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Flea Market Finds: Botanical Prints
Historical Plant Illustrations Flourish on the Wall
I adore lush, verdant plants — the problem is, they don't stay that way for very long under my care. So in addition to vigilantly watering my feeble-looking flowers, I make sure to supplement with plenty of plant-inspired art.
My main source? Flea markets, of course. You can almost always find a booth specializing in antique prints, and botanicals are a particularly popular subject. See how members of Houzz use them around their homes and get inspired to start your own botanical print collection.
My main source? Flea markets, of course. You can almost always find a booth specializing in antique prints, and botanicals are a particularly popular subject. See how members of Houzz use them around their homes and get inspired to start your own botanical print collection.
by Monica Ewing
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Monica of Crafty Nest downloaded free botanical prints from the internet and, in a move that's pure genius, framed them all in an old window. Get her tutorial for the project here.
by Jeanette Lunde
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While the prints can indeed be quite beautiful, many were originally made purely for the benefit of scientific study. Prior to the invention of cameras, botanical prints were the best — if not the only — way to illustrate a plant's make-up.
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Many prints were originally part of a larger collection that botany enthusiasts and collectors would subscribe to receive one at a time. As such, it's not too difficult to find several pieces from the same artist that can form a series.
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Larger prints like this one can be harder to find, but you may get lucky on your flea market search. Online retailers such as The Evolution Store also carry a selection if you're not up for the hunt.
by Jeanette Lunde
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| It also doesn't hurt to check out older botanical books for sale. If the binding is in poor condition, I wouldn't feel too guilty buying one simply to cut out and frame the prints within. |
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In addition to being an inexpensive option, you'll have gathered a collection in no time!
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| As botanical prints have gained popularity, the art has been reworked in new forms. Artist John Derian uses similar images for his collection of decoupaged trays, like the ones shown here. |
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The designer of this dining room used a block-printed botanical pattern on the walls to echo the plants in the garden outside the nearby window.
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| Some websites have botanical art that you can print out right from home. You could also have the image professionally printed on canvas for a more finished look.
More flea market finds: Demijohns Around the Home Wire Baskets The Cane Chair |
Ideabook published on March 10, 2011.
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The vendor I go to at my local flea market seems to have the same idea; I've bought several from him that definitely looked like they were originally from a book.