Archive for the ‘Design Tips’ Category

Stylish Interior Design Accessories

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

IMG_0099We all know it’s the little things that make a house a home. But did you know you can find decorative accessories including unique coffee tables, arm chairs, mirrors, vases and much more at Floral & Hearty? It’s true, we carry one-of-a-kind décor and gifts right alongside our massive array of silk flowers and plants, and we always have interior design professionals on hand to help you put it all together.

Take this chair for example. With its luxurious zebra print, unique shape, and the leather and grommet detail, this beautiful armchair could be the perfect focal point for any room. With its clean lines and simple colors this chair could be matched with traditional or contemporary décor alike.  We can’t help but coordinating it with a large red silk floral bouquet next to it, but that is completely up to you. If you love this chair as much as we do, you should head over to the store ASAP because when we say we carry one-of-a-kind décor, we mean it!

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In addition to statement pieces like this chair, you can also find unique decorative accessories of the smaller persuasion to fit your interior décor, or to give as a gift.  With vases in every shape, size and color you can imagine, you are sure to find one that speaks to you. Then once you find the perfect vase(s) you can choose to fill it with your own unique assortment of silk flowers or display it on its own.

These are just a couple of examples of what we have in store at Floral & Hearty. You can’t imagine the wide array of decorative accessories we have available to inspire your interior décor, you have to come in and see it for yourself!

Unique End Tables

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

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If you’re looking to create interior décor that is as unique as you are, forego the ordinary end tables that you can find by walking into any furniture store and go for a noteworthy alternative. Ask any interior designer and they will tell you that creative coffee and end table alternatives can really set your interior design apart from the rest.

Or, if you’re looking for ideas to add life to your living room, stop by Floral & Hearty. We have a number of interesting coffee table ideas spread throughout the store.  We have one-of-a-kind creations like this whimsical silver plated top set on a pair of intricately crafted metal legs. This piece could serve as an end table that serves as the focal point in your living room or could even be the dynamic front entrance table that sets the mood for your home.

IMG_0085Another fun alternative is to make coffee tables out of decorative items. At Floral & Hearty we have a vast selection of large vases and planters which can serve as an end or coffee table base when paired with a glass top.  This design trend allows you to introduce various colors and textures into your room décor in an interesting way.

These are just a couple of examples of what is in store at the Floral & Hearty 5,000 square foot showroom. Come in today, you are sure to find a visually dynamic coffee table alternative that coincides with your décor.  And if you want to incorporate a unique end table or coffee table into your interior décor but are not sure what would best match your existing pieces, Floral & Hearty can help! We also do in-home consultations for a nominal fee of only $100.  Mention this blog post and receive a consultation for $50!

Find Unique Vases at Floral & Hearty!

Find Unique Vases at Floral & Hearty!

Has the pump on your bathroom soap dispenser ever developed rust? Other than soaking it in WD40 and scrubbing it with a metal scourer on a daily basis, there’s really no saving the poor little pump. But that doesn’t mean you should discard the container, too. Instead of sending it to soap dispenser graveyard, why not repurpose it as an unusual vase for your silk flower arrangement?

A bunch of short-stemmed artificial peonies brought into a tight bouquet would look both delicate and delightful in the small receptacle. Or a few long-stemmed silk gerbera daisies could provide a modern edge to your bathroom.

Here are some more unique vase ideas for your faux flowers…

Pitchers. Use your favorite glass or china pitcher to display a big bunch of artificial shrubs or tall blades of silk grass.

Bottles. Interesting wine or water bottles come in beautiful colors and shapes these days. These also look great in clusters if you have a collection of them.

Jam jars. The next time you reach for one of these at your local supermarket, take a look at the jar itself and imagine it clean and empty. Remember that the money you spend will be doing double duty later on.

A fishbowl (minus the fish!). You can even add some colorful touches such as artificial fruit to the bowl to create an eye-catching silk floral centerpiece.

Condiment bottles. Olive oil/ balsamic vinegar bottles will look extra edgy if you keep them in their carry case.

Old perfume bottles. Not only will these look divine, they also hold their scent so that the silk flowers will smell good, too.

