A 1980s-style floral arrangement; Backdrop artwork: Rio Mesa Blue II by Scott Nellis
This week Mirror80 spotlights DIY projects with a 1980s twist. When it comes to interior design from the decade of decadence, a little can go a long way. Our projects will show you how to tastefully add a touch of ’80s to your space. But we won’t stop there! We’ll also show you how to dive head first into 1980s style while keeping it relevant by adding cheeky updates. Take today’s DIY adventure, a monochromatic ’80s-style floral arrangement…
What You’ll Need:
- A shiny vase, preferably one from the 1980s–ours was purchased at Goodwill for a few dollars
- Flowers with an exotic or tropical look; match the color of the blossoms to the color of your vase
- Accent floral pieces in a contrasting color, such as the yellow Craspedia balls shown above
How It’s Done:
Step 1: Select a container to hold your arrangement. See our previous post on an ’80s floral challenge for ideas. While your vase doesn’t need to be from the 1980s to make this project work, note that you’ll be hard-pressed to find a Goodwill that doesn’t have at least several ’80s vases in stock at any given time. They’re inexpensive and they’re oh so ’80s!
Step 2: Go flower shopping! In a recent post on 1980s office decor, we noted the upscale ’80s trend of featuring exotic flowers in tabletop arrangements. While more traditional blooms can make ’80s-style vases look notably dated, long-petaled blooms such as iris and lilies add a modern touch to a retro container. Selecting flowers in the same color family as the vase also updates the look in a playful yet sophisticated way.
Step 3: Add smaller blooms to accent the arrangement. Here’s where you can have some real fun with a contrasting color! Unique floral items (such as the yellow Craspedia shown above) add interest that catapults this look into the present.
Why It Works:
An ’80s-style floral arrangement is unexpected. Let’s face it–it’s been years since people have filled their tables with Deco-style vases of exotic blossoms. The power of this project lies in the concept of breathing new life into something dated. A monochromatic color motif tones down the blatant ’80s vibe, purposefully calls attention to hues that may not have seen the decorating light of day in years (hello mauve), and keeps the arrangement from going too country. Adding a trendy accent flower is the icing on this interesting cake.
What if contrast is the desired effect? Choose flowers in a different color family from your vase. Keeping the blooms exotic will ensure that the finished product maintains its mystery!
If you try this at home, email me the results (kate@mirror80.com)! Let’s start an ’80s floral revival!
May your week be off to a lovely start…
Nice arrangement! I like the vase.
Thanks! It was a lucky find!