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Floralsilk Faux Autumn Mulberry and Dahlia Bouquet Review

Floralsilk Faux Autumn Mulberry and Dahlia Bouquet Review

by | Nov 6, 2026 | Design Inspiration

[Gifted review] Bringing the rich tones of autumn indoors doesn’t have to mean changing your whole decorating scheme. One well-chosen floral arrangement can introduce colour, texture and a seasonal focal point. Floralsilk’s Faux Autumn Mulberry and Dahlia Bouquet combines burgundy flowers, muted green peonies, eucalyptus and berries in a display that suits both autumn afternoons and cosy winter evenings.

This ready-made autumn arrangement brings together ten stems. Its appeal lies in the balance between generous flower heads and looser, branching foliage: there’s plenty to catch the eye, but enough variation to keep the display feeling relaxed.

Table of Contents

Flowers, foliage and berries with character

The premium quality burgundy dahlias provide the strongest accents of colour. Floralsilk combines its ECO Dahlia Spray with ECO Straw Flower and an artificial mulberry stem, carrying those deep red and mulberry shades through the bouquet.

Three muted green ECO peonies offset the darker flowers. Their softly ruffled heads introduce fullness and a quieter colour that gives the eye somewhere to rest. Against the burgundy blooms, their green tones take on an almost antique quality, with hints of olive and gold visible in the photographed arrangement.

Two types of lifelike artificial eucalyptus stems help shape the display. Traditional green eucalyptus brings rounded leaves and a softer outline, while burgundy long-leaf eucalyptus adds height, movement and autumn colour. These contrasting leaf shapes are an important part of the bouquet’s character.

Dark blue berries add another detail between the flowers and foliage. Their small, rounded shapes contrast with the layered petals and larger leaves, helping the arrangement feel varied rather than repetitive.

The overall effect is rich without being overly formal. Anyone building a collection of artificial autumn flowers could also take inspiration from this combination when creating their own displays.

Unpacking and arranging the bouquet

The bouquet arrives tied and wrapped in recyclable brown paper. Although the stems have already been selected and brought together, a little adjustment after unpacking will help show them at their best.

Floralsilk advises gently opening any flower heads compressed during delivery, lifting the leaves and adjusting the arrangement’s shape. The flexible stems can be bent to suit the height of your vase, giving you some control over the finished proportions. They can also be shortened with wire cutters if necessary, although bending them first preserves more options for future displays.

A tall vase supports the bouquet’s branching outline. Clear glass shows the stems, while an opaque ceramic or brushed gold vessel creates a more finished decorative statement. Gold is particularly effective alongside the burgundy flowers and muted green peonies.

A natural fit for autumn and winter

The bouquet’s vibrant colours capture the warmth of the season without relying on bright orange or themed decorations. Burgundy, muted green and gold-toned accents sit comfortably beside natural wood, cream upholstery and warm neutral walls.

It’s the perfect way to refresh your home décor with a few small changes. Rust cushions, an olive throw or artwork featuring rich ochre will pick up different elements of the arrangement without making everything feel matched.

The colours also carry naturally into winter. Paired with brass accessories and candlelight, the bouquet feels suitably seasonal, yet it isn’t explicitly Christmassy. It can remain on display after the festive decorations come down.

Why choose a faux flower arrangement?

A good faux arrangement offers a lasting alternative for anyone who enjoys the beauty of fresh blooms but prefers less upkeep. There’s no watering, flower food or regular replacement of fading flowers, and the display can be reused across several seasons.

Faux flowers also work in places where living plants might struggle, such as a darker hallway or an interior dining area. They don’t need daylight, although Floralsilk recommends avoiding direct sunlight to help limit fading.

Despite the familiar term “silk flowers”, Floralsilk explains that its artificial flowers are made using polyester and other man-made fibres. The decorative appeal comes from their colours, shapes and detailing rather than silk content.

They still need occasional care. Gentle dusting with a microfibre cloth or soft brush helps prevent build-up; washing or soaking the flowers could damage their construction. When storing the bouquet, choose a roomy container and protect the flower heads from being crushed.

