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How To Pair Florals And Vases For Summer

by Magnolia
Published on June 24, 2022

With summer settling in and the world around us starting to flourish, we take our cue from nature, looking for new ways to celebrate the outdoors while bringing indoor spaces to life. An easy way to do that is with decorative florals and greenery. Luckily, our summer collection is filled with faux stems that are both beautiful and lasting, along with vases of various materials and textures—so you can find a style that suits you.

If you’re unsure of where to begin, we’ve pulled together five pairings of florals and vases that will liven up your living spaces. Below, we walk you through how to style them and where to place them in your home. These are just suggestions, of course, so if you want to experiment with different pairings than the ones we’ve listed here—by all means! After all, the goal is to find a display that speaks to you and what you love.

One Thing to Note:

With our faux florals, keep in mind that they are made for adjusting, cutting, bending, and twisting. In our tips, we’ll let you know how we played around with each stem—so feel free to do the same! If you ask us, a little extra effort put into personalizing the look and giving them a more natural feel is always worth it.

Casual, Organic, and Textured

The pair:

Large Water Hyacinth Vase + three Green Leaf Branches

How to arrange:

This vase is large, so we wanted branches that would match its scale. We used three of these oversized stems bent in all different directions to create a natural, foraged look. To keep them in place, we rested the end of the branches at different heights within the wicker vase; however, to make it even more secure, you can add chicken wire to the inside which will hold each branch in place.

Because of its size, this arrangement can be set on the floor out of the way of foot traffic, and act as a statement on its own.

Try it here:

  • living room accent 
  • entryway 
  • covered or screened-in patio

Playful, Minimal, and Delicate

The pair:

Three Rory White Wooden Bud Vases + two Pink Astrantia Stems

How to arrange:

These bud vases are on the smaller side, so we trimmed the stems with wire cutters to fit just right. When inserted into the vases, we felt the arrangement looked too full, so we clipped off a few of the leaves giving it a more minimalist, simple look. Feel free to play around with yours—these stems are easy to trim, bend, and make your own.

For the display, we recommend filling two vases with stems and leaving the third empty. This plays off the rule of threes while keeping it visually interesting and unexpected.

Try it here:

  • bedroom nightstand or dresser 
  • bookshelf or open shelf 
  • on your desk

Bright, Natural, and Classic

The pair:

Ellington Clay Jug Vase + three or four Gunni Eucalyptus Sprays

How to arrange:

Since the mouth of this vase is so much wider than these stems, they flopped to the sides when we put them in. So we inserted a small piece of chicken wire to give them structure and support, and placed the stems in one at a time. (You could also create a tape grid with green floral tape to achieve the same result.) Adjust and fluff the branches until it feels right to you!

Try it here:

  • bathroom vanity or shelf 
  • bedside table
  • living room accent table

Wild, Earthy, Sculptural

The pair:

Woodrow Handled Textured Vase + three Real Touch Myrtle Leaf Branch

How to arrange:

When we first inserted the three stems into this vase, it looked overly uniform and unnatural in height. To solve this problem, we used a wire cutter to snip a bit off the bottom of two of the stems. If you try this, keep the taller stem in the middle and shorter ones on the sides, adjusting and bending them until you love the way it looks. Again, chicken wire or a tape grid can help keep everything in place.

We love displaying this arrangement with a second, unfilled vase to play into the architectural appeal.

Try it here:

  • entryway console table 
  • covered or screened-in patio 
  • living room accent

Whimsical, Elegant, and Lively

The pair:

Ellington Clay Orb Vase + two or three Pink Astrantia Stems + four Real Touch Myrtle Leaf Branches

How to arrange:

This vase is a bit more stout, so we started by adjusting the height of the green stems with wire cutters. Keep in mind that leaving a few a little longer than others will create dimension and variety once in the vessel. We used chicken wire for stability in this arrangement, and then began to place, fluff, and bend.

To create natural movement (especially towards the ends), we went with a simple swoop shape. The trick is to replicate how you’d see them out in the wild—maybe a little curved or slightly imperfect. Finally, we added in a few flourishes with the floral buds. While this greenery can certainly stand alone and be beautiful, go ahead and add a bit of color whenever you see fit.

Try it here:

  • entryway console table
  • dining table 
  • centerpiece on a coffee table

Showcasing florals and vases is such a simple way to celebrate the textures and colors of the season. We hope this guide is helpful as you usher summer into your home!

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