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  Naira Ardenians’s floral arrangements resemble the bustle of an haute couture evening gown, an art installation, or an abstract explosion of colors and textures. Shunning typically romantic floral design and striving instead for the gorgeous artifice, Naira challenges the viewer to see flowers and plants in a new light. This accomplished floral designer and interior stylist offers a dazzling array of inspired floral arrangements for the home and work place. Some are simple and elegant, others are nothing less than extraordinary. After graduating from the Academy of Fine Art Armenian-born Naira moved to Germany where she worked for two years. Naira has lived in Toronto since 1999 and continues to showcase her talents in floral and interior design. FLOWER ARRANGING TIPS The following tips are intended to extend the lives of the flowers in your arrangements. I learned many of them from experienced florists as an apprentice and discovered a few on my own. Hopefully, these tips will allow you to enjoy the flowers in your home or office for days longer than you experienced in the past. Flowers Always cut the flowers, especially roses, with the sharpest knife available. If possible, submerge the stems under water and cut them beneath the water’s surface. Always cut the stems at a steep diagonal - never cut them straight across. This increases the surface area drawing water in to the flowers. Generally, the shorter you cut the stems; the longer the flowers will last. Hard or wood-stem flowers, such as lilacs, roses and hydrangeas Never smash the ends of the stems as recommended by some florists. This will destroy the flower and prevent waster flow. Always cut them with a sharp knife at a steep diagonal. Adding floral food or, if that’ s not available, a sugary clear syrup or soda, like sprite, will help perk them up. Fruit Always use wooden skewers (instead of metal) to hold fruit together. Wooden skewers will soak up the water and expand to help hold things together. It will set more firmly, specially in floral foam. Always skewer fruit through the core so seed structures can help keep it firmly in place. Poppies Poppies are an exception to the rule and should be cut straight across and not underwater. After you’ve cut the stems to the desired length, sear the ends with a flame. Strike a match and hold the cut ends directly in the flame for a few seconds. This helps seal in the milky white substance contained in the stems that keeps them fresh longer. Bulb Flowers Replace the water daily to get rid of a slimy substance produced by the stems that uses up oxygen in the water. You can also add a teaspoon or so of bleach per half gallon of water to keep it clean and bacteria free. Do not put soft stem, or bulb flowers in floral foam, only in water. Hyacinths Avoid cutting off the small bit of bulb left at the end. This will help them stay fresh longer. Thank-you for your interest in Ardenian Flowers! |