Make this incredible of-the-moment floral arrangement for the holidays — it's actually simple

Undeniably, dried flowers are very trendy within floral design right now. Using this design guide, you can easily spice up your holiday party arrangement by incorporating a wide variety of preserved natural products. For my brand, Paraluman Flora, I use feathers, bunny tails, and bleached ruscus to add unique and playful touches to all-time-favourite fresh roses. Who says holiday decor is strictly about berries and evergreens, anyway?!

Here's what you'll need: 

• 5 yellow roses
• 5 orange roses
• 5 pink roses
• 1 purple anthurium
• 6 pastel feathers (or whatever palette fits your mood!)
• 10 bunny tails (I used yellow.)
• 1-2 stems of bleached ruscus 
• Gardening shears
• Scissors
• 4" vase of your choice
• Disinfectant, to sanitize your vase 
• Clear floral tape
• Flower food, optional

Here's how to do it:

1. Process all your flowers carefully; strip the leaves off the stems, and give them a fresh cut.

2. Sanitize the vase using your preferred disinfectant. Dilute with water and rinse carefully. When using bleach, make sure you keep your hands safe by wearing a pair of gloves. Wipe off all excess water — ensure that the rim of your vase is completely dry.

3. Create a grid on the mouth of your vase using clear floral tape. Each inner square must be big enough for one or two stems to go through, but small enough for each stem to stay in place. For a 4-inch-mouthed vase, I suggest four lines horizontally, and four lines vertically. Tape around the rim of the vase to secure.

4. Pour water into your vase — cold water is preferred. This will help preserve your flowers! Feel free to mix the water with the flower food that came with the stems you purchased from your local flower shop.

5. Start with your "button". Cut the first rose to about the same height as your vase. This will be the shortest stemmed flower in your arrangement, and it will guide your desired height and depth. Place it in the middle of the arrangement.

6. Build the perimeter of your vase using the other roses. Keep these flowers low, as their purpose is to give your arrangement some depth, as well as to cover your mechanics. Do not use more than five roses.

7. When you have covered most of the mouth of your vase, use the rest of your roses to build your levels. These flowers will differ in height and will sit above the first set of flowers you put in.

8. Place your one anthurium in a unique spot. You want it to be separated from the rest of the flowers because this beautiful flower deserves its own attention!

9. Time for my personal favourite part of the arrangement — the feathers! Because you're creating a one-sided arrangement, place your feathers behind the flowers to ensure that they won't be covering any of the roses.

10. Feel free to add your bunny tails wherever you want a touch of yellow.

11. Last but not least, add one or two stems of bleached ruscus wherever you need some movement. Intentionally use stems with a bend to help add life to your arrangement!

Kim Jasmin Monsalud Francisco is a floral designer and artist based in Toronto. Her company Paraluman Flora specializes in creative work, editorials, weddings, and other events. Keep in touch via Instagram (@paraluman.flora) or her website at www.paralumanflora.com. If you want more tips on how to create the perfect arrangement for your party, feel free to reach out to Kim at paraluman.flora@gmail.com!