Finding Large Scale Botanical Prints

So, as you may have noticed, I have a thing for botanicals.  Small-scale botanicals are fairly easy to find- in books, on etsy, ebay, calendars, flea markets, antique shops, etc. (they're usually all bookplates or copies of bookplates so the size is no larger than the book) but large-scale botanicals aren't always as easy to come by. 
 
 
{Reproduction Cowslip & anemone botanical charts in our family room by The Evolution Store}
 
I've managed to get my hands on a few & when Erin @ The Impatient Gardener asked me where I'd found them, I thought I'd share some of my sources in a post.   (I hope you won't think I'm a one-trick pony when you see how many botanicals I've used in projects!!  I just have a serious passion for them!! ;)   The reproduction German education charts in my family room (above) are from The Evolution Store.    They have a wide (and gorgeous!)selection of botanicals, and in particular, a lot with black backgrounds, which are higher-contrast and feel bolder and more modern than those with light backgrounds.   I wanted my charts quickly & I needed a  pair, so going vintage wasn't really an option for me this time.  When I got the charts, I spent some time beating them up- I roughed up the edges a little and rolled and unrolled them a bunch, wrinkling them- so they'd more resemble my vintage ones.  I also splurged for the wooden dowels vs. the plastic dowels.  (ps- it's ridiculous that I spent all of this time making my new charts look old when I'm so careful & gentle with my old ones. hahaha  irony.)
 
The charts can be hung on nails like mine (above) or framed like these:
 
 {Room by S. Gambrel and the botanicals look like framed charts to me....  The Evolution Store carries all of these exact prints.}
 
The vintage botanical chart that sparked this post (below) is in my laundry room.  I found it at an antique store.  Any time I see rolled up vintage educational charts in a store, I go digging.  I unroll every single one and buy all of the ones that I love.  I keep them until the right project comes along. 
 
 
 
...And it always does. 
 
I found the mushroom chart in my middle son's nursery (below) at German Favorite Antiques, a local antique store in Leesburg, Virginia.  They have a nice selection of charts, though most that I've seen in the past are industrial / machine parts charts. 
 
 
 
Some of my favorite overscale botanicals are actual pressed botanicals or copies of actual pressed botanicals.  If you plan on buying actual pressed overscale botanicals, then get your wallet ready for it because they're not cheap (but OH MY GOSH THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL & I looooooooove them & do think it's worth the splurge if it's something you're passionate about...  Did you just hear me give myself an excuse to get one some day?? ;) ;))  BUT, there are a few posters around of overscale pressed botanicals.  Allposters.com carries these ginko leaves and they are so perfect:
 
 
 
 
Actual pressed plants will eventually fade over time whereas copies of the plants won't.
 
I wanted to do something similar but a little more personal for some clients of ours so, their kids & I went outside & found some pretty leaves from their back yard (from tulip trees.)  I took the leaves home and laid them out on my scanner and scanned them in.  Then I sent the images to an online company to have them blown up and printed on stretched canvas.  (below)
 
 
 
I came across this botanical (below) out at the Old Lucketts Store in Leesburg and I think it's a framed chart of a marsh marigold.
 

I found these two prints for a client's dining room (below) at Natural Curiosities, whose art work I love.  They purchase & acquire the rights to antique & vintage prints and reproduce them, often in large scale.  Everything from Natural Curiosities is even better in person than in photos because they "age" their papers and try to painstakingly replicate the originals. 

 


...Another great source for overscale botanicals (mostly charts) is etsy.  There are sellers selling actual vintage charts & there are a bunch selling new charts in the vintage style.  (Many of the new educational charts are actually being made on the very same machines that the originals were made on...  they are just 2012 versions of the originals, kind of like reprinting of books.  The vintage charts found online are typically more expensive than the new ones.)  It's sometimes hard to tell if a seller is selling vintage charts or reproductions so be sure to ask if  you're unsure. 

