Floral 101: Designing with Nature's Own

By erinloechner

One of the best ways to welcome summer into your home is to take a cue from nature itself: blooms, bouquets and bushes. But is it possible to create the floral look without feeling as if you live in a funeral home? We think so. Get creative with flowers and follow these easy steps:

THINK FRESH
Sure, the easiest way to bring florals indoors is to arrange a nice bouquet of fresh flowers from the market or garden. When considering a bouquet, choose a similar or complementary color scheme. If you're going for a long/lean look, keep the stems and leaves in the vase to add a lush dimension. Want a smaller motif? Try cutting the stems off and arranging the petals in shorter glasses and arrange them together as a set.

THINK FUN
Have kids? Ask them to draw their interpretation of the most beautiful flower. You're guaranteed a fun family project, and framing the results will create a memory will last far longer than the petaled beauties themselves.

THINK FREE
Keep your eyes open next time you take a walk. Dandelions, although weeds, can make a tinted shot glass look like a million bucks. Passing a lilac bush? The fragrance will freshen your home in no time.

THINK FLAT
Ever thought of pressing your flowers? The process is easy and takes just a few minutes, some wax paper and a thick encyclopedia. You do the math. Perhaps you could create an interesting collage with the end result, a la Lisa Congdon?

THINK FOUR...OR FIVE
It's true--- the more, the merrier. Try arranging different flowers and varying vases to create a fun centerpiece and/or mantle decoration, as pictured.

created on: 05/12/08

Last but not least--- don't underestimate the beauty of an unexpected vase. Have an old decanter or antique stemware? The right container can make any flower pop.

Now, off to gather your flowers! Don't forget to stop and smell the roses along the way...

Tagged:
flowers decor summer floral

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May 12, 2008

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About: Author/founder of Design for Mankind, I'm a small fish from an even smaller town in...