Bringing the flower garden indoors

Photography by Brandi Stage Portraiture

Most women love flowers, but few are as fond of them as Martha Whitney Butler. 

From designing jaw-dropping headpieces for a charity fashion show to bringing the “wow” factor to weddings, the proprietor of the French Potager, a floral, gift and antique shop in Bay St. Louis, elevates floristry to an art. Her work has been featured in numerous prestigious publications, including a tutorial in Flower Magazine, and she’s been voted the best floral designer in Mississippi for several years running by readers of Mississippi Magazine — among her many accolades. 

“The season is usually the main influence in my designs,” she says, “and I like to let the flowers do most of the work.” 

If you enjoy giving your home some ambiance with gorgeous blooms (and who doesn’t?), here’s some expert advice.

BUTLER’S TIPS FOR FLORAL ARRANGING AND MAKING SPACES BEAUTIFUL: 

1. Choose the right container. Designing will come naturally when you pick something near and dear to you that has a substantial opening and nice shape. 
2. Let the space guide your design. High ceilings call for taller arrangements. Shorter arrangements are perfect for centerpieces and coffee tables. 
3. Use an assortment of flowers. When designing, it is important to use blooms that have varying vase lives. For example, a poppy will wilt quicker than a lily, so you can accent with the poppy and pull it when it fades and still have a beautiful arrangement. 
4. For long-lasting arrangements, change your water and cut your stems every other day. Remove flowers that are fading, and keep your arrangements in a dark, cool area if possible. 
5. Bring flowers into your home whenever possible, whether they are from your yard, grocery store or professionally designed. They will bring you so much joy! 
6. Plant things that you will be able to cut from. I find that investing in greenery will keep you both designing arrangements as well as maintaining your landscape. Repurposing and shuffling around elements in your home is a free way to breathe new life into your space. For example, one season’s brick fire pit can be another season’s brick garden border. 
7. For entryways and foyers, I recommend an inviting fragrance as this is the first impression of your home. For living areas, I like a simple approach — a bundle of tulips or roses in your favorite containers.