Cinnamon

I will often talk about working with 'clear' colors and working with 'off' colors: clear colors being those on the basic color wheel: true blue, red, yellow, purple, etc.; and off colors being those which divert and seem to have added grey, brown - a little off, e.g., the difference between a grass green and a celadon green, the difference between a grape purple and ashes of roses lavender.

For this fall wedding, I worked with what I would describe as an off peach - or a cinnamon. What a perfect color for fall. These roses are amazing and just get bigger and more perfect as they open. The overall look was pretty simple, but the two rose colors made it unique and memorable.

Flowers pictured include: hydrangea, hypericum berry, versilia peach roses, cinnamon roses, salal.

Clouds

Rather surprisingly, blue has been quite a popular color this year - and especially the specific color combination of blue and white.

Another surprise has been the resurgence of baby's breath. After years of (rather harsh) banishment from the world of 'good taste', baby's breath is back. What works best is not using it in a mixed arrangement so popular in the 70s in 80s, but using it as it grows in the garden: in dense, bush-like quantities.

The effect is pretty cool and for a hot early fall day, the look is lacy, ethereal, and natural - the baby's breath arrangements are cloud-like across the room.

Flowers pictured include: baby's breath, white hydrangea, blue hydrangea, white vendela roses.

Spring Blossoms

What gorgeous weather! My garden is in its first bloom and I am really enjoying these late spring days. Everything seems to have grown overnight - my ladies mantle and foxglove are in full bloom, and the roses are popping out all over. Earlier this spring my alliums burst forth all over and I am sorry they are gone, but  I eagerly await the wash of colors expected later this month.

Spring is on my mind, and how fitting that my wedding of last weekend was a celebration of so many spring flowers: peonies, delphinium, ladies mantle, and roses. I had the prettiest cerise, pink, and creamy white peonies which smelled as good as they looked. The bride selected a multicolor theme of blue, pink, and lemon-lime greens, all set off by the palest of acid green silk tablecloths - perfect for a springtime wedding.

Enjoy these photos - I only wish you could smell how lovely they were!

Materials included: hot lady roses, amsterdam roses, pink spray rose, purple stock, ladies mantle, veronica, larkspur, hybrid delphinium, peonies, bells of Ireland, blue hydrangea, thistle, and quince branches. Bridal bouquet was an exquisite mix of gardenias, peonies, vendela roses, ranunculus.

One of the bridesmaid's bouquets

Bridal bouquet

Entryway centerpiece for the placecard table

Cocktail tables

Crackled glass julep cups for the cocktail area

Hello, New Year

It may be eighteen days into the New Year, but to me, it still feels new! With the fresh year comes the promise of spring - the sun shines longer in the sky, the stores are filled with citrus fruit, and tulips are in season (in overseas flower markets, clearly not on the east coast).  Hello, New Year, with your endless possibilities.

To usher in the new year, we must say goodbye to the old year with a bang. This December 31, I had a New Year's wedding and a large party. I've done a lot of New Year's weddings over the years, and it is a wonderful way to begin anew.  I only have some shots of the bridesmaids' bouquets - simple nosegays of vendela cream roses and juniper western berry. I really love the look of juniper.

For the party, I was asked to use blue and silver - fairly traditional New Year's colors - and I added a pop of coral orange for interest and warmth. I used a random assortment of silver and blue vases, enormous silver flutes, and icy blue hydrangea, electric blue delphinium, eskimo white roses, vivienne white spray roses, donna coral roses, marlisse coral roses, and lots of seeded eucalyptus, slivery glittery branches, and silver-dipped Italian ruscus. We used a host of different silver cloths - jacquards, sheers, and even sequins! It was a lot of fun to create.

I look back on 2010 and thank all of my wonderful brides who asked me to do their flowers - I loved working with you!

2011 brides, I can't wait for the adventures ahead!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Bridesmaid's bouquet -