Magenta vs Puple

Violet/ Blue post for Traditional Home Facebook Page

"Blue Mammy" Roses, Clematis, Sweet Pea, Lisianthus, Phlox, Pincushions, Super Vanda Orchids

Bride's Maids bouquet of Stock, Geranium, Maidenhair Fern and Viburnum

Delphinium blossoms decorating a Strawberry Shortcake Wedding Cake

Hybrid Delphinium and Larkspur

Tall arrangements: Curly Willow w/Mokara Orchids & Delphinium w/Larkspur

Here are some photos from today's Traditional Home Facebook blog post and others from a Violet themed wedding we produced this weekend at Tribecca Rooftop.

If truth be said, purple is not my favorite color of the spectrum. It crosses into fuchsia and blue so readily that it's often a challenge to keep true to an exact hue when buying for events. The same can be said and probably applies even more so to the saturated hot-pink family which you have to keep a very close eye on when ordering and picking up from the market. Magenta and many pinks and purples are not found on the visible color spectrum because they require a mix of multiple wavelengths to exist. That may be the reason they are so difficult to describe to your growers when ordering a very specific hue. Once I produced a magenta wedding and ordered the orchids directly from the growers. When the packages arrived they looked lavender veering into purple. A quick flurry of unexpected activity ensued, including running to the market before closing time to buy what I could find on hand that could substitute for the purple shipment. Needless to say time was spent, nerves were frayed and my feet were already hurting! What could have been a smooth operation turned into yet another stressful challenge. Tip of the day: make sure your vendors have exact names and samples before ordering and then check all the boxes before you leave with them to ensure you have exactly the correct shade of pink that's on the invitations!

 

Setting a Proper Intention

This thing called Cancer is the modern day plague and ravishes our world taking our dearest innocent loved ones in it's path. None of us are spared of this democratically cruel attack upon our brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, children and friends.
Yesterday I delivered two altar arrangements for the memorial service of a client's 27 year old daughter-in-law who had passed away after battling cancer. When I arrived I waited as her young husband was in the chapel having his time alone with her. Her wedding photo was on an easel at the entry way. She was gorgeous, radiant and had the most genuinely happy look on her face on that wedding day. Seeing her image brought tears to my eyes. When the young groom came out I went to him and offered my deepest sympathies from the bottom of my heart. He looked into my eyes and felt my sincerity and smiled, thanking me. He was so sweet and his love for her was palpable.
When I placed the arrangements amongst the other "funeral flowers" they somehow elevated the atmosphere and I believe helped her presence be felt.
In the Buddhist tradition the deceased enters a bardo (intermediate state) that can last up to 49 days before the stream of consciousness or soul "comes again" or reincarnates into a new life. From the moment I received the call on Friday for these flowers I felt a great responsibility to transcended the typical cookie cutter funerary pieces. The client explained to me who her daughter was, the colors she liked and how the arrangements should stand apart from all the others. This order consumed my entire weekend and I set my intent to offer this young lady who had rested from her battle the best I could deliver. I imagined her finding her way to a very happy new life and also placed myself in the shoes of her family members hoping to bring them some ease by presenting her surrounded by beauty and not stiff commercially produced funeral stands with the usual selection of flowers.
My client arrived as I placed the two arrangements and she was very pleased. She was immensely gracious and repeatedly thanked me, actually praising my work to the other family members standing there and explaining how quickly I managed to deliver such special pieces.
I do believe that through setting the intention I created an unspoken connection with this family.
Sometimes, when I'm battered by the extreme hard work this work entails or when my own budgeting falls short and my profits on these labors of love are minimal, I feel that this is a thankless job. It's rare that I am reminded how important the work actually is. This was one of those times. I had a realization that the amount of love that I put into my work is love which is not lost on its recipients. As ephemeral as it is, the beauty which flowers and decor offer elevate the most important moments of our lives including birth, death, union and celebration. As a florist and decorator I take my work very seriously and know the inherent value of these earthly accessories- they have the ability to bring meaning to a moment and help us to elevate our thoughts and emotions. As back breaking and challenging as it is, it is meaningful and appreciated.

Garden Roses from the Garden

Today I looked down at the rose bushes in my beloved border garden and the first roses of 2011 were holding court. Unfortunately, not for long. I nearly tripped running down the fire escape to grab my paws on them. Here they are with garden roses from the market and other specimen in antique bottles.

Holy Wednesday! It's almost "Maundy Thursday"!

Great Nettle 1854 William Bradbury

"Maundy Thursday" is also known as Holy Thursday, among other names, which commemorates the Last Supper. In medieval times people took to bathing and washing their clothes on "Clean Thursday". In German traditions it is referred to as "Green Thursday". Greeks dye their Easter eggs a bright red to represent the blood of Christ and call it "Red Thursday". In central Europe folk customs include recipes for green soups made with Spinach, Kale, Leeks and herbs including Nettle (see print above). The Eucharist serves as an important religious symbol for Maundy Thursday so I included a print of a Eucharis Lily and a bridesmaid's bouquet with the same flower in it.

Propulsion

Couldn't help myself! Here is a wonderful collage by an unknown artist that I saw at 1st Dibs. I decided to throw my two cents in by adding the fishbowl with flowers. Somehow the associations came together in an un-realistic yet optimistic way that summed up my day. What is a world without color or flowers?

Crisp and Clean

I can go nuts adding different elements to a bouquet and they might all work together as a complex tapestry but my favorite medleys usually happen when the third or fourth element is added and something modestly whispers, ".....that's it".
Simplicity is often the best choice.
I was tickled to see this flirty green and white bouquet featured in a full page spread for WEDDINGS New York Magazine Spring /Summer 2011 issue!