Tutorial: Unexpected Moments

‘Inesperada’ inspires this textural take on tablescapes.

Floral design and text by Bethany “Bee” Steinhauser | Bees Hause of Design, Las Vegas

Photos by Jordan Hendricks, Las Vegas

One of my favorite trends in our industry is the elevated use of unexpected materials and textures—from sculptures of purple cabbage, dancing eggshells to swooping, dramatic fabrics. Mixed media in florals is having a moment. This trend offers an exciting gift to florists: expanded creative freedom. “Inesperada” invites designers to transform the unexpected and unconventional into art, highlighting the ingenuity that continues to define the flower industry.

While techniques like these may initially require more time to master, they often streamline the design process in the long run. Using non-perishable materials also allows florists to design key elements months in advance, reducing labor during the actual week of the event. Ultimately, this trend encourages experimentation with bold color, surprising texture and fresh forms—resulting in designs that feel truly intentional and one of a kind.

STEP BY STEP

Step 1

Lay out fabric on a clean, flat surface. With sharp fabric scissors, cut long, thin strips measuring 1- to 1½-feet long by 1-inch wide. You’ll need a minimum of 15 strips to begin.

Step 2

Trim the fabric strips into 1×1-inch squares.

Design tip: If you’re creating a larger arrangement, cut your fabric into bigger squares for a more dramatic finished product.

Step 3

Now that the squares are ready, it’s time to thread! Cut copper wire to desired length and fold one end into a small ball to prevent the fabric from slipping off. Next: take the fabric square and fold the opposite corners, so they touch and make a triangle shape. Keeping the corners folded, thread the opposite end of the wire through the middle section of the triangle and pull it onto the wire. Repeat this step until the garland is full.

Step 4

Cut the rubber mesh into strips of various lengths and widths ranging from 1- to 3-inches thick. Then, pick up a strip by one end and fold small segments of the mesh accordion style to create three to six pleats. Hold in place.

Step 5

Thread the aluminum wire through the right edge of the pleated mesh. Twist wire ends together to hold in place and then cut. Tuck sharp ends back into the mesh. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 to continue this process.

Design tip: Stay on the same edge or bounce between the left and right edge. The goal is to create a sculptural-like movement to the mesh. Listen to your heart and get creative! There’s no right or wrong way.

Step 6

Wire garlands to a stem or weave a bloom through the mesh to carry the material up into the design—there’s endless ways to style! Add your blooms to bud vases. (I chose white ceramic bud vases accented with Ranunculus and hellebore.) Finally, place your design elements into a tablescape.

Designtip: Wire the stem of the Ranunculus for stability and more control when designing.

Materials