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How to Style Pampas Grass and the Best Places to Buy it

the beginning

Once considered as a relic from the 1970’s, pampas grass or cortaderia selloana, is now back on-trend and can be seen on the pages and posts of all self-respecting interior design publications or social media. So, for the uninitiated here are some tips on how to style pampas grass and the best places to buy it.

Table top in modern room showing examples of pampas grass - or wicker decorTable top in modern room showing examples of pampas grass - or wicker decor

why it works

Pampas grass has a wheat-like neutral colour and this means that it’ll fit in nicely with, more or less, any interior colour scheme. It’s also full of grace, with its long stalks and fluffy floral heads. Beautiful and versatile, you can achieve a wide range of styles that will complement and bring to life any living space or bedroom.

Pampas grass has a wheat-like neutral colour and this means that it’ll fit in nicely with any interior colour schemePampas grass has a wheat-like neutral colour and this means that it’ll fit in nicely with any interior colour scheme

seasonal splendour

Arranged alongside some other seasonal-themed items, pampas grass can help to make any time of the year feel a little more special. Inspiration for autumn includes vintage wooden apple boxes, painted pumpkins and natural fibre twine all make happy bedfellows for pampas grass displays - think harvest festivals and wheat swaying gently in the breeze.

Inspiration for autumn includes vintage wooden apple boxes, painted pumpkins and natural fibre twine all make happy bedfellows for pampas grass displaysInspiration for autumn includes vintage wooden apple boxes, painted pumpkins and natural fibre twine all make happy bedfellows for pampas grass displays

dark drama

When it comes to contrast pampas grass works really well with black blue and other dramatic dark wall tones – also currently on-trend. These bring out the golden tones from the grass and also pair really nicely with lush green foliage from plants and worn blue/green ceramics and     

When it comes to contrast pampas grass works really well with black blue and other dramatic dark wall tonesWhen it comes to contrast pampas grass works really well with black blue and other dramatic dark wall tones

glitz and glamour

A simple pampa grass arrangement, placed on a sideboard and accompanied by a cocktail set and candles will provide the perfect addition to spaces that are glitzy and glamourous. Monochrome themes accented by copper or brass, bold patterns and rich velvet furnishings work well as backdrops to this scenario and when it’s time for drinks, choose a delicious Hollywood cocktail.  

A simple pampa grass arrangement, placed on a sideboard and accompanied by a cocktail set and candles will provide the perfect addition to spaces that are glitzy and glamourous.A simple pampa grass arrangement, placed on a sideboard and accompanied by a cocktail set and candles will provide the perfect addition to spaces that are glitzy and glamourous.

dandy scandi

Used in rooms which are essentially neutral in tone, whether they be white, stone or beige, pampas grass gives you a graceful, willowy silhouette, particularly if they are lit nicely with natural or a lovely lamp. The dandy Scandi look is airy, with clean lines, but with soft subtle hints of decadence – provided by the pampas.

The dandy Scandi look is airy, with clean lines, but with soft subtle hints of decadence – provided by the pampas.The dandy Scandi look is airy, with clean lines, but with soft subtle hints of decadence – provided by the pampas.

where to buy pampas grass

Due to its current popularity, it’s not difficult to source pampas grass, in fact you may be able to pick up some pampas in your local supermarket – Waitrose Garden, for example stock it. Home and garden centres are also well worth checking out, as is your local plant nursery. If you’re looking for dried pampas and want a quick fix solution, then a respectable florist is perhaps your best bet – most good florists who don’t have it in stock will be glad to order it for you and so maybe give them a call or drop in as you’re passing to avoid a wasted journey.

Your final option is to grow some pampas from seed, however be warned, it takes up to three years before the grass begins to produce those luscious plumes – so not the best approach for the impatient.    

Our final option is to grow some pampas from seedOur final option is to grow some pampas from seed

Perfect pair to your pampas grass:

DIY pampas styling

If you are wanting to get crafty and achieve a pampas-look that is completely unique- look no further!

create your own pampas fireplace garland

This is perfect for a cosy Autumnal feel leading up to the Christmas season. Don’t be put off by the extravagant finished look- this is relatively easy to create!

You will need a large slab of Oasis (you can get this from your local florist) that you then need to soak in water (the sink / bath is the best bet for this). After soaking, pop them on your mantel piece and begin sticking the foliage / dried flowers into the oasis until you can no longer see the oasis and are happy with the finished look!

For the foliage, you may want to use Eucalyptus, Ruscus and Limonium Sinensis- but of course this is completely up to you! Although, Eucalyptus has the extra plus of making the whole room smell amazing! For the dried flowers, along with the pampas grass, you can add, dried daisy flowers, bunny tail grass and some sprayed wild grass. You may want to weave some fairy lights through at the end- for that extra magical finish.

      TOP TIPS:

  1. add a touch of water to the oasis every couple of days to stop it from drying out.
  2. Hide a couple of miniature diffusers inside the garland to unleash an even greater aroma!

create your own pampas wreath

To add even more autumnal-ness to your home you can create your own pampas wreath! This could go on the outside / inside of your front door or on any bare wall in the house! By making it yourself you can fit it exactly to your home style, whether that is bohemian, farmhouse, minimal or Scandi.

To make the basis of the wreath you will need a 10” metal hoop or a flexible metal wire that you can bend into a circle and tape together. For this, you may want to opt for a fluffier pampas grass- that way the finished wreath will be full and fluffy with minimal gaps. Trim the pampas grass stem so it is 3-4” and then position it on the metal hoop and wrap metal wire around both the stem and the metal hoop several times so they are attached together. Then, place the top (plume) of the next pampas grass on the attached stem of the previous pampas grass, that way it covers up the metal wire. Repeat this process until the metal hoop is covered and you have completed your wreath!

Feel free to add any other dried flowers or foliage that take your fancy!

accentuating the natural elements

Since the early 2000’s, minimalism has taken over the world of interiors, following the motto that ‘less is more’. However, there is a fine line between achieving minimalism within your home and looking like you live in a hospital clinic! You still want to ‘make your house a home’, as the saying goes. The ‘natural elements’ trend is the perfect way to add detail, texture and dimension to your home whilst still in-keeping with minimalism. Pampas grass certainly achieves this- adding detail to a bare space with the neutral colour tones still giving a minimal finish. Other natural materials that have a similar effect are ceramic, cement and light wood.

light wood

We have a wide variety of rattan / light wood shades that completement pampas grass perfectly. Placing an oversized vase full of pampas grass in a room with one of these shades will be sure to create a seamless finish of co-ordinating textures and earthy colourways.