But don’t stop there! The possibilities are endless and unlike vases for fresh flowers, they don’t need to hold water. Whatever receptacle you choose for your silk floral arrangement, have fun with it.

orange-daisycenterpieceIn a previous blog, we mentioned that you can save money on your silk floral arrangements by using your own vases or containers. If you are a hostess who loves creating one of a kind silk flower centerpieces for dinner parties and occasions, here are some unique containers you can pair with your faux flowers:

· For a fresh spring silk floral centerpiece, take a fish bowl and fill it with key limes, kumquats and water. Insert beautiful silk alstromeria, daffodils, lilies, or zinnias. This centerpiece is perfect to accompany a fresh spring menu of grilled fish and fresh vegetables.

· To go along with an Asian inspired menu, fill colorful take out containers (available in party stores) with a rock to ground it, then add Asian style grass, bamboo, cherry blossoms or even a silk orchid.

· For an unexpected centerpiece, you can fill any container with citrus fruit and insert short stemmed silk flowers, one flower per piece of fruit. Silk flowers are perfect for piercing the skin of the citrus fruit since the stems have a wire base. Our favorite example – accompany a beet-orange salad with orange chicken with the perfect silk floral centerpiece – a cake stand of oranges topped with daisies.

· For a backyard party or barbeque, create a rustic silk centerpiece contained in recycled tin cans.

Whatever your centerpiece needs, Floral & Hearty has the  to accommodate. Stop by our shop and check out our do it yourself department where you can stock up on all of the silk flowers and silk foliage you need to fulfill your perfect Martha Stewart hostess dreams!

With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, you need a retreat in your home where you can unwind and relax. The bathroom is the perfect setting for relaxation: think steamy showers, a long hot bath, a rejuvenating facial mask or a peppermint foot soak.

To make the most of your “me time,” you should first set the scene by updating your bathroom décor. A few affordable updates can turn your bathroom into the tranquil oasis of your dreams. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

- Paint the bathroom walls a tranquil color

- Invest in towels and a rug with a luxurious texture that will pamper your skin (the largest sensory organ)

- Update your tile with these innovative and inexpensive tile tattoos – 2jane.com

- Light an aromatherapy candle to help you relax

- Add some new decorative accessories and natural elements such as faux foliage and silk flowers as the finishing touch

Once you have picked out your wall color and new bath linens, come to Floral & Hearty where we can help you find the right decorative elements to put the finishing touches on your bathroom oasis. Natural elements such as a custom silk flower arrangement and inspired decorative accessories will make every minute in your bathroom feel like a rejuvenating trip to the spa.

As Eastern philosophies and exercise have begun to permeate our society, so too have eastern interior decorating principles such as feng shui.  Many people have heard of feng shui but have very little understanding of what it is or how it can help.

What is Feng Shui?

Feng shui is an ancient art and science developed in China over 3000 years ago. Although it is a complex topic, the general idea focuses on balancing the energies of a given space to assure the health and good fortune for people inhabiting it.

Feng Shui and Plants

Plants and flowers play a big role in the art of feng shui, and artificial flowers and plants are an acceptable option to fresh according to feng shui principles. Here are a few simple ways you can increase your feng shui with silk flowers and plants to improve your life:

  • Silk Plants in the office bring about good luck in your career.  Place your artificial plants in the east or south corners of your office for maximum luck.
  • Faux Plants and flowers should be used abundantly throughout the home for increased, balanced energy.
  • Small silk plants and artificial flowers are preferred for the bedroom. Because plants represent growth and vibrant life, large plants are not recommended for the area of the home designated for rest.
  • Plants that incorporate wood components are especially beneficial because wood represents creativity, birth, regeneration, and spring.
  • Pairs are considered beneficial also, so use pairings of silk plants to increase chi.

Plants and flowers represent life and bring abundant positive energy into a home. We invite you to stop in to visit our 5000 square foot showroom. You will immediately feel the positive vibes and get some great ideas for your home.

