Few things bring a room to life or add that last special something like a beautiful arrangement of flowers. My personal obsession with fresh flowers and potted plants led me to add two floral columns to Design*Sponge and drag several of my editors along to countless flower arranging classes so we could learn more. For some people, flower arrangements can be somewhat daunting, but they can be easy, and exciting, to create.
In this section I’m going to walk you through some of the basic terms, tools, ideas, and guidelines for arranging flowers. Because I’m still learning, I got some expert help from Design*Sponge editor Amy Merrick. In addition to helping with the guidelines in the beginning of this section, Amy created ten beautiful arrangements that will illustrate key lessons in floral design, ranging from how to combine textures and vary heights, to using unexpected materials and vessels for your arrangements. By the time you try her ten basic arrangement styles, you will feel confident enough to pull together flowers for everything from a special holiday centerpiece to a bedside table bouquet. And, because we’re all trying to keep costs down, Amy has kept a budget in mind for these arrangements, and has listed some savvy sources.
I also invited Design*Sponge contributor Sarah Ryhanen to create a series of flower arrangements inspired by the homes in Sneak Peeks. The arrangements vary from the simplest single-stem groupings to dramatic centerpieces using driftwood. For each project, Sarah walks you through the flowers and supplies you’ll need and teaches you how to re-create the look. Hopefully, these will inspire you to look to your own home for ideas when creating special arrangements.
floral basics
Understanding Flower Types
Flowers are typically broken down into three basic categories:
• Line flowers: Tall, sculptural blooms that add structure to an arrangement. These flowers are often strong enough (both visually and physically) to stand on their own in a vase, but can also be used to add height to a group arrangement. examples: gladiolus, molucella, snapdragon, stock, bells of Ireland
• Mass flowers: Full, round flowers that bring weight to your arrangement. Twirl the flower in a circle—if it looks the same all the way around (like a hydrangea) it’s a mass flower. Just as the name implies, mass flowers look great gathered together in a large group. They can also be used to fill larger holes in an arrangement. examples: hydrangea, rose, carnation, tulip, gerbera, sunflower
• Filler flowers: These blooms are often underrated. And if you are going for affordable bouquets, that’s a good thing because you can often find these flowers for next to nothing at flower shops—and sometimes in your own backyard. Think of filler flowers as mostly stems, perhaps with a few leaves or flowers. They can help to create a base for a flower arrangement or give a bouquet a fuller look. Or try using them on their own: Some filler flowers are pretty enough to stand alone. examples: ferns, Queen Anne’s lace, heather, hypericum berries, aster, wax flower
Unexpected Elements
To add texture and color to a flower arrangement, consider adding the following:
• Fruit: Small lemons, oranges, or berries on their branches can add wonderful pops of color to an arrangement. If using citrus fruits, attach them to floral sticks.
• Herbs: Try a small-leafed herb like purple basil in your arrangement, or add height, line, and a wonderful smell with a fragrant plant like rosemary or lavender.
• Succulents: Attach these plants to floral sticks. Use a bit of floral wire to keep them in place.
Tools of the Trade
Professional florists have all sorts of fancy tools at their disposal, but these basics are what you’ll need for home arranging:
• Scissors: Florists are very protective of their cutting shears for a reason: The sharper the blades, the better the stems will cut.
• Vessels: Having a wide range of vases and vessels on hand means you’re more likely to experiment with different flowers and arrangements. Think outside the box: Try a variety of vase shapes (tall, short, round, etc.), vintage jars (mason and jelly jars are perfect for simple arrangements), tea tins (make sure they are water-tight), and trophies (such a fun shape to work with).
• String: When working with smaller arrangements, tie the stems together with string to keep everything in place. Butchers twine works fine for this.
• Frogs: Floral frogs are a great way to anchor flowers and a good alternative to floral foam, which is usually petroleum-based and therefore not great for the environment. Frogs are inexpensive, can be found in a variety of different materials, and are perfect for securing individual flowers in an arrangement. Balled-up chicken wire is a good alternative to a frog.
