FLORAL DESIGN MENTOR

Winter is the best time to EXPLORAMENT

BY JAMIE HENGARTNER 15 YEARS IN THE BIZ

Winter is the best time to “explorament” with copper and fresh flowers. (Explorament is explore + experiment according to my seven-year-old daughter.) Metal can seem rather cold in the winter, but the sparkle of coppery metal and its brown/reddish tones can actually feel warm, especially against the backdrop of fresh white snow and scented green cedar and pine, typical of a northern Canadian winter.

The most natural way to bring copper elements into floral design is by using copper coloured containers and pots. There are a myriad of options, and some may already be in your kitchen cupboard. Coffee sized copper mugs (I’m thinking about those Moscow Mules you enjoyed on New Year’s Eve), or even copper candy bowls that are deep enough to double as a vessel for flower arranging. One of my favourite from my own pantry is this vintage copper coloured water pitcher. Round with a smaller neck and wider bottom is perfect for arranging flowers. It is also an ideal height to display on any table and admire from afar (it is about as tall as a milk jug). Also, the reflective and hammered texture will shine in any setting and can suit the most casual to the most formal room. So, whether you re-purpose a copper vessel from your own home, or purchase a new one from your favourite décor shop, you can’t go wrong with a copper container.

It is classic, timeless, and can have many uses around your home.

The masculine colour of copper and texture of metal always balances the femininity of any florals or foliage you choose. Luckily, this balance automatically creates an equal contrast, too: hard metal vs. soft flowers, and, shiny surface vs. misty textured petals. The balance and contrast is very pleasing to the eye. It’s probably why you are easily draw to any flower arrangement in a shiny metal container before any other.

The next step in creating this arrangement is selecting the right flower colours to use BEFORE selecting the type of flower. This is a crucial when designing with copper containers. Copper is such a distinct colour, it may be more difficult to find flowers that match. For instance, if you are planning to wear copper coloured pants, you need to select the right colour shirt BEFORE you can select the actual shirt. Make sense? Since copper is a warm brown/ orange/red colour, there are two classic options to choose. First is to select copper’s complementary colour; blue. On the colour wheel, blue is directly across from orange (the colour most resembling copper), therefore blue flowers in a copper container will result in a vibrant, energetic arrangement. The second classic option is to select colours analogous to copper: yellow, red, and brown. These are the colours on either side of orange on a colour wheel, and result in a calming, relaxed arrangement.

The masculine colour of copper and texture of metal always balances the femininity of any florals or foliage you choose.

The primary reason we opted for an analogous palette in this arrangement is simple and brings new meaning to “tis’ the season”. The festive holiday season naturally lends itself to images of cedar garlands with red holly, snow covered brown pinecones, and warm wood-burning fireplaces. For a floral designer, the best way to capture that winter scene, is within a copper container.

So, as you take down all that holiday and New Year’s décor, remember there are still a few more months of winter to enjoy “winter floral décor”. Find yourself a copper coloured container, and try a winter arrangement like this. The energy and warmth of copper is always helpful to have near you as you patiently anticipate Spring.

Included in this winter arrangement: Bleached pampass grass; White dogwood branches; White snapdragons; Cream riceflowers; Brown pinecones; Byrgundy Kangaroo Paws; Green cedar branches; Variegated Oregonia leaves