From the Archives - 27 October 2014 - Take 3 Flowers!

This post is part of a brand new blog series called 'From the Archives'. It will be previously posted blog posts that I feel are still relevant for some reason or another. 

It will always be a post from the same calendar month as we are in or it could be some of my favourite flowers from the same season - that still lifts my spirit. 

Flowers are so ephemeral - but their beauty caught on camera never fades.........!!

I'm starting a new series of blog posts called 'Take 3 Flowers' - I will show you how to make easy but beautiful and stylish flower arrangements - just using three different flowers. Sometimes one of the three will be some kind of foliage.

Using just three flowers will sometimes be a challenge - but it will also keep the cost down. Cut flowers can be expensive and foliage on the other hand tends to be cheap. You can use lots of it to help fill out the arrangement and to provide support for the other flowers. If you have a garden or access to one you can probably find some foliage to use from there.

In this first one - I'm using two different Chrysanthemums - they are both what's called 'spray' - that means that towards the top are several smaller stems with one flower on each stem. 

The light orange one has single daisy type flowers with a lighter centre. 

The other one has a light maroon colour and picks up the lighter colour on the back of its petals.

The green foliage that I've used is called soft Ruscus. Used a lot by florists and quite easy to find. But really any small- leaved green foliage would do. 

If you are in luck the Ruscus might have some of its bright orange berries - as an extra little bonus. 

You'll need: 

- 10 stems of Chrysanthemums in two different colours

- 5 stems of soft Ruscus or similar green foliage

- a fairly large vase or container - in this case I have used a large vintage terracotta jar

- a small vase or container - in this case an old small brown glass milk bottle

For conditioning the flowers - you'll also need:

- florists snippers or scissors

- a florist bucket

As always - condition the flowers by removing any leaves that would end up below the water line in the vase. Cut the stems at an angle - to increase water absorption. Put in a clean container with tepid water and leave in a cool place over night or at least a few hours before making the final arrangement.

Sorry, about always repeating this last bit - but it's probably the most important thing you can do to make your flowers last longer! So I'm afraid you have to put up with me always going on about it.

Start with the foliage and place it all around the edge of the vase. Then add the two different flowers - shorter around the edges and a bit longer in the middle - to make a soft domed shape. You don't want it too even - it looks more natural when the flowers are different heights. But this will probably happen naturally as the flowers are at different heights on the spray stems.

Make up a small arrangement with all the little off-cuts in the second little vase. 

Start with the foliage and place it all around the edge of the vase. Then add the two different flowers - shorter around the edges and a bit longer in the middle - to make a soft domed shape. You don't want it too even - it looks more natural when the flowers are different heights. But this will probably happen naturally as the flowers are at different heights on the spray stems.

Make up a small arrangement with all the little off-cuts in the second little vase. 

I love all these orange, maroon and terracotta colours especially at this time of year. I have also played around with placing the arrangement next to a 1930's Lloyd Loom chair in similar colour - that has an ethnic weaving hanging over the back of it. I also found a small bowl and some beads in the same orange and maroon colours. 

I hope you will enjoy my new 'Take 3 Flowers' series - I'm looking forward to the challenge and it will be lots of fun! 

[Styling and photography © Ingrid Henningsson for Of Spring and Summer.]

Autumn Table Wreath by Sarah Raven

Today on Floral Media I'm wanted to show you this real showstopper autumn table wreath by Sarah Raven. She has used many of my favourite colours that are around at this time of year.

I featured this video back in 2014 - but I like it so much I thought it deserves a second viewing - same video but I've written all new text this time. Enjoy!



Sarah's choice of plants are an unusual mix of scented pelargonium foliage, hydrangea flowers and seed heads, hawthorn berries and Chinese lanterns. There are also some unusual little surprises such as ornamental cucumbers and strawberry popcorn. 

In the middle are five flame coloured candles picking up all the colours in the wreath. Sarah has used an oasis base so both spent flowers and candles can be replaced which means that the whole centerpiece will last well into the holiday season. 

Floral Media - Make Your Own Autumn Flower Arrangement from Martha Stewart

                                                                                     

It's the beginning of much cooler weather in London and autumn flowers are starting to appear in the supermarkets, florists and flower stalls.

