As a floral designer, I'm constantly seeking new ways to push the confines of traditional floral arrangements and create pieces that go beyond the ordinary. Recently, I had an opportunity to work with the stunning lilies from Bredefleur, and the result was a masterful arrangement that brought out the true beauty of these exquisite blooms.
The lilies that Bredefleur presented to me were Lily Tirreno and Lily Brindisi, which are both unique in their own ways. They have the kind of charm that - despite being beauties themselves - brings out an elegance in the overall design in which they are used.
The Concept, the Inspiration, and the Rule of 3-5-8
For this arrangement, I wanted to emphasize the natural beauty and elegance of the Bredefleur lilies. These flowers are renowned for their vibrant colors and graceful forms, making them ideal focal points in any floral design. The core of this piece lies in the pleasant interplay of colors, textures, and shapes, all thoughtfully put together according to the golden rule of 3-5-8, a design principle concerned with (often referred to as 'divine') proportions. It is based on a sequence of numbers named after the Italian mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci.
The 3-5-8 rule defines a fundamental principle in floral design that ensures balance and visual appeal. It divides the arrangement into these proportions, such that the piece maintains a pleasing symmetry and natural flow. The mathematical guideline once invented by Fibonacci helps floral designers create a sense of consistency and harmony in their arrangements. This is crucial when working with such big and striking flowers as the Lily. It not only lends a sense of balance and structure to the piece but also challenges the designer to think creatively within the rule’s constraints.
Fibonacci also challenged me; I decided to take the harmonious ratio as the foundation of my design.
Bredefleur Lilies: The Stars of the Show
Lily Tirreno and Lily Brindisi are the true stars of this arrangement. Their wonderful pink colors and exquisite forms draw the eye and create a focal point that mesmerizes the viewer.
In the design, Lily Tirreno — with its exquisite beauty, delicate fragrance, and obliquely erect inflorescence — and Lily Brindisi — a fragrant soft-pink lily with a light green heart that contrasts with the delightful pink leaves — work together to create the spectacular visual harmony.
Positioning them strategically within the 3-5-8 framework, I was able to highlight their beauty while still maintaining a balanced composition.
The Design: Playing With Shapes and Textures to Create a Twist on a Classic
Creating a captivating floral arrangement involves more than just placing flowers together. It's about experimenting with different shapes, textures, and complementary elements. While lilies are often associated with traditional and classic arrangements, I wanted to put a modern twist on this timeless flower.
So, I chose to comprehensively highlight these lilies. Both varieties have elegant, trumpet-shaped blooms and vibrant hues, which create the focal point of the design. To create a cohesive and visually striking piece, I carefully arranged the lilies in a way that adhered to the ‘good rule’, ensuring that the composition looked both intentional and effortless.
To bring some depth and dimension to the arrangement, I incorporated dried willow branches, which provided a conspicuous contrast to the soft, lush petals of the lilies. The graceful curves and natural texture of the willow branches provided a beautiful contrast to the soft, delicate petals of the lilies. The linear elements of the willow branches, also, helped to guide the eye through the piece.
One of the key considerations in creating this arrangement was ensuring the longevity and health of the flowers, and to achieve this, I constructed the piece using floral foam, which allowed me to keep the stems moist and the blooms fresh for an extended period.
Throughout the design process, I experimented with various shapes and types of flowers, exploring how they could be integrated into the overall composition. This approach allowed me to push the boundaries of traditional lily arrangements and create something truly unique and visually engaging. As you can see in the photos I used summer flowers like Agapanthus, Molucella, and a spider-shaped Clematis as florals. And I added some exotic greenery like Equisetum, and Anthurium Clarinervium to the design as well.
An Arrangement That Pays Homage to the Beauty of Bredefleur’s Lilies
The end result of this interesting design process was a summery floral arrangement that pays homage to the beauty of Bredefleur's lilies, while also showcasing my creative vision. It is a floral piece that demonstrates the power of floral design to conjure emotion and stir the senses. I was, also, able to create a piece that feels both contemporary and sophisticated. It is always exciting to take a familiar element and present it in a new and unexpected way.
Thank you for joining me on this floral journey, and hopefully, this arrangement inspires you to explore the numerous possibilities of floral design and to see the beauty that comes with combining classic elements and a bit of math with modern techniques.
The lilies used in these designs are Lily Tirreno and Lily Brindisi.
Photos by Oliver Luyckx.
