I adore making my own holiday decor, and interior designer and Magnolia founder Joanna Gaines always has the perfect inspiration. She shared a pair of gorgeous floral cloches on Instagram, which she made with her children. It's the ideal DIY for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or the whole winter season.
In her post, Joanna showcased glass cloches set on rustic wood bases, filled with dried flowers, foliage, and natural moss. The look is timeless, creates a stunning "enchanted snowglobe" effect, and, best of all, will last for years.
I'd have never thought to make one of these without seeing Joanna's, and now that I've seen hers, I can't stop thinking about the idea. Inspired by her design, I've broken down exactly how to make your own. Plus, I asked a professional florist for tips on how to create a "living" version with fresh flowers, and the common mistakes you must avoid.
Whether you're looking for Thanksgiving decor, Christmas crafts, or a timeless winter centerpiece, Joanna's cloche design is surprisingly easy to replicate.
What is a Cloche?
Floral artist Ace Berry of Oasis Forage Products explains: "A cloche is simply a glass dome (think old-fashioned cake cover) placed over a base. Inside, you can create miniature floral scenes, from a single dramatic bloom to a lush seasonal vignette of berries, greenery, and texture. They’re beautiful, low-maintenance, and easy to adapt for any space or style."
The cloche protects your design from wear and tear, as well as drying out faster in the air. With the right care, your cloche display can last a long time.
How to Make a Cloche
Cloche displays look tricky, but they're actually rather simple, provided you know what you need. All that's required to create one is a sturdy base (wood slices, ceramic plates, or vintage trays are Ace's top recommendations), a cloche, and your flowers and other decorative elements.
For a more long-lasting arrangement, use dried flower heads (like hydrangeas), moss, dried seed pods, mini pinecones, or even faux snow. Arrange your largest items (like the flower heads) first, then fill in the gaps with the smaller elements like moss and pinecones.
Once you're happy with it, lower the cloche over the top to keep it safe and secure. "The glass magnifies and softens the arrangement, creating that enchanted look everyone loves," says Ace.
"If using fresh flowers, keep your display looking amazing for as long as possible by opting for hardy flowers like chrysanthemums, carnations, or roses. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources and, if possible, remove the cloche daily for a small amount of time to allow any condensation the chance to escape."
Red roses, small pinecones, and a small bauble or two would make a gorgeous display for the Thanksgiving and Christmas period.
The Most Common Mistake to Avoid
The most common error people run into when creating a stunning cloche centerpiece, or a terrarium, is condensation. When moisture attempts to leave the flowers underneath the glass, it has no way to escape. So instead, it fogs up the glass, ruining your ability to see the display and creating the perfect environment for mold to develop.
Ace shared two little hacks to prevent this from happening, and neither takes a lot of extra effort. "Leave a small air gap or remove the dome overnight to let the arrangement breathe. Also, avoid oversized flowers that press against the glass; they can bruise easily and spoil the clean look."
People sometimes try to cram far too much into their cloche, making it hard to see what's inside. Remember, less can be more!
Shop Cloche DIY Supplies
This cloche is ideal for crafting, as it's built to house plants and comes with a base. It also has a small air hole to help ease condensation build-up.
This affordable 6-stem bunch is perfect for trying out the fresh-flower method. Their vibrant hues will look divine in any display.
This lovely mix of small, dried acorns and pinecones will elevate any flower arrangement inside your cloche.
