Domed Contemporary Hand-tie
Time: 12 minutes and 41 seconds
Season: All Year Round (can be adapted to different colour palettes and varieties)
In today’s tutorial, we’re focusing on simplicity, structure, and style. This session covers how to create a domed hand-tied arrangement using a single flower variety—carnations—to demonstrate the impact of shape, tone, and repetition in floral design.
Carnations are often underestimated, but their durability, texture, and affordability make them perfect for commercial settings like corporate receptions, hotel lobbies, or restaurant tables. This design is both elegant and efficient—great for busy environments where flowers need to look fresh and composed over several days.
Watch the Tutorial:
Follow along as we show you how to create a beautifully balanced, rounded design. You’ll learn techniques for achieving a consistent dome shape, how to manage stem tension, and how to finish your arrangement for presentation or delivery.
Top Tips:
- Choose stems of similar length to make the doming process easier and more uniform.
- Work in a circular motion, turning the bouquet as you go to maintain symmetry.
- Keep your grip firm but relaxed—tight enough to control placement, but loose enough to allow minor adjustments.
- Remove excess foliage and lower leaves for a clean finish and longer vase life
- Group similar shades together or work with tonal variations for added interest, even with a single flower type.
If you would like to recreate this design, you will need the following:
| Quantity | Equipment / Plant Materials |
|---|---|
| 25-30 stems | Carnation of choice |
| 1 roll | Clear Anchor Tape |
| 1 pair | Scissors or Florist Knife |
| 1 roll | Twine |
| Container of choice |
Looking for florals? You can find great value flowers on our sister company wholesale webshop, Triangle Nursery. Just click here to view more information.
We hope this tutorial has given you a simple yet striking design to add to your growing repertoire. Domed hand-tied arrangements are a fantastic way to build confidence with structure and balance, especially when working with a single flower variety like carnations.
Remember, every great florist started with the basics—so don’t worry if your first few attempts aren’t perfect. The more you practice, the more natural and instinctive your design skills will become. Trust the process, take your time, and most importantly, enjoy it.
If you have any questions or want feedback on your arrangement, feel free to leave a comment below—we’re here to support you.