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Bottling
the Power
of The Home Ecology of Flowers
Floral
Expert Rebecca Cole Brings Harvard Research to Life
with How-To Ideas for Everyday Display and Care
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| Rebecca
Cole, author of Flower Power and co-host of Discovery
Channel's Surprise by Design |
From
her New York City design studio, interior and floral designer
Rebecca Cole is a pro at creating personal spaces in which
her clients love to live. Through her Discovery Channel show,
Surprise by Design, Cole has made it her life’s work
to inspire viewers to create individualized living environments.
“The
recent Harvard research is
proof that if we live in places that lift our spirits, we
can live happier, healthier lives,” said Cole. “Fresh
cut flowers are the perfect everyday accessory for any budget
– they add color, fragrance and style – and now
we know they even increase energy and compassion.”
According
to Cole, it’s easy to create a home
ecology, and she offers tips for those who want to easily
add flower power to their homes in a way that matches their
personal style and décor.
Location,
Location, Location
Participants
in the Harvard study reported the greatest mood-boosting effects
when fresh cut flowers were placed in common areas of the
home such as the kitchen, dining room and family room. Cole’s
easy ideas for social and personal spaces include:
 Place
bud vases in high traffic home areas – with even just
a few flowers. Any decorative glass from the kitchen will
do!
- The
kitchen table might be the best place for flowers, because
it’s where people gather together. Stop by a florist
or supermarket, where you’ll find a wide selection
of flowers from which to choose.
- For
an easy, elegant table decoration, set a series of crystal
vases on a fabric runner. Place fresh flowers in each of
the vases and surround them with greenery.
- Float
two or three blooms, such as open roses or gerbera daisies
in a favorite crystal bowl.
- In
the foyer, create a space to hang your keys that also includes
a weekly vase of flowers. It will be the last place you
see on your way out the door and the first you see on your
way back inside.
- Go
big and bold for open spaces. An abundant arrangement of
lilies, gladiolus, hydrangea or any large blooms create
an inviting environment for an expansive entryway or dining
room.
 A
bouquet can also perk up personal spaces such as bathrooms
and bedrooms.
- A
bud vase with a simple cluster of flowers hidden in the
center of a clear bubble bowl filled with potpourri is the
perfect way to create a welcoming atmosphere in a guest
room.
Styles
and Trends
- Experiment
to match a room’s décor with one the hottest
flower trends – monobotanic (arrangements of all one
type of flower) and monochromatic (using all one color palette,
such as a range of pinks).
- For
a contemporary look, group several vases together holding
just one or two stems. If you’re using your own container,
be creative! Use champagne glasses, china pieces or other
items that fit the décor of the room.
- Old
water pitchers, antique teapots, classic urns or even tattered
clay pots make fascinating containers for a casually placed
flower arrangement.
- Choose
soothing colors, like blues and greens, to create a tranquil
feeling or bright reds and oranges for a more sensual arrangement.
Yellows and peaches are nurturing and pinks and lavenders
are romantic.
Maximizing
a Budget
 Care
for your flowers to keep them lasting. Before you put the
flowers in the vase, remove all leaves below the waterline,
and include flower food for extra nutrients. If the water
becomes cloudy after a few days, replace it entirely with
properly mixed flower food solution. If possible, re-cut
stems by removing one to two inches with a sharp knife or
scissors.
- Flowers
have different life spans. Once some flowers begin to fade,
remove them, and transfer the longer-lasting flowers to
a smaller vase to place elsewhere in your home.
- Shop
strategically. Know what’s on special at the supermarket,
and ask your florist for the freshest varieties in stock
that day.
“Whether
experimenting on your own or eliciting the help of a floral
expert, bringing flowers into your home will brighten your
mood as well as your surroundings,” added Cole.
Rebecca
Cole’s Rules & Recipes
for Easy, Everyday Kitchen Flowers
 Today’s
kitchen interior trends – such as more prominent windows,
expansive islands and countertop space, open floor plans and
creative seating areas – all lend well to another major
trend – bringing the outdoors inside. But whether your
kitchen is spacious or cozy, there is no better or easier
way to welcome nature into your kitchen than with fresh-cut
flowers.
For
years, Cole has been helping people choose flowers that are
grounded to their personal style and taste. Now, she shares
her simple advice for anyone who wants to add some floral
flair to the hub of their home.
“Whether
you want a kitchen that is relaxing, stylish, functional or
elegant, you can accent with flowers to help inspire that
atmosphere,” says Cole. “While there are no hard
and fast rules, certain design guidelines will get you on
your way to effortless, everyday arrangements.”
