Make It Modern

Fill dark ceramic and stoneware vases with a bunch or two of a single type of flower for a contemporary take on floral arranging. Here, Gina used four of her focal and filler flower favorites across clay vessels. While their shapes and sizes vary, each has a narrow mouth, which has the dual benefit of supporting stems and allowing you to make a big impact with fewer of them.

Can't find the perfect vase? Don't be afraid to DIY! Two of these vases are ones Gina thrifted then gave a coat of black paint (mixing in mud for texture) to lend them the earthy appeal she wanted.

A bunch of astrantia creates a round shape that mimics its container. “We use this a lot in bridal bouquets for texture, but I love using it like this too,” Gina says, noting this particular plant has a long vase life. Astrantia often comes in white, blush pink, and a moody purple. “Caspia, waxflower, or a greenery like dusty miller would look pretty here, too.”

Verdant hydrangeas, typically thought of as a more traditional bloom, take on a modern feel in a dark handled vase. “The limelight and oakleaf varieties dry really well, so you can keep them preserved,” Gina says. “You can’t go wrong with hydrangeas; they’re the easiest to design.”

Ranunculus is a small flower that packs a powerful visual punch. “The smaller the mouth of the vase, the better for these,” she says, noting the stems “tend to droop.” For this flower, be sure not to overwater. “They don’t like a whole lot of moisture because it makes their stems mushy. Probably just an inch or two of water is enough.”

Filler flowers like genestra seem to blur the line between floral and greenery, creating an organic, spriglike shape. “Waxflower or baby’s breath would work well here too. We just criss-cross the stems, first one way then the other, to help create this shape,” Gina says.

Reach for Roses

While Gina’s personal style currently leans more organic modern, she’s always on the lookout for vintage vases. Here, ‘White Majolica’ spray roses , pink ‘Quicksand’ roses , and lavender ‘Amnesia’ roses are timeless in a collection of glazed and milk glass containers. Roses might have a reputation for more formal or romantic affairs, but Gina encourages people to use them to elevate an everyday look around the house.

“They’re very versatile,” she says.

Hold It Together

Like ranunculus, anemone is a smaller focal flower that makes a statement as a bunch, especially with the airy composition they create in this wide, textured clay pot. Without the tighter mouth of a vase to contain the stems, Gina used a ball of curly willow in the base to provide support.

“We use curly willow and chicken wire because it’s more sustainable than flower foam, but it’s also good for someone who is learning,” Gina says. “You can take your stems in and out and move them easier than you can when you’re creating holes in foam.” In clear vases, the curly willow creates added appeal below the water line.

Branch Out

Turn to your own backyard when bringing the outdoors in. For this dramatic display, Gina used three branches of a saucer magnolia accented with greenery from an eleagnus bush; she recommends clipping from a Southern magnolia, redbud, forsythia, or any other blooming tree for a similar look. “I would love this on a big, long dining room table or even sitting right on your fireplace,” she says. To create the look, make sure your vessel is heavy enough to support the weight of the branches.

Next-Level Looks

While Gina prefers the single-flower look for decorating in her own home, clients of Vase & Vine often desire more intricately designed arrangements for their weddings and loved ones. Here, Gina and Summer each designed an arrangement in a low compote to show their two go-to styles: organic and modern.

Organic Elegance

Vase and Vine’s organic arrangements have the look of a mixed bouquet possibly pulled straight from the garden, featuring a variety of colorful flowers with greenery mixed in. This one incorporates delphinium, ‘David Austin’ roses, ranunculus, anemones, snapdragons, narcissus, genestra, stock, and veronica as well as olive branches.

Modern Style

While their modern style has a similar shape, it incorporates many more blooms in a monochromatic scale of colors, such as the scabiosa, snapdragons, tulips, roses, ranunculus, genestra, and burgundy amaranthus seen here.