Hello, Hello!
Today marks week 4 of the One Room Challenge™!!
I honestly can not believe how quickly the weeks are flying by.
Eclectic Botanical Farmhouse Family Room
Week 1 | The Design
Week 2 | Progress
Week 3 | Paint + Accessories
Week 4 | *Current Post*
Week 5 | Next Week
Week 6 | Final Reveal
Today we’re going to dive into a botanical project for our family room makeover as I share THE most realistic faux fiddle leaf fig DIY ever!!!
Let me start by saying, I used to have a live fiddle leaf fig. My husband bought it for me from a local nursery and I managed to keep it alive for about 2 months. Finicky plants are not my forte. Try as I might they inevitably end up being either over-watered or under-watered and in the end, bite the dust. I tried really hard to resurrect my fiddle once he got the dreaded black spots of death, but it didn’t work. So…..when I spotted some amazingly realistic fiddle leaf fig branches at Michaels craft store I knew exactly how I was going to get an affordable fiddle leaf fig that wouldn’t die on me.
(Affiliate links included for your convenience.)
Materials
- 2 Fiddle Leaf Fig Branches – purchased at Michaels – This looks like a great set of faux fiddle leaf fig branches on Amazon.
- Vessel – I chose a 10′ terra cotta pot and nestled it in a seagrass basket from HomeGoods.
- Styrofoam design block
- knife
- thin piece of cardboard – A cereal box works perfectly!
- scissors
- Craft Soil
Those leaves!! So realistic!
1. First up, I used a knife and cut the bottom edges of the Styrofoam block. The block was a tiny bit too big so I needed to taper the base before I pushed into down into the clay pot.
2. Either glue down the Styrofoam, measure it to be snug, or use additional pieces of foam/floral oasis to anchor the main block of Styrofoam. I had some old floral oasis hanging around so I used it to secure my block of Styrofoam.
3. Once the Styrofoam is secure determine placement for the fiddle leaf fig branches. Cut the branches to size and push them deeply into the foam.
4. Next, cut a piece of cardboard to fit around the branches. Fit it to fill the pot completely as this will be the base for the Craft Soil.
5. Follow the directions for the Craft Soil. Cover the cardboard completely. Mix up more soil as needed.
That’s it! So simple and amazingly realistic!
This fiddle looks every bit as good as my real one BUT won’t die on me.
In other ORC news, this week I painted the tufted armchair!!
The original color I picked out ended up being WAY too light so I used some colors I already had and altered the color I purchased until I settled on a mauve/orchid color. It’s a tad different than my original plan but still very pretty.
So, what’s left on our to-do list:
install shiplap walls surrounding fireplace- install built-in shelving and bench seating surrounding fireplace
paint shiplapand built-inssource plug-in wall sconces to flank fireplace->to save $$ we’ve decided to repaint and use candle sconces we already ownbuild console table for wall beside french doors-> paint console tablebuild farmhouse style bench to place behind the exposed section of sofabuild, install, & paint window cornicesswap out curtainspatch together 2, 4’x6′ rugs to place in front of french doors- paint sunroom and
bathroom doors refinish art filepaint tufted chair upholsteryrefinish end tablesreplace coffee tablereplace too small rugsource matching accent chairs for in front of fireplace-> we will hopefully have time to redo a pair we already ownadd decorative wood trim to built in entertainment cabinetsew a few new pillow covers“plant” silk fiddle leaf fig- pull together finishing touches (aka rearrange, buy, or DIY decor)
Here’s hoping we have time to complete the remaining items on our list. We’re aiming to finish by next week so I have time to style, photograph, edit, and write up the big reveal post for May 11th!! Whee! I’m getting excited…and nervous…and just a tad stressed. Hopefully all my fellow ORC participants are also well on their way to finishing their spaces. Pop over to the Calling It Home blog to see everyone’s progress.
Thanks again to our Spring 2017 ORC sponsors eSaleRugs and Best Home Fashion.
well now that is awesome! it truly does look real!
They are SO realistic looking! After I killed my live fiddle I had to pick them up so I could have one I couldn’t mess up!
I saw those at Michaels and almost bought them but wasn’t sure how to set them up so they didn’t look like they were branches in a vase. Now I might have to go back and try this trick. Also that color is beautiful!
Thank you Megan! When I saw them at Michaels I immediately knew I needed to figure out a way to “plant” them.
This is such a fun DIY project! I’m not great at keeping plants alive either. If they can be neglected, they do okay. Succulents are the worst.
Black thumbs unite! I have a few indoor plants that are thriving but they’re all the set ’em and forget ’em type that perk up even if you forget to water them until they’re wilting.
I love how real it looks and how simple it is! Thank you!🌿
🙂 Thanks Kelly!
Looks great! I really MUST make one of these. #inspired Susie from The Chelsea Project
Thank Susie! A fail-safe fig. The best type there is. My real one was way too finicky for me and in the end I couldn’t keep alive.
I love this!!! I love fiddle figs so much! I’m gonna have to try this! Do you have an estimate of how much this DIY cost?
Thank you Lauren. I bought the branches when they were 50% off (if they aren’t on sale grab a coupon or 2) for a total of $19.99. The foam is around $3 for the design block and a clay pot you can get with a 50% coupon at Joanns for under $6. I decided to pop mine in a basket (totally not necessary – it was $12 at HomeGoods). The Craft Soil is $11 on Amazon. Also, not a necessary ingredient but I wanted to try it. Any moss, shred, bark, or stones from the craft store would cover the foam just as well and you could use a coupon. I would say you could make one for about $35-55 (My exact setup was about $55) which is a great deal when you compare the price to real ones (at least in my area). We spent $45+tax for a live one that was smaller than this and it did not come in a nice planter or basket.
That is a great looking fiddle fig — and I’ve never heard of craft soil!
Thanks Lora. I knew there had to be some sort of faux dirt option so I found this one on Amazon and wanted to give it a try. I think it’s basically mulch and white glue. I assume they prepare the mulch to make sure it’s bug free etc. unlike if you picked some up for your garden. It hardens and sticks together when cured.
this may be the best idea ever! I’ve been wanting to get a faux fiddle leaf tree but they’re so darn expensive. Pinning!!
I too hate finicky plants. I have a total black thumb. I embrace realistic looking faux plants whenever they present themselves. Nice job!
I love real plants and flowers but am not the best at keeping plants alive. :/ I have definitely been embracing more faux plants now they so many are so realistic!
It really does look great, and you never have to mess with those real finicky plants again! I’ve tried so many times, I’m about to jump on the faux bandwagon too! Haha!
Thank Iris. I wish my real guy would have flourished under my care but sadly within 2 months he was 🙁 They are so hard to come by in my area and expensive so I wasn’t up for dropping more $$ and having another one die in my care.I love that this one looks soooo real, I can’t kill it, and my kids won’t be able to tear the leaves, etc.
Very cute! great idea too. I know the pre-made faux ones can be pricey
Thanks! & Yes, real and faux tend to be pricey!!