Sunflowers and the joy they bring...

 We love Sunflowers. If you watch them in the fields 
you will see there faces follow the sun. It is one
of natures wonders. Because of the varieties
of yellows and there sizes you can create large
pieces or small. Here are a few for ideas.

Submerged & picked Lemons and green Dianthus are a great accent

Lime Dracena leaf wrapped inside the vase. A great simple cocktail piece

Wedding in lavenders

This large Wedding was set up in a ballroom. The Bride had wanted a garden wedding but they had over three hundred guests so the venue had to be able to accommodate that many people. 
   We decided to create pieces that had a garden feeling in shades of purples and lavenders ...

Weaving  curly willow and blooming branches created a natural nest
for the flowers to be woven through. Freesia, Lilac and Hyacinth gave the centerpieces a wonderful scent.

Beach theme on a budget...

  Lets face it...some have a harder time of coming up with financing
for there Big day than others. There are some great ways of creating fun and interesting looks. Sand is very inexpensive and can go a long way. for an interesting visual if you split your table count and layer some in a clear 
glass vase with sea shells and candles.

We used a tall vase with willow and ti leaves woven inside
shells on the bottom and lily grass on top 

  Then do the other half of the tables with glass, shells and maybe
white Hydrangea ( which is a reasonably inexpensive flower).
You get a look of beach sophistication without the budget buster. 
Or another option pictured below.

Assorted Succulents in a glass bowl of river rock, scattered gems and tumbles glass around it. Simple and really beautiful.

Caring for Phalenopsis Orchids

  Phala Orchids are very easy to take care of. They like filtered

light and air movement. Direct sunlight will burn the leaves and

destroy the blooms. When you get the Orchid most of the time

they will have been soaked. The roots are wrapped in moss which extends the moisture around them. If the moss feels very moist 

wait at least two weeks and once a week put a ice cube on

the moss at the top of the plant. 

   Most people over love them and this can create root rot.

After they have done blooming, move them to your bathroom 

or a warm covered patio. Don't cut of the stem. It usually takes

about six months for the plant to re bloom. Orchids symbolize

 Beauty, love and strength. They are the perfect gift. Enjoy...

Double White Phalenopsis Orchid

Natural sand and polished black rock in a clear glass vase

Mandolina is used to weave into the Orchid to compliment the Orchids sweep

Nature and whimsy inspired Weddings

  Looking in Bridal and Event Magazines or on the Web.
There is so whimsy and some great ideas. Natural
unstructured deigns are all the rage. You can't help
but see the beauty in there simplicity. As Designers 
we know simplicity can sometimes be the most time
consuming of all.

Photo Copies table runner, Table number with pictures of the Bride & Groom at the same age.Random Vase finds hung with twine from tree branches, These are a few of our favorite things and all from Google Images Unique Wedding ideas

Cafe-au lait Dahlia

Old books, mason jars, tin cans

                   paper hearts from old newspaper, lace and raffia ....it is all about the details

Tall Boy tables are secured with burlap ribbon in a breezie garden

Details are everything...

Have you ever seen an Arrangement that looks great from the start.
The more you look at it the better it gets. You see the things
that at first glance may not have been evident but now add
to the textures and theme of the overall design. I love the details.

Is it a table or a Wall piece. Succulent and Berzillia Berries and foliage add a feeling of under waters capes the colors at the heart of the Cymbidiums play of the Urchin shells
The heavy blown glass vase adds the colors of the Sea.

I know that pinks and lavenders tend to be a first choice for Mom's...
We did a lot of soft and feminine designs to celebrate there spacial day.
That said, what if they are more vivid and vibrant a personality. This one
was an amazing piece. Purple Tulips, Chartreuse Cymbidiums, Spotted mini Phala Orchids Rhododendrons, Hydrangea, bearded Iris and these amazing crimson Peonies. 

Things that inspire us...

   As a Designer nearly everything around us can inspire us.
things we see all the time or Events we attend. Here is one
that was in Seattle. Chihuly garden and glass at the 
exhibit hall below the Space Needle. The colors and
shapes were as always breathtaking. There is a organic
and futuristic visual that really speaks to the Artistic
whimsy in us and the plant materials used were fantastic
parings of color and texture...Stunning

Ferns and Coral Bells at the base.

The Space Needle was a backdrop.

Japanese Niponi Grass in lime 

Inspiration

Custom Linens and Paper flowers Inspiration 2

Peonies and Garden Roses for Mothers day

Soft Spring colors, a celebration of life

Mothers day for most is a time for us to thank that amazing person who has helped make us who we are. We love all the amazing flowers available at this time of year, The garden roses and Lilac or the fantastic shades of Peonies available to us make it very easy to create fantastic designs. The Sarah Bernhardt peonies has to be one of our picks for a fantastic blossom  and one can never have enough bling in ones life ......

Do you know different woods have meanings......

One of our clients is truly amazing. She gives
us a date and vibe the lets us go. We have decorated
her home for the last six years creating different
looks and using unusual materials. Always pushing the
envelope and thinking out of he box. One of our 
designers was trying to find a natural element to 
bring all the pieces together. She looked everywhere
and could not find what she was envisioning. So 
she decided to do it herself. She is very driven
by energy and you can feel the love she has for her
craft in her designs. Here is one of her creations.

