A little over a year ago a new bar/flower shop (yes, a bar slash flowershop) opened in my neighborhood called Sycamore. Their flower selection is beautiful and definitely a step up from the typical roses, carnations and baby’s breath that most places sell. Sycamore tends to have much more unusual selections with exciting names like “Kangaroo Foot.” Anyway, after buying a few beautiful bouquets there (that I did not put together myself), I realized how little I know about flowers and putting together nice floral arrangements. I don’t know why, but I kind of suck at it. Which is too bad because flowers are a great way to spruce up a room. Luckily Allison Jonas, one of the owners of Sycamore, agreed to give me some much needed advice. Here are her answers to my general flower questions. Read through them and then check out my progress as I put this advice into action!
Sycamore Q&A
How did you come up with the idea to open a flower shop in a bar?
We wanted to create a warm, inviting space to walk into during the day that could turn into a cozy place to hang out in at night. And we realized there was a need for a unique flowershop in the neighborhood. We sell everything by the stem, so you can stop in and just pick up a few blooms – which a lot of the time is all you need to spruce up your place and get a little pick me up on the cheap.
What are some general rules of thumb for creating flower arrangements? Could you walk us through the process?
First, pick out a color palette, then once you’ve decided on the colors you like, try to pick between 3-5 different types of flowers for the arrangement. Any less than that can feel incomplete and sometimes more than that can get a little crazy (but sometimes crazy can be fun). Of the 3-5 different types, its good to pick one of each of the following categories: Full/Big/Round Blooms (Like Peonies, Roses, Anemones, Sunflowers) then add in floppy, leafy stems to fill it out (like eucalyptus, brunia, waxflowers, kangaroo paws) and finally its nice to add smaller blooms for interest (like ranunculus, gloriosa, or delphinium). You can also add in some different textures (blue thistle, dusty miller). And when in doubt, just go for all of the same kind. Its classic and you can’t go wrong that way.
This is a question specific to me, but I always seem to have trouble figuring out how much of the stems to cut off so an arrangement will look best in a vase. It always feels like hit or miss even when I try to be thorough. Do you have any tips for how to do this better (or is it just practice)?
I’d say always cut the stems longer and then try them out in your vase, then you can adjust where to cut next. It is also helpful to split the arrangement into thirds and slowly add in stems.
What are some of your favorite kinds of flowers? Are there any flower combinations that you especially love?
My favorites are peonies, ranunculus and anemones
What are some tricks to making flowers last longer?
Flowers are happiest if you trim the stems on an angle every day and change their water. Also you can add a little sugar to the water (Sprite works) and a drop of bleach to keep away bacteria.
If someone is interested in learning more, are there any resources you could suggest?
We have a great reference book called The Floral Artists Guide. It lists every flower, how long it lasts and how to use it in an arrangement. Super helpful.
And now, I try out my flower arranging skills
Ok! After taking Allison’s advice into consideration, I boldly went into Sycamore determined to put together my own bouquet. I started by picking a color palette. On this particular day I was immediately drawn to the purple hydrangeas, so from there I selected some blue delphinium and some purplely pink button poms. These selections also fulfilled my quota of full blooms, taller stems and small blooms. I was well on my way!
Once I got home I faced the challenge of arranging these flowers in my vase. This was a little scary, but I just remembered to be conservative with my cutting and also to add a third of the arrangement at a time. And viola! Here’s the final product:
Not bad? Maybe its not Martha Stewart quality, but I’m still pretty proud of myself. This arrangement cost $20, but you don’t have to spend that much. As Allison mentioned, just a couple of stems in a small vase can work wonders in a room.
And also, for your increased flower knowledge, here are pictures of all the flower species mentioned in this post:
Peony
Ranunculus
Waxflower
Kangaroo Paw
Gloriosa
Eucalyptus
Dusty Miller
Delphinium
Brunia
Blue Thistle
Anemone
Poms
Beautiful arrangement. Well done!
Wow, impressive! I’ve always liked anemone and never knew what they were! This is seriously becoming the most useful blog ever.
[...] Sycamore was featured on a great new home decorating site called 2nd Floor Living. We spilled some secrets to help you confidently put together a simple bouquet. Hope you find it [...]