So today I'm featuring a short YouTube video from Martha Stewart on how to make an autumn flower arrangement.

                                                                                    

Todd Carr, the senior gardening editor, is using spider and pom-pom Chrysanthemums - in beautiful autumn yellow and orange colours. Mixed in as a filler is also some Golden Rod.

Ingrid xx

Florets - Floral Quote - # 121 - by Malin Hidesäter

" Ah, lovely, colourful and sweet-scented chrysanthemums! Come the autumn, there are so many varieties to choose between, and they last for ages. A 3,000-year-old legend tells how the emperor of China ordered a few of his men to seek out a magic herb that would bring eternal youth. The men returned with some twigs of chrysanthemum. Eternal youth or not, chrysanthemums is now second only to the rose in terms of numbers sold."

~ Malin Hidesäter ~

[Malin Hidesäter: Swedish florist, flower expert, stylist, TV presenter and author of two books - Flower Power and Krukväxter.]

[Quote from: Flower Power (2007) by Malin Hidesäter and Anna Skoog (photographer).]

[Flowers: Pink and orange chrysanthemums.]

[Container: Vintage giant clear glass pickling jar.]

Enjoy your flower arranging and have a fabulous and floral Sunday!

Thank you for visiting 'Of Spring and Summer' - I'll be back on Monday with another Floral Media - a short video all about how to make some DIY flower arrangement. 

Ingrid 

~ xoxo ~

[Styling and Photography © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

P. S. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive a notification via email whenever I have a new blog post. Just fill in your email address at the top of my blog on the right.

For more floral inspiration you can follow me on:

Pinterest:   https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

DIY Flower Tips and Inspiration - # 14 - Orange Tulips and Ranunculus

This week 'DIY Flower Tips and Inspiration' - is mostly just orange. Tulips are appearing more and more on the flower stalls and Ranunculus have just popped up their pretty heads.

I found some gorgeous orange Tulips - the petals have streaks of darker colours that gives a variegated marbled effect - and makes them look just super pretty!

Some of the bright orange Ranunculus are in tight buds others have opened up showing their layers and layers of thin petals.

The vase is a vintage jar from Sweden and the sugar bowl is from the 1930's Art Deco period and from my grandmother back in Sweden. The chevron black and white fabric becomes an interesting contrast in colour and form.

The two flowers contrast each other in texture but match almost perfectly in colour. For somebody like me who loves colour - this combination just makes me swoon!! 

Enjoy your flower arranging!

Titti and I will be back on Friday with another FLOWERS with a new and different theme.

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Styling and Photography: © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

You can also find me on:

Instagram - https://instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

Do-It-Yourself Flower Tips and Inspiration - # 12 - Dahlias, Crab Apples and Rose Hips

This time 'Do-It-Yourself Flower Tips and Inspiration' is all about Dahlias, Crab apples and Rose hips. 

But this time it's more about colour and how to use the flowers, fruits and rose hips. 

When I came across this mixture of flowers, fruit and hips at my local Saturday farmers' market - I knew it was a winning combination. 

The red and orange crab apples matches the red and orange Dahlias; and the little rose hips adds a different texture in a similar colour.

I have happily mixed the Dahlias with both the crab apples and the rose hips into a big riot of orange and red. Using a large plain clear glass container works well - as it will not take any attention away from the flowers.

You can use the crab apples by mixing them in with the flowers in the container, scatter them on the table or they also add colour by just simply putting them in a bowl. 

I have left some of the crab apples lower down on the branches so that you can see them through the clear glass - a fun and little different detail. Just keep them out out of the water.

The little sweet rose hips lasts quite well out of water - so you can add them to a wreath or a garland as well as combining them in a container with other flowers like I have done here.

This is an arrangement with a lot of red and orange colours as well as lots of different textures and movement perfect for greeting your guests in the hall or on a side table in a living room. 

Enjoy the autumn colours for the short time that they are here!

Enjoy your flower arranging!

I'll be back on Friday with another 'A Bunch for the Weekend'

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Styling and Photography: © Ingrid Henningsson/Of Spring and Summer.]

