<p>Flowers have the ability to express feelings and what’s more, they can soften any kind of decor with their mere presence.<br /><br /> No wonder, flowers are still extensively used to add value to home decor elements and create a desired ambience. Particularly if you are living in the city, where space can often be a constraint. Hence, knowing the art of decorating with flowers can help you transform any dull place into a lively and fragrant ambience.<br /> <br />From the exotic to the locally-grown, there are plenty of options to choose from. “For instance, flowers like peace lily can look beautiful inside your home. What’s more, they also act an air purifiers and are easy to grow and maintain. And if you are looking fro something that is compact, amaryllis is perfect as it can be grown in glass jars and it does well in sunny locations,” elaborates plant enthusiast Swapna Soni.<br /><br />Floral arrangements<br /><br />Flowers have the ability to change the atmosphere in your home in an instant. In fact, floral elements have played a major role in home decor for a long time. For instance, in ancient Egypt, flowers were frequently arranged in stylised ways and used as table decorations or were placed in vases at strategic corners. Additionally, the flowers were selected according to religious significance. The lotus flower or water lily, for example, was often included in such arrangements. <br /><br />In India, flowers play an important role, both in terms of tradition and in rituals. Flower-based rangolis, offering flowers to deities, flower arrangements on doorways, floating flowers on water bodies, growing water lilies and lotus in a small veranda-based pond — these have always been a part of many Indian homes. <br /><br />Apart from these connotations and uses, flowers can also be used in modern home decor in a variety of ways. From adorning a corner of your living room to a table centrepiece, flowers can turn just about any space they are placed in, into something very appealing. For example, you can consider taking some water in a simple glass bowl and letting flowers like marigolds, jasmine or even rose petals to float on top. To make it stand out, you could also add some light with floating diyas.<br /><br />Japanese style<br /><br />If you are looking for some inspiration with your flower decoration at home, look up the Japanese style of minimalistic approach. For them, flower arrangement is an art called Ikebana. More than just putting flowers in a container, it is actually a disciplined art form in which nature and humanity come together. Contrary to the traditional flower arrangement, where colour and bloom of different flowers are placed together in a vase, Ikebana lays emphasis on the overall line and form of the plants. As a result, plant parts such as the stems and leaves are given importance as well. <br /><br />If you are looking to do a basic Ikebana arrangement, here’s how you can go about it. To begin with, place a few flower holders (usually those with needlepoints to help hold the flowers in place) into a shallow vessel. Next, take 3 flower types of varying lengths. Place the longest stem at a 11 o’clock position, which is 30 degrees towards the left shoulder. Then, place the second longest stem at 8 o’clock position, which is 45 degrees towards the left shoulder. And then, place the smallest at 4 o’clock position, which is 75 degrees towards the right shoulder. The idea is to follow your creative intuition and place other plant materials along the stems. However, ensure that you keep it simple, minimalistic and clean. <br /><br />Smart upcycling<br /><br />Instead of investing in something new to put your flowers in, you can consider using the water cans that you no longer use. It’s all about smart upcycling to make a decor statement. How about simply arranging the choicest of flowers in a can laid with a bed of healthy soil? In case you don’t have any at home, you can easily purchase them second-hand in garage sales or at the flea markets. Paint the containers if you like, or else, just maintain the rustic look.<br /><br />The easiest way, though, to incorporate some fresh flowers at home is to place a few of them in a vase. However, there’s a technique to this as well. Once you have decided on the flowers and got them home, start by giving the flowers — say lilies, for instance — a cut at 45 degree angle. Now, remove any foliage that may fall below the water line; also the leaves in the water, as these will shorten its lifespan. Next, create a base and place bigger floral blooms making them the focal point. <br /><br />After that, you can add small flowers or accent flowers like clematis and saponaria. To bring in an element of green, you can also consider using foliage like olive branches. As flowers offer the flexibility in terms of how they can be arranged, you can place them anywhere in your home, including sideboards, mantels, entry areas and staircases as well. To break the decor’s monotony, use colourful flowers such as cineraria, kalanchoe, chrysanthemums and begonias. Peonies, dahlias, clematis, saponaria, tulips, and olive branches can also add to the room’s elegance with their mere presence. Additionally, by placing them in the right pot, you can add to its character. <br /><br />Taking care<br /><br />As with anything else, flowers too need love and care. “Appreciation and love work wonders with flowers,” avers Swapna. There are many ways to ensure that your flowers last longer and add to your decor’s freshness. So, let’s get the basics right:<br /><br />l If you’ve kept a flowering plant indoors, put it back out into the sun to rejuvenate every 2 to 3 days. <br /><br />l Keep a toolbox with scissors or clippers, aspirin, apple cider vinegar, spray bottle, small spade, homemade compost, pots, vase and flower holders handy. <br /><br />l Everyone likes to keep cut flowers around as long as possible, and there are several good methods to do so. One way is to mix 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar and 2 tbsp sugar with the vase water before adding the flowers. Another foolproof way is to put a crushed aspirin in the water. This needs to be done before putting in the flowers. <br /><br />l Last but not the least, water the flowers every couple of days. If it is in a vase, change it regularly.<br /><br />Caring for these flowers at home is actually very simple and not at all time-consuming. Adding a bit of colour to your home has never been easier, has it?<br /> </p>