Rebecca’s
Color and Design Truth or Dare
 Whether
your style is cottage or classic, modern or mosaic, B&B
or urban chic, you can tailor these floral design tips to
work in your kitchen. Place the flowers on your table or countertop.
The most important thing is to enjoy them every day.
Truth:
Try Classic or Commanding Colors and Containers
- To
be bold with color, choose just two colors at a time. Yellow
and orange, for example, look amazing and bold together.
Remember, in flowers, green is neutral and white is a color.
- For
a simple look, select a variety of flowers but keep it to
one color. It’s a sure-fire bang of modern beauty.
For the kitchen table, keep the stems cut to below eye level
and about the same length as each other.
- When
bringing home flowers from the florist, have a couple of
small vases and containers available so you can place a
few flowers around the house. You’ll be amazed how
many small arrangements you can get out of a single bunch
of flowers. Be creative with containers – try a demitasse
cup, champagne flute or even fun salt and pepper shakers.
Dare:
Dabble in both Dramatic and Everyday Design
 When
arranging with a variety of flowers, think “scale”
and “texture.” Mix large-headed flowers such as
sunflowers, peonies, hydrangeas and dahlias with smaller
blooms. Also try adding some fun, textured blossoms such
as belles of Ireland or delphinium with softer petals like
sweetpea or lisianthus.
- Try
“monobotanic,” all one type of flower, for a simple,
elegant look. Roses (standard or spray), alstroemeria, lilies,
tulips or gerbera daisies work well. Place them in a big
jug, pail or coffee tin for maximum impact.
- Mix
everyday, “humble” flowers such as daisies, carnations
and mums with “showoffs” like peonies, roses and
ranunculus. Keep the color palette simple.
Matching
Flowers to Your Home Style
Just
as people have their own personalities, so do their homes.
According to the Society of American Florists, popular home
decorating personalities tend to fall into five categories.
The guide below shows how flowers can complement and enhance
these styles.
Classic Traditional
 This
home has formal architecture with impressive front doors,
foyers and individually decorated rooms. Design elements include
classic furnishings and antiques with elegant fabrics of brocade,
silk and tapestry. Classic arrangements call for a mixture
of flowers (roses, gladiola, iris, carnations, lilies or snapdragons,
to name a few) and accents such as dried fruit and foliage.
Crystal, brass, silver or porcelain containers are ideal for
the classic floral centerpiece.
Modern Contemporary
Sleek and chic, the modern
home calls for clean lines, smooth surfaces and form. Elegant
fabrics, colorful silks, gauze or leather accent steel, glass
and other man-made materials. Bold, exotic flowers (anthuriums,
heliconia, callas, orchids) with strong lines work well to
complement this home's clean, open spaces. To complete the
dramatic look, flowers are best displayed in frosted glass
vases, decorative pottery and metallic containers with pewter
or stainless steel finishes.
Victorian
 Velvets,
satins, chintz, lace and organza create a feeling of softness
and romance in the Victorian home. Pastel colors or soft tone-on-tone
prints are used to delight the senses. Fragrant flowers (roses,
spray roses, peonies, lavender, gardenias, freesia) in pale
peach, lavender, pink, yellow and cream conjure images of
romance and sensuality. All of these delicious colors glow
in lovely, romantic vases of clear glass, crystal and silver.
Casual Easy Living
 Casual
living lifestyles focus on the simple pleasures of life. The
decor includes furniture of light pine, natural woods, bleached
oak or a white-washed painted finish with fabrics of linen
and cotton in neutral tones. Because these homes are designed
for "stress busting," flowers provide nature's balancing formula.
The right match might include flowering and green plants (like
cyclamen, kalanchoe, pothos or ivy) casually grouped in a
basket, or flowers (such as sunflowers, daisies, hydrangea,
delphinium or tulips) placed in a clear glass vase, pitcher
or piece of pottery.
American Country
Recognized as a style all it's
own, American country has become a phenomenon. Motifs include
artifacts from the past - such as quilts, galvanized metal
bowls and wooden crates. The result is comfort that is easy
and inviting. Woven baskets or simple vases of mixed spring
flowers (yarrow, wild roses, scabiosa, heather) fit perfectly
on a coffee table or kitchen counter. Cut flowers, blooming
plants, herbs, wreaths and swags with that farm-fresh look
are a natural extension of this homespun decor.
For more advice on incorporating floral elements into your
home, talk with your local florist. He or she will be able
to capture just the style you're looking for - with flowers.
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