Designing a Linear Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Hey there!  How are you all doing?  I managed to piece a few hours together at the end of last week to play with flowers and make an arrangement. I wanted to try my hand at a linear design, one where the elements line up almost like soldiers in a row and is rectangular is shape.  I often make flower arrangements for Thanksgiving and this year I thought a linear one would be fun!  Since it was most convenient and timely, I ran up to my local Shaw's grocery store to collect an array of flowers. I also foraged in my yard to find any kind of flora that might work, too. 

This is what I found in the yard.  The berry branches came from some kind of flowering tree that lives in the back yard.  The orange-leaved stems came from a mystery shrub, also in the back yard. 

 

Warning: They have long, sharp thorns! 

 However, it was pretty and just what I needed for the design, 

so, I endured the pain...for art's sake!  Haha!

Next, I had to find a container that would work for my linear shape.  I found a white serving dish that was a good length and fairly narrow. It wasn't the perfect choice but, as I said, time was of the essence, so I used what was at hand.  

Here you can see I started the framework of the linear shape of the centerpiece.

I used both kinds of stems, the berries and the leaves.  See how they are lined up in a row. You can 

also see here that I am using floral 

oasis.  I used 1 and 3/4 blocks of the oasis and held it in place with floral tape.  A long rectangular vase would work well also.  In that scenario you could use chicken wire instead of oasis, if you want to be more eco-friendly.  

As what usually happens with me when I am arranging, I forgot to take photos during the process.  

However, you can see that I continued in the linear style.  The next step after using the branches was to create a "hedge" of yellow goldenrod. In doing so, I began to cover the oasis, as well as, continuing the design.  After the goldenrod I positioned the large pom mums.  The bunch was supposed to have 5 stems but, one had broken off leaving me an even number of 4, which was a designing nightmare.  I changed the placement of the poms a few times in the arrangement.  You really shouldn't do that very often.  It can create holes in the oasis creating air pockets which impede water reaching the flower stems.  I was careful not to use an old hole, and everything seemed to work out well. 

You can also see that I began to place the stock and the smaller mums in the same fashion. 

I had purchased Asiatic lilies as statement flowers, thinking they would look great in the piece. I wasn't thrilled with the result initially and probably given a second chance would have used other smaller flowers like other fall-colored mums and maybe even ranunculus to finish the arrangement.  However, floral design is an art form, and flowers can never be ugly so in the end, a statement was made but, I would choose a different path next time.

  The other thing I discovered was, like many others, I found the fragrance of the

lilies overpowering. I especially do not think they should be on a table where you are going to eat.  The smell conflicts with the food being served.

(One other designing tip:  Cut off the stamens of the lilies.  The rusty powder will stain your table or tablecloth.)

When the arrangement was done, I placed it on the table in the dining room.

I placed the best side facing toward the front door so it would be seen by guests as they enter

my home.

I do think the colors are perfect for a Thanksgiving table.  The shape of the arrangement is slightly

different from the tradition Thanksgiving arrangements.  I like trying different floral design styles from 

time to time.  It keeps things fresh and forward thinking.

The lilies do make a statement, but they probably do not say "Thanksgiving" 

like other flowers would.  Next time...no lilies!

I did like the hypericum berries mixed in.  They add an interesting texture

 to the arrangement.

This is the opposite side of the arrangement. The lilies had not quite opened up

when I took this photo.  It took a few days for them to open fully.  As you can see, both

sides of the table have a nice view of the centerpiece.

So that was how the experiment of a Thanksgiving Linear Arrangement went. I learned a few 

things along the way.  I would probably find a more perfect container, one that was perhaps narrower. 

 I would not use lilies and would buy more smaller flowers to create a different look. 

However, I have enjoyed seeing the centerpiece on the dining table.  I was especially happy with it when my daughter Brittany visited and said she thought it looked like the forest.  I have to say,

 it kind of does!

Please find the Arrangement Recipe below:

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