Gorgeous Concepts' Easy Valentine's Day Bouquet

An elegant Valentine's Day arrangement doesn't have to break the bank.

Merri Merberg and Susan Armstrong of Gorgeous Concepts, a New York City based floral design business, can usually be found creating luxurious arrangements for weddings, events and individual clients. While their designs are the height of sophistication, Gorgeous Concepts' motto is that "beauty and lasting value are far from irreconcilable." Knowing that Gorgeous Concepts places importance on both style and a good value, we caught up with Merri and Susan to get some ideas for affordable, but beautiful Valentine's Day flowers and bouquets.

While red roses are the traditional V-day flower, Merri and Susan warn that florists raise the price of roses near the 14th -- as much as a dollar per stem! They note that other pink and red blooms also get marked up. "But you can have a beautiful arrangement that won't break the bank with careful planning," say Merri and Susan.

The floral designing duo created an arrangement for ShelterPop readers that they call "The Aphrodite Bouquet," which uses roses sparingly. Follow their instructions to create this stunning centerpiece at home:

"This is one occasion where a bouquet that you arrange for your Valentine may even more meaningful than ordering from a florist. We think Valentine's Day is a wonderful tradition that needs a bit of updating. Instead of red, think pink. A dozen red roses is not mandatory (in fact, we think it's a bit boring). We hope these ideas help liven up February 14th for you and your Valentine.

Both roses and apples are associated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love in Greek mythology. However, there's no rule that roses must be red. Our Aphrodite bouquet uses roses in shades of pink, white apple blossom branches and red-blushed lady apples."

-Merri Merberg and Susan Armstrong, of Gorgeous Concepts Floral Design and Events




The Aphrodite Bouquet

6 deep pink roses
1 bunch of light pink spray roses
10 red ranunculus
6 lady apples
A small apple blossom branch cut into 6 to 7" piece
9 pipe cleaners
1 medium-size silver, ceramic or opaque vase
¼" scotch tape
sharp garden clippers

1. Pick out your flowers carefully: The petals & leaves should be fresh and healthy.

2. Fill a very clean vase with room temperature water and flower food.

3. Make a grid on the top of your vase with the scotch tape; it should be three strips going one way and then three the other way. The tape should overlap the edge of the vase by 3/4". Then run a piece of scotch tape around the edge to secure the ends. (This grid will hold flowers in place.)

4. Push the end of a pipe cleaner at least ¾" into a lady apple, so the apple's red side will show. Repeat with all apples.

5. Starting from the outside, place the roses and apple blossom branches through the scotch tape grid. You want the place where the stem meets the blossom to rest on the edge of your vase. Cut the roses in the middle slightly longer to create an eye-pleasing dome of flowers.

6. Place the lady apples among the roses, being sure none of the pipe cleaner shows. Group two or three apple "stems" together for a professional look.

Craving spring flowers? Check out these posts for floral inspiration:
- Fabulous Floral Wallpaper
- Christian Dior's Fragrant French Garden