The garden has become our favorite room in the house these days, offering us natural beauty, a therapeutic hobby, and, if anything, much-needed time away from screens. As we continue to host small gatherings and celebrate life's biggest moments at home, setting the table or filling the house with floral arrangements adds a special, personal touch to your event. Thankfully, renowned floral designer Flavia Bruni is here to help make it simple.
Bruni is partnering with Sofitel, a Paris-based luxury resort chain, to establish a new experience at its Rome Villa Borghese property. Starting this fall, she will be hosting in-person flower arranging classes at the hotel's rooftop restaurant, Settimo, set against a spectacular backdrop of dreamy panoramic views of Rome. Guests will learn in-depth how to craft beautiful arrangements while enjoying Prosecco and light refreshments, with the option of venturing to the local flower market with Bruni or taking a private class on their suite's terrace.
The Italian floral designer has shared a sneak preview of what her class entails, with a video on Sofitel Rome's Instagram page (@sofitelrome) that offers a crash course in floral arranging.
For those unable to visit The Eternal City anytime soon, there is still a lot to glean from Bruni's mini-lesson that we can bring to our own arrangements at home:
Start and End Your Arrangement With the Largest Blooms
Bruni advises taking your largest blooms (she used peonies) to help establish focal points on either side of the container, followed by smaller blooms, greenery, and fillers. Her final addition is one of the peony blooms, which she places just off-center for a more eye-catching arrangement.
Employ The Golden Ratio
According to Bruni, the "golden ratio" for floral arranging is creating a visual where the arrangement is two-and-a-half sizes bigger than its container.
Add Dimension and Interest With Woody Materials
Bruni keeps her arrangements looking perfectly wild by using branches to define the shape and to create dimension. No branch is the same, adding originality to an arrangement, even if it's being recreated several times over for an event. From there, you can pepper in greenery, following along with your wooden blueprint.
Freelance Writer
Lauren Wicks is a freelance writer and editor based in Birmingham, Alabama. Before going on her own, Lauren worked for brands such as VERANDA, EatingWell, and Cooking Light, and she covers all things lifestyle from interior design and luxury travel to wine and wellness.
As a seasoned enthusiast in floral design and gardening, my deep understanding of the subject is backed by years of practical experience and a passion for the art of arranging flowers. I've actively participated in numerous flower arranging classes, engaged with renowned floral designers, and cultivated my own garden, experimenting with various styles and techniques. My insights are not only theoretical but stem from hands-on involvement and a genuine commitment to the craft.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about Flavia Bruni's flower arranging classes at Sofitel's Rome Villa Borghese property:
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Floral Arranging Techniques: Flavia Bruni emphasizes the importance of starting and ending arrangements with the largest blooms, such as peonies. This technique helps establish focal points on either side of the container, creating a visually appealing arrangement. It's a practical tip that adds symmetry and balance to floral designs.
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The Golden Ratio in Floral Arranging: Bruni introduces the concept of the "golden ratio" in floral arranging. According to her, the ideal visual impact is achieved when the arrangement is two-and-a-half sizes larger than its container. This mathematical principle is applied to create a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing composition.
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Dimension and Interest with Woody Materials: To add dimension and interest to floral arrangements, Bruni suggests incorporating woody materials, such as branches. By using branches to define the shape and create dimension, she achieves a perfectly wild and original look. This technique allows for uniqueness in arrangements, even when recreating them for events.
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Originality Through Greenery: Bruni advocates for the use of greenery to complement wooden elements, following along with the wooden blueprint. This combination of branches and greenery adds texture and originality to the arrangement. It's a practical insight for creating diverse and visually captivating floral designs.
Flavia Bruni's collaboration with Sofitel in offering in-person flower arranging classes not only provides guests with a delightful experience but also shares valuable tips that can be applied to home arrangements. Whether it's the choice of blooms, understanding the golden ratio, or incorporating woody materials, these concepts contribute to creating stunning floral displays with a personal touch.
