Give 'em Romance

Feels like I haven't had a chance to breath between back to back consultations, samples and appeasing the gods, (that is the clients that be). But I say this in a spirit of appreciation! The studio has been host to a few fantasy maquettes of installations that are being proposed for next year. I'm officially on the bandwagon with the vintage "do- it yourself" design paradigm that is currently saturating the bridal blogosphere. It's sweet it's romantic and it touches a nerve of comfort that the event world has been craving for some time now. Martha of course has been doing it all along with her crafty throw backs which are always so quaint and frankly all American- something I am certainly not. But I love martha, spelled in lower case because I speak of her, not personally, but as an aesthetic.
I am working with a bride on a wedding for next year. She proposed that we use hand made paper flowers as accents in a garden like environment. I suggested that we string garlands and lanterns and have the wispy flowers loosely "growing" from the greenery. On the table we assembled a still life of antique bottles, lanterns, candles, etc... All in all, a very whimsical effect was achieved.
The other images are from the treatment for an escort card table blanketed with Plumosa Fern and Ivy and Illuminated by various pewter candles.
These are not original ideas but they are beautiful and resonate with the new sentimental romantic bride.

An Unusual Winter's Tale

My little collaging fingers couldn't help but combine these two somewhat kindred images. The color story begs union yet the lady in question is from a time when women began to claim their voice in a male dominated world and this assemblage of flowers has a very modern feel to it.
What does a bouquet say?
It can be symbolic in it's character. This bouquet (Echeveria, Ilax Berries, Narcissus, Tuberrose, Dusty Miller and Lambs Ear) tells us a lot about our protagonist, lets call her Margaret.
The who, what where?
It's winter and our elegant lady is waiting, perhaps at a train station. Although she is self sufficient and worldly she longs for a partner. This bouquet can symbolize the fulfillment of this dream. Two independent and equally expressive Echiverias are a focal point in the arrangement. She is also a woman who takes great care in her attire and essence. The Paper-Whites are sweet-scented, and when combined with the aromatic Tuberrose, lend a fragrance as inviting as a proper ladies' powder room in a desaturated era.
Margaret is a modern woman who still retains a romantic streak. She is cool and collected and lends the cultivated air of gentility but can also be bold and is well prepared to hold her own in any scenario.
Most likely she would never have envisaged this bouquet for herself but fast forward 70 years and here it is. She was a woman way ahead of her time!