Beautiful Autumnal floral demonstrations
Last month, I had the pleasure of demonstrating floral designs inspired by the Autumnal colours, forms and seed pods, to Ashfield Floral Art Club & Lapwings WI.
Ashfield Floral Art Club - Arrangement placed onto a decorative, textured base, which adds interest to the overall look of the design.
I chose a rich, textured theme: the transition of nature into autumn. Key ideas included warm hues, textured flowers and foliage, and natural, organic forms — that “wild style” look rather than rigid, formal arrangements.
What made the designs stand out:
• The palette: burnt oranges, deep cerise/reds, rust, & chocolate browns..
• The materials: berries, seed heads, twigs, a pumpkin, foliage in various stages.
• The style: relaxed rather than perfect, allowing nature’s asymmetry to go wild.
• The purpose: to show how to bring the outdoors into your home, using natural movement and forms.
Highlights from the Demonstration:
• Foundation construction: The demonstration began by creating a natural structure using twigs — a “skeleton” that lets the flowers and foliage settle in organically. This gives the design height, movement, and wildness.
• Texture & contrast: The layered materials - soft flowers next to rough seed heads, smooth foliage next to rugged twigs/branches, shiny berries next to matte leaves. The contrast helps draw the eye and gives depth.
• Colour blending: Rather than using a flat block of orange or red, the palette was subtle: rust flowing into burgundy, cerise hints intermingled too.
• Natural movement: Using curved twigs, foliage spilling over the edges, berries standing proud — creating the sense of movement and interest.
• Take home inspiration: Attendees were invited to note how they could adapt these techniques at home — picking up foraging or local seasonal finds, using container shapes creatively, adjusting materials if budget or availability changes.
Ashfield & lapwings - Lots of foraged pods, twigs, moss, bark, and conkers were glued to a wooden board to create a textured base for the arrangement to sit on, adding interest.
Lapwings WI -Flowers arranged into a pumpkin, and the finished design placed in the centre of a conker & acorn wreath.
Why demonstrations are such a great way to learn:
• Accessibility: Whether you’re a seasoned flower lover or a curious beginner, the presentation was clear and inclusive. I explained materials, tools, and design principles in plain language.
• Seasonal relevance: With autumn firmly in swing, you could immediately imagine taking them home and applying them to your own table, hallway, or living room.
• Inspiration & practicality: It wasn’t just pretty pictures; there were real takeaways. How to condition foliage, how to create structure, how to choose a container, how to mix materials. These practical tips are what separate a good demo from a great one.
• Community feel: The chance to ask questions, to chat with others, and to feel part of a creative group added to the charm. Plus, at the end, I raffled off the designs created during the demo.
• Environment and materials: There was a gentle, mindful approach — using natural materials, foliage, branches, berries- aligned well with autumn’s natural vibe.
Lapwings WI-
Using a metal ring covered in hessian & then conkers, acorns, and poppy heads were glued to the ring.
Ashfield Floral Art Club - a wild style, flowers placed in groups, twigs, berries and pods used too.
Lapwinds WI - Here, twigs are attached to a Hessian wire hoop as a decorative element within the design. The flowers are positioned on either side of the hoop.
If you’re considering attending a demonstration:
• Bring a notebook or phone for photos — you’ll want to capture angles, colours, textures.
• Arrive a little early so you’re settled and ready when the demo begins.
• Don’t worry if you’re new to floristry — this kind of event is perfect for getting comfortable.
• And most importantly: relax, enjoy the process, and treat it like creative time rather than a strict class.
Final Thoughts:
The “Nature’s quiet shift into Autumn” & "Autumnal treasures" demonstrations were simply a delight. If you love flowers, seasonal design or just want a creative evening out, keep an eye on my website for the next demonstration.
Here I am in action …oh dear.
If you would like a floral demonstration, click the link below.
Or if you would like to learn how to create floral designs, please go to the Creative Workshops page to find out more information.