Trend Alert: Decorating with Vintage Botanicals

Art is always such a hard thing for me to find. I’m not big on just buying prints at Home Goods or Pier One or the like, so I’m usually looking for real art. And of course, in order to afford real art, I need to buy antique and that is not a hunt that is quick! It’s really a matter of having to wait awhile before the right thing comes along, and in the meantime, living with blank walls.

Which is what I’ve been doing in my family room for awhile now. I’ve been looking and looking, and though I wanted something genuine, and probably antique, I didn’t really want another landscape (something I have a lot of in the rest of the house) and I didn’t want the French Country sheep/cow paintings that I’ve had in there in the past, either. I didn’t know what I wanted, until I saw this picture….

 

botanicals green cream over skirted table gorgeous french inspired style

Via Southern Living.

 

And that was it! I decided a grouping of antique botanicals would be perfect for above the couch in the family room. It’s a fairly large wall, so a group of 6 or 8 would be just the thing. I think they look a little fresher than an antique oil painting, but they still give that antique touch that I love. They are classic, versatile, and timeless.

 
 
botanicals vintage gold frames gallery wall over sofa
Stunning, right?! Design by Liz Williams.
 
 
 
botanicals framed dining room two chandeliers china hutch

botanicals bedroom neutral french style chandelier headboard gorgeousAshley Goforth Design.

 

botanicals grouping gallery wall light blue over bed

 

framed botanicals in french country style neutral living room fireplaceLove this room so much! Rachel Halvorson Design.

 

botanicals grouped behind white ironstone china collection on shelves

Loi Thai’s collection of banded creamware displayed with the pressed botanicals is so pretty!

 

botanicals behind sofa grouping wall decor gallery wall chic living room

Design by Morgan Harrison.

botanicals antique behind settee in breakfast room french country gustavian style stunning
An absolute favorite and one of the other photos that really inspired me. Design by Lisa Luby Ryan.

 

botanicals green and cream over green secretary striking vignette antiques vintage style
Loi Thai of Tone on Tone uses botanicals here above an antique desk to great effect.
 
 
botanicals over fireplace antiques gustavian style living room gorgeous
Loi Thai’s gorgeous living room (he has moved his same botanicals from the desk to this room).

 

botanicals grouped on dining room wall green and white gorgeous chandelier
Lovely! Via Veranda.

 

 
 
So I know what I want, now I just have to find them! Easier said than done. The antique botanicals that many designers use are hundreds of dollars each, and since I need 6 to 8, that could be prohibitively expensive!
 
So I’m hunting on Ebay and Etsy like crazy. Meanwhile, I have found that some of the catalogs have sets of them, and though not vintage, they give a pretty great look at a good price!
 

 

Happy Friday!
 
 Sheila
xo

 

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22 Comments

  1. Shelia, check out Panteen.com. They have a lot of vintage botanicals & some nice reproductions as well. I love botanicals too!! Have fun searching.

  2. I have always loved botanicals, still do. And I had forgotten how much I love Lisa Ruby Ryan, those pics have always been some of my favorites! And Loi, who doesn't love Loi. Thanks for the inspiration Sheila! xx Rié | Portobello Design Blog

  3. Sheila I love this as well. I am looking for an old set my self, but will likely have to find an old garden book and rip it apart and frame the botanical images. xo

  4. I am crushing on the same type of botanicals that are displayed this way. I have some vintage perfume ads from the 1930's that I want to frame up and display this way. Thanks for the inspiration!!

  5. I'm so jealous Sandy – I really love them! Still looking, but I'm sure I will find something that will work.

    Thanks for stopping by!

    Sheila

  6. Thanks Cindy – I'm going to go look now!

    Sheila
    xo

  7. Oh, i love those botanicals. We had many up in our condo in Sun Valley. Fortunately our son lusted after them when we sold the condo. So they're in a loving home. We bought our about 40 years ago in London.
    Sandra Sallin apartfrommyart.com

  8. Oh, i love those botanicals. We had many up in our condo in Sun Valley. Fortunately our son lusted after them when we sold the condo. So they're in a loving home. We bought our about 40 years ago in London.
    Sandra Sallin apartfrommyart.com

  9. I will KEEP MY EYES PEELED on my ROUNDS UP NORTH!
    I too am looking for old portraits………….let me know if YOU SPY any PLEASE!I need a FEW!!!
    What did you do with the COWS and SHEEP?I would be interested!!!
    EMAIL ME!

  10. Sheila I used to have a great source on Ebay and I cannot remember the name of her shop it was a touch of history or something like that. It was a Hint of History. She was darling to work with! Look her up and see if she is still around!

  11. Sheila I used to have a great source on Ebay and I cannot remember the name of her shop it was a touch of history or something like that. It was a Hint of History. She was darling to work with! Look her up and see if she is still around!

  12. Keep an eye out for me Karen – I was on 1st Dibs this week and there was a great set but they were $850 EACH! Would like to spend a little less than that:) They are such a great look!!

    Have a nice weekend!
    Sheila
    xo

  13. Thanks Angelina! Send me a pic, I want to see! And I'm still hunting…..)

    Sheila
    xo

  14. Well of course, Loi! You are one of my favorite designers, and you use them to great effect! Hopefully I can replicate that look without breaking the bank, AND without waiting too long!

    Thanks for stopping by:) and have a great weekend!

    Sheila
    xo

  15. Thanks for the suggestion SJR, I really appreciate it! I will look tonight:)

    Sheila

  16. That's a great idea, Des, and one I may copy. I really wanted original frames, but I'm afraid that may be impossible! Still looking, but I will keep you posted! Post of send me a copy of yours, I want to see them!!

    Sheila
    xo

  17. Sheila,
    I love botanicals especially when hung en mass. I think you'll find some that will look great without having to break the bank. ???

  18. Try Restoration Hardware they are already framed and when they have a sale can be very affordable

  19. Gorgeous inspiration pics! I am really picky about art for my home too and won't buy just anything to fill a wall either. I have a few botanical print groupings in my home. I bought mine on eBay and then bought the frames and framed them myself which saved a lot of money.
    Have a great weekend!!!
    ~Des