re you seeking a luscious table design using sustainable floral techniques? Look no further! Our floral expert Joseph Massie has created this captivating design, so let’s dive on in.
Where did the inspiration for this design come from?
Joseph: “Many childhood holidays were spent leisurely on the lush hills and rocky cliffs of Wales, and today’s arrangement is highly evocative of those times - and just perfect for a rainy day. Here, I’m using armfuls of the finest ‘Bella Belles’ and ‘Mammoth Pink’ Hellebore, handfuls of moss, and tables full of Welsh slate - what could be better?”
We couldn't agree more. The secret ingredient in this piece is a pin holder, also known as Kenzan, flower frog, or flower pick. The pin holder keeps the stems in place with its tiny metal pins.
So what do you need to replicate this design?
- 25 stems of Helleborus Mammoth Pink
- 25 stems of Helleborus Bella Belles
- Bowls
- Oasis Fix
- Pin holders
- Rocks (Welsh Slate)
- Candles
- Moss
Bowls, Oasis Fix, Pin holders
Helleborus Mammoth Pink
Helleborus Bella Belles
To begin, take a bowl or container and three small pieces (approx. 10cm total) of Oasis fix. Peel the paper from the fix and roll it into a ball in your hands - you’ll feel it become softer, more malleable, as it warms.
Take your pin holder/Kenzan and attach the pieces of fix to the back.
Place the pin holder directly into the centre of the bowl and press down firmly to secure it. The pin holder will keep the blooms in your desired form. Add water to the bowl.
Arranging the flowers
With our mechanics in place, start by taking the stems of Hellebore and removing most of the leaves. Joseph: “I often find the beauty of Hellebore stems can be obscured by their heavy, dense foliage - removing the foliage reveals the beauty of the flower and will also help the blooms last longer.”
Begin arranging by placing a couple of stems into the vase asymmetrically, at different lengths, as shown. Make sure to cut them at a 45-degree angle with a sharp knife.
Continue adding Hellebore stems, creating a stronger asymmetrical form, taller in the middle of the bowl and shorter on the sides.
”I often use a spinning plateau (lazy Susan) to rotate centrepieces while arranging. This helps to ensure it looks good from every angle.
Golden ratio
Joseph uses the 3-5-8 ratio in many of his designs. This proportion principle, also called the golden ratio, creates visually appealing asymmetrical arrangements. Each number serves a distinct function:
- 8 is the strongest placement, the point which attracts your eye first and foremost.
- 5 is the point to which your eye will travel next, the second strongest dominant area in floral design.
- 3 is the third strongest placement, where your eye travels after 8 and 5.
The strongest placement could be the point with the most open flowers, while number 3 might show just a bud. If you’d like to learn more about this design theory, please visit Joseph's website.
Repeat the process
Repeat these steps for the other bowls. Joseph created seven of them, to fit a 6ft long table, for this design.
Setting the table
Arrange the slates on the table and place the Hellebore bowls between them. Cover the bowls with smaller slates and add moss.
Dress the table with candles and tableware. Place a stem of Hellebore on each plate, for a final floral flourish.
You have to accept social media cookies to view this video.
To change your cookie preference, go to the cookie page.
We thank Joseph Massie for this inspirational piece!
