Whether it be lemons...
Or flowers...
I think it is perfectly okay to play house dress-up with fakes! We all love fresh flowers and fruit - nothing can compare - but for those times when we may not have any on hand, it is fun to use fakes... no matter what the experts may say! Right? ;-)
Remember, it's your home!
Have fun with it!!!
P.S.
The little blue birdhouse picture frame came from Goodwill and the child's desk was a gift from a friend - she found it in someone's trash pile! Thank you Cindy!
I have to say, I love my fake fruit! I used to use the real thing, but I hated throwing it out. Seemed too wasteful. Your lemons look so cheery. :-)
Posted by: Julia @ Hooked on Houses | February 16, 2009 at 09:45 AM
You make the most breathtaking beautiful photos! I much prefer 'fake' flowers. I can use them, put them away and re-use them again. I am hoping to build up a tiny 'stash' of them to have for different themes. Will have to watch those clearance isles at Hobby Lobby.
Posted by: Sherri S | February 16, 2009 at 09:51 AM
This is so true. When you live where there is winter, you have to sometimes dress up with something fake. Although, becoming fond of some winter flowers will open up pretty ideas you might not otherwise thought of. Carnations are pretty winter flowers - they are hardy and colorful and bright. ~Kelly
unDeniably Domestic
Posted by: Kelly | February 16, 2009 at 10:15 AM
Amen Kim! Our homes should make us happy and if a few silk flowers does the trick (especially in the middle of winter!) I don't care what the "experts" say! Your home is always charming and the homes I like the best are the ones that break all the rules and just do what makes them smile!
Posted by: Kathy | February 16, 2009 at 10:17 AM
I agree! I love using fresh but when times are tough or sometimes there just isn't what I want available then what is wrong with the fake. I get so many compliments on some of my fake arrangements & I like them myself. I just love your blog. It is so cheery & bright. It makes me smile.
Debbie
Posted by: Debra Howard | February 16, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Absolutely! Nothing better in the whole world than my fake lemons from Hobby Lobby! Nobody would ever guess...except they've been here for a few years. :)
Posted by: Stacey | February 16, 2009 at 10:38 AM
I have a few special "fakes" that I just love. Really, really nice roses and a bowl of red apples for fall, granny smith's for spring.
Love the nubbly green doilly in your second photo! So pretty!
Blessings ~ Eileen @ Star's Fault
Posted by: Eileen @ Star's Fault | February 16, 2009 at 10:41 AM
First time to your site and I loved it. I love the yellow, red and blue.
Posted by: the rusty cupboard | February 16, 2009 at 10:42 AM
Thank you Eileen.. that doily was from a thrift shop and only cost a dime! ;-)
xo,
me
Posted by: Daisy Cottage | February 16, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Your colors are always amazing! I love silk flowers, too and the decorator I LOVE says they are GREAT as long as you buy the realistic flowers! heehee!
Posted by: Lavender Dreamer | February 16, 2009 at 10:45 AM
Good Morning! More beautiful shots! Is it wrong to be so envious? :) I just adore how you use so many colors-I've gone totally neutral in my home but everytime I come back to your site and see your colorful home, I just want to paint something or go shopping! Can we see a larger picture of that table/desk with the charming blue chair? Also, what is the color of your mantle in the dining room? That is the exact color I want to paint my dining room. Love your home!
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah | February 16, 2009 at 10:53 AM
such beautiful pictures. You are so creative. I am jealous.
Lea
xo
Posted by: Lea Harper | February 16, 2009 at 11:09 AM
Those lemons are fake? I must find some.
Everything always looks so fresh and pretty at your cottage!
Posted by: Vee | February 16, 2009 at 11:14 AM
Your fakes look so real! I love fresh flowers and fruit, but it is hard to buy 6 lemons just for display...they don't stay fresh very long :-). Loving all of your little bits of blue..
xo
Penny
Posted by: Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio & The Comforts of Home | February 16, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Are you sure those lemons aren't real? They look beautiful!
I agree with you, completely, when you say, "Remember, it's your home!"
Absolutely! We should have fun with our homes, let them reflect who we are, and what we like, and the heck with what HGTV tells us!
Great post!
Cass
Posted by: Cass | February 16, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Gorgeous photography as usual and of course the colors make me smile. Everyone loves fresh but nothing is more depressing than a half wilted arrangement that is clinging to life after only a few days. I have heard so many nono's lately about fakes that although I do like them I put all of mine away. I do not know why I need to listen to decorating advice instead of following my heart. Thanks Kim, for this post and the proof that fakes do not need to look fake. The way you put things together looks fresh and lovely. I am going to dig some of mine back out and add some new. I will proudly display my fakes. I can't believe you found that sweet little frame at GW. I go there often but only hit the jackpot occasionally. Of course the fun is in the hunt. I left a linky on my blog to thank you again for the generous give away. Pam
Posted by: Pam | February 16, 2009 at 11:51 AM
What great photos~ I just picked up a wood child's roll top desk with a matching swivel chair from someone's trash last week! I was about 10 steps ahead of the garbage truck!
