Plato was well known for his philosophy that art imitates life, while Aristotle believed that life imitates art. When asked which of these two ancient doctrines she subscribes to, Holly Bryan didn’t have to think twice before replying “both.”
The Atlanta-based floral design phenom backed up her answer with a masterpiece of her own making—a bountiful, fresh arrangement inspired by an abstract floral painting by Ashley Cunningham. The piece, Ordinary House Plant 2, is one of three original works by various artists featured in a secret garden-inspired bedroom designed by Tammy Connor Interior Design for the Atlanta Showhouse. “I was captivated by the rich contrasts in the painting,” Holly says. “I love the dramatic juxtapositions of the light and bright hues, along with the heavy brushstrokes coupled with simple botanical drawings. For my arrangement, I took a similar approach and chose flowers and foliage with distinct shapes, textures, and colors that, despite their differences, come together harmoniously and organically like blossoms in a real-life garden.”
The painting by Ashley Cunningham served as Holly’s inspiration for her floral design. She also pulled colors from other elements in Tammy Connor’s bedroom design, including the linen floral print (Penny Morrison “Jaipur Berry”), the graphic pillow (Katie Leede “Mughal Gardens” in Melon), and the polka dot fabric (Lisa Fine Textiles “Tika” in Blush).
MATERIALS
- Coated chicken wire
- Plastic liner
- Waterproof floral tape
- Leucothoe
- Nandina
- Lamb’s ears
- Banksia
- Calycina
- Lisianthus
- Cappuccino Beige Rose
- Rex begonia
- Cymbidium orchid
- Asparagus fern
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1 Mold chicken wire to fit the plastic liner, and secure it inside by making an X across the top using floral tape. Place the liner inside the bowl, and fill with water 1 inch from the top.
STEP 2 Create a base layer by inserting long branches of Leucothoe followed by Nandina. Loosely add in Lamb’s ears to fill in any holes.
STEP 3 Insert Banksia at three different heights, and round out the arrangement with Calycina. Add Lisianthus to evenly disperse color and texture. Clip roses at varying heights, and strip the stems of all leaves, including those near the blossom. Create small clusters of roses, and gently insert them at varying angles and heights.
STEP 4 Cut the stems of the Rex begonia, and insert the blooms at varying heights and angles. Split the Cymbidium orchid in two. Insert one stem vertically toward the top of the arrangement and the other to the side.
STEP 5 Rotate the arrangement to check all sides. Lightly fill in any holes with sprigs of asparagus fern to complete the final layer of color and texture.
See more from Tammy Connor’s girl’s bedroom, the Atlanta showhouse room that inspired this arrangement.
“I chose flowers and foliage that come together organically like blossoms in a real-life garden.”—Holly Bryan
Produced by Margaret Zainey Roux | Photography by Robert Peterson
Find more from Holly on her website and follow her Instagram.
MORE FROM THE ATLANTA SHOWHOUSE
- See video tours of the Atlanta showhouse rooms.
- Atlanta Showhouse Outdoor Terrace and Pool Deck
- See more of Holly’s arrangements in our collection of showhouse flowers.