What's most important for entertaining, the aesthetic, or the experience? We've all been there; you go to a lovely dinner party with beautiful florals bursting from tall vases, and realize it's impossible to speak with the person across from you.
Though tall flowers are gorgeous, they often sacrifice uninhibited socialization. Katie Holmes has created a floral display that doesn't make you choose between form and function. It does both.
The actor shared a shot of a tiny bouquet on her Instagram page, and it's a masterclass in floral arranging.
I've typically been a maximalist when it comes to table decor. I love layering different tablecloths, runners, placemats, chargers, and plates for an interesting style, and wild florals make it all the more stunning, but this design has made me rethink.
Katie's small yellow vase (much like this one from Amazon) features just one purple flower surrounded by sprigs of beautiful greenery. It's tiny but packs a huge design punch.
What makes Katie's bouquets so striking? First, the way she uses a single pop of color is highly effective. Rather than overwhelming the eye with a range of flowers, the one purple bloom makes it really stand out. It calls back to color theory we rely on in design, such as the unexpected red theory.
Recreate Katie's look at home
A few simple flower arranging tools can help you replicate Katie's home on your own table. From a pretty vase to a good pair of flower shears (like this one from Amazon), the right tools are the best place to start with your decor.
'These are my go-to scissors for flower arranging,' says Head of Gardens, Rachel Bull. Made from Japanese steel, they're lightweight and durable.
Short vases are the key to tapping into Katie's look. This yellow trio resembles the one in her Instagram post.
Swipe this tool along stems of roses to swiftly remove any prickly thorns pain-free to make flower arranging a breeze. It's a great hack for preparing your flowers for arranging.
Second, Katie's use of greenery is brilliant. Rather than a focus on flowers, she incorporates three different kinds of greens. This helps give the bouquet textural interest without adding too much color.
Three of these pretty bouquets are the perfect additions to a fall tablescape. The fact that they are so short means that they won't interrupt conversation, but will still add a beautiful touch of plant life to the table. Their pared-back colorings are the perfect complement to the season.
Flower arranging may seem complicated, but the best designs are as simple as they come. Katie Holmes proves it.