Anyway, I'm off for the day, but have a great one!!


 
ps- My blog was recently redone by my blog friend Carolyn V of Life in Graz Pittsburg & she is amazing!!!!  I've had such a great experience with her and you need to check out her adorable nursery!!!  (for her brand new baby, Alexander!!!)  Also, my other talented blog friend, Emily Thompson of Indie Shopography, did my online store (www.purestylehome.co) and she is awesome too!!  I can't recommend both of them enough!!

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

35 comments:

Jen @ RamblingRenovators said...

Love botanicals! I think they are very much "your" style and just lovely. Thanks for sharing your sources.

Anonymous said...

I share your love of large botanicals! I have the 2 large leaf ones from allposters that you featured here and I love them so much. Unfortunately I think ony one of the pair is sold now which is too bad bc they are so lovely together!

Janelle McCulloch said...

Hi Lauren,

I love these! I'm a botanical fan too. Our house has a strong leaf theme, just like yours. Mostly because I love gardens, and have written several books about gardens, but as our garden isn't very big I thought I'd 'extend' it inside, via posters and prints.

We have a store in Australia called Izzi & Pop, which has lots of vintage Belgium posters of botanical prints sourced from French & Belgium flea markets. They're not cheap - I bought 3 for $400 each - but they're beautiful.

I think I may have used your son's bedroom in a post without crediting, so will go back and credit now. It inspired us to paint our master bedroom and dressing room in navy. That chaise was gorgeous.

Liz said...

Three cheers for botanicals! I took apart a copy of "the Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady" by Edith B. Holden, and pinned her paintings and poems up in my living room. So fresh and vintage..vintagy fresh? Anyway, I love it. I love what you've done with the larger scale, as well. I'll have to get ahold of a couple of those for my family room. You are an inspiration! God bless- Liz

Anonymous said...

They're so sophisticated and beautiful- is it possible to just press and frame your own? The trick would be arranging them to look as beautiful as these prints!

Barbara Matson said...

They are beautiful. I think they are your signature, clearly you love using them in your designs! So you!

Catherine said...

All of these images are so inspiring! Lauren, I've always loved the way you use botanical prints, and no one could ever accuse you of being a one-trick pony. You have a signature style, for sure, but lots of ways to achieve it.

Anyway, could anyone find the prints from the 5th picture on AllPosters.com? I did a lot of searching, but that site is a wormhole! Help appreciated!

Acquired Objects said...

Your boys are so cute in the first picture. I think bring the outside in makes a home. Love your redone blog and that picture of you is wonderful. I can't believe you have your body back after baby number three so fast!

XX
Debra~

Erin @ The Impatient Gardener said...

Thank you so much for this post! Just the info I was looking for and tons of eye candy too!

Marissa Waddell said...

I can't believe the ginko prints are from All Posters! Do you have a link (I searched and couldn't find them).

Lori @ Lori May Interiors said...

I've been trying to figure out what to put above my desk for weeks now. An oversized botanical will be perfect. Thanks!

Lauren said...

Hahah debra I WISH! The pic is pre-Luke!!! Still not there yet!!
But thank you!!
Xoxo,
Lauren

Kris @ Driven by Décor said...

I love this post because, like you, I have a mad love for botanicals! When you posted a few months ago with pics of the new botanical charts in your family room I was so excited because it is EXACTLY what I was looking for. I placed an order with the Evolution Store within a few weeks but then received a call telling me that after years and years of carrying these, they no longer have a supplier for them and will not be getting any more in. They still have a few in stock but were out of stock on two of the three that I had ordered with no hope for getting more. If you or anyone else wants any of the charts that the Evolution Store still has left, order soon!

Barbara Jordan Dettweiler said...

I love large scale botanicals - especially on a black background like you said. It makes them so much bolder! Although I have a set of smaller ones in my store, I had the chance to buy several for my shop about a year ago at a market in Munich and I passed them up - I have been regretting it ever since!

Unknown said...

I too looked on allposters and could not find them. could you post a link? Thank so much!

Lauren said...

Sorry about the allposters link everyone!! :( It looks like they're no longer on them!! If anyone knows another source, we'd love to know it!! Thx!!
~Lauren

Mahala said...