• Extras: Floral tape, floral sticks, floral foam, and floral wire are helpful for controlling your arrangements, but aren’t necessary for most.
Cutting and Preserving Flowers
The way you cut flowers can have a big impact on the lifespan of your arrangement. Remember to:
• Always cut flowers with a very sharp pair of scissors or a knife. If you use a knife, be sure to cut through the stem in one stiff motion rather than sawing back and forth. The faster and cleaner the cut, the less likely you are to damage the stem and prevent water from getting to the flower.
• Always cut on an angle. A 45-degree angle is what you are aiming for. This will create more surface area than a straight-across cut, allowing more water to be absorbed by the flower.
• Cut under water. Trim flowers under the tap or as close to water as possible. The longer you wait between cutting and placing your flower directly into water, the sooner your flower will wilt.
• Cut between stem nodes or joints. When cutting flowers in the wild (or in your garden), be sure to trim above the nodes and joints, which are the points at which new leaves or flower buds grow. These resemble little knobs on the stems.
• Change the water every day. Opinions are divided over whether preservative powders and mixtures (those little packs of white powder—mostly sugar and bleach—that get stapled to your cut flowers) really work. In truth, the best way to keep your flowers alive for as long as possible is to change the water every day. If you use a clear glass vase you’re more likely to notice when the water looks murky. Keeping flowers in a cool place will also prolong their life.
Flower Arranging Tips
When it comes to flower design, there are many different styles and methods. At Design*Sponge, we throw most of the rules out of the window and stick to a few key ideas. If you follow these guidelines (which are based on traditional Western flower design principles), you’ll learn to create strong, balanced arrangements while staying true to your particular tastes and style.
• Group flowers in odd numbers. Arranging in uneven numbers is always more pleasing to the eye. If you’re working with a small number of flowers, consider using three stems in a vase rather than four. If you’re making a larger arrangement, try to cluster flowers in threes within the arrangement to create strong areas of color and texture.
• Create a range of heights. Using a combination of filler, line, and mass flowers will help to vary the heights in your arrangement, which will make the display more visually appealing. An arrangement will often have three tiers: lower, creeping flowers (jasmine and ivy vines are great for this), followed by the main flowers (roses, peonies, tulips, and other blooms that are medium height and add mass), and finally the top tier blooms that contribute height and structure (branches are great for this purpose).
• Contrast textures. A variety of textures always makes for a balanced arrangement. For example, pairing lacier flowers (maiden’s hair ferns, Queen Anne’s lace) with full, soft flowers (peonies or roses) will create a romantic, feminine arrangement that is pleasing to the eye.
• Choose hues carefully. Color has weight. Darker flowers often seem to be heavier and more prominent in an arrangement. Rather than placing a dark flower at the bottom of an arrangement (where the eye will be drawn downward) consider putting it up higher, where it will attract attention to other interesting flowers in the arrangement.
Now that you know your flower types, how to cut and preserve flowers, and some basic floral design tips, you’re ready to create an arrangement! Here are some simple steps to get you started.
• Create a base. Most people want to head straight for their show-stopper flowers when creating an arrangement. But it’s best to first form a foundation for those blooms. Starting with your filler flowers, place them in the vessel so that their stems cross, creating a lattice that will act as a support system for the other flowers.
• Add your mass flowers. Peonies, roses, and round-faced flowers are now ready to be added. Insert them into the lattice you created. Make sure the flower heads are well supported by the filler flowers. For instance, the filler flowers can lean against the heavier flower heads to prevent drooping and snapping. When adding these flowers, remember to vary their location and height within the arrangement.
• Add the taller flowers. Tall stalks, branches, and leggier flowers should be added last, as accents to the main body of the arrangement. Vary their location and height to avoid creating a uniform tall wall above the mass flowers. Sarah at Saipua says these flowers are a way of adding “the feeling of movement” to an arrangement. For instance, a particularly leggy and twisted Ranunculus can add a playful and light note to a bouquet.
