Flowers: It's Time To Go With The Glow

Oct 19 2008 Vivienne Lee And Nick Priestly

Candlelit Arrangement Gives Hint Of Magic

As the nights start to draw in, what better way to draw attention to your flowers than with candlelight.

The traditional way to create a candle arrangement is to use floral foam. The candle is secured in the middle with flowers and foliage arranged around it.

Our contemporary twist is to make a feature of the candle by putting it in a storm lamp and using a glass dish for the base.

Not a bit of fusty old foam in sight.

Use a deep glass dish that is a few inches wider in diameter than the storm lamp to allow enough space to arrange your flowers.

And you don't have to stick to a palette of oranges, reds and browns - there are plenty of other colours that also shout autumn.

Purple, dusky pink and mauve can also look autumnal when used with foliage, shrubs and berries.

When selecting the flowers and foliage remember to go for a balance of large-headed flowers as well as smaller ones and a varied mixture of foliage.

Try our step-by-step guide to bring a little light and atmosphere on to your autumn table.

TOP TIPS:

On a long table, use mini candle votives.

For a dramatic centrepiece, dress a candelabra with trailing foliages.

Complement your decor with coloured candles.

You will need..

3 stems purple lisianthus

7 stems pink ranunculus

5 stems aqua rose

2 stems black viburnum berries

4 stems trailing ivy

1 ivory church candle

1 storm lamp

1 shallow glass dish

Flower cost: £25-35

STEP ONE

Put candle inside storm lamp and place into shallow dish. Fill outer dish half-full with water

STEP TWO

Wrap ivy around dish

STEP THREE

Cut flower heads and arrange in dish making sure they are evenly spaced.