Foam Free Mantlepiece Mechanics

Foam Free Mantlepiece Mechanics

There are a number of sustainable and eco-friendly techniques to use for large installations. For this design, we are introducing the mechanics for a mantlepiece floral arrangement.

Instead of the use of floral foam in spray trays or kasket trays, you can use window boxes. This container is versatile, reusable and acts as a great receptacle water source.

Here are some tips to help you create beautiful floral arrangements:

• Weigh the window boxes down with bricks, weights or large stones depending on the size of the arrangements. This will help with the stability of the arrangement and ensure there is no risk of tipping forward
• Fill the boxes with chicken wire (approx. 1 – 2 inch) as a support and anchorage in the arrangement
• Wrap the chicken wire around the window boxes to allow you to bring foliage around the front of the flower arrangement.
• To make the arrangement as cost effective as possible, you can use potted plants slotted through the chicken wire such as heather, ivy, petunia. Larger plants such as Hydrangea offer height and volume to the arrangement. If you need to anchor the plants into the design, you can use plant canes into the base of the plant pots and insert into the chicken wire.
• Additional decorative items can be added into the designs such as gourds on canes, Christmas baubles on canes etc. This is a good way to incorporate the theme or colour scheme into your design.
• Alongside plants, another way to keep the costs down for the arrangement, forage for greenery and use items from your garden.

All of the above will create a good foundation for the first part of the flower arrangement. This step can be made up in your workshop/studio and transported to the venue. The arrangement can be completed on site.

• Use tall flowers, grasses and foliage to create height and movement into the design.
• Group the focal flowers such as garden roses into different areas within the mantlepiece arrangement. This will replicate the natural form.
• Fill in the gaps intermediate flowers, fillers and other greenery to complete the design.
• Before you finish the design, top up with water.