Give an artificial plant a makeover to give it a more updated look.
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WHO GIVES AN ARTIFICAL PLANT A MAKEOVER
I honestly don’t even know what people think when I get an idea and start executing it. Sometimes I even wonder myself.
The big thing in home décor has been the fiddle fig trees and when you can’t buy it…you DSY (do-something-yourself).
Oh, so pretty!
And I was over here with a cheap artificial ficus tree from the ReStore that cost a couple of bucks.
There was no way a real fiddle fig leaf tree was going in this corner. It would never get enough light.
I looked into an artificial one just to humor myself and ahhhh….no! That’s totally out of my price range.
STARTING THE PLANT TRIM
While looking at the fiddle fig leaf trees online, I saw some images of ficus trees I actually liked.
And that’s when the light bulb when on.
Hmmmmmm….
Me – “Honey, do you have some strong wire cutters I can borrow?”
The Mister – “For what?”
Me – “It’s better you don’t know.”
Off I went to attack a poor defenseless tree.
This is not the first time I have roughhoused an item. These bathroom cabinets took some serious abuse.
But hey, it’s just a hair cut right? It was going into the beauty parlor. And the reality is….there are a ton of these trees around so if I messed it up I would just pick another up, for cheap. Or there was always a glue gun option.
First, the typical cheapo ficus tree branches are floppy. They just kind of mope. It was time to turn that frown upside down.
Since the branches are wire based they just needed to be bent up.
Next up, trim..trim..trim.
I wanted lots off the bottom so I just pulled some of the branches right off the trunk. It kind of made it look more natural looking anyways. What tree looks perfect?
I wanted to have some places where there were little branches but no leaves to, again, give a more realistic look to it.
It was like an artist doing a painting……… really just like it..lol. I would trim and stand back and look at where it was too thick or shaped just right.
For me, it fills the need for a fiddle fig leaf.
UPDATE – WANNA SEE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LEAVES? YEP, THEY WERE REUSED HERE!!!
BONUS – It was a real bargain. The tree itself was $3. The haircut was free and the basket an IKEA find a while back.
And that’s the way I update a faux artificial plant to look new.
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I used to visit thrift stores all the time until I heard that bedbugs can live in objects bought at thrift stores and can infest your home, even coming in on clothing purchased at thrift stores. Do you know if this true? Do you know if there is a method to be sure you are not carrying in a bedbug population or how to rid items of the possibility of bedbug infestation before bringing them into your home? I love your ficus tree update, but I am hesitant about thrifting unless it is something like a glass item that I can put through the dishwasher.
Carla,
I have shopped second hand for the last 15 years and have never had an issue. With that said, you can ask the store what they do to combat it. You can also look for them on the items you are purchasing. For this particular tree, the surface wasn’t fabric like so I felt pretty good about it. The basket was new. I hope that helps and it was an excellent question. Always clean items before you use too.
Really cool update I love it. I may do something along those lines.
Barb, Thanks so much. We would love to see it if you do. We allow posts on our FB wall were people can share pics. http://www.facebook.com/salvagesisterandmister
I love how it turned out.
kirstin troyer recently posted…We did a Staycation
Nice update and then I assume you can use the greenery in arrangements too
Florence, Absolutely. The greenery was used in this project here…. https://www.salvagesisterandmister.com/how-to-make-a-bargain-faux-magnolia-wreath/
I took a ratty one of those and stripped the leaves altogether. It looked like a ‘winter’ tree! Loved it with Halloween/Fall/Winter decor 🙂
Sheryl, What a great idea. If you ever have pictures, we would love for you to share. We have a share day on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/salvagesisterandmister where you can share any upcycle/reuse/repurpose projects or tips.
No pics. Sorry :(. It was something I tried to get it sold! It worked 🙂
Sheryl, No worries. If you ever have any projects, we love to see what you do.
It definitely needed a hair cut. It looks so much better now. Looks really pretty in the basket!
Linda at Mixed Kreations recently posted…Repurposed Ironing Board Wash Dry Fold Repeat
Linda, And then I used the leaves for a wreath 🙂
That’s cool! Than nothing goes to waste!
Linda at Mixed Kreations recently posted…Repurposed Ironing Board Wash Dry Fold Repeat
Linda, for sure 🙂