The key to this arrangement is think "simple." Take a simple container, I used a clear hurricane-style glass vase, which draws attention to the intricate blooms of the lavender. (up close the blooms look like mini Hurricanes}
I then packed the lavender as tightly as possible in the vase, cutting them even with the top of the hurricane vase. It is fabulously fragrant!
It's by no means a "show stopper" but I love how simple it was. You could use lots of long stem flowers this way- in the spring some hyacinth {or muscari} would be great. I've done this same arrangement with roses and stock. Also using a large wide mouth "Mason Jar", I've cut herbs from my garden and presented them in the same way. What's so fun about this is, you can't go wrong, having the flowers contained in the vase lessens the stress of arranging them.
Added this just for fun. This time of year I have fruit coming out my ears! With bowls and bowls of fruit setting around, I knew I had to do something to change it up a bit. That's how the "tower of fruit" came to be. The tall vase is wide enough that you can easily reach all the way to the bottom for fruit. It's like a never fading/ever changing centerpiece- when it's getting low, I just pick more. We have enough fruit on our 22 trees that from May- Nov. I see no problem in keeping it filled. Even if you don't have fruit trees in your yard, most of us buy fruit to eat, why not change it up a bit :}
I love to walk into someone home or my favorite shop and be virtually surprised by their creative displays. Even if it's something that I would never do in my home, I love that they would try something new and take a chance. I'm inspired by them. I also feel a little sad, when I hear women say "I have no money, I'm not very creative, or why even bother to do that?" I feel like shouting, "Don't you remember when you were a little girl, and could turn a simple box into a castle, or a tree into the most beautiful house?" and how fun that was, and that you didn't care if anyone else liked it. You liked it and that was all that mattered! When did we lose the little girl in us?
My point is, it's about your attitude. I believe we are all creative in our own ways- just don't hide it away, because you are worried about what someone else thinks. And as far as money goes, it doesn't take any if you remember "the little girl inside you." { The most fabulous tree house in the world,my sister and I made with absolutely no money}
Look around your surroundings, re-use, re-think, re-arrange. Virtually anything that can hold water can be used to display flowers. Even if a receptacle isn't watertight, you can insert a tumbler or jam jar inside and arrange the flowers in that. Don't have flowers, then think of other things to use as arrangements. Bar soap, family photos, I think filling a glass jar with family snapshots would be fabulous. Spools of thread, rolled up fabric pieces, yes, even little kids toys. How cute would it be to take all your little guy trucks and arrange in a bowl or tall vase. Brought a smile to Denver's face. { I like to keep the kids guessing, so they know how to take care of me when I really do lose it :}