You can also find me on:

Instagram - https://instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

A Bunch for the Weekend - # 50 - Tulipa 'Orca - Orange Double Tulip

This week on 'A Bunch for the Weekend' - I'm featuring a bunch of spectacular bright orange double Tulipa 'Orca' from the farmers' market.

You'll need:

- 5 stems of double tulips in any bright colour - here I have used a very bright double tulip called 'Orca'.

- a medium size vase in a bright but complementary colour to the flowers

- any objects in the same colour as the flowers as well as some in the same colour as the vase 

For conditioning the flowers - you'll also need:

- a pair of florists scissors

- a florist bucket filled with fresh water

Condition the flowers by removing any leaves that would end up below the water line in the vase. This is to reduce any growth of bacteria from deteriorating leaves. Also remove any broken or bruised leaves.

Cut the stems at an angle - this is to increase water absorption.  

Put in a clean container with fresh water and leave in a cool, dark place over night or at least for a few hours, to let the flowers absorb the maximum of water, before making the final arrangement.

You might have to re-cut the stems while making the final arrangement to suit the size of the vase or container and to get the right proportions.

Five tulips this size is all you need - they are so big and has a great impact. There is no need to fill the whole vase - just trim them long enough to sit a bit above the edge of the vase and let them casually lean off to one side.  

I have also assembled a little collection of orange objects - two books with orange covers, a children's clothes hanger wrapped with orange silk, an orange necklace from France given to me by my daughter, my Swedish grandmother's sugar bowl from the 1930's, a Bakelite vintage button and an American Indian pot from the Zuni reservation in New Mexico.

I have made a little bit of a daring colour choice here - by combining bright orange with a light teal blue.

To me they are both bright and 'happy' colours that are great together - especially at this time of year. 

What do you think?

Have a Great Floral Saturday and a Happy Weekend!

I will see you next week with more DIY flowers from 

Of Spring and Summer.

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Styling and Photography © Ingrid Henningsson for Of Spring and Summer]
[Flowers from Forever Green Flower Company.]


You can also find me on:

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/ofspringsummer/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ingrid.henningsson

Instagram - https://instagram.com/ofspringandsummer/

A Bunch for the Weekend - # 28 - Halloween - Bright Orange Gerberas, Roses and Crab Apples!

This week on 'A Bunch for the Weekend' - I'm featuring some very bright orange Gerberas and roses; a few red Cornus branches and some lovely crab apples - and it's all just for Halloween.

I wanted to inspire to make a Halloween flower arrangement without using any of the more traditional Halloween decorations.  

You'll need:

- 20 stems of bright orange Gerberas

- 15 branches of Cornus

- 7 stems of orange roses

- about 25 - 30 crab apples

- 1 large clear glass jar

- 1 medium sized clear glass jar

- 1 small clear glass jar

For conditioning the flowers - you'll also need:

- florists snippers or scissors

- a florist bucket

As always - condition the flowers by removing any leaves that would end up below the water line in the vase. Cut the stems at an angle - to increase water absorption. Put in a clean container with tepid water and leave in a cool place over night or at least a few hours before making the final arrangement.

I kept the Gerbera stems as long as possible and put them in the large glass jar. I arranged them all facing the same way and I then put all the red Cornus stems behind as a background.

The loose crab apples went in the small glass jar with their little stems still on.

The fabric is a black, white and grey fabric with black trees and ominous black and red birds. 

I put the orange roses in the medium glass jar and tied a copper coloured wired ribbon around the top of the jar as decoration. The ribbon is designed by Jane Means. I'm part of Jane Means' Blogging Team. 

Here is the story about the roses - they are dyed orange! Yes, chock, horror - not something I would normally do or buy. BUT - I thought: "Well, why not - it's just for fun and it's specially for Halloween!" They also matched the Gerberas and the crab apples perfectly. 

Have a Happy Floral Halloween!

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid

[Styling and Photography © Ingrid Henningsson for Of Spring and Summer.]

A Bunch for the Weekend - # 19 - Red and Orange Dahlia

There are so many wonderful Dahlias around at the moment - so this will be a week of Dahlias. It's that time of year and I'm not complaining - I love Dahlias. I wished they would last longer in the vase - but you cant't have everything.