Posted by: janet Caldwell | February 16, 2009 at 12:09 PM
And some fake thinks look really cool too, not many but there out there!
Posted by: Maya@Completely Coastal | February 16, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Kim.
I fake it all the time :)
Kathy :)
Posted by: Kathy | February 16, 2009 at 12:35 PM
I just got a new tablecloth with soft yellow daisies on it.Maybe a soft green vase with white daisies would go cute on it. I love the little bird house.Hugs, Leah
Posted by: Leah | February 16, 2009 at 12:50 PM
P.S. I love the music, it adds so much to your already beautiful blog.Leah
Posted by: Leah | February 16, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Love the little blue bird house. This music is beautiful,so calming too. I got a new tablecloth with soft yellow daisies. Thinking of adding a soft green vase with white daisies in it. Now I need a little bird house. LOL! Hugs, Leah
Posted by: Leah | February 16, 2009 at 01:00 PM
Fake or not ... everything you show is beautiful. We need to make ourselves happy - not "others." So keep on making your little cottage a happy place. You do everything just right. :-)
Betty in Oklahoma
Posted by: Betty G | February 16, 2009 at 01:03 PM
i absolutely love that desk! all chippy and sweet! Have a great day, Erin
Posted by: Erin | February 16, 2009 at 01:22 PM
Oh I agree 100%! I love my pretend foods and my faux flowers :) Every pretty home has to have her enhancements. I love your chippy desk and all of those pretty pops of aqua. So Springy and pretty.
Hugs,
Dena
Posted by: Dena | February 16, 2009 at 01:23 PM
again!
just fabulous : )
i especially love the little bird plate -
and is your chalk board a real old style chalk board - or did you use
chalkboard paint? i have looked high and low for a real chalk board and seems they don't sell them anymore - they are all dry erase style now : (
and happy maggie had such a good birthday!
what a fun life you have!
kisses and cupcakes,
amy
*
and i just wrote a blog on collecting vintage children's books!
hope you like it!
Posted by: Amy Cordova | February 16, 2009 at 01:28 PM
Kim, your fakes look more real than when I do them. LOL I always love your vignettes. :-)
Posted by: sandra/tx | February 16, 2009 at 01:51 PM
ITA. I had no idea those were fakes, tho. I always try to get flowers that look real.
I, buy fake leaf stems and flowers that look like the filler stuff you get when you buy a bunch of flowers. Then, I buy one bunch of plain flowers and add in the fakes. It really works well and creates a nice arrangement.
~elaine~
Posted by: Elaine L. | February 16, 2009 at 02:34 PM
I couldn't agree more! Lovely photos, great finds and as always, great tips. Being true to yourself in your own home...priceless!
Posted by: Soov | February 16, 2009 at 02:50 PM
Oh I hate to be disagreeable here, but I just cannot do the fake flowers! That is just me though! I do agree we should do what makes us happy in our own home. I love the fake lemons. I really, REALLY love that little bluebird!!
tina
Posted by: tina | February 16, 2009 at 03:00 PM
Hi Kim
I have always like fake flowers and have quite a few fake displayed right now. I think I'll post about mine too. Let's see if we can uncover all "decorating rule" breakers out there! So I'll mention you in my post.
Hugs, Rhondi
Posted by: Rhondi | February 16, 2009 at 03:05 PM
I use fake products - for flowers it is certainly better than not having any (and I can't kill them either)- for fruit well the 'ahem' cockroaches can't eat them! Cherrie
Posted by: cherrie | February 16, 2009 at 03:41 PM
Dear Kim, Fake or real - everything's beautiful in your house.
Posted by: Diane | February 16, 2009 at 03:51 PM
I love your sunny little home. Such joy!
Posted by: Leigh | February 16, 2009 at 04:12 PM
Those flowers are fakes? WOW!
Posted by: Susan | February 16, 2009 at 04:35 PM
what BRILLIANT color combinations. i love it all!!! wonderful photography, too.
