“Back to nature is one of today’s strong trends, albeit in a more contemporary and luxurious outfit. People are looking for something to counterbalance the speed and stress of modern living”, says Amsterdam arranger Florian Seyd. “Country style flowers without a hint of homeliness are perfect for this trend.”

“Lilies are ideal here. The flowers can be used to create a wild and edgy look or to create an elegant, understated image. The looks of the lily are very dependent on the setting it is used in. Although lilies are available all year round, I find them particularly successful in autumn compositions. The idea behind these arrangements is to encourage a double take. Normally the stems would be inside the basket; now they project through the basket and support it. The effect is alienating. The use of white backgrounds and accessories adds a contemporary flair as black promotes a classical image. In this stylish interpretation of the theme, black, white and glass combine to create an unusual and refreshing effect.”

Tree trunk– A slice through a tree trunk, painted white, creates an alienating effect due to the stems of Lilium oriental Grp ‘Expression’ (10799), Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’ (12575) and Gladiolus ‘Chinon’ (11245) that project through it.	Majestic– Traditional rounded bouquet of Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Diabolo’ (13575), Lilium oriental Grp ‘Yelloween’ (19164), Helianthus annuus ‘Sunrich Orange’ (12156), Helianthus annuus ‘Teddy Bear’ (26365), Kniphofia ‘Alcazar’ (5582), Gladiolus ‘Princess Margaret Rose’ (2077), Gladiolus ‘Sweet Shadow’ (11247) and Foeniculum vulgare (11446).

Two faces– The stems of Lilium oriental Grp ‘Florian’ (25721), Rosa ‘Corallo’ (22525), Lilium oriental Grp ‘Robina’ (24378), Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’ (12575), Gladiolus ‘White Prosperity’ (874) and Setaria italica ‘Volle melk’ (20284) project though the white painted basket into the glass bowl of water.	Still life– Potatoes pushed on to Tonkin sticks form the base for this bouquet of Lilium oriental Grp ‘Shocking’ (22433), Gladiolus ‘Chinon’ (11245), Gladiolus ‘Sweet Shadow’ (11247), Kniphofia ‘Alcazar’ (5582), Atriplex (7505), Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’ (7870), Hosta sieboldiana ‘Elegans’ (13480) and Agapanthus (20641) seedbox.

Rich harvest– The glass tank inside the crop basket is filled with ears of corn and short stemmed Callistephus chinensis (676), Lilium oriental Grp ‘Florian’ (25721), Lilium oriental Grp ‘Glühwein’ (100679), Scabiosa stellata (6264) seedboxes and Malus ‘Golden Hornet’

Tip: Eye-catching animals
An animal displayed on the counter or in the shop window is always an attention grabber. The greatest effect can be achieved with live animals but this does pose difficulties. Wholesalers stock stuffed animals and pottery pets that can also be used to create a farmhouse look. The item should always be arranged in a way that creates an idyllic tension between itself and the flowers.