• Spin your vase around. It’s perfectly fine if the back of your arrangement isn’t as pretty as the front. But if you have extra flowers, consider spinning the arrangement around to see if there are any holes that need filling. Try adding small, odd-numbered groups of mass flowers to your arrangement. For example, if you have a large hole in the bouquet, instead of using a big peony to fill the space consider instead adding a group of three smaller mass flowers like Scabiosa.
Simple and Staggered Arrangement
lesson
Using staggered heights to mimic natural growth
approximate cost
$30
we used
Cosmos
alternatives
Ranunculus, nigella, Scabiosa, daisies
vase
Fluted vase
other materials
Small frog (optional)
instead of leaving your flowers all at the same height, try cutting the stems at varying lengths to create a simple arrangement that is reminiscent of flowers growing in the garden.
instructions
Starting at the high point, roughly twice the height of the vase, and working down, hold flowers up to your vase to check placement before you clip their stems and place them in your container. Because cosmos have a natural flexibility and the mouth of this vase was wide, I used a small flower frog to hold the flowers in the center upright. This staggering technique can be used in all types of vessels and works with all kinds of flowers.
lesson
Using one large focal flower as an arrangement in itself
approximate cost
$15
we used
Tree peony, chocolate cosmos, Bradford pear foliage
alternatives
Dahlias, peonies, amaryllis for the face flower; branches, dusty miller, lambs ear for the foliage
vase
Glass bud vase
ONE GORGEOUS, FULL-FACED FLOWER combined with a little bit of foliage is sometimes all you need to create a show-stopping arrangement. When money and time are tight, it’s easiest to let a beautiful flower speak for itself.
instructions
Place your foliage in the bud vase. Add your large flower, keeping in mind that it will look most natural if its center rests on the mouth of the vase. Include a cluster of wispy, small flowers to add interest.
lesson
Using floral foam to create a low, cascading arrangement
approximate cost
$35
we used
Hydrangea, dahlias, passion vine, astilbe, geranium, cosmos, Bradford pear branches
alternatives
Garden roses, ivy, Scabiosa, hosta leaves, lilac
vase
Bowl, low-footed urn, or compote
other materials
Floral foam
CREATING A CASCADING ARRANGEMENT in floral foam is a surprisingly easy way to showcase a few standout flowers. These arrangements look especially pretty in bowls, footed urns, and compotes.
instructions
Cut down a block of floral foam to fit in your vessel and soak in water for 10 minutes (do not use foam for dried flowers). Place foam in your bowl, hole side down, and fill with water (I used a liner in my terra-cotta urn as it wasn’t watertight). Use your hydrangea and branches to create a natural, soft coverage of your foam, then add your few largest show flowers. Place any gesture flowers and trailing vines last. When using foam, if you remove a flower from its place, you will need to retrim its stem before using it again. Consider the placement of each flower carefully, as too much moving of stems will fill the foam with holes and cause it to crumble.
we used
Baby’s breath
alternatives
Wax flower, carnations, chamomile
vase
Decorative tea tins
other materials
Clear silicone caulk (optional), twine
OFTEN-OVERLOOKED FILLER FLOWERS CAN make adorable arrangements clustered en masse. To create a cheeky centerpiece, use a variety of tea tins repurposed as vases. Even grocery-store coffee cans act as impromptu vessels when you need to create something colorful, fun, and inexpensive.
instructions
Test your tins to make sure they don’t leak. If they do, smooth some clear silicone caulk (available at the hardware store) over all of the inside seams and allow to dry. Next make a small but dense bouquet of baby’s breath in your hand by clipping off the side shoots of flowers on each stem to have more manageable pieces. Once you have created a dome shape to fit your tea tin, tie off the stems with twine and place in water.
