DIY Faux Single-Stems in Faux Water

As we continue our minimal, Spring, living room update, I wanted to, obviously, add a DIY to the queue. However, I still wanted to stick to the original plan of keeping things:

1. Minimal in style

2. Minimal in items

3. Minimal in price

I think you’re picking up the the theme, right? Minimalism across the board. And things that land in that minimal style are are glass objects, furniture, etc. One trend I’ve seen a lot lately are these single-stem flowers or leaves in tall and thin vases. Automatically, my brain goes, “Emery, you can clearly make that. And better yet, you can make these so they last all spring and summer long, and the many to come.” Yes, everything is fake, but man, the faux water is what REALLY makes them look real. This just took a little research, and voilà, there is a kit you can buy that makes faux water, also known as resin. It checks alls the boxes—style, items to buy, price per item. And bonus points, it literally takes less than an hour to whip it all up.

No joke guys, I’m giving you a suuuuuuper duper easy one this week. And these babies look good on any table or shelf.

Here’s What You Need:

• Glass vases of various heights/widths

• Faux flowers or leaves 

• Two-part resin kit (I used Mod Podge’s version)

• Wire cutters

• Paper or plastic cups

• Stir sticks

• The timer on your phone

Here’s What You Do:

1. Using your wire cutters, trim your flowers or leaves to fit the vase you want to put them in. I played around with this a bit to determine what would look best. I would either go with some slightly drastic heights, or go completely level. Making it look intentional is the key.

2. Mix your resin. There should be instructions with your kit, but the basic breakdown in a 1:1 ration with the two parts, and pouring them in separate cups first before combining them. Once they’re combined, stir them non-stop for 3 minutes. If you would like less bubbles in your resin, you can let the resin sit for 2-3 minutes, but know that you have approximately 30-40 minutes of work time with the resin before it will begin to settle.

3. Remove the stems from each vase, and carefully begin to pour your resin in the vase. Something very important to remember is that if you get resin on the side of your glass, like a drip mark, it will stay there, and dry in that position. Try to slowly pour your resin in and aim for the bottom of the glass.

4. Put your faux leaves for flowers back in, and style them in the position that best seems fit

5. Let the resin dry for 24 hours before moving them or tilting the glass

That’s literally it! Five steps, and seven types of materials people. I think these guys get first place for easiest, and quickest DIY. Possibly even the cheapest? Maybe. They might have tied with the Naturally Dyed Eggs DIY I did for Easter.

Stay tuned to see these guys all styled in their new home for the Living Room Reveal sponsored by AllModern this week.