Styling it around the home

The versatile bouquet can be used in home decor in various ways. In a hallway, the bouquet makes an immediate impression on a console table. Dark brown timber provides an attractive backdrop, allowing the gold-toned blooms and green foliage to stand out.

A brass-framed mirror, patterned runner or small piece of artwork can repeat its colours and make the display feel connected to the room. A gold-coloured vase adds another layer of warmth and conceals the stems for a more finished look.

With these supporting details in place, the flowers provide an effortless finishing touch that makes the entrance feel welcoming and thoughtfully furnished.

Add interest to a dining room

A dining room sideboard is another strong setting. Here, the arrangement adds height without taking up dining space. Olive upholstered chairs, burgundy details in a rug and warm metallic lighting complement the bouquet beautifully.

On the dining table itself, it becomes a dramatic centrepiece. Its height and spreading branches deserve consideration, though: it may interrupt conversation across the table, so moving it to a sideboard during meals could be more practical.

Bring colour into a living room

In a living room, the bouquet can be used for fall decor to enliven a coffee table or low cabinet. Rather than matching every accessory, repeat just one or two shades through cushions, a throw or a decorative bowl.

Burgundy or rust cushions on a cream sofa pick up the warmer flowers and leaves, while an olive throw echoes the foliage. This creates a coordinated effect while allowing the arrangement to remain the focal point.

Give the branches enough space to spread naturally. A crowded surface can diminish the impact of the bouquet’s silhouette, whereas a little clear space allows its colours and details to shine.

Brighten a kitchen table

On a kitchen table, the bouquet brings a decorative touch to an everyday setting. Pair it with simple linen placemats or a ceramic fruit bowl, leaving enough clear surface for the table to remain useful.

For an open-plan kitchen diner, placing the flowers in the dining area helps distinguish it from the working kitchen. The arrangement’s organic outline softens the straight lines of cabinetry and worktops, while its colours sit particularly well alongside sage green units, natural wood and brass fittings.

The verdict

Floralsilk’s Faux Autumn Mulberry and Dahlia Bouquet contains a beautiful collection of floral stems that provide a thoughtful mix of flowers, foliage and berries, with adjustable stems that make styling more versatile. Its rich palette and branching shape bring character to a room, providing an effortless finishing touch for an autumn and winter home.

Allow it enough space, choose a stable vase and let a few complementary furnishings echo its colours. Whether displayed on a hallway console, dining room sideboard or kitchen table, it brings warmth and a generous helping of autumn colour into the home.

The Faux Autumn Mulberry & Dahlia Bouquet is available from Floralsilk for £82. They also do a number of other stunning ready-made bouquets and wreaths, plus indvidual stems to put togeether your own arrangement.

Disclosure: This item was gifted for the purpose of this review, but all views and opinions are our own. 

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This 18th century German Christmas trend is having a huge moment in 2026

This 18th century German Christmas trend is having a huge moment in 2026

by | Nov 6, 2026 | Design Inspiration




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As Christmas decorations continue to sell out left, right, and centre and with Ideal Home’s own Christmas content outperforming all else, it seems that Christmas is on everyone’s mind at the moment. As a Room Decor Editor, I know most brands’ festive collections inside and out and there’s one adorable and nostalgic decoration style that I keep seeing everywhere – miniature Christmas houses. And there’s no one that does it better than Anthropologie.

This whimsical Christmas decor trend dates all the way back to 18th century Germany taking on the look of miniature snow-dusted Christmas village scenes. But these days, you don’t need to commit to a full-on Christmas village – you can incorporate just one or two holiday houses in your festive decorating scheme.

A display of Christmas tableware at Anthropologie's Regent Street store

(Image credit: Future/Sara Hesikova)

I got to see Anthropologie’s Christmas collection IRL earlier this week – and I was struck by how many different Christmas village-inspired decorations the brand’s range has on offer to choose from. All equally as whimsical and cute as each other.

