First Come Flowers

How To Transform The Inside Of A Vase With Leaves

 

Fly Me To The Moon 

 

You can transform the look of a simple vase by lining it with fresh leaves. I use this technique in my floral design work at Fly Me To The Moon Florists.

 Wrapping a leaf on the inside of a vase works best with square, round or rectangular vases. You may need several leaves depending on the size and shape of your vase. Any soft and pliable leaf will do. 

 

Here's what you'll need:

Leaves - an aspidistra leaf, works best and can be purchased from a florist.             

Vase -   square, round or rectangular vase

 

Here's how to line the vase with the leaf:

1.  Select a leaf that is large enough to cover the entire vase. If the leaves are too small, you may have to use more than one leaf to completely cover the vase.

2.  Remove any dirt on the leaf with a damp paper towel.

3.  Cut off the stem of the leaf

4.  Bend the leaf into a circle small enough to fit in the vase. 

5.  Place the leaf in the vase and let it go. If it doesn't cover the vase completely, repeat steps 1-4 with another leaf. Position it either closer to the top or bottom to cover exposed area. 

 Totally confused? Watch this very short video entitled,  "Design Tip: Enhance A Glass Vase Design With Aspidistra Leaves." 

 

Fly Me To The Moon Florists

 

Wrap A Vase with Long Grass

You can achieve a different look by using a long grass, like steel grass. Wrap it around your hand. Put your hand into a bubble vase and let it go. Move the grass around until most of the vase is covered. This technique doesn't require complete coverage.

 

Please let me know what you think about lining vases with foliage for flower arrangements in the comments below.

Mimi

 

Linking to:

Common Ground

French Country Cottage

No Minimalist Here

 

 

 

The Power of A Beautiful Flower Arrangement

 

Never underestimate the power of a beautiful flower arrangement to set the stage for an elegant event.

Flowers: Fox & Rabbit       Photo: Bayly & Moore

Do you like to create your own floral arrangements for the special events in your life? If your budget is tight, DIY is a nice option. 

The goal of this blog is to empower you to do your own flowers. You'll find many DIY floral design posts and links here.

At our shop, Fly Me To The Moon Florists, we help a growing number of our customers create arrangements for their everyday enjoyment and special events.

But, there's something about a floral arrangement created by someone with a great eye for design that can make your event so very special.

I'm just saying. The beautiful arrangement above, by Fox and Rabbit, is both elegant and joyful. Everything I think flower arrangements should be.

What do you think about DIY flowers vs floral designer creations? Let me know in the comments below.

Mimi

 

 

 

If You Insist On Buying Fake Flowers Read This First

 

Pany Silk Flowers

Contrary to popular belief, as a florist, I do believe there is a place for silk, faux or artificial flowers. As I mentioned in any earlier post, I have some in my home.

The trick is to know when and how to use them. Mimi Rasamee, owner of Pany Silk Flowers, was interviewed on this very subject. You can read the interview here.

To learn 10 tips for how to buy and elegantly incorporate artificial flowers into your home read, "How to Fool People With Fake Flowers."

Share your adventures with faux flowers in the comments below.

Mimi

 

5 Floral Designs Inspired by Works of Art

 

Velaflor

 

Bouquets to Art 2013 is an annual event at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, where flowers and art are paired to create a dynamic exhibition.

WaterlilyPond Floral Design

 

The event actually happened last month, but when I saw the post, "Bouquets to Art, San Francisco, California - 2013" written by Alicia over at Flirty Fleurs, I just had to tell you about it. 

The Making of Bouquet to Art

 

Over 100 of the most cutting edge floral designers, from the Bay Area, create extraordinary floral arrangements inspired by works of art from the museum's permanent collection.

 

Ginger Leaf

 

See the pinboard, "The Making of Bouquets to Art"  created by several of the floral designers that took part in the exhibit. 

 

Yukika Neibert Floral Design 

 

I'd love to know what you think about the exhibit in the comments below.

Mimi 

Try The Elegant Garden Rose Instead

 

Tired of the typical rose arrangements? Then let me introduce you to the magnificent garden rose. 

Carolyne Roehm

They're huge and often don't even look like roses. They're particularly good for special events 

 

Martha Stewart

Garden roses come in a wide range of colors and some are intoxicatingly fragrant.

Martha Stewart

Garden roses are so beautiful that they practically arrange themselves. You don't need a lot to make an elegant statement.

More  Garden Rose Info:

David Austin Roses 

Garden Rose Arrangements 

Caring for Cut Garden Roses - 

 
  Jim Christensen

Some people are lucky enough to have garden roses growing in their gardens. Just snip a few, bring them inside and enjoy.

