Project

Hanging Bough with Dried Flowers

This simple, natural arrangement works especially well in a small space or above a dinner table. If you don't want to nail another hook into your wall, take down a painting or mirror and hang this in its place.

Photography: JOHNNY MILER

Source: Martha Stewart

materials

Four sturdy branches, such as eucalyptus

Floral wire

Dried branches and stalks, such as millet ("Purple Majesty" millet, $8 a bunch; spray millet, $10 a bunch; rattail millet, $9 a bunch), Echinops flowers ($9 a bunch), blackberries, and centaurea pods ($3 a bunch), drieddecor.com

Velvet ribbon

Floral shears

Hot-glue gun

Colored decorative twine

steps

Lay sturdy branches on a work surface, in the general shape you want your bough to take. (We started with a wide X.) Secure with wire.
Add next-heaviest pieces; secure with more wire. Tie velvet ribbon to center of structure and hang on the wall.
Continue to tuck smaller stalks and twigs between base branches, trimming them and hot-gluing and wiring them on as needed. (Echinops flowers are great for filling in bare branches — attach them directly with hot glue.)
Gather smallest plants in bunches and attach with twine. Continue until you're happy with your arrangement.