L'Art du Bouquet

Celebrating Flowers in the French Style with Pierre Deux

 

Earlier this year, I launched an exciting collaboration with Pierre Deux, the French L’art de vivre company that is renowned for their collection of exquisite fabrics, carved fruitwood furniture and home accessories in the French country style.  For many years, I’ve been inspired by Pierre Deux’s vision of French country life – images of color-washed chateaux and rustic farmhouses filled with toile de jouy, vintage brocante, and colorful faience  --  and appreciate their philosophy of promoting simplicity, elegance and beauty in interior décor.   In the Pierre Deux style, flowers are essential for creating a warm and inviting backdrop for special occasions and everyday life.  They are a quotidienne de luxe – an everyday luxury – that contribute to our sense of happiness and well-being.   By presenting special fleur arranging soirees in Pierre Deux boutiques across the country, I’ve been able to share tips and techniques for how to make bouquets a la francaise and demonstrate how flowers can enrich our homes and our lives.   

 

Next week, in Carmel, California, my presentation for Pierre Deux will focus on “Bouquets and Soirees,” new ideas for entertaining with flowers in the French style.  I’ll discuss new trends and color schemes for floral and table décor, and offer ideas for blending flowers and tablesettings to create four chic styles:  Rustique, Nostalgique, Simplicite and Haute Couture.  Please join us in beautiful Carmel-by-the-sea on September 29 for a fun and festive day of fleur couture and special events! 

Staycation Decorations: Live on FOX 5!

    Now that the end of summer is fast approaching, there are only a few days left to eke out a relaxing vacation – one last chance to get away from it all before the hustle and bustle of autumn overtake the daily routine.   For some lucky individuals, this means planning a last minute get-away.  For others, the focus will be on a budget-friendly “staycation” in lieu of an expensive vacation in an exotic location.  If your upcoming Labor Day holiday destination is a mini “staycation” at home, you might consider hosting an end of summer celebration for friends and family using inexpensive materials from the garden, Farmer’s Market, and from around the house to create festive menus and unique party décor. 

    Earlier this week, the FOX station affiliate in Washington, D.C. invited me to show viewers how they can use everyday items – fruits, flowers, vegetables, and herbs -- to make special “staycation” decorations.   My interview was broadcast live from the beautiful gardens of the Historic Carlyle House gardens and park, an idyllic and inspiring setting.  Enjoy! 

Farmer’s Market Bouquets.  In the first segment above, I demonstrate how to use fruits and vegetables – bell peppers and cherry tomatoes, artichokes and Brussels sprouts, and a mix of citrus fruits – to make simple, colorful and inexpensive party decorations.  I also show the host and viewers how to make a basic hand-held cabbage bouquet. 

 

Everyday embellishments.  The second segment focuses on the concept of embellishment – how to take everyday items from around the house and garden – ribbons, leaves, shells, wine corks – and turn them into interesting bouquets.  Tips include how to decorate a glass vase with eucalyptus, embellish fruit with ribbon, and decorate fruit with flowers. 

Bringing it altogether – a special hostess bouquet.  In the final segment, I show how to take a simple Farmer’s Market bouquet and decorate it with leaves and ribbons to create a special and unique hostess gift. 

Summer Bouquets in the Garden Style

Whenever I study floral design in Paris, I always make a point of taking a mix of classes that highlight new cutting-edge colors, designs and trends. Through this approach, I catch a glimpse of the current thinking and philosophies of the top designers, their special passions and interests, and learn tips and techniques for carrying out new designs.  In these inspiring classes, the bouquet du jour is often a French wedding bouquet, which is usually the piece de resistance in the repertoire of the Parisian florist.  What makes the French wedding bouquet so special and unique?  I think it’s the overall romantic feel of the bouquet and its special composition using the most elegant flowers and intricate, couture-style techniques.  There are allusions to the garden, to historical styles, and to fashion, including the latest haute couture styles from the Paris runways.  But whatever the style or inspiration, the French bouquet stands apart as a unique art form – an exploration of the interplay between nature and artist, intellectual idea and pure emotion – creating a lovely and evocative focal point for the wedding celebration.  Here are examples of summer wedding bouquets based on my most recent floral studies in Paris. 

