Decorating with Silk Orchids

Orchids are one of the most dominant species of flowers. Similarly, orchids take up a lion’s share of the silk flower market. One of the defining features of an orchid is the semi-symmetrical patterns of leaves. The actual flower is also semi-symmetrical, and most have more than one color, combined in beautiful, sharply contrasting designs. Flower arrangements including orchids should display that flower as the dominant one in the display. Many common arrangements have orchids flowing over the basket or vase, standing tall in the center, or surrounded by other greenery. Though most have bright colors, there are also several selections of milder tones and even shades of brown. Universality is another trait of these flowers: they can be used to decorate homes regardless of the season.

Making Centerpieces for Your Home

If you would like to add some flowers to your home, consider creating a floral arrangement for a centerpiece. Centerpieces are usually placed on the dining room table, coffee table, or other prominent area in your home. A good centerpiece attracts the eye but also accents the beauty of its surroundings. The best centerpieces lead one’s eye to look at several different things. The x-shaped pattern uses long, thin flowers and grasses to make the viewer’s eye zigzag until he or she has taken in the whole piece. By using a weaving pattern with flowers or perhaps even a small tabletop shrubbery, you can create an arch-like pattern. The Internet, florist shops, magazines, furniture stores, and even other people’s homes are great places to gather ideas for your centerpiece designs.

A Point for Functionalism

When decorating your house, the look you are going for can be classy, unique, retro, chic, modern, eclectic, or traditional. Any style is great�"as long as the style isn’t chaotic. Though �less is more� doesn’t always have to be the rule when decorating, �as much as is humanly possible� hardly ever looks nice. Have you ever been in a room that is so overstuffed with dcor that it is awkward to move around? Others have so many off-season dcor items in their garage that they cannot even park their car. Though form is important, remember that function comes first. For example, the kitchen is a highly trafficked area, and counter space is usually more valuable for cooking than for decorating. Bedrooms, by contrast, are a great place to add flourishes and accents, since it is mainly a room for resting and for storing personal times. A good rule of thumb is if you need to move a decorative piece out of the way more than twice a week, it probably should be thrown out or exchanged for a more functional item.

To Buy or to Rearrange? That is the Question

Sometimes when I am at the craft store, it is easy to think that buying a certain item will add so much to the look of my home. This mode of thought not only leaves me constantly wanting for the next available item but also leaves my wallet empty. In all reality, that new exciting purchase may be the first thing I add to my next garage sale list. I have learned (slowly) that often the best solution to having a fresh change is to use what I already have. Sometimes I do something drastic (rearrange an entire room), and sometimes the change is more subtle (swapping this picture for that painting), but it still gives me the feeling of having a nice change in the house. This way, I am expanding my artistic ability and sparing my wallet!