Decorating With Flowers

Do�you ever look through a magazine and envy the rooms that are so well put together?� There is always one thing in common in all those pictures - flowers.

The good news is that you don't have to have a designer to create a "best dressed room" - a place that comes together and creates an ambiance of warmth and style.� You might just need flowers and plants. Here's how:

• First, consider your room's style.� If it's contemporary, choose complementary flowers with bold colors and simple lines and shapes such as orchids and lilies. For a traditional style room, bring in a full arrangement of "petalled" flowers, such as roses, carnations and greenery.� For a playful, eclectic room, choose gerbera daisies, tulips and belles of Ireland.� Because there are so many flower� varieties to choose from,ask your florist for advice, including what's fresh and in season.
• Your florist can recommend flowers for any budget, can design in a vase you provide and can deliver same day if you want your blossoms in a pinch.
• Next, search for logical surfaces to showcase the flowers and select the areas that need to be "softened."� For example, when a wall gets too busy with shelves, pictures or a mix of wood and stone, adding flowers is the perfect solution to give a room a visual break and even calm our senses.� I also consider the size and function of the surfaces for the flowers.� For example, to create a focal point, bring in a larger arrangement.� Choose smaller bouquets for conversation spaces and pleasant bursts of color in a smaller room.