Think outside the vase and find the steps to create a flower arrangement using a decorative bird cage. You’ll also find flower longevity tips and additional floral inspiration.
Happy Monday!
I’m joining my Monday Morning Blooms’ friends for a little flower therapy today!
You can find my flower friends’ links to their blooming inspiration at the bottom of this post.
Our floral theme this week was a ‘copycat’ arrangement from the book The Art of Flowers, the latest hardcover book from the editors of Victoria magazine.
This beautiful book is full of floral inspiration and I especially loved the chapter on Creative Containers. I also loved the idea of using a decorative bird cage or wire cloche and pedestal as a floral centerpiece for a table!
This post contains affiliate links. For more information see my disclosure policy.
I found this Decorative Bird Cage on Amazon. I loved the bird finial and how versatile it is as it can be used as a candleholder or to hold a small potted plant.
Victoria Magazine’s bird cage arrangement used a vase under the wire cloche, but as I didn’t have the right size vase, I decided to use some wet floral foam to arrange my flowers instead.
I soaked the floral foam in water mixed with floral preservative to prolong the life of the flowers.
Note: When using wet floral foam, use the “float soak” method and place the floral foam brick on top of the water mixture. Let the floral foam gradually absorb the water until it’s fully saturated. Plunging the floral foam in the water traps air bubbles and will prohibit the transfer of water from the foam to the flower stems.
I placed the wet floral foam on top of a plastic plate to protect the surface of the pedestal. Note: My floral foam was round but you can trim a rectangular piece of floral foam down to size to create your arrangement.
I started with some boxwood clippings from the shrubs to add some greenery. If you’re using greenery or flowers cut from your garden or yard, cut them in the early morning while they are hydrated and not heat-stressed and condition them in water mixed with floral food for several hours up to overnight before using them in your arrangement.
I used a few snowball viburnum blooms, along with a bundle of spring flowers from the grocery store for the arrangement. . . tulips, iris, hyacinths and a bundle of Charmelia.
Sprigs of abelia cut from the shrubs add a pop of variegated yellow-green.
After the arrangement was completed, I sprayed it with Crowning Glory, an anti-transpirant that seals in moisture and prolongs the life of your flowers. It dries to a clear finish with no residue and is safe to use on all flower types
The floral arrangement and decorative birdcage provides a centerpiece for a table for some lakeside dining!
Bird dishes flew in to light on Mikasa English Countryside plates with an embossed fruit design.
And a favorite spring floral tablecloth adds more blooms for the table, paired with matching napkins and floral napkin rings.
I’m a fan of mixing and matching and Wallace Hotel flatware features five assorted reproduction designs:
An Impero dinner fork, Coburg salad fork, William and Mary dinner knife, Federalist dinner spoon and Barocco teaspoon.
Table Details:
Decorative Bird Cage / Amazon
Bird Dishes / Gracie China by Coastline Imports, HomeGoods, used HERE
Tablecloth & napkins / Ralph Lauren Antibes, HomeGoods, used HERE
Napkin rings / consignment
Dinner plates / Mikasa English Countryside
Chargers / Pier 1, several years ago
Goblets / Mikasa French Countryside
Wallace Hotel flatware / Amazon
The winner of a copy of The Art of Flowers is Sandra Brown!
Thank you to Hoffman Media for providing a copy of The Art of Flowers, and to all who entered!
Visit my flower friends to see their beautiful floral inspiration today:
Pam at Everyday Living
Shirley at Housepitality Designs
Lidy at FrenchGardenHouse
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Thank you for your visit, sharing with:
Mary, you know how much I adore your bird motif decor as I am such a bird lover too…the “bird cage” arrangement is the perfect centerpiece on your garden table. I can hear the birds sing with joy! I so love how you mix the patterns of your Wallace Hotel Silverware. I often find sets at HomeGoods and pass up on them aa they only have a setting of four in stock. I will also be on the hunt for the beautiful Mikasa French Countryside goblets. You have certainly nailed the “copycat” today Mary!…Happy Monday my Bloom friend!!!
Absolutely gorgeous. I think I will copy this for a gathering I am hosting next month. Thank you.
Thank you for your inspiration. I have several “older” decorative bird cages that this would be perfect for. You have no idea how much I appreciate this idea. Thank you again.
P.S…..Congrats to Sandra!! You will adore this book!!!
I love how informative your posts always are. Step and step to follow and find items. Your birdcage came out beautifully ! Fabulous work arranging those flowers. Bird theme is charming. (don’t tell anybody but I like your birdcage more than the inspiration photo). Great idea to do that this week. Thank you for mentioning me in your comment on Pam’s site. I am thrilled!