lesson
Using only branches to create a large, dramatic display
approximate cost
$30
we used
Burning bush branches
alternatives
Dogwood, crab apple, Russian olive, Bradford pear branches, spirea
vase
Footed cup vase or chalice-style vase
other materials
Chicken wire
WHEN YOU NEED SOMETHING large and dramatic but don’t want to fork over serious money, try making an arrangement with only branches. Flowering branches look beautiful in the spring, and colorful foliage and fruiting branches are perfect for fall.
instructions
Clip a medium-sized square of chicken wire to ball up and place in the bottom of your urn (this will act as your support). Starting with the largest branches first, place them in the urn so that the chicken wire holds them in place. Continue to add more branches as you turn the vase to create a full and round arrangement that can be viewed from all angles.
Unexpected Element Arrangement
lesson
Focusing on textural greens and natural elements instead of flowers in arrangements
approximate cost
$25
we used
Artichokes, ferns, geranium leaf, rosemary, passion vine, Scabiosa buds
alternatives
Succulents, crab apple, cockscomb, wild grasses, basil
vase
Large water or juice cup (we used a Jadeite cup)
other materials
Bamboo skewers (optional)
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX when it comes to materials for your arrangements. Fruits, vegetables, herbs, and houseplant cuttings can make fun, unexpected mixed arrangements and can cost less than their floral counterparts. Now your backyard garden can add to your centerpiece as well as your dinner.
instructions
Place your bulkiest element first—I used two artichokes on the stalk. If you’re unable to find fruits or vegetables still on the stalk, you can push bamboo skewers through the centers to create makeshift stems. Continue to add fronds and leaves to create a lush mixed arrangement.
lesson
Making a small hand-tied bouquet with three main types of flowers
approximate cost
$25
we used
Anemones, Amensia roses, spray roses, begonia leaf, Scabiosa
alternatives
Ranunculus, dahlias, peonies, cosmos, foliage
vase
Mason jar
other materials
Rubber band, ribbon
USING JUST A FEW kinds of flowers and a pretty ribbon, a simple hand-tied bouquet makes a sweet gift or display when placed in a mason jar. The addition of a velvet ribbon elevates the arrangement enough to make it perfect for a homespun wedding. So if the price of wedding flowers seems overwhelming, consider tying your own bouquet to keep costs more reasonable.
instructions
Starting at the top center, make a loose dome shape by spiraling the stems in the same direction. Clustering one type of flower together adds a natural, effortless look. Add a single pretty leaf to offset the bouquet and while holding it loosely in one hand, send a few small gesture flowers (leggy blooms that mimic growth or movement) down the center. Use a rubber band to secure the stems, tie a pretty ribbon around it, and clip the stems to the same length.
lesson
Creating a loose, just picked from the field–style arrangement
approximate cost
$35
we used
Dahlias, Bradford pear, astilbe, cosmos, wax flower
alternatives
Roses, foliage, Queen Anne’s lace, Scabiosa, sedum
vase
Large glass cup
BY MIXING TEXTURES AND types of flowers, creating a loose, natural arrangement is a snap. No matter what season it is, you can always choose from an array of inexpensive leaves, branches, and filler flowers. Select a range of textures and colors and you’ll have an arrangement that feels beautiful, organic, and effortless.
instructions
Create a frame for your arrangement by placing branches in your vase first. Add in your filler flowers, such as sedum or wax flower. Then cluster together several of your fuller flowers to create a focal point. Last, add a few gesture flowers to create natural movement.
we used
Dahlias, hocus pocus roses, garden roses
alternatives
Peonies, hydrangea, lilac
vase
Wide cylinder vase (we used a mercury glass vase)
DOME-SHAPED ARRANGEMENTS ARE A classic, goof-proof option for a centerpiece. Mixed flowers in tonal colors make a great dressedup arrangement, while using only one type gives a simple, casual look. Don’t fret if your dome shape is less than perfect: a naturally rounded shape will look just as elegant.
