Paula Pryke Master Class

As part of the MFA Boston, Art in Bloom celebration, a master class was offered this year by Paula Pryke. I decided to take the class, and follow up with a tour of Art in Bloom (post to follow). Paula Pryke is a British floral designer, and author of many floral design books. Her latest, Simply Pink spoke to my lifelong love of pink, ask my Mom. Paula is well known for her hand-tied bouquets which she demonstrated for us.

Here she is designing a hand-tied bouquet with some of the same flowers that we would be using for the master class. Paula talked about some of the trends in the business right now, one of which is "a getting back to nature approach," with a focus on technique. Birds of Paradise, grapevine, Protea, lemon leaf (Salal), and raffia ribbon were used to create this masculine bouquet, as Paula referred to it. Suggesting that it might be given to a man for Valentine's Day.

We started our designs with a 16 cm. glass cube and wove a design with leaves. This technique would be used to hide the oasis. My leaves had tons of variegation which contributed to a more interesting design aesthetic.

I was able to trim the tops of my woven design to allow for better access to my oasis. Creating more foam "real estate," as Dr. Steve of Rittners School of Floral Design, would say.

The greening process began with the use of Salal aka lemon leaf.

Time for the placement of Bird of Paradise, and vine. My (interesting) design neighbor decided to create her own design, separate from Paula's plan.

With tangerine being the hottest design color right now, it was not surprising that Paula chose to use it for her design. Then on to placing the Protea and Hypericum.

Up close you can see the variegated pattern of the leaves, and how beautifully they add to the overall design. In an effort to save on time, the use of staples made things move more quickly. I'm sure there is a better application for creating this design, minus the staples.

Frankly this design is so large that it was difficult to get into one frame, and tricky to drive home. I will be enjoying this in my home for the next week or so. On to more terrarium designing...





Until next time...L.

Terrarium Workshop

I am currently in love with terrariums. Specifically speaking, ones designed with varieties of succulents and mosses. I believe that they are unique conversation pieces for any room in your home. They provide a real designer-look for your interior and exterior (depending on where you live), spaces. The very best feature about these living miniature worlds, is that they are ideal for the person who doesn't have time to fuss. Pictured above is a terrarium that I designed for a client.

I hosted a "Terrarium Workshop," last week inviting a bunch of friends, neighbors and fellow garden clubbers to my home. I wanted to share my excitement over terrariums, and teach them what I have learned from my own experiences in making them. It ended up being a fun-filled night with lots of visual interest to go around.

Each terrarium design was slightly different as I had an array of vessels, and succulents for the choosing. The designers began with container selection, and rock placement to help provide drainage. Adding rocks into a glass vessel can be a tricky task, and I was hopeful that all vessels would make it safely through this process. And, they did.

Having just returned from Naples Florida, the design element for the evening was a starfish. With the natural appeal of terrariums you can add just about any design element you like. You may wish to add nothing at all, and let the beautiful textures of the succulents speak for themselves.

This terrarium is designed in a more traditional/contemporary vessel. I love how the placement of the succulents creates a tiered effect.

As you can see by the brown table covers that dirt was overflowing, ultimately signifying that a good time was had by all. This baby is chock full...stick a fork in it, I think it's done.

My terrarium designers in all their glory...


Until next time...L.

A Botanical, Zimbabwean Experience

Enter here...

Angel Fish by John Gutsa - Cobalt Stone

Combine the unique designs of Zimbabwean sculpture with the Naples Botanical Garden, and you begin to understand the experience. Time spent meandering along pathways of themed gardens is the recipe for a perfect day, at least for me.

Scenes from the Asia Garden with the Thai Pavillon centered inside this beautiful water hole.

The shiny spheres, and rough texture of this sculpture caught my eye. I cannot tell if it is intentional in its design, or abstract. Or maybe a bit of both, as I can see something different each time I look.

I was complimented on my "spotting," ability by Mrs. van Otterloo (a seasoned traveler), when looking for a lunch location. It started out a bit shady, but having forgotten sunscreen my shoulders did not agree.

This is the real deal folks, not faux bois. I imagine that this would be the perfect inspiration for a faux bois table design. I would love to have this rustic beauty in my own backyard.