Mary, your arrangement in the bird cage is stunning. Your easy to follow instructions are always so helpful. The arrangement set on your beautiful table is perfection, you nailed the copycat! I can imagine how delightful it would be to sit at this charming table and listen to the birds chirping! No sitting or gardening outside today, it is pouring rain. Happy Monday, Mary!
A perfectly matched vessel and improvisation for the central gathering of blooms, Mary. Your arrangement is so fresh and spring-y. Even better is its placement on one of your gorgeous lakeside table settings. Congratulations to Sandra.
Mary, I love your birdcage and how clever to repeat the bird theme with your sweet bird dishes. I like that you gals chose to copycat the beautiful Victoria book. So appropriate and shows your imagination and creativity. Congrats to your winner, Sandra!
Your floral arrangement in the bird cage is so fun with flowers you had and added. It is an eye catcher on your lakeside table. So much beauty here today.
Happy May!
Mary, Your arrangement is beautiful! I love the cute birdcage and your soft, feminine floral arrangement is perfect for Spring. Your lakeside table is delightful! You chose the right page indeed. Congratulations to the winner. You’ll enjoy the book. Have a great week. Clara❤️
What a delightful find Mary! The bird finial on the top is adorable, and I love the mix of flowers and stems in and about the cage. It is so pretty sitting on your floral cloth with the bird dishes, and blooming azaleas in the background… I always appreciate the tips, and placing the flowers in a vase with preservative for 24 hours before using them in the foam is a great one. I did get a bottle of Crowning Glory spray when you first blogged about it, and wow, that is amazing stuff! I am so excited to be one of the VERY lucky winners, I can’t wait to drool over every page of this beautiful book!
Jenna
Good Morning Mary! I am pretty new to this site, and from what I’ve seen, I consider it to be the best!! I love everything from the flowers to the recipes, to the table settings, to the water scenes, and, of course, your sweet little dogs. They are just adorable. Please consider me for the book The Art of Flowers. I am on a fixed income and can’t really afford to buy it. I grow flowers, especially roses, and would love this book. Thanks for all your insight. I appreciate you!! Phyllis
Beautiful idea! From what I see, this can also be made with silk flower! Thanks for a creative idea!! 💝💝💝💝
I found a dog that looks just like Lola last night.. No one registered their name to the chip but the dog’s name is Lola apparently and she is a bischon with similar tan markings.. Just posting on the off-chance this is your dog
Hi Megan, My Lola is safe at home, thanks! I hope the dog you found is reunited with her owner soon. Just out of curiosity, where are you? We’re in NC.
Such a cheery “vase” you have found! I love the bird theme during Spring when the birds greet us with their songs. Your table setting looks like the perfect spot for brunch and a nice, long chat with friends!
Your arrangement is beautiful Mary! I love the ide of using a bird cage. So much helpful information (as always!) I didn’t know the tip about floating the foam on top of the water. Thanks for sharing! 🌸🌷💐❤️
I love all your tips and your finished arrangement Mary! Your girls are all so talented and inspiring!
Beautiful! I need a copy of that book, thanks for sharing!
Congratulations to Sandra!! 💐
I’m crazy about your floral design in that darling birdhouse, Mary. It’s so charming and cheerful! Your lakeside table looks beautiful. I bought that same Wallace flatware several years ago and I love it. Of course, my English Countryside is one of my all time favorite patterns. Your birdie dishes look so sweet on top! Happy week to you, Mary! ❤️
Mary, I love this! It combines a birdcage and flowers so beautifully! What a gorgeous table setting too – the perfect spot for friends or family to gather! Always a treat to join you for our beloved Monday Morning Blooms. xo Lidy
Very pretty, I could look at floral arrangements all day long!
Mary, this is a darling idea! I love the way it turned out, and the little birdie finial is perfect perched among the blooms. Thanks for the tip on using the spray sealer. I’ve not heard of this, but will get some.
As always, Monday Morning Blooms was a beautiful delight at each post. Thank you, ladies.
Your arrangement is lovely! I have a decorative bird cage that I can’t wait to put to use for a flower arrangement now!
Thank you for all your inspiration!
Oh Mary how beautiful! It’s an exceptional centerpiece and I love how you showed us how to make it in your tutorial. And you added so many wonderful tips. Thank you!
I so enjoy Visiting you Mary… thank you so much and enjoy your week!
This arrangement is extraordinary. You and your flower arranging friends are very talented.
Love, love, love! Great job Mary, just so beautful and the tablesetting is perfect. Always enjoy the view of your beautiful lake. Love the sweet little birdie on top to. Another winner!