Do you have any beautiful hanging plants? Why not create your own macramé planters? Two experts share their tips and tricks to create the perfect hanging planter.

Our experts

Maude Giguère, owner of Bar à plantes

I'm Maude, a curious person who loves to create! I love to learn how to do things by myself and I have a great interest in local crafts. I place a lot of importance on the provenance and design conditions of the objects I buy and I give priority to second-hand. I studied psychoeducation and I work part-time with men living with an intellectual disability. I started Bar à Plantes MTL in order to eventually offer a stimulating and rewarding work environment for people living with a disability. You can find me on Tuesdays and Thursdays at my workshop-boutique on Villeray ; I love to talk to you!

Maria, owner of Maria Angela Forioso

My name is Maria Angela Forioso. I am the owner and artist of the shop mariaangelaforioso.etsy.com. My studio offers high quality handmade accent decorations that will complement a variety of interior design styles. I gladly accept projects of all shapes, sizes and styles for your home, business or event.

How would you describe your style, your aesthetics?

Maria

I have a rather classic style in decoration. I like simple lines, but also natural materials. In my opinion, natural materials give a more chic look to our interiors.

Maude

I would say that the style of my creations is minimalist and neat. I pay attention to every detail and I appreciate that my products can fit into different settings.

What are your inspirations on Pinterest or Instagram?

Maude

I really like the metal hangers from GrowHive, which I'm on Instagram. The rough and clean look of their creations is totally my style! As for my inspirations, I must admit that I rarely consult ideas on Pinterest for inspiration. Since I'm attracted to very different styles, I know that consulting several images can make me want to create something new that is too far from my current style. It gives me too many ideas! Haha! It's mostly in everyday objects that I find my inspiration.

Maria

I like to draw inspiration from Pinterest for my own needs. As far as my work is concerned, I prefer to follow my own line. While on Instagram, I share a lot of scenery, I try as much as possible to use photos taken by my clients. I find this a great way to influence local purchasing and get inspired. I invite you to follow me on Instagram @maforioso.

How long does it take to make a planter?

Maude

It all depends on the details the person chooses to add to their planter. Making simple knots can take about 30 minutes, but when adding copper details and making finishing knots it can take a little over an hour.

Maria

It all depends on the level of complexity. For a beginner, allow up to 1 hour to design a basic planter.

What materials are needed to create a planter in your style? Where can you get the materials? Do you have favourite brands or specific places where you buy your materials?

Maria

I really like the cotton cord. It is strong, durable and comes in different sizes and textures: twisted, simple or coloured. I also offer some on my Etsy shop.

Maude

I use organic cotton rope that I have custom woven in a Montreal company, as well as small pieces of copper. I cut pieces of copper pipe that I find in the hardware store, in the plumbing section. I use a pipe cutter to make the copper balls. For the smallest pots, the string is 4 mm in diameter, while for the largest, I use the 8 mm string. I use the 1.5 cm rope to make the finishing knots. I offer rope by the metre on request for people who want to buy as locally as possible. Before discovering this Montreal supplier, I used the cotton rope sold in hardware stores. Small metal pliers are also very useful when I thread the ropes into the copper pieces.

Do you have sites to recommend for a diy video? If not, any workshops?

Maude

I offer workshops and will soon be offering DIY kits with a guide. I admit that I don't really have a video to recommend for my kind of gardener.

Maria

I offer workshops for private and public events. My next workshop will be held on October 5th, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Centre Laval as part of a creative market. For more details, you can go to their website, www.duolaval.com

How long is the ideal planter (matted? Or with a 9 or 12 foot ceiling?)

Maria

A mat length would be a minimum of 48 inches (approximately 1.22 metres). Of course, we can adapt according to the height of the ceilings.

Maude

The ones I design are usually one metre (about 39 inches) long. Some people add an extra piece of rope that comes off the hook and goes through the eye of the suspension. Hanging planters are sometimes installed on the wall, on the curtain rod, in the window frame, under a shelf or on the ceiling, but in general, I would say that a one metre long planter is good for many places!

In your experience, which pot size is the most attractive in a planter?

Maude

This varies according to the space in which the hanging planter is placed. It can be very pretty to hang a small pot in front of a narrow window, but the same small pot in the corner of a large room might seem out of proportion. The hangers I create are simple and are designed to showcase the pot and the plante ; all pot sizes are welcome!

Maria

I'd say a jar eight inches in diameter and under. You can choose a larger pot, but I think it will look less attractive.

Which knot should be mastered to make a Maria Angela Angela Forioso or MTL Plant Bar inspired planter?

Maude

For my part, it is rather the copper pieces that allow the strings to be assembled. However, I sometimes make simple knots and finish the top and bottom of the suspension with a gathering knot.

Maria

The basic knots, i.e. the wrap knot, the half flat knot and the flat knot, are necessary knots for a classic macramé planter.

What are the trends with macramé for the year? A new style seen on Pinterest or a favorite color, a new accessory, a new material?

Maria

Macramé has been well established in Quebec for a few years now and can be integrated in a boho, modern or classic style. The addition of natural materials, such as logs and natural-based stains, is very much in evidence. For more than a year, I have also been offering models of planters made of leather, an alternative choice for those who want simple and clean lines.