Summertime and the living is easy! So is the entertaining ... when you invite flowers

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Summertime and the living is easy! So is the entertaining ... when you invite flowers

July 02, 2008

Kids count the days till summer starts because then they’re FREE! You may not get the summer off, but there are still ways to revel in that feeling of liberation.

And that is great news for flower fans. How so? When it’s party time, of course.

“People tend to live more casually in the summer so you can take advantage of that and be more casual and more whimsical in your decorating,” explains Carol Caggiano, freelance floral designer, AIFD, PFCI.

Laidback parties with simple fare like hot dogs and burgers served on a patio or porch don’t call for a formal, sophisticated look. “Now is the time to have fun and play around with color, texture and placement,” she says. “You can be simple, even silly – whatever takes your fancy – and still make a great impression on your guests.”

Patriotic Bouquet

People won’t expect you to haul out the fine china, so your silverware, plates, glassware and other decorations can be simple too.

That should be liberating in terms of trying out new color schemes. If you’ll be gathering outside, you can forget your home’s ordinary interior colors and try something new without a big investment.

Carol encourages people to experiment and don’t be afraid. Break out of the mold, people! Even if you don’t think of yourself as a “creative” person, making festive looks with flowers is easier than you think. A single daisy in a Coke can, for example, is a cute touch that takes seconds to put together. Or mix in a new flower that you’ve never used before.

The main thing is to have fun with it. That way, you’re setting the mood for your party before it even starts.

Carol points out that color is also important when it comes to summer flowers. And for Fourth of July, in an election year no less, there’s no better time to break out some red, white and blue florals.

RED, WHITE & BLUE FLOWER IDEAS
Teleflora offers a great selection of patriotic bouquets or you can make your own floral arrangements for your gathering. Bert Ford, owner of Ford Flower Company in Salem, N.H., offers this cool idea.

To spice up a red, white and blue celebration, have your flowers mimic the look of an exploding firecracker. Gather some cardboard tubes (5” or 10” diameter) and cover in red contact paper or paint them red.

Then pop in a small vase of white spider mums, silver mylar, and glitter-coated dried grass. (If you don’t have vases to fit, you can use plastic liner and floral foam.)

Depending on the size of your gathering, make them in a few different sizes and use wherever you need eye-catching accents.

Tomorrow: More ideas from Carol on entertaining with summer flowers.

Do you have a summer-flower decorating tip? Drop us a note and share it. C'mon! You know you want to. ;)

Flower Fact of the Day: Did you know that hostas make super cut flowers? Read all about it at: apartmenttherapy.com/ny/planttherapy/planttherapy-hostas-as-a-cut-flower-054766.

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Comments

Karissa | Reply
July 2, 2008

I had someone drop off promotional items at work (marketing for a bank) and it was a seed packet and candy. Well I planted the seeds so long ago I forgot what they were! Yesterday I went outside, and 5 flowers have bloomed! Orange and red, and they are gorgeous! and it didn't take my effort on my end at all.

i really do love the flowers and this time of year! so easy to decorate, this is just the beginning!

Lydia Wilson | Reply
July 2, 2008

At an outside party that we held in the spring several years ago, I found a lot of hyacinths and daffodils that were on clearance because they were in full bloom and would be passing soon. I bought twenty of them with two bulbs in each. I mixed them up and put them in vases with some dirt in the bottoms, all over the tables and tucked into niches in my yard. They were so beautiful and so fragrant! The day after the party, I planted all of the bulbs in the ground along a fence and for the past three years have been able to enjoy thm again and again.

Jacqueline Griffin | Reply
July 2, 2008

I invite flowers year round in my home. My mom loved all flowers and they remind me of her.

Angela Palmer | Reply
July 3, 2008

I love when my house is full of flowers. It doesn't happen often enough. Spring in the south is not as colorful as other places.

Clarissa | Reply
July 3, 2008

I have no tip since I'm a beginner but just want to say thanks for the fourth of july tip! I'm going to give it a try.

Kirsten | Reply
July 5, 2008

I use all kinds of containers for my flowers at parties. I have a wide assortment of bright dishes (non-breakable of course) and use decorated clay pots, old tea cups, etc. I also have candles that are in assorted old dishes. We light torches, bring the stereo outside and just encourage a lot of mingling, hand foods like veggie and fruit platters, kebabs....always lots of fun.

Heather | Reply
July 7, 2008

I have four kids and no matter how much I remind them the toddler age ones can't help but pick the flowers so now I plant a special garden just for the children to pick the flowers so they leave my flowers alone!!

Jessica C | Reply
July 10, 2008

My kids love to help plant flowers in the summer even my two year old help. They keep watching all year long to see how much they have grown and what colors hey turn out to be. It is fun and exciting.