In 2012, I would love to perfect my flower arranging skills. It is something I love to do but I am a total amateur at it. I need to see if I can find a class or something, it would be great to take with some friends. Do you like arranging flowers?
Here are a couple of rules I use now when arranging a bouquet...
*Choose a long-stemmed, color flower (a peony, for example) displayed on its own in a "test-tube" type case.
How fun is this vase?
*Opt for an all-white bouquet (never fails).
Love the blue vase against the white flowers.
*Or you can fill your house with plants in beautiful pots!
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I love arranging flowers! There are so many different styles and preferences, it is hard to give advice. Here is what I would do if I were still living in the Boston area. Go to Winston Flowers. They sell single stems and you can spend all the time you want/need playing with different combinations of flowers, greens, twigs/berries, etc. I always have greens (e.g., lemon leaf, bear grass, eucalyptus, etc. etc.) in my arrangements. I make exceptions for masses of hyacinths and lilacs in spring and gladiolas in late summer. Otherwise, I almost always include greens (often seasonal, e.g., evergreens in Christmas/holiday arrangements).
ReplyDeleteA few other random thoughts...
1) Never buy tulips that have opened (this actually holds true for almost all flowers--always go for the "tighter" buds/blossoms). They'll wilt and die very soon. I grew up in Holland and the best time to buy tulips is when you can barely tell what color they will be when opened. If you are working with a mixed bouquet, be aware that tulips will continue to grow after they are cut so you'll need to pull them out and trim them down. It infuriates me when I see flower shops asking top dollar for blossoms that are WAY past their prime (and they know it).
2) If the florist doesn't have greens on ready offer, ask for them. Many florists assume that people want ready-made bouquets and keep the greens behind the counter. It's amazing what one can come up with--for very short money--at the Shaws/Kroger-type grocery store floral counters if you're not willing to accept just what they have on offer.
3) Have a collection of multiple styles and sizes of vases on hand. I love McCoy, medium-sized, matte white, pottery vases for most of my arrangements, but I always have a selection of small (glass/crystal) vases on hand for misc. selections around the house. My husband always has a blossom or two on his home office desk in a very simple, tiny Ikea vase. I just take a flower of two or three (odd numbers always seem better in arrangements) and a bit of green from what would have been a larger arrangement somewhere else in the house.
What a fun topic. I'm in the mood for some early spring cheer!
Of course I thought of a million caveats to what I just posted...
ReplyDeleteA mass of hydrangeas, tulips, etc. (no greens!) in a beautiful simple glass vase (think Simon Pearce here) would look amazing. In general, the vase/pot/whatever should never overwhelm the flowers.
When putting things together, play with texture and leaf/petal shape, and let your individual taste and gut instinct be your guide. Do they go together or do I need something softer, more substantive, more of a contrast, etc.
Uhhh..., can we go flower shopping together? :)
There are few better ways to lift one's spirits!
Haha you do need to be in CT for that class! xx
ReplyDeleteOne of my goals when I moved to D.C. last summer was to treat myself to fresh flowers each week. I was bad about it over the summer and fall, but I'll be buying lots of flowers come spring. Must remember your tips!
ReplyDelete