Boho Chic Design

Ahhh, summertime! The fields are full of gorgeous flowers — what a fabulous time of year to create a bold design filled with dramatic, late summer hues. In this tutorial FDI Instructor Carolyn Catron FDI demonstrates a step-by-step process for designing this boho chic arrangement in a pottery vessel, using floral foam for the mechanics.

STEP ONE:

Materials - pottery container, Oasis Floral Foam, Italian ruscus, variegated Pittosporum, acacia foliage, dahlias, marigolds, “Blueberry” roses, “Shimmer” roses, spray roses, ranunculus, and scabiosa (don’t hesitate to substitute your favorite blooms).

STEP TWO:

Prepare the container by cutting a presoaked brick of Oasis Floral Foam in half, placing one-half of the brick in the base. Then position the second-half of the brick over the lower one and score the corners of the top brick. In this application, waterproof tape was not used because the foam is securely wedged into the vessel.

STEP THREE:

Next, create a base layer of foliage in the container. Insert a few stems of the variegated pittosporum into the top of the foam, and add acacia foliage to the perimeter of the foam, allowing them to drape along the sides of the vessel. The draping nature of the acacia helps unify the container with the natural materials.

STEP FOUR:

To develop more volume and create graceful linear movement, extend the Italian ruscus to the left and right, establishing a horizontal line. Add the longer stems of acacia foliage to the front of the container.

STEP FIVE: 

It’s time to add those bold, vivid, fun colors to the design, creating a base layer of blooms! Insert the dahlias first, setting the focal emphasis front and center. The centrally placed dahlia bloom extends out forward from the vase. 

Next, insert the marigolds, followed by the standard roses, spray roses and ranunculus. Place some flowers low in the design and close to the foam while letting others extend over the top. Layering flowers over the lower blooms helps create depth and dimension in the design.

STEP SIX: 

A tip from Teacher Carolyn: as you prepare to place the second layer of blooms, look at each stem and see how it curves. Instead of fighting Mother Nature, take advantage of the bends and twists in your materials. 

Add the smaller dahlias next, extending over the top of the arrangement and to the right. On the opposite left side offset with draping buds to create a diagonal line. Add extra marigold buds, extending out to balance the heavier marigold blooms in the base of the design. The elongated lines and repetition of form enhance rhythm, taking the eye on a fabulous trip through the arrangement.

STEP SEVEN:

Lastly, extend the smallest blooms out even farther, allowing the scabiosa and marigold blooms to “dance” over the top. Then place a few more small blooms closer to the second layer. The exaggerated lines add movement and scale to the design, and create a bit of negative space where the eye can rest.

Thank you to FDI Instructor Carolyn Catron FDI for this vibrant and juicy-colored boho arrangement. If you would like to lean more, join us in the Classroom or Online and study the theories and techniques of design with the Floral Design Institute Teachers.