instructions
Starting along the lip of your vase, place flowers in a spiral pattern so that the stems cross one another as you go around the circle. Continue to spiral upward, varying flower types to create a dense arrangement with texture.
lesson
Using natural elements combined with small arrangements and single stems to create a tablescape
approximate cost
$50 (including pumpkins)
we used
Garden roses, geranium leaves, rosemary, persimmons on the branch, amaranthus, cinderella and baby boo pumpkins
alternatives
Crab apple branches, hosta leaves, ferns, basil
vase
An assortment of bottles, a teacup, and/or small vases
other materials
chicken wire
MAKING A FESTIVE AND memorable centerpiece is as easy as combining natural elements like these heirloom pumpkins with a simple mix of bottles, stems, and miniature arrangements. Rather than going overboard with cornucopias and larger pieces, you can get the same effect by grouping smaller arrangements around a central focal point.
instructions
Find a complementary mix of bottles and vases to create a tablescape. To make a small arrangement in a teacup, cut a small square of chicken wire, ball up, and place inside to act as the support for the flowers. A combination of one type of flower, two types of greens, and one type of branch makes a quick and simple small arrangement. By adding bottles of varying heights filled with branches and leaves, the tablescape is complete.
Vintage Bottles for the Avid Collector
inspiration
Amy Merrick’s Brooklyn apartment
approximate cost
$10
we used
Ranunculus
alternatives
Look for wildflowers with twisting and turning stems: Queen Anne’s lace, echinacea, daisies, or garden roses with leggy stems would all look lovely. The key is to keep them at different heights, combining open flowers with closed buds.
vase
A mix of narrow-necked vintage bottles in a range of sizes (try eBay, Craigslist, thrift stores, and junk shops for inexpensive bottles)
DESIGN*SPONGE EDITOR AMY MERRICK has such neat collections of everything—her house is like a beautiful curio cabinet. Sarah was inspired to use old medicine bottles (like the ones Amy collects) to elevate a few simple stems of Ranunculus to specimen status. The best thing about this type of floral arrangement is that you can save money by focusing on only a few special blooms, rather than a full bouquet. Try using a mixture of different bottle colors and heights to give more visual interest to the arrangement.
instructions
Place a single bloom in each vase and use a range of vases in varying heights. Be sure to consider the unopened blooms as well. Their tiny buds often act as bits of sculpture next to the open blooms.
inspiration
Genifer Goodman Sohr’s Nashville cottage
approximate cost
$50 to $100
we used
Tree peonies, boronia, Leucadendron, pepperberry, pomegranates, and chocolate cosmos
alternatives
Any combination of trailing vines (such as ferns and wild vines), berries, round fruits (try citrus), and flowers (garden roses). Consider spray painting the citrus a metallic color for a richer feel.
Sarah loved the log cabin walls in designer Genifer Goodman Sohr’s home so much that she was inspired to create an arrangement that would fit a woodsy cabin theme. Using naturally fallen birch bark, she created a custom vase and an arrangement to fit the home’s red and pink theme. The best part about this arrangement? You can simply slide the birch bark off the vase when you’re done and reapply it to a different vessel for a new bouquet.
instructions
1 Using a 6 × 6-inch cylinder (a large tin can will work nicely), wrap a piece of birch bark around the perimeter. The birch pieces have a natural curve to them, so it should be very easy to wrap around a simple cylindrical vase.
2 After wrapping, cut the strip of birch down with a knife or razor blade so that it matches the height of the vase. Secure with hot glue, or tie with twine to hold it in place.
3 For the arrangement, loosely gather your main elements (tree peonies and boronia) and place them in your birch vase. Attach the fruit to floral sticks and add in the remaining elements piece by piece until you have an arrangement that feels balanced, but still loose—like something you’d put together when staying at a cozy log cabin.
