Creating a visually appealing Christmas mantelpiece adornment using dried flowers
In the heart of winter, bringing natural colour and texture into our interiors can be a delightful way to brighten up the season. One creative and eco-friendly approach is using dried flowers, grasses, and herbs for winter decorations.
From intricate wreaths to elegant bouquets and DIY arrangements, the possibilities are endless. For instance, a wreath made from garden-picked flowers offers a long-lasting, affordable, and personalized alternative to store-bought options. You can also create sophisticated dried floral bouquets, incorporating elements like pine cones, eucalyptus, cedar, juniper, and olive branches, which evoke winter's earthy tones and complement festive decor.
Another popular idea is arranging dried flowers and grasses in vases or forming mixed herb bundles to hang or display, bringing subtle fragrance and rustic charm to the space.
When crafting with dried botanicals, it's essential to be mindful of the materials used. Avoid fresh or wet flowers that have not been fully dried, as they can encourage mold growth. Also, steer clear of fragile flowers prone to crumbling easily after drying, as they can compromise the decoration's longevity. It’s best to hang dry flowers upside down in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated location to preserve their shape and colour. Synthetic materials that clash with the natural aesthetic should also be avoided to maintain an authentic look.
The 'cloud' used in these winter arrangements is a unique creation made from chicken wire twisted into a desired shape and suspended to appear floating. Dried bracken is used as the base for the cloud due to its lacy texture. Additional details such as berries, dried seedheads, and dried flowers are added to the cloud in situ. The size of the cloud should be considered before building up layers, as it will double in size once filled with foliage.
The shape of the cloud should be contorted to create a 'nest' for the stems. Suspending wires should be attached before building up the layers of dried material. Wearing gloves is recommended when handling the sharp wire ends.
Some ingredients for a wreath or table centerpiece include opium poppy seedheads, ornamental grasses, ruby-colored strawflowers, dried bracken, shepherd's purse, and gone-to-seed land cress. The materials for these arrangements come from plants growing around the maker, whether in a walled garden or on the local moors, woods, and fields.
Floral foam is not used in these arrangements due to its non-biodegradability, micro-plastics, and harmful chemicals. Instead, chicken wire and moss are used as bases. A mantelpiece decoration using dried florals can be created above a fireplace, on a wall, or strung from a ceiling. The mantelpiece cloud is approximately 75cm x 75cm.
In summary, creative ideas for using dried flowers, grasses, and herbs in winter decorations include making wreaths, floral bouquets, and DIY arrangements that add natural colour and texture to interiors or special occasions. When crafting with dried botanicals, avoid materials that hold moisture or encourage mold growth, such as fresh cut flowers that have not been fully dried, or foliage treated with water-based sprays. Also, do not use fragile or overly delicate flowers that crumble easily after drying since they can compromise the decoration's longevity. It’s best to hang dry flowers upside down in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated location to preserve their shape and colour.
- incorporating dried flowers, grasses, and herbs in home and garden decorations can provide a unique and long-lasting addition to one's lifestyle, offering not only natural colour and texture but also a subtle fragrance,
- opting for garden-picked flowers in DIY winter arrangements can result in personalized and eco-friendly decor, especially when arranged alongside fashion-and-beauty elements such as pine cones, eucalyptus, or even berries,
- to maintain the authenticity of home and garden designs, it's crucial to steer clear of non-biodegradable materials like floral foam and synthetic elements that might clash with the natural aesthetic.
