A One-In-A-Melon Trick For Summer Entertaining

Summer is my favorite season of the year. It’s the time of year we bid adieu to seasonal depression (boo cold weather!) and bask in the sunny weather. It’s also the season of summer barbeques and backyard parties, and the time I love to employ one of my tried-and-true floral hacks. 

Before I share this neat little trick, I have to tell you that I laugh every time a friend tells me that they could never, ever - not in a million years - be a floral designer. While I am flattered, the truth is that 90 percent of floral design success is having the right tricks up your sleeve. I hope you’ll all give this one a spin over the summer. It’s easy, fun, and is sure to wow your friends.   

  1. Pick out a watermelon that’s right for the job. I love a few mini watermelons to run the length of a rectangular table or a single large watermelon for my kitchen island or food buffet. Ideally, find a watermelon that’s a little flat on one side, so it doesn’t roll around. 

  2. Carefully cut the top of the melon off. If you’re feeling fancy, you can carve the melon into a basket shape with a little handle. (And make sure to snack on the pieces of melon you cut off!)

  3. Start by layering in a base of pretty greenery around the edges of the watermelon. Stems can be inserted right into the melon - just like a floral foam.

  4. Next, add in a few bunches of bright, summery blooms. We recommend using stronger flowers that can survive in a watermelon. (i.e., this isn’t a great project for hydrangea!) Add flowers in layers for a lush and full appearance.

  5. Step back and pat yourself on the back! We recommend keeping your flower-melon misted with water daily and out of direct heat and sun to enjoy for a few days. 

Cheers to a summer full of backyard entertaining, friends!

Rachel Gang

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Owner | Helen Olivia Flowers

Rachel Gang is the owner of Helen Olivia Flowers, a boutique flower and home décor shop, located in Del Ray, Alexandria. She developed her love for flowers while working as an event planner in the busy Washington, D.C. events industry. Along with her husband and team of designers at Helen Olivia, Rachel works with brides and corporate clients to create unique and captivating designs. Her work has been featured in Traditional Home Magazine, HGTV, Borrowed and Blue, and Style Me Pretty.

Helen Olivia is a boutique floral design studio located in the Del Ray neighborhood. Known for a lush and timeless style, the shop is a favorite among locals. Outside of beautiful flowers, Helen Olivia is a destination for house plants, decorative pottery, and an endless selection of stylish front door wreaths. The shop is also well known for its weekly floral design workshops -- come visit us and try your hand at flower arranging! Helen Olivia is owned by Chuck and Rachel Gang who are veterans of the bustling Washington, D.C., events industry. Both are D.C. natives, and reside in the Ft Hunt neighborhood of Alexandria with their son Jack.

www.helenolivia.com

1519 Leslie Avenue

Alexandria, VA 22301

703.548.2848


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