 

Le bouquet nostalgique.  A peach bouquet of oversized summer garden roses, alchemilla and berries harkens back to a romantic, bygone era of 1950s vintage chic style.  A natural wrap of soft pale green foliage imparts an organic, natural feel and is quintessentially Parisian. 

 

  

Le bouquet classique. In the French style, bouquets of blue and yellow flowers represent a classic and timeless color combination that is perfectly suited to contemporary party and wedding decor.  This bouquet of jaunty yellow roses, fluffy delphinium and mixed foliage and herbs creates a light-hearted mood for a late summer fete.

Le bouquet moderne.  An important trend in the French approach is to embellish simple garden-style bouquets with haute couture touches.  Here, a bouquet of lavender garden flowers and mountain mint is transformed from humble to sophisticated with a wrapping of ribbon-like leaves and French-braided trim.   

 

  

Le bouquet romantique. Whether the bouquet is rendered in a shade of pale bisque, lavender, or plum, a lavender-themed design is a perfect choice for wedding décor. This bouquet of lavender garden roses, English lavender and mixed foliage is sweet, but not too saccharine, especially if it’s paired with tailored linens and décor.  Lavender adds an intoxicating scent to the whole affair.

 

 

Le bouquet rustique.  Daisies and wildflowers have an enduring, universal appeal.  There is a certain rustic charm to this type of bouquet, as if the flowers are gathered simply from the woodlands or meadows.  To complete the earthy, rustic look, incorporate natural elements such as raffia and wheat for additional texture and interest.

Photo credit:  Katie Stoops, Open Air Photography  

Secrets of the French Style: Lessons from L'Ecole des Fleurs

Until recently, the French approach to flower arranging was known only to highly trained fleuriste who perfected their art at technical schools and then embarked on lengthy apprenticeships.  Now, thanks to L’Ecole des Fleurs, the French flower school in Paris, l’art du bouquet is accessible to all of us.  It’s a brilliant concept – in a chic floral studio in the heart of Paris, the school brings together the city’s most gifted florists to teach the secrets and nuances of arranging flowers in the French style.  The school offers a curriculum that is comprehensive and relevant with classes covering basic skills and advanced concepts, highlighting seasonal themes and promoting beautiful, cutting-edge design.  The school creates a relaxed setting for hands-on workshops that are fun, personalized, and inspiring.  All of the workshops use a profusion of beautiful seasonal flowers from the French markets.  And everyone leaves with a fabulous French bouquet.   

 

Since my first visit to L’Ecole des Fleurs in 2002, I have studied with the legendary Christian Tortu, his protégés Catherine Muller and Stephane Chapelle, the talented Laure Primard and Remi Guenin, and several other amazing Parisian florists.  Here are some of the key lessons and techniques I’ve learned over the years from my gifted mentors and friends.  

 

    The bouquet as high art.  Begin with a strong concept or a point of view inspired by nature, season, theme, technique, or even a specific flower.  In the photo above, the Bouquet Provencal, featuring sunflowers, wheat, and summer wildflowers in a moss and vine-wrapped vase, transports the viewer to the south of France.

 

 

  

     Master the bouquet rond.  In the French style, bouquets have a distinctive shape and there is a long-standing tradition of crafting a “bouquet in the round.”   The bouquet can be small and personal or large and created on a grand scale.  It is characterized by a density of form and a lavish use of flowers.

 

 

Create lightness and movement.  Use foliage and vines, wrapping line flowers (e.g. orchids and delphinium) above and around the bouquet to create dimension and add lightness.  This approach complements the density of the bouquet and creates movement.

 

Work in a sophisticated, monochromatic color palette.  By using flowers in a tight color palette, you’ll create a sense of drama and impact.  Learn how to choose sophisticated and interesting color combinations.  At the French flower school, you’ll work with some of the latest color trends, including lime green and orange flowers, combinations of plum and fuchsia, or white and vanilla flowers, set off touches of brown and lush greens.  

