one: for being an easy, low-maintenance way to breathe life into an interior. Many top decorators—continuing the tradition of Mario Buatta, who had nothing against using artificial varieties—have put them in their projects.
That said, not all fake plants are created equal. From abstract flowers to lifelike alternatives, the options below, approved by decorators who swear by them, are the best place to start.
The Green Vase
With nearly 20 years of experience in the floral industry, Livia Cetti has mastered the art of faux flowers. Her company, The Green Vase, boasts a long list of loyal customers—including John Derian, who sells the line at his New York storefront.
“Livia is a talented floral designer and, luckily for us, she just happens to know how to make magic paper,” Derian says. “It’s not often that you connect so quickly with someone’s work, but Livia’s was one of those emails from someone wanting to share their work that I jumped on. It was all so beautiful, well-crafted, and full of charm. I sent a quick ‘yes, please’ response!”
SynLawn
Like many, Brigette Romanek was initially skeptical about using faux plants in her projects. As she explains, artificial greenery used to be made so poorly that they’d cheapen a room. However, her hesitations were put to rest when she used artificial grass in a playroom.
“It felt soft on your feet where in the past, it would have felt like blades,” Romanek says. “These materials are now viable options for a home, in addition to being a great way to save water and on your gardening bill. I’ve even used these for my own [house’s] exterior!”
Her current favorite? SYNLawn’s artificial grass. “It’s so lifelike, you can hardly tell the difference,” she says.
Afloral
As the author of Modern Faux Flower Projects, interior designer Stevie Storck knows a thing or two about artificial plants. When it comes to choosing the right greenery for her projects, the Pennsylvania-based designer prioritizes quality.
“For the highest-quality faux flowers and plants, Afloral is my go-to,” Storck says. “They offer a stunning array of realistic branches and blooms that feel stylish and modern.”
Bruno Grizzo
If you’re going to incorporate faux plants, why not embrace the artificial aspect? New York–based designer Brock Forsblom favors Bruno Grizzo’s enameled flowers.
“[They’re] that perfect mix of painterly and graphic: hand-painted on copper with these thick, sexy, twisting stems meant to come right out of the wall,” he says. “I think someone should commission a bouquet of big, busted-open tulips from Bruno and mix them in with some fresh-cut blooms from Holland.”
Floral Sculptures
For designer Charlotte Moss, it’s difficult to pick just one favorite faux floral company. However, she prefers brands that give a thoughtful approach to their arrangements.
“Faux flowers often take a bad rap,” she explains. “I assume it’s because the critic doesn’t know the works of Clare Potter, Vladimir Kanevsky, Tommy Mitchell, and Carmen Almon. I prefer to call their work ‘floral sculptures,’ each with their own unique style.”
Potter and Kanevsky work with porcelain, while Mitchell and Almon create beautiful flora with metals. But, regardless of their medium, these designers give the trend an artful edge. “Each sculpture is hand-painted by the artists and designed to enchant year-round," says Moss.
