Faux, imitation or simulated. These days, interiors are full of look-alike surfaces, homewares and furniture - and high-quality ones at that! To savvy decorators, “fake” means they can get the look easier, quicker and more often than not, for less money, too. So how do you make fake look amazing? simply embrace it for what it is and your interior will shine.
“Wall Panelling” Raw timber panelling on the walls is cool, but can be costly and a fashion statement you might want to change next year. This rustic tongue-in-groove style wallpaper means you get the cosy cabin look you want without it being permanent.
“Trophy Mounts” To add dimension to a wall, animal head trophies (fake, of course!) are bang on trend. You can get ones made out of papier-mache or everything from wire to plywood in the shapes of rhinos, giraffes, moose, deer etc.
“Pine Floorboards” Another important element in creating a rustic look is timber floors. For this interior style, high-gloss varnish need not apply - it’s all about a natural, matte finish. However, unsealed timber is prone to staining, denting and a decreased lifespan, so go for laminate instead. These laminate planks look like authentic whitewashed pine, only they’re more hardwearing; they’re up to 10 times more scratch resistant than regular timber floorboards!
“Copper Tiles” For centuries, copper has been a popular choice for architecture and interior design, appearing on everything from old European cathedrals to uber-contemporary designer homes. It’s certainly the material of the moment and we’ve discovered an easy way to apply it at home: wallpaper that looks like industrial copper tiles - studs and all! The print has a metallic lustre to it and looks almost three dimensional making it one of the best fakes we’ve come across.
“Original Artwork” Original artworks - as magnificent as they are - don’t always fit into the decorating budget. Artwork prints, however, do. Many artists now have limited edition prints done of their most popular works, so get in touch with galleries and ask what they have available.
“Oak Floorboards” A beautiful floor anchors a room and creates the perfect platform over which you can layer your scheme. Limed oak is a classic choice for both traditional and modern interiors, but oak floorboards are expensive and can be timely to install. Interlocking vinyl planks, on the other hand, are a cinch to lay and mean you can get the look for less. Because they’re interlocking planks, they look more like the real deal than the vinyl imitation-wood flooring of the past.
“Marble Wall” Nothing screams style and luxury in the bathroom quite like an expanse of marble. But if you’re concerned about the upkeep, marble-look laminate is a super alternative. It’s so easy to clean - a quick wipe down - and is resistant to surface wear, water and staining and it costs a fraction of the price of real marble.
“Black Floorboards” A rich, dark floor sets off a pale palette beautifully. It looks chic and is the perfect balance of traditional and contemporary, especially when teamed with marble. Staining existing floorboards in black is fiddly and time consuming, but comparatively, laying ready-made vinyl flooring is a piece of cake. Vinyl is ideal in bathrooms where water splashes can occur, and it’s great way to get the timber look in apartments where floorboards are not allowed.
“Plywood Panels” Yep, you can see it and still not believe it. Porcelain tiles are great alternative to achieve the plywood effect. Besides their warm wooden look, the beauty of them is their practicality. Where real plywood would eventually swell from moisture and retain food stains, you can splash away in front of these tiles and all they’ll need is a swift spray and wipe.