is nice, but regular tape works fine.
RAFFIA I always have raffiain my gift-wrapping drawer.I love the organic, simple effect, which worksperfect for flower design. I useit in arrangementsto
hide rubber bands or to secure leaning orchids.
ESSENTIAL
tools & materials
GETTING STARTED
15
I used to have a pantryfull ofvases fromflowers Ihad received as gifts, or thatI boughtjust because they were
pretty. Here’s what I learned: keep only what you love.
Each room in your home has one focal point. I tend tograb the same one or two vases for these spots because I know the scale and lighting are perfect for them. When you buy a new vase, make sure you know where it will go andthen edit what you have. Less is more,which
makes life less complicated.
On that note, flower vases are hidden all throughoutyour home.Trust me, Ihave so much fun thinking outside the box and what’salready inmy house that can be repurposedfor flower containers. It’sfun, creative,
and unexpected!
So where canyou find them? The kitchen is a good place to start. How abouta copper meatloaf pan or white casserole dish? A white water pitcher, a glass wine
carafe, or a silver ice bucket? Startsaving your glass
VASES
& containers
creamer bottles so thatwhen you have enough, you can parade them downthe diningtable or make a circle with them and fill with garden flowers. Candy and nutdishes are great for floating flowers. Seeing the roots from several smallherb plants placedinside drinking glasses
work perfect for an inside garden.
Look around your living room and notice the candle holders. These come in many sizes and colorsand always look pretty for small bouquets. My go-toglass hurricane candle holder looks beautiful for floating flowers. And if I like a prettyretailbag, whynot reuse it
for a flowering plant?
Don’tforget the bathroom. I’ve used a decorative trash can and a toothbrush holders as flower vases because
they’re the perfect size fora sweetbouquet on the sink.
You can find vases anywhere.If it can hold flowers,
that’s all you really need.
CHOOSING
the container
Cute bags, boxes,
baskets, trash bins
Milk bottles, drinking glasses,
yogurtcups
16
GETTING STARTED
Here are some fun containershidden around my house that I like touse for flowers. Repurposing home items provides endless options to display flowers
in unexpected ways. It’s convenient and easy. Give it a try!
Glass bowls and hurricane
candle holders
Toothbrush holders
or any small container
Waterpitchers,
carafes, ice buckets
GETTING STARTED
17
18
GETTING STARTED
A bag is perfect for a potted plant. If the bag is too deep, put something inside to raise up the flowers so they
just peek over top.
These milk bottles displayed together in a circle are a clever way to bring your garden
into your home.
FILLING
the container
GETTING STARTED
19
Floating flowers are simple and beautiful inclear containers. Play with the waterline to create a
variety of looks for your flowers.
Small containerslike this toothbrush holder work beautifullytogether
with posy bouquets.
These are lovely statement vessels. Let flowers like these tulips and jasmine hang over
the container for movement.
Once you find a container you like, it can inform the type of flowers you put in it, or vice versa. Small containers work well for simple posies, and big containersare
great for large arrangements. But just go with what inspires you.
TIPS
TRICKS
&
To clean watermarks inthose narrow, hard-to-clean vases, roll up a sheet of paper towel and slip it in the opening. The paper towel absorbs the water and leaves
the container free from water spots.
20
GETTING STARTED
There are so many things I wish had known from the beginningabout flowers.
Let me save you some time! Here are some top tips for getting started.
Notice
