A moment of inspiration
My mom, sister, and I were visiting one of our favorite gardening shops Claussens, when a stroke of inspiration hit! As I walked through the flower pot section, my florist heart beamed. I saw fun expressions look back at me and I knew I wanted one. They looked so similar in shape to a vase that is used in floral centerpieces called a compote.
*If you’d like to skip to the final product and resource guide and video, scroll to the bottom of this post.*
I thought I could find something similar online for a different price point. But now I know, just flow with your inspo, don’t take pause. I went out of my way to return to Claussens a few weeks later for this vase after not finding anything like it online. You’ll see why I fell in love.
The expression of the planter pot was unique and uplifting for an interior space.
With the shape of the planter and flat base I saw a flower vision. Immediately I saw the hydrangeas we have growing in our front yard. I could also incorporate dried gestural pieces such as branches or wheat grasses. I’ll try this out later in the season. In the Spring you could use dogwood branches or cherry blossoms. A lot of possibility for this piece.
This is all possible because of a tool I personally love to use in floral arranging… a metal pin frog. They offer a simple way to play with flowers and woodier stems in an open and wide diameter vessel such as this planter. (See my post about choosing the right vase) You can also search ikebana for more ideas of how to play with this tool. With the pin frog you can use essentially any water carrying vessel. As long as it will be sturdy for your material. The flat bottom of this pot did just that.
Pin frogs can be tricky. If the flower stem is too thin it won’t stand in place. Or if the stem is too thick it could be difficult to secure in place. Be patient and let it be a learning experience.
The usual process is to add flower putty to secure the pin frog to the vase. However, I didn’t have any and I had a feeling it would be unnecessary for this design. The flower putty is helpful to keep it in place when you are transporting arrangements, or adding material into the vase. The frog itself is heavy so I had no issues just plopping it to the bottom of the flower pot and being mindful of movement when I arranged.
Anchoring the vision, into form.
A note on creating something from an inspired idea, the excitement to finish the job sometimes takes its sweet time to come back. I never want to force my creations and the flow of creative energy for this idea dwindled for a few weeks. I had the tools, just not the inner alignment to bring it to life. Trust the timing and flow with it, because in this case, I needed to wait anyways. The colors of the hydrangea had yet to reach their peak warm rosy hue. I also wanted to have supplemental pieces to play with. The timing to get flowers from the market didn’t align for a little while. But alas! My mom came home with flowers from a friend. Even though I let them sit there for a week and now they had slimy stems and fading edges, I forged forward with the vision.
Enjoy the video of the process. It’s a slow process video. Meaning I don’t edit much and it’s for the enjoyment and inspiration more than the step by step information.
Design Tips
I suggest exploring local retail and gardening shops for inspiration and supplies. It’s part of the fun! You could also find decorative pieces at thrift and re-use shops.
To source your flowers, check around if there is a local flower farm. Some let you pick your own. They also would sell at farmer’s markets if it’s still the season. Lastly Trader Joes or a Whole Foods have a good selection.
To make the centerpiece unique and playful, start noticing what is already in your backyard. Going on walks you may find wild flowers too! Bring a vase with water, be sure to clip where there is an abundance of that flower already growing.
Before clipping I invite you to have a moment with the flower to check in if it’s excited to be part of your creation. You’ll get a feeling if it’s a yes or a no. Another way to know, is if you feel drawn to the flower after setting the intention to forage for the arrangement.
Putting it all together
Candles, tablecloths, and pumpkins! See what you already have around the house to accentuate and elevate the centerpiece. This is great for a dining table or coffee table. To refresh the water, simply carry the pot to the sink and fill it with water until it is overflowing and the old water has run out. You may need to stick your hand in the pot to hold on to the pin frog while dumping some of the excess out.
Tools
Guides
Flower frogs: Your complete guide on how to use, where to buy, and more
How to make a traditional centerpiece with a compote
How to make a traditional ikebana arrangement
Foundations and adding whimsy to a flower farm bouquet arrangement