A tip about birch bark
As birch trees age, they discard layers of their bark, leaving it on the forest floor. The texture is divine—papery and very malleable. The best time to grab it is in the fall—but please don’t attempt to cut bark off a living tree!
we used
Geranium leaves, Ranunculus, tillandsia (air plants), tulips, Amaranthus
alternatives
This arrangement is all about the color palette. To create a similar green and white look at a lower cost, try white (or a combination of white and green) carnations or spray roses. Basil leaves would work well as filler foliage. Ivy, jasmine, or another trailing element can replace the Amaranthus.
other materials
Floral foam, floral wire, floral sticks (optional)
SARAH LOVED THE MANY shades of green in textile designer Bonnee Sharp’s bedroom and decided to capture all of that verdant color in a more condensed form. By using a compote as a vase, she elevates this little study from easy to elegant. Simple tricks like changing the height of the container—whether this means using a taller vessel or standing a shorter one on a stack of books—can have a dramatic effect.
instructions
1 Place a 2-inch cube of soaked floral foam in a shallow compote or similar raised container. Add the geranium leaves and Ranunculus to create a base for the air plants.
2 Using floral wire, attach the air plants to floral sticks or the stems of other flowers and bend them into the desired position.
3 Once the air plants are in place, fill any remaining holes in the arrangement with tulips and Amaranthus.
inspiration
Linda and John Meyers’ Portland, Maine, home
approximate cost
Most of these things you can find in your yard or the woods—just be sure you have permission to gather them.
we used
Black Queen Anne’s lace, morning glory vines, Leucadendron, begonia leaves, and agonis
alternatives
A mix of wildflowers, vines, and leaves gives this loose arrangement its character. Save money by substituting a mix of native plants from your area. Queen Anne’s lace is often found growing wild in fields: Keep an eye out for this plant when you’re driving around town (but don’t take anything growing in a protected area or on private property).
vase
Piece of driftwood that has natural openings in it
other materials
Floral foam
EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK IN designers Linda and John Meyers’ house there seems to be something interesting hidden. It’s dense with dark, layered colors, like a whimsically patterned forest. Sarah wanted to create an arrangement that felt as dramatic, so she used a large driftwood log to act as the base for this colorful arrangement. When creating a centerpiece for your next dinner party, consider using something unexpected as a container, like a piece of driftwood or a hollow log—it will get your guests talking and will inspire you to create an arrangement that is more free-flowing and natural.
instructions
1 Using a piece of driftwood (if you don’t have access to any, try eBay for affordable pieces), stuff a 5-inch cube of soaked floral foam (the size of the foam will depend on the piece of wood you use) into a hole to act as the base of the arrangement.
2 Starting with the larger stems and working toward the smallest, place your flowers into the foam. This arrangement is meant to be loose and flowing, so don’t be afraid to let pieces hang where they may.
note: Because of the lack of a water reservoir, this arrangement won’t last as long as others—but it will make an impressive centerpiece for a party or special event.
we used
Peach garden roses, tuberose
alternatives
This arrangement is all about color and fragrance. When going small like this, it’s worth splurging on a nice flower or two, but if you want to keep costs even lower you can replace the roses with similarly colored carnations.
vase
A long-necked vase that flares at the opening
THE FRENCH ARE SERIOUS about flowers—and are known to pay particular attention to the fragrance of their blooms. The pale peach color in Basic French owner Carol Neiley’s bedroom helped determine the color of this fragrant nosegay set in a petite parfait glass. We have a feeling Carol’s French neighbors would approve of this fragrant bunch.
instructions
To create this simple arrangement, start by using primary flowers clustered in threes. The main ingredient here is a set of three garden roses; the secondary flower, tuberose, is added behind as an astute pair. Don’t be afraid to leave things simple—sometimes less is more when it comes to fragrant flowers. You don’t want to overwhelm the room with scent, so stick to a small number of fragrant blooms.
inspiration
Su-Lyn Tan and Aun Koh’s red door in Singapore
approximate cost
$40
we used
Roses, rose hips, grasses, Ranunculus
alternatives
Carnations now come in a stunning array of colors. Pick an assortment of various reds and purples to create a similar arrangement at a lower price.
