The finishing touch

Press, 15 September 1988, Page 24

The finishing touch

The finishing touch for any home or office is an attractive, lovingly nurtured array of potplants, but not everyone has the touch or the time for keeping their greenery looking at its best. The perfect solution is artificial plant displays, which today are so cleverly made that it is difficult to distinguish them from the real thing unless you look hard. Jacqueline’s Commercial, based at 6 Sheffield Crescent, imports and gives life to the plants that arrive from Asian countries packed flat in boxes. Ficus, dieffenbachia, spathiphyllum, yucca, dracena, palms, ivy and Boston ferns are just a few of the plants made from polyester synthetic materials. Jacqueline’s Commercial offers a service ex-

tending into interior design. They // visit , 1 the premises where, the plants are required, look at the colour scherpes?and ! style, make suggestions and jgive quotes, '' ’ says, , Shelley Neutze,' the sales 3 manager. ->■■■. “We have a plant to suit every style of decor,-from the traditional to the- ultra modern. Flowers can be chosen to pick up a: colour in the decor,”? says Shelley Neutze. Jacqueline’s Commercial have a variety of containers — spun aluminium, terracotta, brassware and other new lines. The plants are fixed in the pot by plaster.sj.Moss on topgives ja realistic appearance./ 1 Assemblings each plant is a labour intensive process. Each leaf must be securely glued on to plastic stems; these are well made and look quite

authentic, .she says. Here it is, possible to cheat on Nature by making, a plaqt bushy at the , bottom, or to a suitable shape.” Plants can be made to any height. Commonly;; they reach 15 feet .« “ Even though X these plants will not wilt and die from lack of water, they do need some maintenance. A light dusting will keep them at their glossy best. Jacqueline’s Commercial offer a plant cleaning service and contact their clients about every six months to see if any maintenance is required. ' ' A range of plants made by Jacqueline’s Commercial is on display at the Canterbury "Building Centre. The firm has a wholesale division, Art Fleur, and a retail division, World Gallery 96 in Papanui Road.