So here we are in the thick of a frigid East Coast winter, and for many of us, it seems like the ice, snow and gray skies might never end. As usual, this time of year has me dreaming about my native climate in Southern California (I might have mentioned?) :). One of my favorite…
Greetings readers, and welcome back for another foray into the floral alphabet! For “f” I have opted to present freesia and fritillaria for your consideration. It is sometimes difficult to choose just one flower . . . and who says we have to, anyway! First, let’s focus on freesia. Freesia are lovely, fragrant blooms that…
Welcome back, Alphabet Florists! Just to mix it up a bit, I thought I would feature three different “e” flowers this week: echeveria (succulents), eryngium (thistle) and eustoma (lisianthus). Now, I grant you, I am bending the rules ever so slightly by using the Latin names for these relatively common blooms and plants and highlighting…
Happy holidays, lovely readers! This gift guide is geared to the flower lover in your life. I included implements on the practical side (like the amazing Felco pruners and Hunter Wellies), as well as more fanciful gifts like vases and candles. If you’re looking to inspire the green thumb in your family, Michael Pollan’s book,…
Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. The cozy notion of gathering together with friends and family (both related and chosen); the opportunity to marvel at and be grateful for the many wonderful aspects of my life; and all the time and effort people devote to traveling and cooking make this one particular day truly…
Hello, flower fans! For this round of Flowers A–Z, I have selected a delicate adornment, as opposed to a traditional bloom: dusty miller (senecio cineraria). The color and texture of dusty miller, with its silvery soft, felt-like leaves make the perfect complement to either muted or bold-hued flowers. Dusty miller is native to arid climates…
Welcome back, fans of flowers, the alphabet or perhaps both! Did you guess that the letter “c” would be for calla? The calla lily (or zantedeschia) is an elegant, noble flower from the family Araceae, which is native to southern Africa. Callas tend to flourish in warm climates and are primarily grown in California, Colombia, New…
Hello, lovely readers! This post for the letter “B” was such an easy call — the indomitable brassica. I am a huge fan of this gorgeous cabbage. Brassica gives you lots of bang for your buck, is strong and stabilizing in arrangements, looks sophisticated and unusual and kicks up the drama factor. Brassica is a broad…
Hello everyone! I’m starting a new series from my little flower corner called “Flowers A–Z.” This series will highlight a different individual flower in each post, arranged alphabetically. I will offer a few facts about the flower, review some of its basic properties and demonstrate design ideas. I think it will be great fun and…
pa·vé (noun). A setting of precious stones placed together so closely that no metal shows: diamonds in pavé. Like so many of you lovely readers, I think of flowers as gorgeous little gems. I often identify my favorite style of floral design as “pavé”-style construction. In this week’s post, I wanted to share some prime…
As we begin the Labor Day weekend, I am prone to ponder the moratorium on “wearing white” after Labor Day. I am a relatively newly relocated East Coast-er and I am just beginning to grow accustomed to the change of seasons and all that implies. The transition from summer to fall brings subtle shifts in…
Ever since I was a child, I have loved all things “themed” – costume parties, International dinners, festivals and the like. During one year’s ill-fated attempt at hosting regular “theme” events, I created a monthly calendar of movie nights at my apartment. I invited friends for a movie and potluck dinner based around a theme…
From the bold and the beautiful, to the washed out and sun-bleached, I LOVE COLOR. Perhaps more than any other design principle, color guides my choices and can easily dictate the overall feel of an entire floral event. This summer I have been working with a range of palettes and challenging my compulsion to constantly…
This week I want to share the amazing story and graceful beauty of the gardens at Osborn Castle. With the help of remarkable photographer Scott Clark, I documented my recent visit. The magic of our day culminated in the Castle owner letting me hand pick wild and farmed blooms from the estate to create two…
Hi guys! Sarah from Blossom & Branch here. Perhaps I have mentioned that summer is my most favorite season? Today I conjured a little summer picnic fantasy using feminine, classic milk glass. The idea of lounging around with prosecco and fruit and being surrounding by adorable floral arrangements seems the perfect remedy to the hectic…
[today i'm thrilled to welcome sarah brysk cohen from blossom and branch to d*s! the studio choo girls are swamped with wedding season, so they'll be taking every other week off this summer. on their off-weeks the lovely and talented sarah will be joining us with a fun floral post. welcome, sarah!] Hi everyone! This…
