Issue link: http://maconmagazine.uberflip.com/i/122656
homes & gardens | by susannah maddux Photography by danny gilleland We ask the pros to show us how to "Do It Yourself." D I Y HOW TO: Arrange those flowers yourself! College Street dwellers Evelyn and Joe Adams are plenty busy with their lives - He is a full-time Realtor and she a full time volunteer after retiring from Wesleyan College. But, when they have the time and aren't working with Hay House or Historic Macon, they love creating a floral arrangement for friends. They invited us into their kitchenoft-turned-workspace to share a few tips about getting your arrangement right every time, even those bunches you buy at the grocery store. 1. Choose your container. Consider your placement. Should you choose a row of low vases for a dinner party? A tall vase for a centerpiece in a room with high ceilings? A small vase for a powder room sink? A vase with a flat side, to place flush against a wall? 2. Consider Mechanics. "We've had arrangements fall apart on us," Joe said. For a trustworthy arrangement, create a grid of tape or place a frog (flower holder) in the bottom of the vase. This helps an arrangement keep stems in place. 3. Get your greens. Start your arrangement with green, leafy stems for excellent support. These green thumbs especially love rosemary, acuba, pittosporum and boxwood straight from their yard. Do strip the stem bits that will be immersed – or they will rot! 4. Add color. Choose flowers that you like or colors you know that the recipient will love. With a good foundation of greens, place flowers in the center of the greenery. While spreading out colors is nice, don't be afraid to place bunches together too. And, including a flower with a scent is always nice! 5. Finish well. Find open spots and adjust with greenery as needed. Evelyn especially loves rosemary stems to fill in between flowers. 34 l Macon Magazine april/MAy 2013