Arrangement of the Month: September 2017

Full of fluffy white hydrangea and roses, this month's floral arrangement represents a clean slate as the season changes from summer to fall. Too busy with the getting back to business, business, I plucked these right from the grocery store and created a statement arrangement where we'd be greeted at each trip in and out the door. Despite a methodical selection of buds, it's the greenery that really steals the show here. Our garden is turning over as well, so pruned cuttings from our formerly out of control Lady Banks climbing rose were also added in for some extra dangling drama. 

A White Wedding

If you are following along with me on Instagram, you probably got a glimpse of some floral work I did over this past weekend. I thought you guys might want a look at some of the progress shots, plus of course, a peek at the final outcome.

I've done some full scale wedding and event design in the past, but this time, I was charged only with pulling together the floral for this one, which was set in a spanish style Villa. I concepted a few options for the bride who only stipulated that she wanted an all white palette with a few hints of green, which would eventually be installed in the Villa's courtyard amongst dark wood tables and beautiful shade trees overhead.

In the end, we went with an array of peonies, mums, freesia, dahlias, carnations, scotch broom and David Austin roses for the blooms. The green accents were added with dianthus and some tropical foliage. For the bases, we decided to play up the candlelight and backlighting throughout the courtyard and went with mirrored bases. 

While I was able to source the table bases,  we wanted something a little more dramatic and larger scale for the ceremony arrangements. So I enlisted The Mister to help me build out some tall boxes that I later outfitted with some custom mirror pieces the week before the big day.

Saturday morning I was up before the sun, coffee in hand, stereo on and working away at a pretty good clip. The average temperature in our house that day was kept at 68 degrees.

Halfway through the arrangements on Saturday afternoon.

I was able to knock out all of the table and ceremony arrangements the day prior, leaving only the bouquets and wearables for the morning of.

The venue was magical to say the least. Dark wood tables- 16 feet long were waiting for floral upon arrival in the shady courtyard. I was happily surprised to find that the trees had spotlights pointed down above the tables, which I knew would add more even effect to the mirrors in the arrangements.

I loved these arrangements. I already have plans to build out some mirrored boxes for the house. 

Bridesmaid bouquets of peonies, freesia and fragrant David Austin roses.

I personalized all of the handhelds and wearables with hand stamped cards.

Thank goodness the peonies opened that morning! The bride wore an ivory lace dress and family pearls. She gave me free range on the bouquet, only remarking that she loved peonies. I loved the final result, using white peonies and astilbe, which mirrored the lace details in her gown. The stems were also wrapped in lace and pearlized pins to tie into her dress and jewelry.

It was nice to finally grab a few shots on this event. Typically, I get so wrapped up in the detail work and forget to take photos! In the end, I got the nap I was so looking forward to. But I woke up at sunset, and I couldn't help but think of the magic that was surely unfolding back in the courtyard and how beautiful and happy the bride looked that morning while she anticipated the evening to come. 

Filler Floral // In Defense of Greenery Arrangements

Taking advantage of some of the unique flowers that are only available this time of year, Spring weddings in particular are filled with colorful blooms. But seasonal blooms can certainly become costly. Today, I'm here to make my argument in defense of another option many brides disregard, but one that can be just as unique and beautiful-  and a much less costly endeavor at that. 

Here I present a defense for an all green arrangement.

Always drawn to the dark side, I'm partial Nicolette Owen's take, with her moody and explosive smoke bush arrangement in a modern glass jug (above). This would look sensational paired against a dark tablecloth, or backlit by candlelight. 

But, I will plead my case with some other examples as well.

Exhibit A - Preston Bailey 
Master stylist Preston Bailey recreates a  table top tree out of Philodendron leaves.

Exhibit B - P. Allen Smith via Tobi Fairley

P. Allen Smith uses Chinaberry as a coffee table centerpiece. This draping arrangement would be just as much of a conversation starter en masse, down the center of a long dining table.

Exhibit C - Petite Pots

Sansevieria trifasciata, also called snake plant or mother-in-law's tongue potted amongst other succulents in an urn makes for a modern take on a classical arrangement

Exhibit D - Mark D. Sikes via House Beautiful

 Mark D. Sikes makes a welcoming arrangement out of simple eucalyptus in this house's foyer. 

Exhibit E - Nanette Gower via Urbanlist

Nanette Gower rebels against a typical floral bouquet, creating a tropical looking bouquet out of succulents and lily foliage.

Exhibit F - Bash Please via Style Me Pretty

Bash Please kept it wild near the alter with lush branches flanked by fern and english ivy. 

Exhibit G - Honey of a Thousand Flowers via Once Wed

Speaking of fern, Honey of a Thousand Flowers shows us that sometimes less really is more. Paired only with candles, this arrangement even forgoes vases, making it one of the best ways to make a floral statement on even the leanest of budgets.

Fancied Fall Floral

Step away from the mums. Today I'm sharing some simple ways to elevate your seasonal floral arrangements.

I get it. I felt the same little thrill rush over me the first time I spotted that annual display of chrysanthemums at my local nursery. I think I wait all year for that sighting because I know what it means. Fall in all of it's colorful glory is finally upon us.

But as much as I love to see neighborhood doorsteps dressed with pots overflowing, I always find myself going to the dark side, seeking out more dramatic vase fillers. 

Before I share some advice, let me plead my case with some examples of alternative fall flora.

Ariel Dearie

Martha Stewart

Sarah Winward

Saipua

You may think it's all about the foliage and you're half right. I never met auburn leaf I didn't like. But there are other elements in these designs I gravitate to- especially this time of year.

Here are a few subtle tweaks that will turn your vase full of flowers into a seasonal show stopper.

Kelly Wearstler

Chelsea Kline 

Domino

Via Scot Meacham Wood

JL Designs

Aucourant Floral

Amorology

Martha Stewart

Changing your mind a little?