The Perfect Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Kendall Simmons Interiors

The fiddle leaf fig tree is a fabulous plant that adds so much drama to any room. It is a spectacular plant. Unfortunately, it is notoriously finicky to grow indoors and will frankly drive you crazy trying to care for it. Luckily, there are some great faux versions out there, and I have found the perfect one.

Classic Chinoiserie

J. Joern Cunningham

A wonderful work/study area has been created in the corner of this room.

The wallpaper is the classic Brunschwig & Fils Bird and Thistle. Although not a chinoiserie wallpaper, it is a very popular classic paper that works beautifully with chinoiserie, like the black Chinese Chippendale chair and blue and white Chinese porcelain on the mantel.

Charleston Style

Elly Poston Cooper - Frederic Magazine 

 

This is a lovely vignette in the living room of a Charleston home. I love the mix of vintage and antique pieces used in a modern way. Let's look more closely at some of the elements.

Chinoiserie Gone Wrong

Aerin Lauder - House and Garden

Today's Chinoiserie Gone Wrong is about scale. Above is a photo of Aerin Lauder's East Hampton home's foyer from a 2007 House & Garden Christmas issue. The scale of that short and wide palm in a blue and white Chinese porcelain pot does not work at all in that space. Perhaps it was just pulled in for the photo shoot, who knows, it is just wrong. Not to mention that the poor thing would have perished in that dark corner. Here below is the same space more recently with furnishings in scale.

Harpers Bazaar Arabia

I love a potted palm in a home. But please use a large blue and white Chinese fish bowl with a big palm and add some drama! Here is a perfect example in a Ralph Lauren room. If in doubt, go larger, as opposed to small. Dinky does diddly-squat in a room. I am not a houseplant fan anyway, with a few notable exceptions. I love potted orchids. Trader Joe's are the best quality and price. Feed your orchid three ice cubes a week and it will last for months. I love a large potted palm or a large potted fiddle leaf fig. Put them in either a blue and white Chinese fish bowl or a beautiful big basket. But with both, go bold or go home.

Ralph Lauren

The Skirted Table

Amanda Lindroth

I am a sucker for a great skirted table, and I especially like the styling of this one with its pair of oversized blue and white ginger jars, a pair of blue and white brushstroke lamps, the gorgeous painted floor, a pair of framed botanicals, coral, a potted orchid, a dramatic mirror, and a fiddle leaf fig. There is a lot of symmetry going on here, but enough asymmetry that to me it is a nice balance. BTW, skirted tables are great for extra storage.

I love those Bunny Williams double gourd brushstroke lamps, but they retail for over $1,000 each - I got this one at HomeGoods for $30.00.

The Fiddle Leaf Fig in Florida

Unknown

 "The fiddle leaf fig in Florida" - say that 5 times really fast! I have been wanting one of these chic plants for ages but heard they are notoriously finicky. Well, everything in my lanai grows like crazy and huge fiddle leaf figs are available here at Lowe's, so I am ready to pull the trigger. Here is an example of one in a lanai.

Fiddle leaf fig in lanai

I would love to find another Chinese fish bowl to pot it in and top it with moss like this palm below. My two Chinese fish bowls are currently in the lanai with Areca palms in them.

Ralph Lauren

Chinese fish bowl

Have any of you grown a fiddle leaf fig outdoors? So far in my lanai I am growing palms, bouganvellia, an herb garden, a collection of agave, and orchids. And I received my giant clam shell yesterday - I love it!

My bouganvellia

The Chinoiserie Home

Summer Thornton

A lovely room with a collection of blue and white Chinese porcelain and a blue and white Chinese garden stool.

Chinoiserie Greenery

Ralph Lauren

I  just ordered and received two large Chinese pots like this. I can't wait to plant them up  - love the moss. I think this is a triangle palm.

Autumn and Chinoiserie DIY

Jonathan Adler

 I have shared this one before, but it is always so popular that it bears repeating. Get a pair of these fantastic and cheap Chinese Chippendale planters at Home Depot available in both 14" and 18." Spray paint them orange - I like Rustoleum Orange Gloss. Use them indoors with a pair of fiddle leaf fig trees, palms, or ficus, or outdoors with mums or boxwoods. This is fall decorating with Chinoiserie Chic style.

Chic Plants

Haven't you noticed that every other room in shelter magazines has a fiddle leaf fig tree? I too have become smitten and decided to gather a group of rooms with Chinoiserie elements and these very chic plants. A great way to add some green to your home as winter approaches. I love the example by Chloe Warner with a pair in blue and white Chinese fish bowls.

Traditional Home

House Beautiful

Chloe Warner - Domino

Chloe Warner

Cecilie Starin