Foam Free Thanksgiving Centerpiece
Thanksgiving and flowers go hand-in-hand, but you don't always have to use bold shades of orange and yellow to convey the holiday. In this Flower School How-To Video Leanne creates a lush and compact arrangement in muted Fall tones for an elegant effect. Texture abounds in this foam-free design of roses, banksia, coneflowers and more, that gives the illusion of the material having taken root in the container. Enjoy!
Video Transcription
Thanksgiving, flowers, what could be better? In this video, we'll share how to create a rooted design perfect for your table.
The mechanics, curly willow. They'll fill the armature to support all the flowers and also give it the rooted look. So just winding it on itself, weaving it down into the vessel, tucking it low, and then repeating, adding more stems, down, winding, wrapping, and just feed it in until you get it fully covered, and then go back and add water.
With the willow. You can tuck it all inside or let some hang out, if you like that look. You could even go back and add extra that extends, gives the design a little more character, little more texture. Then go back and add flowers. The banksia, so big and bold. It's woody. Actually, it's good to just break and then cut down and then set it in. And you can see how beautiful. Repeating that with the second stem, giving it a break. Little bit shorter, moving the lower foliage and then shadowing behind the first with a little more power. The rose, the toffee, such a favorite perfect for the autumn season. Tucking down, feeding it in, and the willow just holds it right in place. Then for a little more color, adding in some coneflower. They're not quite as long lasting, but boy do they add drama.
With all the materials radiating around creating an emphasis with the banksia, then all I need is a little more texture. Maybe some Hypericum berries. The coneflower pods. See, yes, this is the same as this. Just gone on to maturity. Tucking that in. Bit of grass, the millet. Add some gracefulness and then repeat. Just filling it in with a little bit of texture to finish a beautiful design.
The recipe, I started with the curly willow needs to be fresh and pliable. Then the two banksia, eight of the toffee roses, six of the coneflower blooms and six of the coneflower pods. Then six of the Hypericum and seven of the millet. Now you can mix and match and adjust, but pick your most favorite autumn materials.
Thanksgiving is a holiday that always makes me think about my family, both birth family, and chosen family. It's a time to go back to our roots and center. What a great way to replicate that in flowers. You'll find more creative inspiration on our website at flowerschool.com. If you got questions, you can reach us through there. But now it's your turn. What are you going to create to celebrate the autumn season and give thanks for all the gifts you receive. Be sure to create, design, photograph, and post it on social media, #FloralDesignInstitute. That way I can see when we all can see what you do, as you do something you love.
