Drama in the Lobby !

Today' effort is one of several created each Monday to place in the lobbies of offices, usually trade associations or law firms in downtown DC. This one features proteas, the unusual grayish balls of a variety of echtoveria with which we're not familiar(from our personal supplier of weird stems from California) , and big ti-leaves, all high-lighted by the bright yellow calla lilies tipped with red -- again, emphasis on the unusual. The second photo shows a close-up of the center of the design, where visual depth is enhanced by the veritcal lines of the callas. Objective is to develop a touch of tropical mystery recognizing that most viewers are hurrying by anyway and won't have time to study the relations of darks and lights.

Typical upscale Design

Here's an example of a daily upscale ($95) design from our shop. Obviously, it capitalizes on the fantastic array of hydrangea colored heads now available. Because it's summertime, of course, there are the zingy zinneas, seveal "green envy" ones. The large garden roses compliment the basic composition, surrounded by the wildy-stringy jasmine stems. Tucked in center (see lower photo) are some vanda orchids and naked-lady lilies. The "brown" touch on the edge is actually brown-growing eucalyptus, to match the seeded eucalyptus on the other side of the design. And eagle-eyed flower lovers can also probably spot the stem or two of clematis added to round out the design. Putting this all together is the designer's task, and this one has been accomplished especially well!

Day's Work: Bridal Bouquets

We're often asked to show what floral designs are created day-by-day at the flower shop. Today a wedding order included nine bridesmaids' (eight plus Maid of Honor) bouquets. Pictured are a few, before the final hot-pink satin trailing ribbons and bow have been attached. Each is composed of four different, huge pink or hot-pink hydrangea heads from Columbia (SouthAmerica) and Holland. Riding astride the pillowy hydrangea clouds are four pink or hot-pink large "field" roses surrounding one centered, white/green rose. The wedding party then took each bouquet and placed it into a glass vase with water (which we supplied) in the center of the nine sit-down tables at the reception.

Pots, Pots & More Pots: Choices

Summertime provides a good excuse to do some house-cleaning! We've been attacking our storeroom where "extras" get stashed, so now there's a plethora of pots available at very reasonable prices -- see the pix as example. Especially in smaller apartment-house settings, selection of the pot is almost as important as the flowers contained therein -- come brouse among the best!

...........Are there guidelines or "preferences" in containers? No easy answer here. Obviously, there are some pots that are so lovely themsevles, the flowers need be only de minibus. An example is on our web site among the first favorites -- take a look!

.............And then the relation of the container to its location is important -- a huge tall vase in a tiny corner seldom works. And then there's the relation of the floral design to the vase, too. A rule of thumb is that flowers should be roughly twice as tall as the container, but there's deviation from the "rule" more than not.

......................What's best? An afternoon at the National Gallery should generate ideas about your own likes and dislikes, your sense of form, your appreciation of depth and shadow, etc. That's what makes the floral design in the pot fun to get, to appreciate, and to cherish as a memory -- just like the first kiss, the memory can often grow more fond with time when you've recieved or given lovely flowers in a lovely vase!