Design 101 - Allison Lind's Guide to Designing with Outdoor Artificial Foliage

This week we got to bend the ear of former magazine editor and stylist turned interior designer and design writer Allison Lind.  Allison's work as been featured in Ty Pennington at Home, Everyday with Rachel Ray and Woman's Day to name a few so we are thrilled to have her share her design insights with our readers too.

Whether you live in a colder northern climate where pots and flower beds are barren for several months or you live in a warmer southern climate where plants are beat down by the sun and heat for a big portion of the year - it is sometimes hard to keep planters and beds as full of greenery and blooms as you'd like.  We are continuously impressed by the ever improving quality of artificial foliage on the market and we asked Allison the ins and outs of designing with artificial foliage.

How do you use artificial foliage with confidence – so it won’t look artificial?
Artificial foliage once was SO passé. But now that the faux is made to look more realistic, it's easier to work with. Don't be ashamed -- in a modern household (and in tough economic times) we don't always have time (or money) to constantly be fussing with fresh arrangements. So decorate with confidence! If you are using a faux arrangement, however, know when it's time to put them away. They're fine for every day decorating, but when it comes to special occasions, such as a centerpiece for a dinner party or arrangement in the entryway when entertaining, opt for the real thing. You don't want your guests to feel anything less than special. And don't go over the top with the faux -- if they fade into the background of your decor scheme, hardly a soul will notice that you're using faux plants. But if you're sprinkling each and every corner with them, you're bound to look like a cheap crafts store.

If your arrangement is going to be all artificial are there techniques that you can use to make it more realistic?
To take an artificial arrangement to the next level, bring in natural elements. If you're using a clear vase, fill the area around the faux stems with fresh lemons, limes or oranges. (Other seasonal fruits, like kumquats, cranberries or apples are great too.) Or, purchase some wire floral stems from any craft store and attach fruit to the ends of those, and place randomly within the arrangement. If you can pull freshly fallen branches or twigs from your yard, those are always a fun addition to any centerpiece -- the curvier the better! Also, don't let the structure of the faux flowers and greenery be too perfect. You may need to bend and twist each stem a bit to give them a more natural, realistic look.

Are the basic principles of floral design the same with living plants and artificial foliage?
When it comes to interiors, I love adding a plant or two to most rooms -- but the same rule applies for both real and fake: Limit the amount of plants to just one (or two in a larger space) really fabulous, statement-making varieties. You don't want plants (real or fake) to be the total focal point of a room -- unless it's a green room. Use them to bring a little life to your space, not overwhelm it.

Outdoor artificials now come in many sizes, heights and foliage types. What techniques would you use if planting directly into the ground or into a window box?
It's all about scale. You wouldn't plant a large real shrub in a shallow, small planter -- so don't do that with your artificials. Treat them as if they're real, and plant them accordingly.

Do you need to keep in mind the season and your geographic location you are planting in when choosing the variety of artificials?
Season and geographic location are incredibly important to keep in mind. If your Midwest yard is boasting "perfect" pansies, daisies and daffodils in the dead of winter, you'll end up looking cheap -- and lazy. In the winter, swap out any standard "blooms" for sculpted topiaries --- they'll add some missing greenery and architectural interest (without hardly any effort). As a general rule of thumb: Treat your faux plants as if they're real. If you spot a great deal on bright spring blooms in the dead of winter, jump on it -- but store them away until it’s an appropriate time for them to shine.

Since most outdoor artificial arrangements are not going to be viewed up close does that alter how and what you can do in an arrangement?
Yes, but only slightly. Never assume that no one will look closely -- there's always that "looky-loo" who wants to inspect the arrangements, "is this real?" So don't give them just cause to immediately assume you're sporting the faux. Whenever possible (especially if you'll be expecting visitors), add real elements to faux arrangements. And be sure to "fluff" faux branches, leaves and flowers so that they have a more relaxed, natural feel.

Is it better to use a combination of all real or artificial or a combination of the two?
If you're opting for artificial in any sense, it's best to mix real and faux. That way you'll have people guessing what's what. If they spot one that's real, chances are they'll assume everything else is as well.

When using artificials how do you know when enough is enough?
As with most things in decorating, less is more. It's better to have one fabulous arrangement or plant than many so-so varieties. You don't want your home to look like the floral aisle at your local craft store, so stick to one faux for small rooms and two max for larger spaces.

Interior Designer, Writer & Stylist - Allison Lind