The peak of summer, when the sun beams down and flowers abound, is the perfect time to find inspiration in the world around you. This year, why not turn that inspiration into a practice of mindfulness through a vivid display art of flower arranging? It’s fun, pretty, and full of opportunities to tune in to your surroundings. Here are a few basic guidelines, along with some gorgeous floral creations by 20-year veteran ikebana artist Miyako Ballesteros, to get you started
Less Is MoreYou don’t need dramatic arrangements or fancy, costly materials to bring life and color into your home. Embellish a windowsill with a few small blooms from your backyard, placed in delicate jars like the ones pictured below. If you’re using clear containers, add a few drops of food coloring to the water for a subtle flourish.
TIP
When using more than one container, consider how they work together to fill the space.
Flower arrangements can be so much more than placing stems in vases. These tools used by professional florists can open up new possibilities.
Clockwise from the top: clippers, floral tape, floral wire, flower frogTIP
As you arrange, place each flower as…