SPRING TABLE INSPIRATION
WITH SOLABEE FLOWERS

With Easter just a couple of days away, Spring table decor has been on our minds. We always throw a big brunch for our family and friends, and even though we spend a lot of time thinking about flowers, we never actually have time to put together a beautifully decorated table amidst all the party-prep chaos. So we asked our favorite local plantwhisperer, Alea Joy of Solabee Flowers, to do the creative work for us. (If you ever have the chance to visit Solabee's spacious, light- and plant-filled storefront, do yourself a favor and go next time you're in Portland. They have the most incredible selection of houseplants, and our favorite flower display in town.) Using Plover linens as a starting point, Alea quickly came up with 3 floral arrangements to make our table pop, and shared some floral how-to along the way.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF SMALLER, LOWER ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TABLE, SO PEOPLE CAN SEE EACH OTHER OVER THE CENTERPIECES?

It's nice to look down through the arrangements and be able to see the table. It will bring out the fabrics more. You can also get more bang for your buck—one stem can be cut in half to make two. 

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE SPRING FLOWERS?

The hellebores. Fritillaria meleagris. Fritillaria imperialis. And ranunculus—they are the best thing in the world, they make everything better.   

WHAT ARE SOME BASICS OF FLOWER ARRANGING THAT YOU COULD SHARE WITH US BEGINNERS?

When you're first starting out, build your greens first and then add your blooms. You make almost a "cage" of greens to support and hold up the blooms. Things with heavy stems [like hyacinths] are the exception. It's almost impossible to fit them in when you place the greenery first.

Another way to think about it is to ask, "What would Mother Nature do?" If these things were in a garden together, how would they grow? They'd be at different levels, but they would all be getting light. I like to have certain guys pop up—they won the race for light! And the heavier blooms can be the heart of the arrangement, be more at the center. 

I WISH I HAD TIME TO MAKE MY TABLE LOOK GREAT BEFORE GATHERINGS. DO YOU HAVE ANY HACKS?

I never have time to style my own table! It does take time and energy, so there's a limit to what you can do on your own. My own wedding flowers were not that much. But sparser arrangements that are well-placed can look pretty. And that's why linens are so important—they can help set the backdrop.

HOW ARE YOU CHOOSING THE FLOWERS TO PAIR WITH THE LINENS? THERE ARE SO MANY GORGEOUS CHOICES HERE!

It can be hard to limit yourself when you have an endless palette, but I tend to just pick one thing I really love and go with it.  

WE'D NEVER THINK TO PAIR A PEACH FLOWER WITH THE TEAL LINENS...

The creamy peachy tone works really well with the blue. Peach goes with reds, with yellows, pinks, purples, oranges. It goes with everything!