Most of my blog posts focus on using artificial plants to liven up a home but they are a great addition to restaurants and offices as well. Just yesterday I was having lunch with my husband and son at Brio Tuscan Grill. What I quickly took notice of was how they used massive, oversized artificial palm trees to reinforce theme and enhance the sophisticated and calm atmosphere of the dining room.

Artificial Palm Trees at Brio Tuscan Grill

Spotted: Artificial Palm Trees

I snapped a quick picture to show you just what they did and what made it so successful. The dinning room has been separated into three sections by low walls with wide marble tops on them. These walls help to break up an otherwise massive dining room but it also posed a huge design dilemma. How exactly do you decorate a wall that is only a foot wide? Their answer: a combination of table lamps and artificial palm trees in elaborate decorative urns. Each of the three walls staggered palm trees so that when you look from one side of the room to the other, the palms are not perfectly lined up.

Why it Works

There are so many reasons that this design is successful. The first reason is that the designer clearly chose urns that coordinated with the Tuscan-inspired design of the space. Grape clusters and grape leaf designs can be seen on the side of the un and the handles. Because they are so large and feature vertical branches, these trees draw the eye up toward the large lighting displays hanging from the ceiling. Finally, try picturing this room without these plants, it would be far too bland with various shades of tan and gold. These trees really did add some much-needed greenery to the room.

Keep an Eye Out

The next time you go out to your favorite restaurant, look around and take notice of their use of artificial plants. Brio is not the only company that understands the benefits of low-maintenance plants that require no water or sunlight. If you see a beautiful example, snap a pic and send it our way. We would love to feature it on a later blog post.