vase
A red vase or container with a narrow neck
THE RED DOOR TO Su-Lyn and Aun’s home really sets the tone for how we view its interior. Sarah wanted to mimic this intense color with an all-red arrangement, while showing how to work with different shades of the same color. Once you’ve chosen a red vessel to act as the main color, try working with a mix of reds, pinks, and purples that will be enhanced by the vivid red of the base.
instructions
1 Start with your favorite, or a particularly interesting, bloom and place it in the center of your palm (see Note). Working outward from there, continue to add blooms, making sure to vary the height of each flower as you go. For this arrangement, Sarah kept the stems long so she could keep adjusting the blooms before placing them in the vase. This is a great technique if you’re working with a vessel that has a small opening.
2 When you’re done, trim the stems and place the flowers in your vessel. Then fluff and tweak a few stems outward to give the arrangement a fuller feel.
note: Sarah made this arrangement in her hand, keeping the stems rather tight in her fist as she worked to account for the small opening in the ceramic vessel.
Tip
When working with one color in an arrangement it’s best to focus on variations in shade, texture, and size. Look for plants, leaves, vines, and flowers that represent a wide range of your color and you’ll create an arrangement with more depth. To add a visual “pop” try mixing in a small bit of complementary color. In this case, green enhances the richness of the red blooms.
we used
Succulents, Echeveria, Agonis, silver brunia, hanging Amaranthus, seeded eucalyptus, Ranunculus, and umbrella fern
alternatives
This bouquet features trailing flowers combined with heavier, sculptural blooms. Try replacing the filler and trailing flowers with ferns, wild berries, and vines. Many of those elements can be found for free in your backyard or in local fields. Small spray roses work in place of the Ranunuculus.
vase
A low, wide vase or container works best here. A small wooden box would make a great alternative.
other material
Chicken wire, wooden floral sticks
A GARDEN DESIGNER AND owner of Sprout Home, Tara Heibel’s home is filled with all sorts of interesting green plants. As a fellow florist, Sarah was drawn to Sprout Home’s textural and unusual arrangements and decided to create one that reflects the modern feel of Tara’s home and floral style. Don’t be afraid to work succulents and other types of greenery into your arrangements at home—varying shades of green can be just as beautiful as (and much less expensive than) colorful flowers.
instructions
1 Place a sheet of chicken wire inside an aluminum cube (plastic, ceramic, or wood will work just as well). You can find chicken wire at most hardware stores or home improvement centers.
2 Wire the succulents to the wooden sticks so you can place them in the chicken wire just like the other flowers in the arrangement.
3 Once the succulents are wired, put them in the vase (use the chicken wire to hold them in place). Then fill the open spaces with the other flowers and greens to make a layered, lush composition.
we used
Silver Leucadendron, Ranunculus and Ranunculus buds, and Scabiosa and Scabiosa buds
alternatives
Carnations, daisies, and spray roses make a great alternative to the Ranunculus. Chamomile can stand in for the Ranunculus. Trade the Leucadendron for succulents (which are inexpensive and can be found at most garden stores). The key is to mix buds with open flowers.
vase
Teacup, coffee mug, or short, squat vase with a wide opening
other materials
Floral foam or string (optional)
IT’S ALWAYS SO MUCH fun to make arrangements in an unexpected container. Sara was instantly drawn to Lynda’s china cabinet full of mixed china patterns and decided to celebrate the common teacup for this arrangement. If teacups aren’t your thing, you can always look to your cabinet for short juice glasses or vintage cordial cups to create a similar effect.
instructions
1 Place a 2-inch cube of soaked floral foam into the teacup. Set the cup on the saucer as though you might drink from it, so the handle is properly oriented.
