Flowers are a universally loved way of showing someone how much you care about them. But if you're anything like me, flowers are much more than that. They're proof of beauty and goodness in the world. They're proof that growth is a natural part of life for all of us. And they're proof that with a little love and care, anyone can reach their fullest potential.
For me, flowers represent the beautiful simplicity of life. They don't have to do too much to show the world just how amazing they are. They just grow at their own pace. Not competing with anything around them.
Flower arranging is an art that takes practice & time to learn. As you begin playing around with different textures, colors and variations of flowers - you'll begin to get a sense of your own personal style when arranging. Some of us like the classic look of roses, while others prefer the whimsical nature of a squiggly ranunculus. All beautiful in their own way, it really doesn't matter what you choose to put together in your arrangement - the outcome is sure to be stunning.
I've been learning a lot about flower arranging recently. Pursuing my dreams of one day owning a flower farm/bakery by the sea. And I want to share some of what I've learned with you in today's post.
If you want even more lessons and a visual representation of the tips I'll share today, then head over to patreon to watch my latest video in my Mastering the Magic of Homemaking series - Flower Arranging 101.
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I first started learning about flower arranging when I signed up for a Master Class with Maurice Harris. From his website, Bloom and Ploom,
"Maurice Harris is a Los Angeles based artist who is best known as the visionary behind Bloom & Plume, a bespoke floral design studio located in Echo Park. Maurice's unique point of view, sense of humor, craftsmanship and dedication to his community has made him both one of the most sought after floral designers in Los Angeles and one of the most followed florists on Instagram. Harris' clients include some of the biggest names in Hollywood as well as top tier brands such as Louis Vuitton, The Row, Goop, Opening Ceremony, Dior, Nike, Gucci, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Warby Parker, MOCA and LACMA among others. Harris has been featured in Vogue, W Magazine, LA Times, Hollywood Reporter, Saint Heron, Rip + Tan and appeared on air for Viceland. Additionally, Harris' art career has been emerging with a flower sculpture at MOCA, photography at the San Diego Art Institute and a performance piece at the Broad. Most recently you can see him on his TV show "Centerpiece" for Quibi and the upcoming "Full Bloom" for HBOMax."
In addition to the masterclass with Maurice, I've also been learning in person at a local flower shop. Getting to actually get hands on experience has been so helpful in learning what I'm doing and learning how to make stunning arrangements.
Here are my tips for creating the perfect flower arrangement.
Process Your Flowers
Prior to putting your flowers into a vase, you want to process them. This means taking the time to pick off leaves, thorns and wilted petals. The reason why we do this, is to ensure that the water from your vase goes straight to the flower and gives it the energy it needs to stay alive and beautiful for a long period of time. We also want to make sure that we cut off the bottom tip of the flower at a diagonal, so the water travels up the stem and properly hydrates your flower.
Know Your Players
Maurice Harris compares flowers and greenery to the cast of a movie. In each cast, you have your lead actors/superstars, your side characters/supporting actors, and your extras. When you think of your arrangement, think of it in terms of who is going to be the superstar, who is going to be the supporting and who will be your background. Do you want roses to be your focal point? If so, choose roses that offer a wow factor that will clearly establish them as the star of the show. Your other flowers should work to support their beauty, not compete with it.
Greens, Greens, & More Greens
Prior to learning more about flower arranging, I never reached for greenery to create my arrangements. I didn't think it was important, and I was more interested in my superstars. But what that did was create a lack of interest and whimsy to my arrangements. Make sure to select a few different types of greenery to work as the foundation of your arrangement. They will create the illusion that your flowers are growing naturally out of your vase. Of course, if you want to go for a more minimal look, opting out of greenery is always an option to. But in my experience, the more greenery, the more beautiful the arrangement.
Think Outside the Box
When creating arrangements, it can be easy to get stuck in creating more of a circular shape or one that suits the vase you're using to your eye. But in order to create those unique, whimsical arrangements that are fun to look at, we have to think outside of the box in terms of shape. It's okay to have one flower sticking up taller than the rest, or to have another branching out to the side. Unique structures are what differentiate home arrangements, from professional arrangements.
Colors Supporting Colors
The mark of a cohesive arrangement is one where the colors chosen complement and support one another. When choosing your flowers, look for supporting characters that might have a hint or a note of the color of your super star flower. Or choose colors that go well together. For example, if your main flower is a deep red rose, consider adding accents of lighter reds or pinks, along with some green foliage to enhance the overall look. Alternatively, you can choose colors that naturally go well together, such as blues and purples or yellows and oranges, for a harmonious and visually appealing arrangement.
No matter what, it's hard to mess up a flower arrangement. They will always be stunning and provide joy and beauty to every room they're in. Hopefully these tips will help you in your journey to create beautiful flower arrangements that bring a touch of nature's beauty into your life and home.
With a bit of practice and creativity, you'll soon find yourself confidently arranging flowers to suit any occasion or mood, spreading delight wherever they're placed.
To watch my full flower arranging process, click here. And for more exclusive lifestyle and homemaking content, head over to Patreon to join the community!
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