Flower Arranging The Flaweless Way

I love flowers and the impact they have on me, my restaurant events and even on the guests in my own home. I love to break the rules when I arrange flowers and, in tow episodes of Flaweless TV, I show you how to use color, height and texture to sculpt beauty. I promise that this lesson will fill your home with hospitality and have your heart bursting with calming creativity.

Two Flaweless TV episodes - Four stunning flower arrangements. Watch both just below…

Flower Arranging 101 (for Rule Breakers)

When I set out to decorate my restaurant or home with flowers, I begin by heading to the flower district here in NYC. It’s a very special place on 28th street between 6th and 7th avenues. Most of the shops open at 4am and are cleared out of their fresh cuts by noon. My favorite spot is, without a doubt, Dutch Flower Line. When I enter, I’m immediately intoxicated by the smell and awe that’s inspired by the color. The sheer beauty before me has an uncapping effect on my creativity. It’s as if there are no rules, there are no wrong choices; there’s only possibility and wonder and it’s awesome.

I’m having a Labor Day gathering at my apartment. So I’ve decided to work within a red, white and blue pallet for the occasion. When it comes to color, I like to embrace these steps:

COLOR

1. Pick a pallet of one to three colors for your occasion.

2. Identify transition colors in your pallet colors and think about the different tones of those colors. For example, in my red, white and blue pallet, I have violet between red and blue and pink between red and white. I’m going to choose flowers in my pallet and related transition colors. I’m also going to allow for the color of the stem (usually green) and stemma (usually yellow) to be invited.

TOOLS

Here are a few things that I always have a supply of in my “flower-arranging tool box” and, if I’m running low, I swing by Jamali which is also in the NYC flower district.

1. Pruning sheers

2. Clear 1/2” waterproof floral tape

3. Vinyl coated chicken wire and wire snips

4. Floral foam bricks (for wet arrangements)

CONTAINERS

Now that I have the flowers and tools that I’m going use, I need to select the container(s) to arrange within. I love vases of all shapes and sizes but what really informs my container selection is what I’ll be using the arrangement for and where it’s going to be placed. I also think about whether I want the stems to be seen (a clear vase) or hidden (an opaque vase) and if the arrangement will be seen from all sides or just from the front.

For example, if I want a centerpiece for my dinner table, I will choose a clear and low-profile vase so that my arrangement is not blocking the view of my guests. If I want a show-stopper entry way piece I may choose a vase that is tall and heavy and opaque. This allows me to use heavier and taller branches or blooms that can be supported by filling my vase with chicken wire. I also love to make large but low-height arrangements using salad or serving bowls. They are great as a centerpiece on a buffet table or even tucked in the corner of a bathroom. Finally, I love using glassware for mini-arrangements which are great placed just about anywhere.

I am honored to be working with CB2 and selling two of the vases from this episode right here in my shop.

THE FLOWERS IN MY ARRANGEMENTS

Lysimachia

Zantedeschia

Kale Black Angel

Ammi Majus Dillie Wit

Tilipa - dyed blue

Hydrangea

Helleborus

Dahlia

Spray Roses

Basil - from by own garden

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