News

Martha Stewart's 'straightforward' flower tip will create a statement in any home

You don't need professional-level floral skills to elevate your space – this is Martha Stewart's secret for an instant focal point

Martha Stewart
(Image credit: GettyImages)

We understand – winter homes are hard to energize. And it would seem Martha Stewart sympathizes, too. Consequently, the founder of her homecare empire has shared a refreshingly simple way to add color to your home throughout the bleakest months on the calendar. 

While some floral trends can often feel timely, Martha's tip is simple enough that it won't fall out of fashion. However, despite its ease, its impact is unrivaled. All you need is a handful of big-petaled blooms (from either your garden or local nursery) and a selection of bud vases (the number is entirely up to you). 

Plus, while these tips are timely (in that they are a perfect way to uplift your winter home), they will prolong long into the spring and summer. Here's what the process involves.

'In the dead of winter, as your garden sleeps, a fresh floral arrangement can return color and vibrancy to your home. And you don't need professional-level floral skills to make an eye-catching vignette,' Martha says. 'Placing a few big-petaled blooms in bud vases and arranging them in the center of the table or on a console is straightforward but statement-making.' 

The businesswoman adds that these 'winter flowers' are indisputably perfect for the season – but you can use the technique 'all year long.'

Martha says that the art of decorating with flowers is accessible to all – and tablescape expert Alice Naylor-Leylan agrees. The stylist, who partnered with Funny How Flowers Do That, reinforces the simplicity of fresh flowers in bud vases – adding more ways to elevate your table further.  

Halloween fall table with blue napkins, lilac tableware, gourds and pumpkins, vase of flowers

(Image credit: Garden Trading)

According to Alice, layering is one of the easiest ways to elevate your table flowers further. 'Starting with my linens, I then build my tablescapes using the essential crockery, cutlery, and glassware and finally embellish with flowers, vases, candle ware, and lots of decorations,' she says. 

Plus, while we admit some fruits may feel more summery, Alice recommends incorporating fruit into your tablescape – suggesting they were seamlessly alongside the blooms. 'I always use limes, lemons, and oranges to fill bowls. Depending on your theme, opt for fruits that help to elevate the tone,' she adds. 

While some of these fruits are synonymous with the sun, you can make a wintery set-up – they remain in demand year-round – and of course, they look good always

Megan Slack
Head of Celebrity Style News

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.