Flower Arrangement Ideas to Borrow from Designers & Interior Stylists
Steven Meisel, courtesy of Loewe, Ode to Constance Spry.
I am not sure if other interior designers feel this way, but I secretly wish my side job was being a florist (as if I have time for a side job, lol, let’s call it a hobby instead - feels more realistic). I picture myself in a gorgeous little store front on a cobblestone street, surrounded by beauty all day long. A close second is when I get to shop for my shoots, and spend mornings at the 28th St flower market in NYC.
If you’re reading this, I’m going to assume you love flowers as much as I do, then you also probably enjoy the Wall Street Journal’s Flower School column written by Lindsey Taylor, who has a new flower arranging book out (more flower books listed at the end of this post).
Besides adoring flowers, I have an equally consuming passion for vases, cachepots, vessels, basically anything watertight that can hold a flower. Three full closets in my home are filled to the brim with vases of all sorts, because…priorities. My current picks are also listed at the end of this post.
I am lucky to have worked and learned from the best interior stylists in the industry, so this post is all about the ideas you can borrow to take your own floral arrangements to the next level….and, where to shop for some gorgeous vases for yourself.
Styling by Martine Bourne for our West End Residence photo shoot. Vase by Pilos Clay Art.
Find your “Superstar”
When you set off to the market, corner grocery store or your local florist, let the seasonal selection guide you on which direction to go: single bloom (“superstar”) v. variety (“more-is-more”). They are both equally good directions, just the approach will be a little different.
For the Superstar single bloom arrangement, choose the same flower, and get more than you think you need. When you you go for the single variety look, the whole arrangement will feel very elegant and sophisticated.
A single bloom arrangement looking very sophisticated by Tina Motte.
A variation of the “Superstar” look is a monochromatic arrangement, where all flowers are in the same hue. “Monochromatic schemes, which show off the variety of different hues of the same color, can be striking. For another high-impact floral design, try complementary colors that will pop against each other”, advises Jenny Krane from Better Homes & Gardens.
For monochromatic arrangements, build on tones, and look for different textures and sizes of blooms, branches, leaves. Combine lighter and darker tones of the same color to create a very layered and sophisticated look.
Finally, you can achieve the “Superstar” look with a single branch. See how this designer, Anna Booth, does it in her spaces:
Creating a Sculpture with Blooms
When selecting and arranging flowers, you are essentially creating an ephemeral sculpture - the more interesting the overall the shape, the better the whole thing looks. That’s why its so important to go for different textures, heights and species when you have your mind set on a mixed-look, and remember to use a floral frog to keep it all in place.
Designers advise to let flowers cascade over the rim of a vessel to give your arrangement a romantic look.
From the Wall Street Journal, arrangement by Lindsey Taylor, Photo by Stephen Kent Johnson. Source.
About the arrangement above: Onto a wide, low footed brown vessel, designer Lindsey Taylor affixed a grid of floral tape to support the stems of a horizontal arrangement. Queen Anne’s lace and white lilac created a frowsy foundation, and brown-toned sweet peas provided the highest contrast of the bouquet. Checked fritillaria and maroon-speckled mustard-yellow orchid added pattern, then blush-colored ranunculus and pink roses contributed the most obviously romantic elements.
When you’re using simple flowers from your local deli, buy a bunch of just one type of flower. Floral Designer and owner of Wild Bloom, Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht, suggests snipping the stems at various heights and arranging them asymmetrically, rather than in a dome, to give the arrangement a dynamic architectural look.
Here is some eye candy of how mixing a variety of flowers can have a dramatic effect, get you inspired!
Spring Flowers Still-Life with Tulips, Ranunculus, Fritallaries, Daffodils photo by Ngoc Minh Ngo
Consider the Tulip
I’m taking a moment to talk to you about tulips because they are a very versatile flower.
“Tulips can transform from a bodega staple into an elegantly chic arrangement that looks like you hired a professional to do.”
Because they are almost always available, I love to use them year round, and I always remove most of the green leaves. And when you find parrot or fringe tulips in season… grab them!
Fringe tulips styled by Libarikian Interiors, photographed by Tim Williams.
On my recent trip to Amsterdam, I was on the hunt for a traditional tulipiere. I saw them all over the city and wanted to take one back as a souvenir. Alas, it wasn’t in the cards, and I never found one to take home. But it got me thinking about the origin of a tulipière, because it’s a weird looking vase, actually.
Tulipiere by Frances Palmer
The tulipiere is an ornate vessel classically made from delftware. They were used in the 17th century to grow and display tulip bulbs indoors, a bulb would be placed in each ‘spout’, which had access to a shared water reserve. Although they were not originally designed as vases, that is how they are most often used now.
Frances Palmer
Large Pyramid Tulipiere Vase. Artist and gardener Frances Palmer has been making ceramics since 1987 as an extension of her printmaking practice. Her coveted vessels are handmade in her studio, a Colonial Revival house in Weston, Connecticut. Available at March.
Follow these great tips from Flower Magazine.
3 practical tips for prepping flowers:
Remove as much of the leaves as possible from the stem, along with dead petals
Always a fresh cut with sharp floral sheers, on a diagonal
Place cut flowers in a bucket of water with flower food while you are arranging
3 ways to hold your flowers in place:
Create a grid from tape at the top of your vessel
Use a floral frog
Use floral chicken wire
Treat yourself to fancy floral clippers:
“Essential” Japanese Floral Clippers
Available at the Floral Society
How Stylists Arrange Flowers, Actual Interior Examples from Reknowned Designers:
Take a look at real world examples of what has worked well - some stylists use a single bloom and create a lush arrangement, or opt for a more paired back look with one of two stems. Others, mix blooms to great effect.
The Classic All Green Look
Shop Urns & Vases
Books About Flowers to Inspire You
Art in Flower: Finding Inspiration in Art and Nature
Artistry of Flowers
Charlotte Moss Flowers
Renowned tastemaker Charlotte Moss has a talent for floral arrangements that spans from grand displays to more informal accents. Rizzoli.
Decorating with Floral Wallpaper
Shop our favorite floral wallpapers to instantly transform your home. Read post.
More Resources:
Take an online flower arranging class with Color Theory Design