Good Morning i read your website frequently and thought i would say all the best for 2010!
I’ll Digg this, thanks!
Great Post…. Thanks :)
I enjoyed this post, I’m thinkin my viewers would enjoy this as well, I’ll be sure to link to this and bookmark it, thank you
Hi, admin, I like your blog, but how can I subscribe to the blog itself?
I be learn English and I cant understand complesx word. Thank you to your message that someone as simple a me could understand.
I am happy! Seriously useful web site publish right here my buddie. I just wanted to comment & say continue the high quality work. I’ve book marked your weblog just now and I will come back to learn more later my buddy! Additionally good designs on the page layout, it’s truly easy for the eyes.
Thanks for the information!
i love the blue thistle now its my favorite besides orchids
i think most flower shops these days use plant food to extend the life of cut flowers~-`
You must know by now, your writing goes to the nitty-gritty of the topic. Your lucidity leaves me wanting to know more. Just so you know, i will immediately grab your feed to keep up to date with your blog. Saying thanks is simply my little way of saying what a masterpiece for a grand resource. Let In my nicest wishes for your incoming post.
I revelled reading it. I need to read more on this matter…I am admiring the time and effort you put in your blog, because it is apparently one great place where I can find lot of reusable info..
Marvellous write-up you’ve created right! The globe broad web filled with horrid authorship and I was taken hold of because lucidity. Your closings are dead-on and that i will forthwith subscribe to your rss nourish remain a lot as date with your up approaching postings. Sure! I confess it, your authorship fashion is unbelievable and that i will now work tougher on enhancing mine.
I will not discussion with your determinations merely because I think you are proper on money! You have place together the best case for your sentiments and now I understand more details on this all-time topic. Provides Thanks from this spectacular post and i get back for more.
Usefull article do you mind if i translate into Dutch for my sites readers? Thanks
my mom would always frequently visit flower shops because she loves fresh flowers on our house `:`
Thanks! Good info!
Thanks, thats quite useful to know! I must admit I’m a bit useless in the kitchen, but I’m trying my best to learn. Admitting is the first step to recovery right!!? I promised to cook a whole meal for my wife this weekend for the first time – very exciting! I found some really simple recipes at this site, seems to be designed exactly for people like me, which is fantastic! Anyway, thanks for your tips, I’ll be sure to subscribe to this site to read more.
Took me time to read all the comments but I really enjoyed the article. It proved to be very useful to me and I am sure to all the commenters here! It�s always nice when you can not only be informed but also entertained! I�m sure you had joy writing this article.
A low semen volume analysis examines some characteristics of a male’s low semen volume and the amount of sperm contained in the low semen. It may be done while investigating a couple’s infertility or maybe after a vasectomy to verify that the procedure was successful. It is also used for testing the donors for ejaculation fluid donation. Lately it’s possible to increase semen with completely safe and natural ways like buying herbal pills from the many Internet stores.
Howdy, I recently came across your site while hunting for creative ideas for blooms for a marriage ceremony. You’ve excellent photos here. What are their titles it is always good to find out? I’d personally love to use several of them in my floral arrangements. Many thanks. Elizabeth Patterson
Great site dude! Been searching for a site like this.
What?s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I have found It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & assist other users like its helped me. Great job.
I am really thankful to this topic because it really gives great information *;”
Great site. A lot of helpful information here. I am sending it to several buddies ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you for your sweat!
Enjoyed the read, went well with my night cap.
Pleased fresh season!!!
[...] 1, 2, 3, 4, [...]
Hello! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a extraordinary job!
It is the best time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or tips. Perhaps you can write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it!
Fantastic post but I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit more. Cheers!
very good publish, i definitely adore this website, carry on it.
Auf diese Home Page hab auch ich was gefunden! Hier findest bestimmt auch du was!
I am often to running a blog and i actually admire your content. The article has actually peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
Excellent post!! I really like your site!!
Waw perfect article, I love this things.Better is estabilish new slovak limited company.
