I love having flowers in my home. They add freshness and elegance to any space and just generally cheer me up to have around. I worked a six-month stint as a florist after college that cemented my love for fresh florals, even if it didn’t leave me with a green thumb.

I’ve been watching what I spend more lately, so I had to give that weekly bouquet in my grocery delivery the chop. But that doesn’t mean I can’t still enjoy having flowers in my house. In searching for long-lasting options, I came across preserved flowers, which piqued my interest. Gorgeous arrangements that last for seasons instead of weeks? I’ll take four.

Then I saw the price tag …

Keep reading to see how I got the look — and convenience — for far, far less.

If you love … Venus ET Fleur Eternity Flowers ($44 and up)

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After seeing these boxes of picture-perfect roses all over Instagram on the kitchen islands of celebrities and influencers, I had to find them. But when I saw a single Venus ET Fleur rose was $44, with those giant boxes costing $2,000 or more, my jaw hit the floor. Sure, these dehydrated, preserved roses stay vibrant for up to a year, but the bottom line is, they’re still disposable. You also can’t transfer them to another container — although, I suppose if you paid that much for them, you might as well let everyone know where they came from.

Buy … Abigail Ahern Faux Botanicals ($9.99 and up)

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A post shared by @abigailahern

Fake plants get a bad wrap. Sure there are some options out there that scream unnatural, but there are a lot of excellent ones available now, too. British interior designer Abigail Ahern (previously featured here and here) makes some of the most beautiful faux greens and flowers I’ve ever seen, including hydrangeas, peonies and roses. Her floral creations all have a romantic, moody quality to them and have fooled many a guest to my home. You can choose one singular stem or mix and match different varieties to create bespoke arrangements you’ll never have to water or toss.

In case you missed it …

Day Trip Essentials Petra Canan Trudell · Mar 18 Read full story

MIDDI is a weekly roundup of mid-priced beauty, fashion and home buys released every Monday. Have a product you’re searching for? Leave your suggestions in the comments.