<p>Flowers have the ability to express feelings and what’s more, they can soften any kind of decor with their mere presence.<br /><br /> No wonder, flowers are still extensively used to add value to home decor elements and create a desired ambience. Particularly if you are living in the city, where space can often be a constraint. Hence, knowing the art of decorating with flowers can help you transform any dull place into a lively and fragrant ambience.<br /> <br />From the exotic to the locally-grown, there are plenty of options to choose from. “For instance, flowers like peace lily can look beautiful inside your home. What’s more, they also act an air purifiers and are easy to grow and maintain. And if you are looking fro something that is compact, amaryllis is perfect as it can be grown in glass jars and it does well in sunny locations,” elaborates plant enthusiast Swapna Soni.<br /><br />Floral arrangements<br /><br />Flowers have the ability to change the atmosphere in your home in an instant. In fact, floral elements have played a major role in home decor for a long time. For instance, in ancient Egypt, flowers were frequently arranged in stylised ways and used as table decorations or were placed in vases at strategic corners. Additionally, the flowers were selected according to religious significance. The lotus flower or water lily, for example, was often included in such arrangements. <br /><br />In India, flowers play an important role, both in terms of tradition and in rituals. Flower-based rangolis, offering flowers to deities, flower arrangements on doorways, floating flowers on water bodies, growing water lilies and lotus in a small veranda-based pond — these have always been a part of many Indian homes. <br /><br />Apart from these connotations and uses, flowers can also be used in modern home decor in a variety of ways. From adorning a corner of your living room to a table centrepiece, flowers can turn just about any space they are placed in, into something very appealing. For example, you can consider taking some water in a simple glass bowl and letting flowers like marigolds, jasmine or even rose petals to float on top. To make it stand out, you could also add some light with floating diyas.<br /><br />Japanese style<br /><br />If you are looking for some inspiration with your flower decoration at home, look up the Japanese style of minimalistic approach. For them, flower arrangement is an art called Ikebana. More than just putting flowers in a container, it is actually a disciplined art form in which nature and humanity come together. Contrary to the traditional flower arrangement, where colour and bloom of different flowers are placed together in a vase, Ikebana lays emphasis on the overall line and form of the plants. As a result, plant parts such as the stems and leaves are given importance as well. <br /><br />If you are looking to do a basic Ikebana arrangement, here’s how you can go about it. To begin with, place a few flower holders (usually those with needlepoints to help hold the flowers in place) into a shallow vessel. Next, take 3 flower types of varying lengths. Place the longest stem at a 11 o’clock position, which is 30 degrees towards the left shoulder. Then, place the second longest stem at 8 o’clock position, which is 45 degrees towards the left shoulder. And then, place the smallest at 4 o’clock position, which is 75 degrees towards the right shoulder. The idea is to follow your creative intuition and place other plant materials along the stems. However, ensure that you keep it simple, minimalistic and clean. <br /><br />Smart upcycling<br /><br />Instead of investing in something new to put your flowers in, you can consider using the water cans that you no longer use. It’s all about smart upcycling to make a decor statement. How about simply arranging the choicest of flowers in a can laid with a bed of healthy soil? In case you don’t have any at home, you can easily purchase them second-hand in garage sales or at the flea markets. Paint the containers if you like, or else, just maintain the rustic look.<br /><br />The easiest way, though, to incorporate some fresh flowers at home is to place a few of them in a vase. However, there’s a technique to this as well. Once you have decided on the flowers and got them home, start by giving the flowers — say lilies, for instance — a cut at 45 degree angle. Now, remove any foliage that may fall below the water line; also the leaves in the water, as these will shorten its lifespan. Next, create a base and place bigger floral blooms making them the focal point. <br /><br />After that, you can add small flowers or accent flowers like clematis and saponaria. To bring in an element of green, you can also consider using foliage like olive branches. As flowers offer the flexibility in terms of how they can be arranged, you can place them anywhere in your home, including sideboards, mantels, entry areas and staircases as well. To break the decor’s monotony, use colourful flowers such as cineraria, kalanchoe, chrysanthemums and begonias. Peonies, dahlias, clematis, saponaria, tulips, and olive branches can also add to the room’s elegance with their mere presence. Additionally, by placing them in the right pot, you can add to its character. <br /><br />Taking care<br /><br />As with anything else, flowers too need love and care. “Appreciation and love work wonders with flowers,” avers Swapna. There are many ways to ensure that your flowers last longer and add to your decor’s freshness. So, let’s get the basics right:<br /><br />l If you’ve kept a flowering plant indoors, put it back out into the sun to rejuvenate every 2 to 3 days. <br /><br />l Keep a toolbox with scissors or clippers, aspirin, apple cider vinegar, spray bottle, small spade, homemade compost, pots, vase and flower holders handy. <br /><br />l Everyone likes to keep cut flowers around as long as possible, and there are several good methods to do so. One way is to mix 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar and 2 tbsp sugar with the vase water before adding the flowers. Another foolproof way is to put a crushed aspirin in the water. This needs to be done before putting in the flowers. <br /><br />l Last but not the least, water the flowers every couple of days. If it is in a vase, change it regularly.<br /><br />Caring for these flowers at home is actually very simple and not at all time-consuming. Adding a bit of colour to your home has never been easier, has it?<br /> </p>
