Styling your home with flowers

Flowers bring life and exuberance to a home, however many people reserve flowers for special occasions - which is a great loss as flowers are very accessible.

Alyssa Bennett from Avant Garden, an Auckland-based florist, recently chatted to us about all things flowers, care, and making the most of your product. “When it comes to flowers it’s all about your own capabilities and what you're willing to do,” Ms Bennett says.

Source Locally, and Source Wide

There are so many places that you can find great flowers and florists.

“If you just want a beautiful arrangement without the hassle it’s definitely worth going to a florist, where it's our profession. We have an eye for it, we take it really seriously, we love it. And we're gonna make you the best arrangement we can for your space,” Ms Bennett notes.

However if you would rather try your hand at arranging yourself then supermarkets, markets, and gardens are all great places to source flowers.

Best Flowers To Buy That Go The Distance

Another great way to ensure you have flowers in your home year round is to opt for hardier plants, or plants that are in season.

“Peonies are in full swing right now, and they last really well. They start really small and it is so much fun watching them blow up. And sometimes they change colour as well.”

Ms Bennett also recommended tropical flowers like Birds of Paradise as they are very sturdy. Orchids also last a long time and are very popular for this reason.

Similarly, Australian natives are well known for their hardiness and longevity.

Care and Maintenance

Another thing you can do that will improve the longevity of your flowers is to make sure you maintain them. According to Ms Bennett, it is all about keeping an eye on your flowers and being responsive.

“Every other day, give your flowers fresh water and a good cut. Cutting the stems basically just refreshes them so they're able to drink water faster. And fresh water gets rid of all that dirty bacteria and provides clean water to drink. And I can't think of a single flower that likes direct sunlight. So a shaded and cool place is preferable.”

Basics of Bouquets

So how do you design your own arrangements and bouquets? Well Ms Bennett says the first thing to know is where it’s going.

“If it’s going to be a table centrepiece and you'll be able to see it from all angles, you're going want to constantly turn the vase as you're arranging it. If you're making something that's going against a wall, like an entranceway piece, then you're not going to move the vase at all.”

Ms Bennett also encourages you to use the colours in your home to inspire your flower choices. It’s a fun and simple way to make your flower choices seem cohesive.

And have fun with it!

“Whatever mood you're in, I think changing it up is fun.”

Flowers For Everyday

Flowers improve the ambience and comfort of your home. Don’t be afraid to get stuck in, and reach out to your local florist for any tips and advice.