Maple- Her body and wings are one of the most spiritual woods in existence.  Because of this, the primary use of the wood is that of spiritual healing.  It is also amazing when working with moon magic. Maple is a traveler's wood.  Those who are always on the move and changing will feel right at home with this type of energy.  It allows a person to focus in on the choices in any situation, eliminating luck and chance.  It enhances intellectual pursuits and learning.
Satinwood her Mid base…. contains a very powerful energy.  Though it is overall positive, it is a wood highly influenced by luck and the energies which surround it. .The wood is highly in tune with the planet Mars and The energy to overcome  In this case, the energy is very tied up with life energy as well, possibly indicating that the wood could be used to influence health issues, both spiritual and physical. Water energy is the strongest elemental force within this wood, and with it the cyclical energy of the moon.  Water brings a peaceful energy a stillness.  This energy will be strongest on the full moon and nearly nonexistent during a new moon. The most interesting aspect of this wood is the prevalence of the planet Saturn.  This would be highly useful for meditation, though may be a hindrance in other endeavors

What was chosen for her base foundation and the best word to describe the energy of Black Walnut is "introspective."  It is not for those with flights of fancy, but rather for those who seek to explore their own personal energy and the "here and now."  It is good for blocking out emotional energy so that one may focus upon the task at hand. This wood couples reason with intuition to help a person grow spiritually and to heal themselves from within.  A quiet, unassuming wood, 

Fun ways to accent a food table...

  There are some great ways to create memorable party's.
Appetizers and finger foods make for an amazing visual
and the variety's that you serve are sure to speak to 
their senses.  You can use unusual plates, over-sized ceramic
 tiles, Mirrors, Glass, as long as its sealed its good to go.
We used wire bullion, wire spheres and a pearl wrapped wire
to create these. Kalonchoe blooms, Lily grass, Dracena leaves
and Rosette succulents were glued into the woven designs.

 These were created for Plums Cafe and Catering. They do an amazing job with food and its to die for....
I still haven't been able to go over there for dinner. I know they are doing a remodel and it looks like it is going to look amazing. Can't wait to see it and dig in to an amazing meal.

Bringing the outdoors in...

 I found this picture inspiring.....
Honestly I don't remember
where I got this, but the idea 
was so clever that I wanted 
to share it.
  Living moss under glass.
Really wonderful and clever
way of using natural elements
in confined spaces.

  I am a firm believer in energy. Surrounding your environment 
with living things creates a space that is an encouraging, 
positive and healthy way to share in the bounty of healing.
Bringing plants and moss indoors gives the illusion of times out doors.Candles and aromatherapy are also great ways to take a 
break. I think we are all so busy, that we sometimes forget to
take a moment and enjoy the peace that living plants and
scented foliage can give us.

  We decided to try and create designs for this holiday that were not only budget orientated. But more personal ...Including the meanings of flowers and printing them so that they could be read.
  It was really big in the Victorian and Edwardian times and we loved the idea...  Lets face it Roses can be really cost prohibitive and because the growers push for more production, the quality can some times be questionable no matter who you buy from. It is a question of supply and demand. Here were a few of our customers favorites...

Did you know Phalenopsis orchids symbolize beauty, strength and love. or that colors have meaning, Orange for passion and desire, yellow for caring and friendship, Hydrangea flowers for devotion. There seems to be a color and flower for every mood and feeling. it is fun to figure it all out.

Favorites in Holiday decor for 2012

Succulents have long been one of our favorite mediums. Cleaner lines  with lots of texture and
colors that speak to the senses.

Wonderful three dimensional wreath for the 
gate

















A solid sphere in a over sized martini glass with tumbled polished black stone

These were one of our designers creations. Mercury glass ornaments create a wreath cap on large Aluminium urns with steel gloves in the center. The light refraction and mirror effects were wonderful.

Favorite Photo Shoots....

   We were working on a mail out a bit ago. 
Something that made you want to climb in.
Textures and rich colors. We made rose
spheres and used Blackberries, balls of 
wire and thin stringer filament were woven
through the design. 

You can see how we bound the Calla Lily's if you look close.
the two tone Rose is called Pink Intuition. It looks like
someone got a paint brush and randomly painted
the petals. It does not last long , its great for party's
and events. It is  easy to refract. (peel the outer petals
back and create a wide open Rose) . There is also
Hypericum (coffee berry) and Viburnum with Lepto
woven around the box. Really was pleased with the way
this turned out.

St Regis for the Holiday

  Each year as you know we have the privileged
of decorating the St Regis Monarch Beach for the
Holiday Season. We start to install garland, swags
and trees all over the hotel. On the night of Thanksgiving.
our crew like the elves in the shoemaker fable
goes to work.I love the feel of it by night...
It is pure magic.

Night time is a wonderland...

Here is a wonderful door wreath with Russian inspired Faberge
and glass ornaments. It looked wonderful on the front
door with the iron work a back drop to its lush and textured
beauty.

Fall is in the air....Creating fun table designs for the Holidays.

Cooler days and crisp nights...You can smell it in the air. 
It makes me want to travel back east so I can see the
parade of colors in ever changing shades of the Fall.
One of my favorite seasons, Berries and textured
flowers in rich and wonderful earth hues. I love it...

Tables capes are so fun to create. You don't have
to use big flower arrangements. Nestle pumpkins and 
gourds in vases or down the table look great. Use moss 
and other dried forest goods. Go outside grab some
fountain grasses and put them in a pot. All it takes is
a little imagination.

Already working on Christmas...

   Has anyone noticed that the holidays  are being displayed
earlier and earlier each year. We retailers literally pack away
the previous year only to have to start working on the next
holiday seasons.
   We made roving wool flowers and ribbon for a wonderful
client who lets us create some incredible and unusual pieces
for her home. Here are some of the items we worked on for her.

Foam sphere covered in copper and bronze seed beads with Glass and copper wire beads accented with pearl pins.