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On Anthropologie’s website, the ceramic holiday houses are currently among the top three bestsellers in the Christmas category. Available in eight designs, each one depicts a different building or an establishment one might find in a village – from a bakery to a post office (my favourite), each priced between £38 and £46.

Emily Taylor x Anthropologie Light-Up Holiday Houses on a mantelpiece next to lit candlesticks

(Image credit: Anthropologie)

In addition to the ceramic Christmas decor ideas, Anthropologie also collaborated with Canadian illustrator Emily Taylor on a charming range of four light-up holiday houses made from card paper with the same price range as the ceramic ones.

But the most adorable option, in my opinion, is the range of Christmassy house-shaped tableware you can get from Anthropologie. A German inn-shaped butter dish? Sign me up! A tea canister with a tea house design? Yes, please! These pieces are more practical than the simply decorative holiday houses, but they still deliver the same amount of whimsy (if not more).

Which mini Christmas house design from Anthropologie have you got your eye on?

Amanda Holden’s Christmas decorations are up, and she’s put a pared-back spin on one of the season’s biggest trends

Amanda Holden’s Christmas decorations are up, and she’s put a pared-back spin on one of the season’s biggest trends

by | Nov 6, 2026 | Design Inspiration




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November has only just begun, but it’s already Christmas in Amanda Holden’s house! The TV personality and radio host has officially decked the halls, and she’s set the bar high when it comes to this year’s Christmas decor inspiration.

With an impressive entryway display, statement wreath and giant tree, Amanda certainly hasn’t held back. But, in my opinion, her festive look is the perfect example of a toned-down take on the trend I’ve been seeing everywhere this year.

So far, the general consensus seems to be that ‘more is more’ this holiday season, with maximalist trends like Merrymaxxing taking over. As the name suggests, this trend is all about bringing festive fun to your home, with the help of everything from tinsel tree skirts to funky Christmas bows. And while Amanda has adopted some of these decor ideas, her scheme ultimately shows that you can go all-out for Christmas, without appearing too kitsch.

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While there’s certainly nothing subtle about Amanda’s Christmas scheme, her use of festive foliage means that the overall feel is opulent and refined, rather than cluttered and chaotic. ‘Although everything is on a huge scale, the greenery stops it from feeling too over-the-top,’ explains Gareth Davies, Design Director at Classic Interiors.

‘Amanda has used these enormous arrangements of foliage around the front entrance. The greenery has lots of different textures, which makes the arrangements interesting even before you notice the ornaments,’ he adds. ‘And, because the decorations are built around natural-looking branches rather than endless baubles, they almost feel like an extension of the house itself.’

‘In this case, the foliage is not just there to make the space feel festive; it’s actually helping to frame the home,’ agrees Victoria Robinson, style and trend expert at Hillarys. ‘Greenery works hardest when it feels like an extension of the room itself rather than something that’s simply been added on for Christmas. Here, our eye naturally follows the garland up the staircase, which draws attention to one of the room’s best features’

Amanda’s clever use of foliage, along with her tight colour palette, has allowed her to embrace some of the fun Merrymaxxing motifs, in a way that stays true to her luxe style. ‘Amanda’s decorations are a brilliant example of why choosing a consistent colour palette can be much more effective than just buying lots of beautiful individual decorations,’ agrees Gareth.

‘She has carried deep green, teal and gold tones from the front entrance right through to the enormous Christmas tree inside. Everything feels connected, even though the decorations themselves are quite different,’ he adds. And the decorations themselves are also something to behold.

Staircase with Christmas garland lining the bannister

(Image credit: Future PLC / Pearson Lyle Management Ltd)

As a staple of merrymaxxing, oversized ornaments have been around for the past few years, and they’re still going strong in this year’s Christmas decor trends, too. From bows, bells and statement reindeer, Amanda has effectively balanced the super-sized elements of her scheme to avoid overwhelm.

‘Supersized ornaments are having a serious moment. They’re brilliant because they bring the drama without blowing the budget. You just need a few of these big beauties and you’re halfway there.’ says Whinnie Williams, Interior Designer and Trends Forecaster for Balsam Hill. ‘But it all comes down to scale and layering. The visual weight of your foliage needs to balance the scale of your oversized item, not fight it.’

