Floral Design 101

Step 1: Beginners can use chicken wire to use as a grid, which helps with the shape of the arrangement. “Use the tools to help you design beautiful arrangements,” Michelle says. “Some people use floral foam, but I think chicken wire is a more natural way to shape your arrangement.”

Step 3: Begin your arrangement with larger, full flowers so that you can create your arrangement shape and then fill in with smaller flowers. Pick hydrangeas, roses, gerber daisies, snapdragons, green trick or lilies as your base and accent with smaller flowers like tulips, ranunculus, spray roses, orchids or lysimachia.

Step 4: Keep proportion and shape in mind as you design. For a typical arrangement, twice the height and twice the width of the vase are aesthetically pleasing. “It depends on the style of your design,” Michelle clairifies. “A lush, round look should be exactly in proportion to your vase. Garden style can be looser.”

Step 5: Continuously turn your arrangement 360 degrees while designing so that you are seeing the arrangement from all sides. “Some people like to design on a lazy Susan,” Michelle adds. “Make sure to use the floral packets, which kill bacteria in the water, and to cycle out the water every couple of days. An arrangement with high-end flowers should easily last a week or two.”

Take a class with Michelle at The Flower College at Studio 539 Flowers. 174 Wickenden Street, Providence. 401-454-4400, Studio539Flowers.com