I'd love to hear about your experiences with garden roses below in the comments.

Mimi

 

 

Our Flowers and Audrey Hepburn's Words

 

Fly Me To The Moon Florists

 

"Pick the day. Enjoy it to the hilt. The day as it comes. People as they come... The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present - and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future."  Audrey Hepburn

How to Do Pink and Turquoise Right

I admit it. I'm a late adapter to the pink and turquoise color palette. But when a bride came in for a consultation with these colors and a touch of gold I fell in love. 

 Jane Packer 

This beautiful turquoise basket of pink roses is a modern twist on a an old favorite.

Tracey Rapisardi

Blush pink blooms. A robin's egg blue cabinet. And the palest pink table create a lovely spring vignette.

 

Source

Make your bedroom a haven you'll love. Paint a forgotten nightstand a vibrant turquoise blue. Get a bunch of pink flowers and cut them short so only their blooms are showing. Add a lovely decal or stenciled design on the wall and put your favorite linen on the bed. 

 

Source

You really don't need too much to make a special place in the corner of a room. A single pink flower in a bud vase. A beautiful remnant just the right size to cover that chair. A re-covered pillow in the palest pink satin. A throw and a journal or favorite book.

4 Emerald Green Tablescapes for St. Patrick's Day Weddings and Events

Here are four amazing emerald green tablescapes for your next event:

Mark's Garden

The gorgeous green tablescape above is an incredible mix of luscious green foliage and flowers. The foliage underskirt beneath the citrine and golden yellow tablecloths are magnificent. It's all about the layering of many textures.

 

Preston Bailey

Monstera leaves are the stars of this incredible "tree canopy" perched high above each table. The vivid striped green foliage  on the architecural trunks are a striking counterpoint to the emerald green leaves above.

 

Preston Bailey

Another stunning "treescape" stands high above a bed of mixed florals. The mossy green tablecloth and leaves at each place setting make you feel as though you're sitting in a garden

 

Tantawantan Bloom Floral and Event Design

The unusual gift box-inspired floral creation is suspended above each table. The moss-coverd boxes embellished with delicate white flowers and looped grass give them an other-worldly look.

Let me know what you think of these beauties in the comments below.

Mimi

4 Secrets for Adding Immediate Sophistication to a Room with Hydrangeas

Several stems  of hydrangea in a vase can take a boring corner of your room and make it look a picture out of a magazine.

 

 

Image

Here are the 4 secrets for displaying hydrangea:

 

Carolyne Roehm

 

1. Cut them so the top of the bloom is just above the rim of the vase. They look quite elegant this way.

 

Zsa Zsa Bellagio

2. Use an odd number of hydrangea to achieve the best look. I like using three stems of hydrangea  best, because they generally form a nice circle.

 

Desire to Inspire

3. Pick an unusual color. White and blue hydrangeas are the colors you traditionally see in flower shops. But if you look in gardens you'll see pinks, lavenders and periwinkles too . Hydrangeas actually come in several shades of green and in an incredible range of tri-colors. 

 

 Keyakidori

4. Go big whenever possible. There are some hydrangea from Holland  and New Zealand that are just crazy big. They tend to last longer and come in many more colors.

 

Hydrangeas can be a little finicky. Learn how to care for them here.

Mimi

3 Reasons Why Emerald Green Will Have Little Impact on Floral Design

What impact will the 2013 color of the year, emerald green, have on floral design this year? I say not much.

Venini Fazzoletti

 

The Panetone Color Institute, known as the worldwide authority on color, chose emerald green as the color we'd see all over the place this year. 

Don't get me wrong. I love emerald green. In fact green is my favorite color. But though I believe we'll see it in fashion, home decor, weddings and special events it won't show up in the flowers.

Here's why: 

1. There are no emerald green flowers in nature. At least not that I've seen. So unless they're fake, I mean faux or artificially colored, we won't see them. Most weddings where emerald green is highlighted, the flowers are actually white or a mix of various colors. 

 

EvaDaBeada

2. There aren't many emerald green vases in the world. But if you're determined to use emerald green vases, why not use regular green vases instead.They'd probably be cheaper and you'll find more styles to choose from. I know, I know, from which to choose.

Fly Me to The Moon Florists

3. Use more green foliage. Instead of worrying about emerald green flowers (see point #1) use whatever color flowers you want and play up the foliage.  

 

So, that's my opinion on the emerald green craze.

What's yours?

Mimi