Decorate With Flowers

Images courtesy Decorate With Flowers

Decorate With Flowers is a collaboration between author and stylist Holly Becker and photographer and stylist Leslie Shewring. It's a decorating book with a floral point of view, offering advice on selecting and combining flowers as well as entertaining ideas and diy projects. Beginning with the basics of flower arranging, it progresses on to decorating with florals for interiors. 

Eight flower stories, or chapters, show you how to use flowers in a variety of spaces--natural, pastels & neons, market (eclectic), brights, coastal, neutrals, glam, and black & white. "My favorite style is personal style," says Holly. "Take what you love and mix it all together and see what you create that represents your aesthetic the closest." When selecting flowers for your home, consider: form, texture, color, contrast, scale, and how to craft an overall atmosphere.

The arrangements are uncomplicated with a relaxed approach to floral design (Chronicle Books).

Holly and Leslie's styling originates with what is available for use at any given time for an arrangement--what is growing in the garden, for sale at the farm stands or at the wholesale market. Usually, it's what is in season. The natural chapter features meadow cuttings (above). "A few fresh sprigs popped into a row of apothecary bottles from the flea market become an attractive display that brightens any corner. You can find flowers in your own garden that have that wildflower look, such as the flowering pea, astrantia and fennel flowers we've used here. Grab a few pretty sprigs (especially the common weedy ones that grow in abundance) the next time you find yourself in the countryside."

The market chapter draws inspiration from outdoor markets around the world. "When we visit large bustling cities like London, Paris and New York, we delight in exploring the bevy of outdoor markets to surround ourselves with the sights and sounds of local culture. As you shop street markets, pay special attention to vendor displays and notice how imaginative they are when arranging their wares and repurposing objects. The same goes with styling flowers for this look at home." Holly and Leslie provide basic color recipes, while encouraging readers to devise combinations according to what works with their room scheme. Diys show you how to repurpose vessels, use fabric on plant pots, set a brunch table, and other creative ideas.