Hey, I don’t think telling you this on your post Learning the art of floral arrangements with help from my local flower shop | 2nd Floor Living would be the ideal place but I couldn’t find a contact form on your somewhat cluttered theme (i’m sorry). My visitors would always tell me exactly the same thing so I switched over to a brand new theme from http://bit.ly/themeforests. I have only gotten compliments after. Cheers, Traci Coonley
Well done. Not bad for $20. Over here in NJ you can barely get anything with $20. I’ll visit the store and take a look.
This can be a really good blog. I’ve been back again many times in the last 7-day time period and want to sign up for your own feed by utilizing Search engines but can not really learn how to do it precisly. Are you aware of any sort associated with guides?
I perform tons of number crunching for these types of games because I feel that history will usually give us an idea of what can happen in the future. I’m sure you know that it may be impossible to decipher the winning team in the NFL. This is why I consider using statistics for sports.
i love your side.
I enjoy you because of each of your labor on this website. Gloria really likes getting into investigations and it’s really simple to grasp why. Most of us hear all regarding the lively ways you give priceless suggestions on your web blog and in addition welcome response from people about this article and our favorite girl is without question studying a great deal. Have fun with the remaining portion of the new year. You’re the one carrying out a dazzling job.
Hello author! I just wanna say – very good job, you’ve got the best blog ever!
Buchhandlung Dortmund
I was looking for something different on Google, but ended here, reading your blog post, good read, thanks.
The article of the site is marvelous and interesting.First time i visited this site and enjoy it.I will also recommend others to visit this site
Very interesting to share such writings.I really gathered much from this.Thanks for sharing.
Nice post.I’m really impressed with your article, such great information you mentioned here..
Nice stuff.This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting in your blog especially its discussion.Keep your blog updating,good luck…
This is the first time I am visiting this post.I have gathered much of it.Really a interesting firm things. Thanks for sharing.
These are the most valuable post I have collected. I have bookmarked this post. regards,
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!
It is really an intellectual treat to read your views on the blog. Keep sharing.
The information served as a missing link in my business. Please keep writing.
Interesting article! I read about this before. Thanks to author.
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.Any way Ill be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon
Really interesting articles.I enjoyed reading it. I need to read more on this topic..Thanks for sharing a nice info…
Very interesting topic will bookmark your site to check if you write more about in the future
Thanks for sharing your views on the topic. It makes one think and look the other side of the story.
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.Any way Ill be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon
Looks like the author has massive awareness in the subject. Thanks you for the info.
What a great info, thank you for sharing. this will help me so much in my learning.
As a Newbie, I am always searching online for articles that can help me. Thank you
Thanks for sharing this. It was really an interesting and informative article. Pretty cool post!
Really nice piece of work…must appreciate..i have seen many sites and blogs but never this tyoe of work before thanks for sharing…
The topic which you chosen for discussion is really very good….Thanks.
I’m happy I found this blog, I couldnt discover any info on this subject matter prior to. I also run a site and if you want to ever serious in a little bit of guest writing for me if possible feel free to let me know, i\’m always look for people to check out my site. Please stop by and leave a comment sometime!
I like it very much especially the information you have putted here is like training. Keep the blog up to date. Thanks a lot.
Very interesting to share such writings.I really gathered much from this.Thanks for sharing.
Nice post.I’m really impressed with your article, such great information you mentioned here..
Nice stuff.This is my first time i visit here. I found so many interesting in your blog especially its discussion.Keep your blog updating,good luck…
This is the first time I am visiting this post.I have gathered much of it.Really a interesting firm things. Thanks for sharing.
These are the most valuable post I have collected. I have bookmarked this post. regards,
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!
It is really an intellectual treat to read your views on the blog. Keep sharing.
The information served as a missing link in my business. Please keep writing.
I always wanted to write in my site something like that but I guess you’r faster :)
Interesting information. May I add this blog to my linkexchange directory ?
i am w8ing ur next post.I have enjoyed reading.Simply nice blog awesome.. I will keep connect this blog very often
What tuition is included? – Some web designers in north wales will include tuition free of charge as part of the deal, others will charge per hour. Make sure you know where you are with this as per hour charging can quickly mount up.
Follow hyperlink for some intriguing websites we think you’ll also enjoy