 

Integrate the container with the bouquet.  In the French style, containers are very important and they are often part of the bouquet.  In the last few years, it’s become very fashionable to create containers as part of the bouquet.  At the French flower school, you’ll learn several techniques for covering containers with natural materials to create a beautiful, integrated arrangement. 

 

Use an unusual mix of materials.  Mix textures such as peonies and cabbages to create a tension between the hard and soft, expected and unexpected, bold and understated.  Use a variety of elements, including flowers, fruits, vegetables, along with branches, pods, and berries to create the quintessential French bouquet.

 

 

Use “feuillage” extensively in bouquets – and even on its own.  A distinguishing characteristic of the French style is the use of lush greens, leaves and vines to set off the flowers.   Greens help keep the round bouquet from looking artificial.  Use unusual greens such as chestnut, cassis (blackberry branches), grasses and other leaves wrapped around the bouquet for a garden-style effect.  

Use flowers in the home.  In France, flowers are an essential part of interior décor.  Many lessons at the French flower school focus on how to use flowers for entertaining and interior decoration, including decorating candelabra with flowers and vines, hanging a flower “boule” as a sign of welcome on the door, creating a garland of flowers for the table -- all designed to set a warm and inviting ambiance. 

 

To learn more about L'Ecole des Fleurs, please visit www.labelleecole.fr.

 

Bouquets and Soirées: Flowers and Menus in the Garden Style

        In summer, the neighborhood Parisian farmers’ markets provide endless inspiration, showcasing the bounty of each season in artistic and colorful displays.  In both country and urban venues, French “potagers” or kitchen gardens, featuring a mélange of herbs, vegetables, fruits and flowers planted in intricate designs, are equally inspiring, enticing both the cook and the decorator to conjure up magical creations from the garden.  This season,  why not take inspiration from the summer harvest and the French approach to dining in style and create your own festive menus and table décor?  Here are four ideas for garden-themed summer soirees – Enjoy and bon appétit!   

Jardin Classique.  In a Parisian townhouse garden in the Trocadero, elegant green and white flowers, including viburnum, hydrangea, and garden roses, provide a serene setting for an al fresco meal and offer an inviting theme for summertime entertaining.  A dinner party in a classic garden could be casual or formal, depending on the table décor – white Limoges dishes with gold trim and cut crystal stemware would impart a formal feel, while creamware dishes, perhaps in a modern square shape, would set a more casual tone.  To complement the backdrop, create natural, unstructured table centerpieces in shades of white or green, using garden flowers such as hellebores, hydrangeas, and trailing jasmine for a lush seasonal look.  In the Jardin Classique style, a perfect menu would include escargot, crab-stuffed tomatoes, and roast duck with raspberries, followed by a decadent cheese course and a fluffy chocolate soufflé.  Start your evening with a local red, white or rose wine, sip a Bordeaux or Burgundy wine with dinner, and pop open champagne for a festive finishing touch. 

 

Jardin de Loire.  The exquisite chateaux and gardens of the Loire Valley in France provide the perfect inspiration for a woodlands-themed garden party.  For this style, use lush greens – ferns, raspberry leaves, and berried ivy, along with flowers in rich shades of plum and lavender, styled into natural bouquets presented in moss and fern-covered containers.  The goals are to emphasize several textures and varied hues, and to create a romantic ambiance using candles and rustic accoutrements, including branches, burlap linens, and woodlands flowers.  For the table setting, select rustic stoneware – perhaps featuring a hunting theme or a bird and ivy motif to create a sense of charm and whimsy.   Craft a menu that is similarly rustic and casual – start with a regional paté and crusty bread, followed by a coq au vin or a roast chicken and a gratin of vegetables, finishing off the meal with a green salad and a seasonal tarte.  Pair a chardonnay or rosé with the starter and main course, and serve a chenin blanc with the tarte tatin. 