‘What stands out about Amanda’s Christmas styling is that she’s decorating with scale rather than quantity. It would have been easy to keep adding more and more decorations, but she’s shown a fair bit of restraint and that’s exactly why it works so well,’ adds Victoria. ‘The larger pieces have room to breathe, which makes the whole scheme feel more considered and, ultimately, more expensive.’

Recreate the look

Although Amanda had help from a professional floral artist to bring her festive vision to life, there’s no reason why you can’t steal Amanda’s style yourself.

‘The biggest takeaway from Amanda’s scheme is that a few oversized decorations will often create far more impact than lots of smaller ornaments dotted around the room,’ says Victoria. ‘When you pair those statement pieces with plenty of greenery, the overall look feels layered and luxurious without feeling cluttered or overdone.’

So have a go at experimenting with scale and layering this Christmas. Just remember to keep your colour scheme tight and practise intentional restraint, rather than throwing everything at your home at once. These festive buys will help you get started.

Has Amanda inspired you to transform your home into a winter wonderland? Or is it still too early in your eyes?

Kate Lawler’s bedroom storage has transformed her space into a cosy and calming sanctuary – how to get the look, according to interior design experts

Kate Lawler’s bedroom storage has transformed her space into a cosy and calming sanctuary – how to get the look, according to interior design experts

by | Nov 6, 2026 | Design Inspiration




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There’s something about well-thought-out bedroom storage that instantly calms the mind, and if you’re in need of inspiration, presenter Kate Lawler’s is worth a look.

Kate, who first shot to fame after becoming the first female winner of Big Brother back in 2002, frequently shares glimpses of her life on her Instagram account, and it was here I spotted how her bedroom storage ideas help create a cosy, relaxing bedroom that’s perfect for winter.

So, in order to achieve the same style in my own room, I asked interior design experts how good bedroom storage can make our bedrooms more comfortable, calming spaces. This is what they said.

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Who doesn’t love a pretty storage example? And celebrity Instagram accounts happen to be one of the best places to find it. Clodagh McKenna’s mirror and built-in storage even manage to make her bedroom look bigger!

‘I love this kind of wall-to-wall storage, because it’s instantly part of the furniture – quite literally! It fits perfectly into a room, doesn’t stick out at an awkward angle, and looks chic. It’s the perfect way to utilise all the space you have for a wardrobe and make it look part of the room. The Scandi-inspired design comes through with its functionality and minimalism, but it’s not cold and sterile like some minimalist wardrobes, thanks to the warm, green-toned beige. It ticks my boxes for wall-to-wall storage,’ says Laura Rich, interior designer at Furniturebox.

‘There’s nothing more calming than a bedroom where everything has a place to go, and wall-to-wall storage like this hides away all the clutter, so you’re not lying in bed staring at a pile of clothes on a chair. The flat, seamless doors keep the look clean and uninterrupted, which prevents overwhelming visual clutter, and the slim brass handles add a touch of warmth.’

Kate’s use of beige, while not the most popular colour trend, also contributes to making the bedroom look cosy.

‘It’s warm and neutral without being cold or clinical, and the brown undertones give it a bit of depth. It also lets everything else in the room do the talking – the soft carpet, the upholstered bed, her accessories – so the room still has plenty of personality. It shows you don’t need a complicated colour scheme to make a space feel layered and welcoming,’ says Rob Cash, Showroom Owner at Kutchenhaus.

‘People are moving away from the cool greys and bright whites we saw so much of and going for warmer, earthier neutrals instead. Shades like stone, sand and light brown feel modern, but they’re also comforting, and they won’t date in a few years.’

How to achieve a calm, cosy bedroom

If you want to try decorating with neutrals or trying built-in storage, Kate’s bedroom is a good source of inspiration because it’s evidence that tidy equals relaxing and is relatively easy to achieve.

