Fall has arrived. I hope you are working on having some sort of centerpiece on your dining table or somewhere in the house. I was asked to put a centerpiece together for an engagement party this weekend, and found inspiration in Southern Living magazine. Look for pictures in magazines that make you happy and give it a whirl! Take your inspiration with you to buy flowers.
Inspiration.
Inspiration from Southern Living magazine
Supplies.
This Wilson Cake Turner is an important tool for home floral design. You can twirl your design and container for a complete view of all sides.  Buy the cake turner at hobby and craft stores! You also need oasis or wet floral foam, a knife to cut the foam to fit container, waterproof tape (instructor says I should be able to turn that design upside down!), sharp set of clippers.  and patience.
Wilson Cake Turner
Container.
This Copper Buoy is something very special! I borrow it from a friend from time to time. It is perfect for fall centerpieces. Think about collecting a few pieces for your dining table.
Copper Buoy
 Material & Prep.
Flowers and filler are your materials for designing an arrangement. Don’t forget, there is no need to spend a lot of money on this. Look outside and see all the berries, fall branches, leaves, pods, herbs, annuals and perennials in your yard. Cut or buy a bucket full for your design. I took my SL inspiration with me to Georgia State Floral Distributor to purchase the material for this arrangement. The flowers are not identical, but the colors, textures, and shapes are varied which makes an interesting design. I chose a mix of colors based on my inspiration–most of this material is in season. Astilbe, dahlias, hydrangea, bright green berries, ornamental kale, goldenrod and celosia.  All of these available from local growers or perfect for next fall’s cutting garden! If you are cutting from a field, make sure you change water once you bring your flowers home. If you are going to floral distributor, cut your stems about 1/4 to 1/2 inch and keep in fresh water at least a few hours before you begin!
In Season Material--hydrangeas, berries, dahlias
Putting it all Together.
I usually cut the Oasis to about an inch or two over the lip of my container. This keeps your design in proportion. Make sure you secure your soaked Oasis or floral foam to your container with waterproof tape. It would be terribly embarrassing to have your work fall apart or jiggle when you transfer to a table! Just begin. Cut your stems no longer than 1 1/2 times the height of your container. I begin at the center and work my way around with one flower type, then begin adding other textures and colors.
Transporting to Party
Enjoy!
Remember the Harvard Study a few years back reported that flowers make us happy. Â That’s no surprise!
see you
ML
Beautiful, Mary Louise! And yes…..flowers do make us happy! I keep a small, fresh bouquet on my coffee table all the time now. XXOO
Hey. Thank you, Renee! Can you email me the coffee table pics? My phone doesn’t do it justice. We never finished the hair talk, but we’ll catch up. see you.ML