We all love greenery around the home but for any of us who struggle to keep a fern alive, we’ve got some good news.
According to our expert, Philomena Kwok, co-founder of floral subscription service, Bloombox Co, the next big thing in floral styling is dried flowers.
Dried flowers have come a long way since your grandma used them. Picture: Penny Lane
“Dried flowers are so on trend for 2019,” Phil explains.
“No longer just for your nanna or whimsical types, these flowers are going to start popping up in modern interiors everywhere.”
What makes them great for those of us who are challenged in the green-thumb department is they’re a set-and-forget kind of bloom that’s easy to show off in every room of the house.
Dried flowers are low maintenance and, when used in the right way, can look edgy and super cool. This is thanks to the great structural shapes and muted colours, Phil says.
See more: A clean and clutter-free condo
How to get started with dried flowers
To get started, you need some fresh flowers that are great for drying and a well-ventilated spot to hang them in.
Getting started with drying flowers is as easy as hanging your favourite bloom upside down. Picture: Penny Lane
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Roses
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Lavender
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Paper daisies and strawflowers (a common name for acroclinum)
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Hydrangeas
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Sea holly
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Cornflowers (one of Phil’s personal favourites, thanks to its awesome colour)
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Statice
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Gomphrena (sometimes called ‘strawberry fields’)
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Amaranth
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Baby’s breath (which is coming back into fashion)
The only thing you’ll need to be mindful of is that the flowers are fragile once dried – so be sure to keep them out of the way to avoid any bumps to the precious leaves and petals.
“They’re really easy to style but brittle once they’ve dried. So keep them somewhere they’re unlikely to get crushed,” explains Phil.
See more: The perfect colour palette for your home in 2019
Cotton stems are a stunning trend to try. Picture: Penny Lane
How to style dried flowers
Phil says this modern take on dried flowers is a little different to the blooms you’re used to:
“With dried flowers, you want to keep things a bit more simple to avoid a fussy, granny look.”
When styling your blooms, remember to highlight their unique shapes, textures and muted tones.
Try styling dried flowers in a vase with some shine, such as glass or metal, to really bring them into this century, Phil suggests.
Dried roses are a classic choice. Picture: Penny Lane
Also, keeping dried flowers somewhere low maintenance is best, think the laundry or up on a shelf. Make sure they’re out of direct sunlight, too, so they maintain their colour.
The most important thing with getting on board the dried flower trend is to have fun and try different tones and textures, Phil explains.
See more: Winners Crowned at WATG’s Annual Great Architectural Bake-Off
Don’t be afraid to try different and interesting combinations with dried flowers. Picture: Penny Lane
Originally published as DIY dried flowers: How to dry and arrange them by Erinna Giblin. Author at realestate.com.au.
