Four ways to decorate with dried flowers
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Dried flowers
Do it with potpourri
Add a punch of colour to any room with a bowl of sweet-smelling potpourri. The first step is in drying the flowers: simply hang them upside down for about 2 weeks. But not all flowers will dry gracefully, warns Stephen Mangos, owner of Canadiana Flowers. Poppy pods, rose buds and hydrangeas are good options, but stay away from hyacinths, anemones and orchids, which contain more water and may rot.
Mix together your choice of dried flowers, essential oils, herbs and spices into a decorative bowl. Tip: For a speedier way to get the look, bake fresh flower heads and other ingredients in an oven, set to 200F, for 2 hours.
When entertaining
For your next springtime soiree, tie dried flowers to your dining chairs to bring some of the beautiful outdoors into your home. Mangos recommends dried lavender, which has multiple benefits; it can help to calm nerves, ease headaches and prevent moths. Use forest green, silver or lavender-coloured ribbon to hold them in place, or simply use twine. To get the most of the buds' aromatic benefits, try rubbing the flowers together to release the oil and rejuvenate the scent — or add drops of lavender oil to each bunch.
Make a cool display
For a simple, yet unique way to decorate a blank wall, hang delicate bunches of dried flowers with one-of-a-kind accessories. Create a cool arrangement with vintage postcards, Polaroid photos, keychains and jewellery... this is the time to make use of that junk drawer! Tip: Stick to one shade of florals for a cleaner looking display.
For outdoor ambiance
Flower-pressed candleholders add whimsy to an outdoor gathering. These pretty DIY lanterns create cozy and comfortable lighting to any outdoor space. Get the instructions here.
Tip: To get a similar look using votives, spray the back of pressed flowers with spray adhesive and using tweezers, carefully place on the outside of the holder, patting down gently. Allow to completely dry before using.