The coral and beam pergola, seen from the chattel house in the Caribbean Garden.

Visit Zimsculpt to learn more about these interesting sculptures, and the artists behind their designs. This abstract sculpture reminds me of a graceful horse head.

Bending Bather by Gregory Mutasa - Springstone

This "Bending Bather," has gorgeous views sitting atop the Brazilian Garden. 

Mom,  Mrs. van Otterloo and Mrs. Knapp

It was a fun day spent with these lovely ladies. While I got to meander through the beautiful gardens, my daughter and husband went up to Orlando to experience the Harry Potter Exhibit at Universal Studios. I think I may have picked the long straw on this occasion.



Until next time...L.

Penn Love

The first time I visited the University of Pennsylvania, I fell in love. And, since one of the loves-of-my-life is currently attending university there, I had even more reasons to be in LOVE.

What makes visiting the campus of Penn and Philadelphia unique, is in the city's dedication to sculpture. For the design minded, there is visual interest overflowing. A Smithsonian Institute survey stated that Philadelphia has the largest outdoor art collection with over 700 sculptures placed throughout the city. Pictured above is the monument of Benjamin Franklin sitting in front of College Hall.

Split Button by Claes Oldenburg

"The Button," sits directly across from the Ben Franklin monument, and makes a bold statement. The design story starts with the sculptor, Claes Oldenburg who pictured the plump Franklin popping a button on his vest. He imagined that the button had split from the heavy foot traffic on Locust Walk, which runs through the heart of the Penn campus. Envisioning it finally landing here, in front of Van Pelt Library.




This is the Addams Family Sculpture outside Charles Addams Fine Arts Hall. The silhouettes were created in honor of Charles Addams, an architecture student from the 1930's. In order of appearance: Uncle Fester, Pugsley, Lurch, Morticia, Gomez, Wednesday, Grandmama and Cousin Itt.

Kelly Family Gates create the entrance to the Charles Addams Fine Arts Hall. Designed by Mark Lueders, contest winner, and MFA93' alumnus and sculptor. Hands and tools made of bronze are to symbolize the making of paintings, drawings, sculpture and clay.

King Solomon

This bronze statue was created by Alexander Archipenko. This sculpture captures his cubist origins of mixing hard angles with hollow curved spaces.

A recent visit from Mom and Mimi to see a Dischord performance.

Until next time...L.

Lamb and Ham and Tablescape

I wanted to make floral arrangements for my Easter tablescape. I was not looking to spend a fortune, as my event costs were being put towards the purchase of my leg of lamb. Which by the way, was delicious.

My friend Tracy who grew up in the floral business, and whose talents I admire often gives floral advice. I listen... One of her suggestions in dealing with the awkward "mixed bunch" is to divide it up by creating smaller groupings. That made sense to me, as I have often wondered why mixed bunches never look that good in a vase. The minute you take them out of the wrapping, it's as if you lost something on the ride home. The flowers all fall to the sides of the vase, and it looks horrendous. There simply is not enough plant material provided to make a full arrangement. I decided to apply her thinking in an attempt to reach my design objective which was to keep flower costs to a minimum.

I headed off to Baystate Wholesale to make my selections. These colors were not my first choice for my Easter tablescape, but the price was right so I had to be flexible. Two bunches at $12.50 each, came to $25.00. I was excited to get home, and give it a whirl. I started by dividing up the bunches. This way I could see from a visual standpoint what I had to work with. I would then be able to formulate a plan for my designs. I would be using mason jars, as I had them in several sizes and this would not add cost to the design.

My final arrangements photographed outside, before being placed on the table. I added orange satin ribbon to give them an additional punch of color. Two smaller vases (kid's table), designed with green poms, forsythia from my yard, and a playful orange striped ribbon.

I covered the kids tables with brown paper that I keep on-hand for wrapping gifts, protecting floors, etc. My daughter went around, and wrote each cousins name in marker to add her personal touch. As you can see she had not made it this table.

My Easter tablescape with a nest, tucked in and cozy. Lamb and ham all around...





Until next time...L.