Got a green thumb? Make your own pressed flower frame with this expert guide! Discover what type of frames to use, different colour background papers to pick, compositions that work and ideas for display. Then turn those freshly-picked blooms into stunning home accessory using my suggested resources and examples!
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Making Pressed Flower Frames
1. Press flowers.
2. Decide on the type of frame you want to use.
3. Choose a background paper if you aren’t opting for a see-through floating flower frame.
4. Decide on a composition for your flowers.
5. Select other items to frame alongside flowers, optional.
6. Glue or stitch your flowers in place.
PRESSING FLOWERS TO FRAME
I’ve written and illustrated a comprehensive flower pressing guide for beginners: The Best Flowers To Press. Packed with helpful information for choosing and pressing flowers using a flower press or a book. If you plan to press flowers, it’s the best place to get started; some tips make a huge difference in achieving the best-pressed flowers! For spring flower inspiration, read the 10 Best Pressed Daffodils And Spring Flowers, full of stunning ideas.
Metal Frames
Metal see-through frames work well with floating pressed botanicals, and are commonly called Kiko frames. They come in a wide range of sizes from tiny 5cm square frames suitable for hanging on the Christmas tree, free-standing frames, folding frames, and standard and gigantic frames in a range of finishes, brass, antique brass, antique black and zinc. Here are my favourites:
- Gigantic brass kiko frames by Nkuku like the above frame.
- Gold & glass lace-edged metal frame by Oliver Bonas.
- Unusual narrow landscape metal frame by Oliver Bonas.
- Folding Dante metal frames by Nkuku.
Poster Frames
If you’re looking for the perfect frame to showcase your pressed flower art, an A4 poster frame is a great option! The two-tone Fulton frame is exceptionally stylish with its deep rim, making it the ideal choice to highlight your pressed flower artwork! They are widely available in many colours and finishes and also fit A4 standard sheets of paper. Here are some I love:
- The two-tone black and dark wood affect Fulton frame above is exceptionally stylish and excellently priced by Dunelm.
- White wooden poster frames with or without a white mount, Not On The High Street.
- Modern sleek black poster frame, Etsy.
- Thin gold-rimmed contemporary poster frame, Etsy.
Wooden Frames
Wooden frames are the perfect complement to a pressed flower print, with their rustic grain and array of colours. The natural wood tones add beauty to any dried flower display! In contrast hand painted wooden frames are very fashionable. To make your own wooden bobbin frame, check out our posts How To Make A Professional Bobbin Frame and Creating A Unique Red Aesthetic With Frames.
- Stylish artisan-made dark wood see-through frames, All Things Brighton Beautiful, Not On The High Street.
- Quality oak A4 wooden box frames by Happenstance Gallery on Etsy.
- Hand painted bobbin frames, see above & below, at Contempfleury, ShopStayingIn or StudioWelby.
- Classic thin oak A4 size wooden frame on Etsy.
My name is Leah and I’ve framed a lot of of pressed flowers and art for my pressed flower art collection examples of which are in this post.
Frames With Mounts
The traditional framing method uses a single or double mount to raise the border, making the flowers stand out while protecting them from direct contact with the glass. Using a mount helps preserve and showcase the delicate pressed flowers for longer. Read the blog post Authentic Vintage Laura Ashley Fabric & Unique Art Collaboration for inspiration on making mounts.
Background Paper
Unless you use a see-through frame, you need to select paper as a background, which can come in various sizes and textures. Then you have a base to stick or stitch your pressed flowers.
Black Card or Paper
When creating a pressed flower frame, you may use a black card or paper for your background to make the colours of the flowers stand out more vibrantly. However, some flowers will not look their best on black paper, such as rich poppies that can appear drained of their natural colours.
White Textured Paper
For a modern look, use white paper or a card as a backdrop for the botanical specimens when presenting them. Even white flowers on a white background create an exciting contrast.
Off-White Textured Card Or Paper
Consider using an off-white paper! Off-white will give the effect of an aged botanical pressing while also intensifying the dried blooms’ colours.
Composition Of Pressed Flower Frames
1. Single flower
For the above project, I used an A4-sized frame filled with a single large scabiosa flower trimmed down for the perfect fit. The impact of just one carefully chosen flower was enough to take centre stage in this lovely frame!
2. Multiple Long Stems
A great way to style a frame with multiple stems is by grouping stems together of an odd number, such as three. Try picking your favourite flower and trimming it to size before arranging it into place. Here I’ve used three cornflower stems. You can also mix multiple flowers, like cornflowers, scabiosa and cosmos, for a beautiful effect.
3. Mix of tiny Botanical Specimens
Flowers do not have to be pressed and displayed on stems; you may make a frame with pressed flower heads and petals. The above structure is a complete mix and randomly arranged for an organic feel.
4. Mix Botanicals with Paper Ephemera & Art
Combine little pieces of embroidered art with pressed flowers for a contemporary feel. Half of the frame with pressed flowers and the other half with a solid flat object works well. The pressed flowers I have incorporated are a cow parsley stem, phlox heads and a little weed I salvaged from my garden border.
Ideas Of What To Frame With Pressed Flowers
A birthday card or postcard
Tickets from a special event
Wedding photographs
Piece of floral fabric
Vintage handkerchief
Black and white photographs
Song lyrics
A poem
An award/ certificate
Cigarette cards
Stamps
In the above frame, I have scattered the flowers in little groups around a paper object, which works beautifully. A group of pressed flowers on the left, the embroidery in the middle and a scatter of pressed flowers on the right. Notice I have styled this as three groups of things using odd numbers. Think about matching colours together to work the two different mediums together. Here I’ve used cosmos, phlox and fuchsias. I chose burgundy, muted pinks, lilacs and cream colours.
Styling pressed flowers inside the frames and hanging little embroidered keepsakes & trinkets in front of the glass works well. The pressed flowers I’ve used included here are phlox heads. I have hung the ribbon with the embroidered bee from the ring of the metal frame. I love this look!
How To Display Pressed Flowers
When displaying pressed flower frames in your home, you could group 4 similar frames, each with a different botanical specimen. Here are some alternative presentation ideas to get your creative juices flowing!
For a truly vintage and rustic feel, use a mix of different types of frames to display your flowers, metal Kiko frames, poster frames, and tiny metal frames and arrange with little hung keepsakes like these linen ones decorated with pressed flowers. Choose frames in different orientations and sizes, large metal portrait frames, huge landscape frames and tiny triangular frames
Hang frames alongside paper ephemera-like vintage postcards that compliment the colour scheme and images of your dried flowers.
Hang alongside floral paper wreaths that completely contrast shapes but exhume the same vintage appeal.
How Long Do Pressed Flowers Last In A Frame?
It depends on the flower type, frame type and where in your home you have your pressed flower frame hung. Being hung on a wall in direct sunlight will fade your flowers; below is an example of pressed flowers five years after pressing. I had this frame hung on a wall that gets a lot of direct sunlight to record the effects, and you can see that the green leaves on the flowers have turned yellow with age.
How To Prevent Fading
There are things we can do to prevent fading. Firstly hang it on a wall that isn’t in direct sunlight. A hallway with very little light is perfect, or the same wall as a window with little direct sunlight. Secondly, invest in a museum or conservation standard glass frame if looking for longevity.
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Contempfleury
Contempfleury is an art studio run by Leah Nikolaou from her home and garden. She works extensively with pressed flowers to create her one-of-a-kind artworks, pressed flower prints and pressed flower embroidery kits. The framing of her pressed flowers is a step where she loves her creativity to extend.