All you need to do is opt for integrated storage and warm colour tones. However, if you don’t have the capacity to rip out your current storage, here are a few other ways you can make your bedroom cosy, tidy and relaxing.

Neutral bedroom with cream carpet and bed, with cream wardrobe to the right of it

(Image credit: Future PLC/Tim Young)

‘Layering is everything – especially as we move even more towards tactile materials inspired by nature. Mix up your textures with linen bedding, a wool or bouclé throw, velvet cushions, and a soft rug underfoot, especially if you have hard floors,’ says Laura.

‘Lighting is a big one too; ditch the ‘big light’ in the evenings and go for bedside lamps, wall lights, or even a dimmer switch for a warm, gentle glow. Live plants are a lovely way to bring life and calm into the room, as Kate’s shown.

‘Keep surfaces as clear as possible, though, because a tidy room genuinely makes for a tidier mind, but a large plant like a monster is a great statement without introducing visual clutter. Consider personal touches in a bedroom, like a favourite print, a candle, or a stack of books by the bed, so it feels like yours and not a hotel room!’

Shop the look

If you want a cosy and relaxing bedroom, remember a clutter-free space paired with warm, neutral colours does wonders.

Lidl is selling a 7ft Christmas tree for under £40 – I’m calling it the ultimate bargain buy of this year’s festive season

Lidl is selling a 7ft Christmas tree for under £40 – I’m calling it the ultimate bargain buy of this year’s festive season

by | Nov 5, 2026 | Design Inspiration




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Lidl is selling a 7ft Christmas tree for under £40. It’s perfect for serving up maximum festive spirit on a budget.

It’s true that the best artificial Christmas trees can be expensive. The best and most realistic models can easily set you back hundreds of pounds. And while many of us would like the best Christmas decor, this isn’t always financially viable.

Luckily, plenty of affordable Christmas decorations and budget Christmas decorating ideas are available, and the Lidl Livarno 7ft Artificial Christmas Tree (£39.99) is the latest bargain buy to catch my eye. Here’s why.

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At just £39.99, this is one of the most affordable 7ft Christmas trees I’ve seen. It’s even beating the bargain B&Q 7ft Valais Christmas tree (£50) on price, and I was impressed enough with that one alone.

But not only is the Livarno tree more than £10 cheaper than the B&Q tree, but it also has more branch tips. Branch tips contribute to how lifelike and ‘bushy’ your tree looks, and the more a tree has, the more realistic it tends to look. For example, the B&Q Valais tree has 1007 branch tips, while Lidl’s has 1160. So, while it won’t look as lifelike as high-end trees (like our best-rated tree, the John Lewis Cotswold Tree, which has 4725 tips), it is more likely to look lifelike than B&Q’s tree.

Lidl describes its tree as a ‘detailed replica with dense branches.’ It’s made up via a three-part folding design, which makes storage easier when the tree is not in use. It also comes with a three-year warranty. While Lidl has described the tree as 7ft, within its description the tree is listed as being 210cm or 6ft 11”.

Christmas tree with colourful pom poms, paper decor and presents on a red checkerboard rug.

(Image credit: Future PLC/ Nassima Rothacker)

The tree comes with a metal stand and floor-friendly caps to keep it upright, although you probably want to cover the base with one of this year’s pretty Christmas tree skirts to try and maintain the illusion of a real tree.

Norway £39.99, I don’t imagine you’ll easily mistake this tree for a real fir. But it is a brilliant budget alternative if you can’t afford to spend a fortune on Christmas trees this year. I personally opted for an affordable tree a few years ago (Habitat’s 5ft Fibre Optic Warm White Star Christmas Tree, £30 at Argos) and love it. By the time the lights are switched on and it’s been adorned with my favourite baubles and tinsel, I really don’t care how realistic it looks. In fact, I love its cosy lights.

Lidl’s tree lands in stores today (5 November), and due to its affordable price, it’s likely to sell quite quickly. If you are unable to get your hands on one, here are a few more trees we recommend.

Would you try out Lidl’s 7ft Christmas tree?