So here we go again with some more - so on 'A Bunch for the Weekend' this week I'm featuring some striking red and orange Dahlias.

I chose a clear glass container to use as a vase. It's a vintage pickling jar that I bought at a 'loppis' in Sweden for not a lot of money. 'Loppis is the Swedish equivalent to flea-market or car-boot sale.

I love the dark colour of the stems on these Dahlias - they are such an interesting contrast to the red and orange. And I also love how you can see the stems criss-crossing through the clear glass - making a pattern all on their own. 

I find that you often never know if a Dahlia bud is going to open up or not. The tighter the bud the less likely it is to open up and develop into a flower. Sometimes they open just a little bit - like the ones in the picture - it's all very unpredictable. But mostly you'll get the advice that once cut the Dahlia buds will not open.

Buds are decorative in their own right and there is no need to discard them completely. It all depends what look you are after. A mass of just big Dahlia heads of flowers or an arrangement dotted with buds - breaking up the sea of colour. Buds or no buds - both are worth trying.

As always - condition the flowers by removing any leaves that would end up below the water line in the vase - cut the stems at an angle - to increase water absorption. Put in a clean container with tepid water and leave in a cool place over night or at least a few hours before making the final arrangement.

Have a Wonderful Floral Friday!

~ xoxo ~

Ingrid 

A Bunch for the Weekend - # 1 - Orange Ranunculus

Wishing you a happy and creative weekend with some beautiful and very bright orange Ranunculus.

Have a Fantastic Floral Friday!

Back on Sunday with another Florets - an inspirational floral quote from a flower lover!

xoxo Ingrid

[Styling and photography © Ingrid Henningsson for Of Spring and Summer.]

Floral Styling - A Simple Flower Arrangement - # 5 - Orange Tulips

Bright orange and yellow tulips might not be the easiest to combine with other colours. Instead of trying to find contrasting colours I decided to just add even more orange and a bit of brown - in the form of an orange and brown cushion, some brightly painted wooden horses and a brown glass jar.

The flowers are from my local farmers' market and after conditioning them by removing lower leaves and cutting the stems at an angle and then leaving them to stand in water for a while - I arranged them very simply in the jar.

The container that I have used as a vase is a vintage brown glass apothecary jar with an interesting enamel label with lettering and it normally has a round glass lid.

I left as many leaves as possible just to break up all the orange and yellow with a bit of green. I also cut the stems a little bit shorter than normally - tulips continue to grow in the vase - as I wanted the flowers to stand quite straight in a tight bunch and not flop over the sides of the vase. 

I want to tell you a little bit about these brightly painted horses. They are traditional Swedish Dala horses and are probably something that you would see in most Swedish homes. The name comes from the province where they are made - Dalarna. They are all hand carved and hand painted and today its a symbol of Dalarna and Sweden. Dala horses are often used by designers on fabrics, as jewellery and in knitting patterns. 

My little collection of Dala horses is a mixture of old and new collected over the years. The faded one on the right is probably from the 1950's.

If you like orange flowers here is another post that I did last year. It's called Floral Fusion - Here Comes Spring!

Have a Lovely Floral Day!

See you soon!

xoxo Ingrid

[All images © Ingrid Henningsson for Of Spring and Summer.]

Florets - Floral Quote by Paula Pryke

"Colour is the most important element in any flower arrangement because it sets the mood of the display - the colour can be vibrant and arresting or calm and soothing. The technical skills involved in arranging flowers can be learned but I believe we are born with our own personal response to colour. The way we 'see' colour can be very different from the next person and what one person may consider to be bright and colourful, another may consider garish."

~ Paula Pryke ~

[Paula Pryke - British, London based florist, founder of Paula Pryke Flower School and author of fifteen books.]

[Quote: from Living Colour by Paula Pryke.]

[Flowers: Orange Chrysanthemums.]

[Vase: Vintage clear glass apothecary jar.]

[Other Props: Rag weaving from Anthropologie.]

[Styling and photography: © Ingrid Henningsson for Of Spring and Summer.]