History often inspires the most captivating decor. Faux-bois, a classic technique, is beautifully showcased in Martha Stewart's Skyland retreat.
If you admire Martha Stewart, you likely know her fondness for faux-bois. Previously, she revealed various pieces in her Maine estate, many crafted by Texas artist Carlos Cortes. Recently, she showcased faux-bois containers, featuring a charming mini forest display as an alternative to typical indoor plants.
While her faux-bois containers are contemporary, the art form dates back to 19th-century France, where Joseph Monier pioneered the method of sculpting concrete over a steel framework in the 1840s.
Today, these pieces remain intricate, and when filled with unique plant life, they create a stunning focal point for any space.
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Find Your Style
Natural Container
This faux bois planter enhances any tree or plant with its rustic bark-like appearance. It's resistant to fading, rust, and weather, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor settings.
Sustainably Sourced
Perfect for crafting a mini forest display like Martha's, this moss is great for dressing orchids or adding natural accents to floral arrangements. Its soft texture is easy to work with.
Distressed Style
Although not faux-bois, this rustic resin flower vase offers durability and a chic, weathered look, adding a touch of French flair to your decor, especially when filled with a small forest.
Exploring Martha's blog reveals her ongoing use of faux-bois containers and mini forests.
"Faux bois, meaning 'false wood' in French, refers to the artistic imitation of wood textures. I have numerous faux bois urns at Skylands. This year, we've planted them with elements from the woods, creating lasting miniature forests," she noted in 2021.
The mini forest features moss (similar to this moss from Amazon) as a base for taller plants. Choose your moss wisely, as Martha advises.
"Moss is a slow-growing wild plant that should not be taken in large quantities—it's even illegal to harvest from national forests without permission. After the season, we always return collected moss to the forest for regeneration," she explains.
"At Skylands, we have sphagnum, pincushion, Mountain Moss Leucobryum, plume, and bog moss. My gardener, Mike Harding, crafted these woodland arrangements, and I find them stunning." We think they're lovely too.
Are you inspired by Martha's faux-bois or mini moss forest? Share your thoughts!