Posted by: elyse | February 16, 2009 at 04:40 PM
100% agreement from me! I have a 'thing' for faux flowers around the house. Love your photos - and especially that beautiful bluebird statue!!! So sweet!... Donna
Posted by: An Enchanted Cottage | February 16, 2009 at 05:16 PM
I just think you take such wonderful pictures. Thank you for sharing :)
Posted by: Viv Writer | February 16, 2009 at 05:38 PM
Fakes can be beautiful, and yours are! Love that little desk and bird house!
Hugs,
Donna
Posted by: Donna | February 16, 2009 at 05:54 PM
What a fresh and REAL perspective. You're the best! xorachel
Posted by: Rachel Going | February 16, 2009 at 05:57 PM
Kim, when all the "experts" started harping on the fake plants I quit using them...I got so dicouraged because nothing ever would look good. Now a few years later, I figured out it was because I quit using all my greenery. I am using them again and it adds so much to a room.
If it makes you happy you should do it.
Yours are beautiful!
Tracy
Posted by: Tracy | February 16, 2009 at 06:11 PM
You are certainly right about that. But I don't think my fake lemons or my fake flowers look as real as yours. Are those really fake? That look great! laurie
Posted by: laurie | February 16, 2009 at 06:33 PM
Well, your fakes sure photograph looking like the real/fresh thing.
Beautiful arrangements.
Posted by: Elaine | February 16, 2009 at 07:09 PM
I picked up some "fake lemons and apples" at WalMart this weekend. Then I put them back even though they were only 97 cents each... Had to spend my money on red spray paint instead! ;)
Kathi
Posted by: Kathi | February 16, 2009 at 07:15 PM
I'm going to sound like a broken record here Kim... but I love your photography!! The colours are so crisp and vibrant, your prespective perfect. I wish I could do what you do!!
As for fakes... I've gotta a few of my own :-)
Victoria @ DesignTies
Posted by: DesignTies | February 16, 2009 at 07:58 PM
Whenever I need to refresh my mind with beautiful pictures, I know I will never be disappointed when I visit with you :-)
Posted by: Rosie's Whimsy | February 16, 2009 at 08:05 PM
Yea, I love that! the chippy desk and chair is my favorite what a great find! from a friend,
LuLu
Posted by: LuLu | February 16, 2009 at 08:15 PM
I love your photos and I adore your playlist. I have to say I left your page on for quite awhile just enjoying the soothing music.
Posted by: Julie | February 16, 2009 at 08:21 PM
Oh so true. Love all vibrant colors. Mimi
Posted by: mimisue | February 16, 2009 at 09:33 PM
Your photos are just SO fresh and pretty... a nice reminder that spring is on its way.
Have a great week! xoxo
Posted by: Heather ~ Pretty Petals | February 16, 2009 at 09:52 PM
That is so very true.
If I like it and my family is not offended by to to much. I use fake flowers and other things that some may frown upon.
Posted by: Hope @ The Queen of Re | February 16, 2009 at 09:56 PM
Those are fake flowers?! Too beautiful
Posted by: Rosie | February 16, 2009 at 11:05 PM
I have a few fakes myself. The real plants are looking kinda sad these days!
Posted by: Diane@A Picture is worth.... | February 17, 2009 at 01:11 AM
I agree and so many faux flowers now adays look so very real..hard to tell the difference until you get right up close to them. ..haven't been by in a while and gosh..I missed you and little Miss Maggie and all the pretties you share here.
hope you had a great Valentine's day and that your week is going well.
hugs,
Tina
Posted by: Tina | February 17, 2009 at 01:56 AM
Thanks for all your wonderful pictures. Every time I read your blog and look at your pictures, they give me a huge lift!
RiverBend Farm
Posted by: Berte | February 17, 2009 at 06:58 AM
I really like using fake fruit and veg. Too many fake flowers are just not my thing but you have a way with them! They look beautiful in that tureen! I've never once used one of my soup tureens for soup! Your photos always inspire me to do better with mine - just gorgeous!
Manuela
Posted by: the pleasures of homemaking | February 17, 2009 at 06:59 AM
I prefer to think of the "fakes" as "FOREVERS"! And I use them because i can't tolerate the REAL flowers in my house. I have so many allergies and asthma, this is the best way for me to have any flowers in my home!!!
;-)
Posted by: Jan | February 17, 2009 at 07:48 AM
You have great fakes, the lemons look absolutely real! The flowers too! I always enjoy your pictures, it's always so cheerful, Thank you!
Posted by: Lisa ~A Cottage to Me | February 17, 2009 at 09:04 AM
Man! Do I ever agree! Life is short, enjoy what thrills your soul! There are so many beautiful 'fake' flowers out there. Yum.
I adore fresh flowers but the ones that are man-made can be so charming...as the ones you share with us in your home.
Love the bluebird!
