Date: May 30, 2020 | Story: Tiffany Adams | Photography: Rett Peek | Styling: Lauren Cerrato |
Julielle Sears teaches us how to make a fresh floral wreath to brighten a loved one’s day
Julielle and Ben’s two children, Eli and Elle Harper, search for fresh blooms.
In a time of social distancing and delayed events, it’s nice to know your neighbors still care. Local creative entrepreneur Julielle Sears has found a way to show some love while still staying apart through decorative door wreaths featuring bright blooms. “You can arrange these wreaths and deliver them to friends with a tin of cookies to bless them during this time,” she says.
Julielle, who was an art major in college, has used her background to dip her brush into numerous creative fields, including wedding floral design and interior design as well as painting. “I think the reason I’m so creative is because of my mom, Fran Vaught. She is incredibly creative and always taught me and encouraged me,” Julielle says.
Although she is a native Arkansan, as a military wife (her husband, Ben, is a major in the Army) she has learned to innovatively use her talents as the family moves around the U.S. frequently to serve. Her most recent endeavor is Tailor and Dwell, a partnership with her friend Erin Jacob, who lives in Houston. The two have teamed up to teach people how to be content in their current space, even if it’s not their dream home. Via phone consultations and Zoom sessions, the pair offer advice and renderings for how to create a house you love, which is, perhaps, more important now than ever.
Read on for Julielle’s tips to make a fresh floral wreath for a neighbor’s front door—or your own! >>>
Start With a Good Base
Start with a floral wreath form soaked in water. Julielle recommends setting the wet form on an easel or hanging it on a wall to see how it will look and hold together when complete. Cover the form with foliage. “I used ruscus, seeded eucalyptus, silver dollar eucalyptus, and dusty miller as my base. I also suggest using any foliage you find in your yard! Adding variation is key,” she says.
Bring In the Blooms
Create three groups of flowers: large, medium, and small. You’ll want three to five large blooms to group together to create a focal point on the wreath. “I suggest using these off-center on the bottom or on one of the sides,” Julielle says. Here, she used dahlias, but peonies and hydrangeas are also readily available selections. From there, add in medium blooms, such as tulips, ranunculi, or spray roses, around the wreath. Continue the process with smaller blooms, including bougainvillea, wax flower, or button mums, to evenly distribute color. Finish it with a final layer of greenery or berries to add texture and fill in any bare areas. When placing the flowers and greenery, be mindful not to pull stems in and out; it will create air pockets in the foam. Use floral wire to hang the wreath and continue to spritz with water to keep the blooms looking their best.
You may have many of these items (or easy substitutions) on hand in your home. Fresh blooms from your garden or silk flowers you already own will also help to make good use of supplies.
“I place stems in the form at different heights. This is how flowers appear in nature, and it leads to a beautiful arrangement!” —Julielle Sears
If you prefer a more neutral version, try using white and green blooms like garden roses, lisianthus, and hellebores.
Learn more about Julielle’s work at juliellesears.com or tailoranddwell.com.
