Faux florals by Jane Packer are not words that naturally sit together.
But last Tuesday I visited the London shop of the world renowned florist; to have a look at the new range of faux florals that she’s created exclusively for Sainsbury’s Home.
Now I’ve spoken about my love for faux florals before but these were something else entirely. The studio was FULL of the most extraordinarily beautiful blooms.
But it was so hard to tell what was real and what wasn’t.
Waxy leaves and velvety petals, tight buds and blowsy flowers. If I hadn’t been told which had been created by Mother Nature (and which were manmade variety) I’d have had a real job to tell them apart.
The range features peonies, garden roses, hydrangea heads and orchids in delicious pastel hues.
‘What’s in a name? That which we call a rose.
By any other name would smell as sweet.’
William Shakespeare
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Oh Faux Fabulous
Gorgeous aren’t they?
Styled in simple glass or ceramic pots and vases. These lovely everlasting plants and flowers will bring a real sense of the luxury of the Jane Packer brand to our homes.
Without the hefty price-tag that you associate with fresh florals.
Prices for the faux flowers and plants range from just £16 to £32
As well as the faux botanicals, the team have been busily creating a range of home fragrances too; reed diffusers, candles and room sprays. And these were amazing!!
I WISH that I was able to convey, with words, just how exquisite these smell. I literally couldn’t put them down. Scent is so evocative isn’t it? And these lovely fragrances had me transported back to hazy summers in beautiful English gardens.
There are to be three aromas in the collection.
Tuberose and Amber, Paperwhite and Jasmine, and finally, Violet and Peony — and they are all absolutely gorgeous.
Floral Magician
Whilst I was there I was also treated to a floral masterclass with the amazing Charlotte Slade.
Charlotte taught me — and a handful of other lucky journalists — to create the perfect hand-tied spring bouquet.
We mixed white tulips, jasmine and eucalyptus. Together with Japanese aralia, paperwhites and hyacinths — to name a few.
To make the sweetest smelling bouquet I’ve ever come across.
Practice Makes Perfect
I wish I could say that mine was as amazing as Charlotte’s but I’d be lying!
But whilst my bouquet was a little bit rough around the edges; and lacked the finesse of the perfect example made by our teacher. It was SO lovely to be guided by a professional florist.
I learnt tips and tricks that I will use at home. And I’ll definitely feel more confident buying and arranging flowers now.
Having said that, there may not be much call for fresh flowers; once I’ve invested in a couple of faux florals by Jane Packer ;)
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
