Flowers add so much to a home, without question – style, warmth, colour, texture, individuality and tranquility. But they are expensive, they don’t last very long, they need maintaining and many of us are susceptible to allergies, making it unrealistic to fill the house with beautiful blooms.

Fortunately, there is an alternative – the quality of artificial flowers has come on in leaps and bounds over the past year and there are some really impressive silk, foam and plastic options that are practically indistinguishable from the real thing. Here are 16 ideas for using artificial flowers around your home and garden for year round colour and cheer without the sneezes, fuss or mess. [Read more…]