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Using vivid blooms and textured ceramics, Fox Fodder Farm’s Taylor Patterson shows domino how to create minimal and natural floral centerpieces. photographs by April Valencia text by Caroline Biggs styling by Taylor Patterson

Having grown up on her family’s farm in rural Delaware, Taylor Patterson was raised with a deep appreciation for the natural environment. Every season brought a new harvest of plant life, Patterson says. And my favorites were always the multicolored flowers that warm weather would bring. In the spirit of her bucolic past, in 2011 she opened her own floral studio in Brooklyn,

Fox Fodder Farm

(named after her childhood homestead), where she specializes in hip yet unfussy arrangements. For springtime, Patterson prefers bouncy blossoms in an array of vibrant hues bright orange French tulips, pale yellow peonies and narcissus, fuchsia flowering quinces to liven up each bouquet with a stem plucked from a current crop. She also opts to arrange her floral masterpieces in simple stoneware to add another organic element to the mix. I want arrangements that offer the colorful and carefree essence of the spring, Patterson says.  A welcome reprieve after a cold, dark winter.

Whimsical flowers (such as lady’s slipper orchids) deserve an avant-garde display. IKEBANA VASE wheel-thrown, natalie-w.com BUD VASE black sand, natalie-w.com

Always consider the shape, size, and glaze of your vases when you’re picking out flowers for presentation. —Taylor Patterson

An earthenware vessel naturally subdues the buoyant shades of bright petals.

WIDE-MOUTH VASE charcoal $200 victoriamorrispottery.bigcartel.com VASE Black Metallic $150 clamlab.com SIDE TABLE Kreten tall/grey $925 soudasouda.com

Smaller ceramic vessels allow simpler buds like these red hellebores to shine on their own.

TINY BOTTLES judyjacksonstoneware.com

To sharpen rich floral tones, use a dark vase to instantly draw attention to the intensity of the blooms.

Some of Patterson’s favorite ceramic pieces are from Natalie Weinberger, Clam Lab, Suzanne Sullivan, Frances Palmer, and Souda.

VASE Black Metallic $150 clamlab.com CANISTER Matte Turquoise $265 victoriamorrispottery.bigcartel.com

Choose a vase tall enough to accommodate the stems, but wide enough to let the blooms fall naturally.

Patterson’s seasonal arrangements are always eye-catching and delicate.

Patterson’s Petal Pointers

Amass single types of sprightly blooms like lilacs or daffodils for an impactful grouping.

If you’re looking to mix things up, find a variety of flowers in the same color palette to forge a gradient effect.

Keep things casual when decorating with bouquets indoors. You’re making flowers for your home, not a wedding, Patterson explains.