2 Begin adding flowers, using the silver Leucadendron and perhaps some taller Ranunculus blooms as the backdrop, and filling in toward the front with Ranunculus and Scabiosa blooms and buds. Alternatively, you can make this tiny bouquet in your hand and tie it together with string. Cut the stems short and “float” the bouquet in the cup, without the foam.
inspiration
Joy Thigpen’s Winder, Georgia, home
approximate cost
$50 to $100
we used
Freesia, roses, Ranunculus, pepper berry, Leucadendron, tea roses, brunia
alternatives
Color-based arrangements can work with a wide range of budget-friendly flowers. Try carnations and spray roses in place of the freesia, roses, and tea roses. Native ferns can replace the hanging vines. Find a range of colors and fade them from left to right while varying the texture. If using carnations, consider adding in raspberries or even miniature grape branches.
vase
A tall vase works best, but as long as the vase has a wide opening or an opening that matches the width of the vase’s body, you can scale down the arrangement to fit a shorter vase.
other materials
String (optional)
THIS ARRANGEMENT REPLICATES THE color gradient in the bedroom of creative director and stylist Joy Thigpen’s daughter. The gentle fading of colors is a great way to work with inexpensive flowers from your corner market. Simply choose three or four different colors and let the color flow from one bloom to the next. Sara chose a creamy white trophy vase from Yellow Owl Workshop to house the arrangement because of its fresh, youthful feel—but it also acts as a neutral backdrop for the colorful arrangement.
instructions
To create the fading color, start with a single color at one side of your arrangement and work toward the other side, slowly integrating more flowers in the next color of the rainbow. If rainbow colors are too bold for your tastes, try creating a fade by moving from the darkest to lightest shade of a single color family (see Arrangement of Red Tones).
Tip
When working with taller vases, it’s easiest to make your arrangement in your hand, tie it off with a bit of raffia or string, and then set the bouquet in your vessel.
inspiration
Vintage trophy collection at Lynda Gardener’s Daylesford country home
approximate cost
$50 to $175
we used
Tree peonies, Leucadendron, Agonis, orchids, chocolate cosmos, grass
alternatives
For a less pricey version of this arrangement, substitute mass flowers like garden roses or small-flowered hydrangea to fill the majority of the vase. Rather than orchids, try freesia blooms. The hanging elements can be wild vines, jasmine, or even wild grasses.
vase
Trophy or trophy-style vase (try eBay and thrift stores for vintage trophies at a lower price)
WHETHER YOU RAN THE fastest, jumped the highest, or baked the best cake, your hard-earned trophy collection probably sits in a cabinet somewhere collecting dust. It’s time to put it to use and think outside the box when it comes to vases, because sometimes it’s nice to celebrate small victories. Sarah created this romantic arrangement using a vintage silver trophy.
instructions
A trophy-shaped vase is simple to arrange in. Just start with larger-headed flowers in the center and mix smaller stems in last. If your trophy is on the shallow side, use floral tape to create a lattice across the mouth of the trophy; this will help hold the stems in place.
we used
Ranunculus, begonia leaves, chocolate cosmos
alternatives
The idea is to contrast the vase with the flower color. Garden or spray roses, carnations, or echinacea all could work as the colorful flower element. And while begonia leaves are ideal because of their patterns and colors, you could easily substitute hydrangea leaves or ferns to create a wider, flatter look framed by the taller flowers.
vase
Short vase with an opening that is as wide as the vase’s body
STYLE DIRECTOR MARCUS HAY’S colorful dining room is full of bright pops of blue and hot pink. Sarah was inspired to re-create the look in floral form with this small arrangement of Ranunculus and begonia leaves, which packs a big punch because the delicate bouquet of bright pink flowers allows the vase to shine as an equal player in the design.
instructions
For such a simple little cluster of flowers, it’s best to place the leaves off to one side and let the taller Ranunculus hold their own on the opposite side of the vase. Balance out the arrangement by using the chocolate cosmos and taller Ranunculus stems to add height. Study in White and Green
