TRY THIS: DRIED FLOWERS, AN INEXPENSIVE DECOR ALTERNATIVE

In the summer, I absolutely love having little vases of fresh flowers dotted around the house. It’s one of those little things that just brightens up a room and makes a space feel a little bit different with every bunch.

In the winter, however, I have been trying not to buy flowers as they are mostly farmed and imported and I feel like if I’m trying to eat local and seasonal produce, this should probably also extend to things like flowers that also have a carbon footprint.

I think it was my friend Nina who posted this beautiful bouquet of dried flowers that got me thinking about integrating dried flowers in my home and other decor projects and how much sense it makes. I hadn’t realised just how many flowers you can dry (or buy dried) and how well they last. It’s such a cost effective and beautiful solution that I wanted to share a few of my favourites with you today.

These pink ones below are dried rhodanthe, they are so delicate and almost look like they are fresh.

These in my hands below are dried lotus pods and are beautiful to fill up a vase, to add to a decorative dish, or to integrate into an autumnal wreath, although I feel like there’s something almost creepy about them… these maybe a little too funky for my liking.

I’ve had a few interior decor clients before who actually have trypophobia (phobia of holes) – these are most definitely not for them!

The dried brown flowers below are probably some of my current favourites – these are banksia, an Australian wildflower. There is so much to them and I think they are weirdly wonderful. I think they would look incredible in a really minimal space.

Also, how gorgeous is that glass vase?

Bouquets of dried roses, baby’s breath, rhodanthe, and lavender might be more up your street?

Or a vase full of dried pepperberries (the pink berries) can look quite spectacular, too.

If you’re in Lausanne, L’Attribut d’Iris is the place to go for dried flowers, and plants in general. Julie is so lovely and has such a beautiful selection of plants and small home decor pieces. If you’re ever looking for a gift for a friend and are out of ideas, it is definitely worth stopping by to see what Julie has in store!

When I’m in London in the wintertime, I find Colombia Road Flower Market also has a good selection of dried flowers. You do however need to know what you’re looking for and hunt past the stalls of roses and fresh flowers.

Ever since I bought my first bunch of dried flowers, I’ve been integrating dried flowers and grasses in all sorts of decor projects – we have this little collection in old apothecary bottles at Loxton:

And I have a few little vases dotted around my house this winter, too:

The dried flowers I like to look out for are Rodanthe (the delicate pink ones at the top), pampa grass (a bushy grass), dried wheat, dried helichrysum (also called everlasting or straw flowers), Lagurus ovatus (sometimes called Hares tail or Bunnies Tails) and Craspedia (the yellow balls, also called billy balls) and dried banksia (a little harder to come by but ever so beautiful).

If you’re looking for more ideas on how to integrate dried flowers into your home, I’ve made a Pinterest board of some images I found and love and am slyly trying to fit some sort of dried plants into every space I decorate :)

I love that this is a more environmentally friendly, fuss-free, affordable and durable solution and think that it’s something a little bit different from the usual vase of flowers.

I’d love to know what you think about dried flowers. Have you got any in your home?

Thanks for stopping by for a read. Big bisous. xS

Photos by Nicole Hertel