FLORAL PAIRINGS
The method to thoughtfully matching florals with the mood of the room? Here are some tips I've learned over the years to fabricate intricate arrangements.
Pop into virtually any Charleston office or shop this summer and you'll be greeted by a vibrant floral arrangement. The south lives up to its charming reputation and warm greetings in many ways, and luscious greenery is certainly one of them. On my walk to work in the morning, I stroll past beckoning window boxes and carefully planted hydrangea bushes on Hassell Street, all to be greeted by a welcoming display of flora carefully arranged by local florist, Sara Grimshaw, founder of SYG Designs. I have to admit, seeing the floral experts burst through the door with towering mounds of flower vases is the highlight of my week. It has everything to do with the way they carefully select marigolds when summer starts giving way to autumn, or fragrant peonies in the spring. The organic arrangements burst with life as each unbridled petal catches the fading sun light when the blinds are slightly peeled back, encompassing golden hour. I popped into her quaint shop just last week in fact, and she graciously put together the most life-filled birthday arrangement for me with just a day's notice.
For the past year, I have been fortunate enough to watch her pair both conventional vases with psychedelic flowers and eclectic vessels with raw vines and flowers. While I am certainly no comparison to Sara's talented mind, I have taken vigorous mental notes throughout the past year that have translated into some passable arrangements for my space. Today I'm sharing a few tips that will make pairing and arranging a bit less demanding and add a warm touch to your home.
For the Kitchen
Elements: Vintage, modest, classic, fresh
Maintaining a clean aura is especially vital in the kitchen. It's a space that undoubtedly will be enriched by hues of spices and modern appliances, so keeping a neutral floral arrangement is essential to prevent an overwhelming color palette. Vessels such as ginger jars that feature a narrow neck and wide base pair beautifully with fresh, white peonies, honeysuckle vines, and dainty camellias. I've found that adding the greenery before embellishing the vessel with flowers makes adding texture simple. To add a tint of color, try adding three to four daisies on either side of the prominent flowers, as the flaxen center will provoke a subtle hint of color.
For the Dining Table
Elements: Vibrant, Encompassing, Organic
While your kitchen space is one to keep looking pristine, your living room should elicit a different vibe. Suppertime naturally welcomes conversation, which means family members are more verbose by nature. A warm conversation can be sparked by a colorful arrangement, which is why filling a large, dome-shaped footed vase to the brim isn't a bad idea. Living in the south, I have found that hydrangeas are welcomed in all seasons, which is fortunate because they provide a woody stem and billowing branches that stretch across the surface, creating a focal piece for the dining room. If there is one room that can withhold an overflowing vase of flowers, it's the living room. By composition, living rooms are generally the largest rooms, which means large vases don't make the room feel as though it's enclosing. The height and scale can be enlarged with honeysuckle vines and sweet lavender.
For the Bathroom and Bedroom
Elements: Delicate, Textured, Radiant
I have a sincere appreation for flower arrangements in the bedroom. Growing up, our home was lavished by homegrown flowers in crystal vases. My mom worked diligently to prune her zinnias and shield the moonflowers from worms, so she was always gratified when she was able to cut her psychedelic flowers and create a one-of-a-kind flower arrangement. It was like completing a hard-earned task and showcasing the work she did to get there. Every room, from the kitchen to the living room, and especially the bedroom was adorned with a different collection of flowers.
Consider embellishing the counter with small, textured silver vases filled with underripe berries, marigolds, or short-stemmed roses in areas such as the powder room, as narrow-mouth vessels maintain a vibe that isn't overpowering. I've found that utilizing petite wildflowers in a small bud vase elicits a diversion that is maintained by the small size of the vase. While the arrangement can be monochromatic or tonal, I find that pairing with similar shades is the key, as it is easier to appreciate the color palate. Just as the living room is equipped to showcase a bountiful arrangement, small spaces such as the bedroom and bathroom have an endearing energy when the vase is small and the colors transition smoothly.
To Summarize
Arranging flowers should be a carefree pastime that allows you to embellish your home in a charismatic way. Gather wildflower vines from behind your house and pair them with lavender phlomis from a local florist. Be creative, and don't feel as though any one creation is superior. You'll learn which flower combinations best complement your space by simply trying different pairings, such as mixing hosta leaves with lilies or crepe myrtle with organic foliage. Lastly, don't feel restrained to using proper vases. Substitute a cocktail glass with gold printed leaves for the bathroom, and relish in the creativity. You will discover what coordinations best brighten your room by classic trial and error.
