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Where there is no law, but every man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty
Henry M. Robert

PEONIES ARE ROSES WITHOUT THORNS

13 November, 2012 - 00:00

The wish beautify our homes to can come to us any time. But summer is perhaps the best season to lend a touch of romance to our everyday life, making it more pleasant and enjoyable. The Day introduces a new section in which a well-known Ukrainian floral stylist Natalia Bortsova will teach readers the art of arranging flowers.

Some fifteen years ago most of us were quite happy to have our kitchens pasted over with oilcloth instead of wallpaper. According to the then standards, there had to be no less than two carpets per room and a large terry cloth bathrobe for each tenant of the apartment. Times have changed, as have our needs and desires. Having became more sophisticated in our tastes, we try to be inventive in making our homes beautiful. Despite many difficulties we face today, the time we live in did awaken our dignity. Aware of our self-importance, we want to manifest it in all spheres, including our everyday life.

Thus our first lesson is dedicated to the peony. These large flowers remind us of a gypsy’s colorful billow skirts. Peonies are in bloom now. They can serve as a wonderful material to make beautiful things. For instance, in Holland peonies are used to make carpets. Since our finances are limited and we can hardly afford things like floral carpets, we can make a bouquet a la Caravaggio. For it you need a couple of large fluffy peonies, tender veronica, and asparagus. With elegant lilies and a couple of eucalyptus twigs, the bouquet will add a lyric coloring to your room’s decor. Legend has it that peonies bloomed in Paradise. Well, we can believe that.

Peonies only will make a beautiful bouquet as well. A small number will do. Arrange them sparsely in a vase, having made a cut in each stem with a knife under water. Don’t worry if a flower or two will break. Cut the heads off their stems and put them in a flat shallow dish with water. And you’ll have a floating floral composition.

You made it, didn’t you? Now, you are on the road to become a true floral stylist. Read our section regularly, to gain more skills in flower arranging. May you find success and inspiration!

Photo by Volodymyr RASNER, The Day

 

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