A New Start To A New Year

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

With the past recession and economic downfall, Americans are starting to see that less is more. This past year Oprah has shown viewers how to make the most out of their home and their life by de-cluttering and creating an efficient, organized home. Organizational expert Peter Walsh, author of It’s All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff, has a 6 step plan to organizing homes in order to take back lives which you can follow on Oprah’s website.

The start of the new year is a perfect time to get organized and spring clean. For those unhappy with their home and its interior décor, it’s best to start with a cleansing process. Tackle one room at a time by taking 3 garbage bags to each room – then start to divide things that you no longer like or use into separate bags for garbage, donation and a garage sale.

A clean, organized house will remove emotional and design obstacles. Once the house is de-cluttered, there will be room to welcome new items that will update your interior décor. When you’re ready to add new design items to your home, visit the 5,000 square foot showroom at Floral & Hearty. With an abundance of silk flowers, silk plants, mirrors and decorative accessories our design professionals can help you accessorize your interiors into the rooms you dream of.

The holidays are a wonderful time of year filled with cheer, presents, family and lots of stress! Let’s face it; it’s not easy to live up to the standards set by the likes of Rachel Ray and Martha Stewart. Not only do you have to find the perfect present for everyone, plan a home cooked holiday meal, prepare for out of town visitors, but you also want to have your home and dinner table in mint condition and decorated to impress.

With only two weeks left until Christmas you’re not alone if you are feeling overwhelmed by your to do list. Don’t panic! At Floral & Hearty, we’re here to help with your home decorating needs. Whether you need help putting together the perfect silk floral centerpiece to accompany your holiday meal, want to spruce up your home and make some interior décor changes before visitors arrive, or create decorative holiday elements for your home, the decorating professionals at Floral & Hearty are here to help.

Come into our Coral Springs showroom for great ideas or better yet, we can come to you and do all of the decorating for you. No matter what your style, or end goal, we have the solution for your interior decorating needs. Our silk flowers, faux foliage, art and accessories will help you put the finishing touch on your design project.

If you have silk flowers around the house that you would like to repurpose so that you can invest in a new faux flower arrangement, here are some ideas of what you can do with your old silk flowers:

Napkin Holders

Take a single silk flower and bend the stem in a circle, cut off the excess and cover it with floral tape to create a one of a kind napkin holder.

Decorative Hair Accessories

Hot glue a silk flower to a headband or hair tie to create the latest fashion trend at a fraction of the price.

Drawer Handles

Attach silk flowers to the drawer handles of a ho-hum dresser to make it really stand out.

Embellish a Cake for a Special Occasion

If you are making a cake for a friend’s birthday, a baby shower, or even a wedding, silk flowers make an easy, yet glamorous decorative addition.

Whether you’re ready to shop for the new silk flower arrangement that will brighten your home décor or want to create a headband to accessorize your new outfit, stop in to Floral & Hearty for the largest selection of silk flowers and foliage in South Florida.

If you’re looking for the final décor element to compliment the interior design of your dining room or a quick way to update your re-design, consider a silk centerpiece. With the right flowers and container your centerpiece can be modern, traditional, or any design style your heart desires.

If your style focuses on modern decor you will want to keep the centerpiece minimalistic. Consider an eastern style silk flower such as an orchid or crocus surrounded by a simple container that is rich and elegant. Another option is faux foliage or a low-lying succulent such as the more visually interesting cacti varieties. Adorned with moss or river rocks these silk arrangements can be the perfect complement to add visual interest to your modern dining room decor. Remember, less is more!

For a traditional or classic dining room, there are many options for your dining room centerpieces. A variety of silk florals, including hydrangeas, peonies, roses, dahlia and ranunculus combined with branches, berries and greens completes this look. This arrangement is best suited for urns with curves and details in a warm metallic finish or dark earth-tones to ensure your dining room is inviting.

At Floral & Hearty, we have design elements and silk foliage to complement every South Florida décor style within our 5,000 square foot showroom. Plus, our staff has the knowledge to help you pick the perfect design accessories to complement your interior design. We will help you remember the little things (like to measure the size of your dining room table and the distance between the table and chandelier) that will make a big difference!

Stop by our showroom today and mention this blog to get 20% off your floral purchase at Floral & Hearty.