I have always loved large scale, dark background botanical prints. I had wanted a pair for a number of years but I searched and searched and couldn't find any. In January I stumbled across three framed prints at Good Will! I bought all three and carried them home in 22 degree weather in my convertible with the top down. I got almost as many looks as the time I brought home my moose head from the thrift store! Best of all, they were $20 each! Good things come to those who wait!!!

Catherine said...

I did some sleuthing, and according to a 2011 Trad Home, those posters were sold at Art.com. (They might have also been sold at AllPosters, but they sourced Art.com). I couldn't find them there either, though, so I emailed them. Still waiting to hear back...

Unknown said...

so lovely! I'm going to make a trip to The Evolution Store tomorrow!

A Flippen Life said...

Thank you for sharing the info. about the oversized prints. I have been buying antique shell prints for years. My favorites have a black background and look almost like architectural fragments.

You have said that you can't keep houseplants alive, but you certainly fill your rooms with plenty of nature's beauty.

Kind regards,
Kathleen Sams Flippen

How2home said...

Wow....these botanico inspirations are fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Lauren,
This is fabulous! Thank you for all the great resources!!!

I love the updates to the blog layout. Looks fabulous!

blow it up,
Jennifer
xx

Pam said...

Thanks for all the botanical links, I've got to find a place for one. I also see on your photo,links on the side bar the most amazing leather couch! Oh my, is that from Anthro? It is seiously amazing.

shivaqni said...

Hiee Lauren,
I am a big fan of your work all the way from India. And this post specially could not resist from posting a comment. The day i saw your botanical love.. me too have become an admirer of it. I feel it would be rather difficult to find them here in India. But i will still try.
Lauren i too have a blog and keep posting my house updates. I would love if you would be able to pop into it especially with this wall i am sooo confused http://www.idiscovermystyle.blogspot.in/2012/01/i-wanted-to-start-this-year-with.html I would be really obliged and if you really feel that my work is pathetic, pls be blunt. It will really help me. Can you pls mail me at shivani_negi1@yahoo.co.in

Anonymous said...

Actual pressed plants are called herbariums. And you are right; they are very pricey. I just purchased a plant press from Amazon so that I could start to make my own.

Anonymous said...

Hi Lauren,
I love the botanicals. Went to the Evolution Store - crazy! The botanicals were the best part. :-)
I just posted a project I did and thought of you and your family. I follow your blog all of the time and love the way you include your little guys. The project is about personalizing dishes and is so great, and I just thought you would like it. Go to coloradorustico.com and look at the latest post. Have a great day! Can't wait to see your house as you get your hands on it!

traci zeller designs said...

I love botanicals ... and I love the new blog look! It is so fabulous with your fabric pattern in the background!!! I have a funny story for you ... will email and share!

Vel Criste said...

thanks for the tips lauren! I do love botanicals and got mine from a huge coffee-table book I scored form Barnes! I scored them off and framed them!

Maria Killam said...

Love your new look Lauren and that pic of you is HOT!
x
Maria

Anonymous said...

Looks like at least one of them can be found on art.com. Google dr Robert j Thornton gunnera leaf prints and you'll find them in a few places.

One bolt short of a toolbox said...

Love them!

Janet
door251.com

erin said...

I have the print from art.com but still need to frame it. Do you have any suggestions for affordable framing options for oversized prints? Love this post!

Tawna said...

You inspired a little botanical love for one of my offices....so excited! They will be the perfect solution to a somewhat boring bathroom and carry the olive greens we have going on. And the price on Etsy was so awesome...thanks for the direction.

Tawna

Anonymous said...

Yay! I just love finding new resources, and you have some goodies. I believe I have the perfect place for one of these botanicals. Great post!

Jamie Herzlinger said...

Oh I love botanical prints too!! One way I did it was, I bought a beautiful book with a bunch of prints and cut them out carefully and got them framed. They turned out beautifully! Cheap and easy!

Love, Jamie Herzlinger