Sometimes, real life calls for fast and easy things, but we believe that there are ways to bring beauty in your home even on a limited schedule. As busy moms, business professionals, and advocates for our clients’ homes and our own, we love sharing tips on making the everyday not feel so ‘everyday’ and how to make the backdrop to your life more beautiful among the hustle and bustle. This gracious living tip is something you can do on your own and only takes a little time for you and your family to enjoy every time you step into a room. So, in the spirit of welcoming a new season with some natural beauty, we’re giving you the inside scoop on how to achieve designer florals at home.

PETAL POWER

We firmly believe in bringing the outside into your interiors–interacting with natural elements can enhance your physical well-being, air quality, and overall outlook while filling your cup with small but impactful moments.

Adorning your entry table or kitchen island with a beautiful floral arrangement is an effortless way to usher in gracious living, and there is no ‘wrong way’ to go about this. These steps, compliments of our stylist Angie McDermid, are a guide for how she brings a breath of fresh air to our photoshoots with her unique eye for prop styling and floral arrangements. Follow these steps or watch the video above, as she creates a designer-worthy arrangement of her own.

Brighten Your Everyday

Step 1: Flora Finding

Whether you’re finding or buying the flowers you want to use to make your design, there are key components to incorporate for a complete look. A well-balanced floral arrangement should include greenery and your ‘main’ flower (aka your biggest flowers), such as roses, hydrangeas, or anything with a big head. You’ll also want to include an accent flower––so anything smaller than the central flower but isn’t quite a filler like daisies or tulips. You’ll also want to include filler like wild grasses or wildflowers, baby’s breath, or aster.

To really elevate your design, bring something to your arrangement from your home or backyard. You can layer in some mint from the garden, dried grasses, large branches or anything that you think looks beautiful. If you’re unsure what will look best, don’t be afraid to try a few different things. The result might surprise you and become a new tradition for your home.

Step 2: All About That Vase

When selecting the vessel for your arrangement, there are a few things to consider. First, check the size of your flowers in comparison to your vase. Both elements tend to be tall, so bringing in something proportional to the scale of your blooms that is not as tall but wider will create a more dynamic presentation.

Second, a good-sized opening can make all the difference. If the vase opening is too small, your stems will be squished, causing your bouquet to appear stunted. A vase with a wide lip allows your flowers to drape over one another so each one can easily be seen all the way around. This will ensure a picture-perfect display no matter which way someone looks at it.

Step 3: Tape & Cut

Depending on the style of your floral arrangement, you may have to cut down some of your flowers. A good rule of thumb Angie goes by is the height of the vase plus 1/3 for the height of your stems. This will ensure your vase-to-flower ratio is proportionate.

Another great tip to neatly build your arrangement is to create a grid over the vase rim. This allows you to work in sections and keeps your structure slightly in place until the final touches are made.

Step 4: Build Your Blooms

Now––you’re ready to start building. We recommend starting with your greenery to make your initial shape, then move to your largest flower to create those focal points. To balance the greenery and to help keep the central flowers in their place, arrange filler in those pockets and then finish off with your accent flowers to break up the filler and create a counterbalance to the main flower. At this point, layer in your own signature element to the design to tie in something special from your home or its surroundings–treat this element like your accent flower. There should be enough incorporated to tie everything together, but not so much that it overpowers the vase or the other elements.

Step 5: Share Your Creation

Ta-da you did it! Now share your beautiful new arrangement with your loved ones by placing it where everyone can enjoy. If you’re feeling especially proud of the work you’ve done take a photo or a video of your design to look back on later. There is something methodical and relaxing when realizing the fruit of your labor, especially when it breathes natural beauty into your home.

Bloom Where You’re Planted

We encourage you to bloom where you’re planted and hope you feel confident the next time you’re looking to bring some ‘gracious living’ touches to your home. Until next time, allow yourself some mental space for inspiration to embrace life and find joy in its beautiful everyday moments.