Posted by: jennifer | February 17, 2009 at 09:21 AM
I'm SO glad that you advocate using fake flowers! Some people really detest them, I know, but they're making them look very realistic these days! And with the economy being what it is, real flowers are a luxury for some. I love your blue fireplace mantel! I'm so tempted to make myself a fake fireplace!
Posted by: Carol | February 17, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Hi Kim! I went to a garden show last year and one of the gardens on the tour mixed in FAKE silk flowers with the REAL flowers in the garden beds....and I could not tell a difference - it was stunning. I think it's all in the presentation and you do a FABULOUS job with your designs! Enjoyed your post today ~ xoxo Joy
Posted by: Joy at Cupids Charm | February 17, 2009 at 12:06 PM
oH YES...I do agree 200%...I absolutely love pretty fakes...not a dang thing wrong with using them...the color they add makes my heart sing and that is ALWAYS a goog thing.
I am totally in love with the little desk...
love, bj
Posted by: bj | February 17, 2009 at 01:04 PM
Thank you for the confirmation. I like to mix fake with the real when I don't have enough real to fill out the look I'm after. No matter what the experts ( or my DD says )!
Rita
Posted by: Mrs.RGS | February 17, 2009 at 03:06 PM
Lovely!
(Now, a challenge: show us a mess in your house. I don't believe you're real! ha!)
Posted by: Bet | February 17, 2009 at 06:23 PM
The colors are magnificent. A beacon home for me. Ahh!!
Posted by: Dancing BAG Lady | February 17, 2009 at 06:41 PM
All I can say is "thank you" for giving us permission to use fake! You have no idea what a relief it is to say, yes those are not real! ;)
Posted by: paintergal | February 17, 2009 at 07:02 PM
good morning kim hope you are so fine ... i agree with your uses of "fakes" i add fakes to real flowers and as the real ones wilt i always try to dry them by hanging them up-side down for a few days and then either put some in a jar for looks.... dry flowers are pretty too when you display them right .as you always do with every thing !people with your gift ... is what I call... 'earth angels" sent from heaven to decorate our worlds with GOD GIFTS OF TREASURE AND BEAUTY FROM YOUR EYES (THAT SEE) IT from gods eyes... you use the gift that god gave you and that means you are blessed! we love you kim! and maggie and all you bless your self with just all that is beauty and gods gifts to the world !thank you kim
Posted by: carol | February 18, 2009 at 08:57 AM
Penny,
I love faking it! Nothing makes me feel better in the winter than bringing in the Spring. Your house looks great as usual. Love the birdhouse.
Hugs,
Gretchen
Posted by: Grtchen Gerg | February 18, 2009 at 01:13 PM
I remember when HGTV did a show about the top decorating no-nos. So I put all of my fake flowers away. Then I saw a show about Betsey Johnson's cottage. She had gorgeous flowers everywhere and they were fake. So, now I buy the prettiest I can find and put them out and stick out my tongue at HGTV!
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | February 19, 2009 at 12:46 AM
I agree!!!
Posted by: Carrie~LoLaEnChAnTeD~ | February 19, 2009 at 01:27 PM
I couldn't agree more! I've been hoping to see more photos like this of your lovely home. I so love your yellow and red combination!
Hugs,
Cathie
Posted by: Catherine | February 19, 2009 at 03:32 PM
What a beautiful blog! I enjoyed my visit.
Cathy
Posted by: cathy | February 20, 2009 at 10:28 PM
Love your blog. I love the colors. They make me happy when I see them.
Posted by: Steph | February 25, 2009 at 05:41 PM
Oh Daisy Cottage
Thanks for brightening up my day with your wonderful posts!!I loved the "Long Way Home" I really felt like I was taking the walk home wiht you!!! Can't wait to see/ read the Counrty Sampler!!
Posted by: Geri Goggin | February 26, 2009 at 01:12 PM
I use fakes all the time add a few real ivy plants here and there and it looks good so I am told. I really enjoy your blog. I am getting the hang of using my new laptop, every night I visit different sites and I have really gotten so good ideas from looking at yours. Thanks
Posted by: Randee Willmore | February 28, 2009 at 07:45 PM
I so agree with this...Have fun....no perfect....just you and yours and what brings a smile to your face..I don't like the doctor's office, perfect look, it is to sterile....great post
Posted by: Deby | February 28, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Kim, My third comment today, but I agree, I really enjoy fake flowers, they do bring a joy to a room, upbeat, romantic, often just the right touch. I have heard decorators say NO FAKE FLOWERS, and I say I am guilty.
It is me again today, Brook
Posted by: Brook Sellers | March 03, 2009 at 08:11 PM