shoulda been a florist // mid-century simplicity

For this month’s florist series, I wanted to keep things simple — often, I personally feel like flower arrangements can get so fussy. Sometimes all you want is a select set of statement blooms and branches to make your look. I decided to pull inspiration from one of my favorite design eras, the mid-century modern movement. I used a vintage carafe that I picked up during one of my flea market hoarding sessions, but any tall pitcher will do (like this one or this one).

shoulda been a florist // mid-century simplicity jojotastic.com @jojotastic shoulda been a florist // mid-century simplicity jojotastic.com @jojotastic

The flowers I used in this arrangement are:

  • crocosmia in a vibrant orange
  • banksia

shoulda been a florist // mid-century simplicity jojotastic.com @jojotastic shoulda been a florist // mid-century simplicity jojotastic.com @jojotastic

How amazing are these orange flowers? I love how tall and architectural they feel, plus those tiny bits of tangerine coloring cannot be topped. They remind me of wildflowers along the side of the road in Wyoming.

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And then there’s this guy… SO amazing, right? I’ve seen it at the flower market a few times, but this time I just had to get one. The leaves on the stem remind me of cut paper. It’s sort of amazing that nature makes things like this.

shoulda been a florist // mid-century simplicity jojotastic.com @jojotastic shoulda been a florist // mid-century simplicity jojotastic.com @jojotasticshoulda been a florist // mid-century simplicity jojotastic.com @jojotastic

I wanted the arrangement to have a simplicity, but still making a statement. The large bloom of the banksia is offset quite nicely by the vibrant orange of the crocosmia, giving this avant garde arrangement a bit of balance. And both blooms play nicely off the gold at the top of the pitcher.

shoulda been a florist // mid-century simplicity jojotastic.com @jojotastic shoulda been a florist // mid-century simplicity jojotastic.com @jojotastic

shoulda been a florist // mid-century simplicity jojotastic.com @jojotastic

More flower inspiration, right this way.

My outfit: Creatures of Comfort top from Steven Alan, Free People cut-offs, vintage ring (similar).

Photography by Meghan Klein. Styling by Jojotastic.

Leave a comment and let us know what you think of this flower arrangement tutorial! And if you make one similar, be sure to post a photo and tag @jojotastic on Instagram so we can see.

Behind The Blog

Joanna Hawley-McBride is a Pacific Northwest-based social media strategist, content creator, and former textile designer. Joanna is the founder and editor-in-chief of Jojotastic, a lifestyle blog focused on Joanna’s work-in-progress cabin, finding the best pair of underwear through #UnderwearThesis, and empowering women to explore nature — all in her signature unfiltered style. Her work has been featured in Domino, CNBC, and Eating Well.

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