I've been working on some fun Halloween projects this year, which I usually don't get into until October. I have to say though, its definitely putting me in the mood for one of my favorite fall holidays, and I've been super inspired. One of these projects is a collaboration with my friend Gwen, of The Makerista. When she asked me to help her with some floral styling for her Halloween home tour I obviously said yes. She's got the most gorgeous style (just check out her daughters birthday party), and working with her is always such a joy.
You'll have to pop on over to her site to see the finished project (so beautiful), but what I'm sharing with you today is the floral recipe for these dramatic arrangements we used to add a little touch of color to her mostly neutral dining room. Moody florals are all the rage these days, and I love playing with these deep, dark hues.
Here's the recipe of blooms and foliage I used to create these pieces from left to right: smokebush, nandina foliage, blood red roses (called "Hearts"), astilbe, chocolate queen annes lace, agonis foliage, and not pictured hanging amaranthus and chocolate cosmos.
Although knowing how to put together a beautiful arrangement is important, it's the ingredients that make it up that are absolutely vital. Knowledge about flowers is the best tool any designer of floral enthusiast can have in their bag of tricks.
The chocolate cosmos are just beautiful. I love their deep rich color, about as close to a natural black flower as you can get. But the real star was the blood red roses. I saw them at the wholesaler and I just could not pass them up. Too perfect for a halloween shoot.
Head on over to The Makerista to see Gwen's gorgeous dining room tour, and check out these beauties in action with her spooky halloween set up (plus another DIY with flowers she put together).
xo - Emily
Don't forget to share your floral DIY's with the hashtag #handmakerofthings or tag me @emmyray!