Jardin de Matisse.  The inspiration for this style of garden entertaining is Henri Matisse – the artist known as the master of color.  In a Matisse-inspired garden vignette, there are riotous sweeps of summer color, laid out in bold and painterly patterns.  For table décor, create a modern and sophisticated display featuring the use of bright colors in a lively mix – fuchsia, pink, orange, turquoise, and chartreuse linens and dishes combined with seasonal flowers such as roses, peonies and hydrangea.  To complement this vivid setting, select an equally forthright menu of salad nicoise, trout with almonds and green beans, followed by a colorful cheese plate and capped off with summer fruit – raspberries and mangos topped with a creamy sabayon.  With this meal, your guests will enjoy rosé, pinot blanc, and a fine champagne. 

 

 

Jardin Provencal.  The Provencal region in the south of France is known for ancient chateaux, charming farmhouses, and endless fields of sunflowers and lavender.  The idyllic landscape, divine cuisine and brightly colored décor comprise the hallmarks of French country style.  To capture the spirit of the south of France for your summer soiree, decorate with Provencal fabrics and accessories in bright shades of yellow, red, blue and green, mixing and matching linens and patterns, accenting your table with bouquets of sunflowers and lemons.  Whip up a simple and rustic menu using fresh seasonal ingredients:  smoked salmon with spinach in a puff pastry crust, served with a whole roast artichoke and asparagus, followed by fromage blanc in a bed of crème fraiche.  Rosé and semillion wines would be a perfect complement to this lovely meal. 

 

End note.  For a festive summer soiree in the French garden style, start with an overarching concept or theme, choose table settings, including linen, china, glassware and silver that carry out the theme, create decorations and bouquets, always using fresh, seasonal, natural materials, and select a menu that complements your theme.  Above all, create a gracious, warm and inviting experience for your guests – one that they will enjoy, remember, and want to repeat again and again.

 

In Celebration of the Spring Bouquet

 

    J’ adore le bouquet Francais! Whenever I visit Paris, I am drawn to the adorable, portable, round French bouquet that is ubiquitous in every Parisian flower boutique, on every street corner, and in the most fashionable shops. These are not simple garden flowers hastily arranged or the stiff, formulaic compositions that are still far too common here. There is nothing dated or frumpish about these bold couture creations. Au contraire! The French bouquet is a classic floral style that is constantly updated with of-the-moment trends in fashion and the decorative arts to exude tres chic style and panache. They are designed to inspire and command attention, become the life of the party, and bring a sense of joie de vivre and conviviality to special occasions and everyday life.

The classic French bouquet is all about technique, style, and attitude. French bouquets are remarkably intricate and complex expressions of floral art, relying on fresh combinations of unusual materials, a jaunty focus on color, and punctuated by surprisingly whimsical notes. At the same time, they are deceptively simple (with practice!) to make. Start with either a classic glass vase or an organic container, an abundance of seasonal flowers, and a few creative accents, master a few techniques for putting it altogether – and voila! You, too, can make a sassy, elegant bouquet with a decidedly French twist.

Choosing materials. Round flowers make the best round bouquets, so use flowers with a round face. These include roses, ranunculas, mums, daisies, sunflowers, etc. These are the focal point flowers of your bouquet. In addition, select smaller, complementary flowers for texture and to provide depth to the round outline. Here, I’m using hypericum berries, lavender, mimosa, and olive branches to give texture and interest to an early summer sunflower bouquet. Finally, add special finishing touches to personalize your bouquet such as fruits and vegetables, folded leaves, trailing vines, shells, colored wire or ribbon.

 

             Building the framework. Create the outline of the bouquet by adding stems of the focal flower, building your design from the bottom up. Let the stems support each other, creating an organic grid, for a more natural look.

          Creating the shape. Start filling in the framework with smaller flowers, other textural elements and greens. Cut stems to the right length to create a smooth, overall round shape. Hint: If you cut a stem too short, wire another piece of stem to the bottom to make the flower the correct height.

          Finishing touches. When you think the bouquet is done, pack in more flowers and foliage. When the bouquet is full, round, and complete, use finishing elements to create additional impact. For a spring bouquet of jonquils and daisies, wire feathers on floral picks and insert into the bouquet. A fall bouquet could mix colorful mums and viburnum berries with mini-pumpkins to create a charming seasonal display. For an elegant companion to roses, place individual cymbidium orchids amidst the flowers. In a bouquet of spring flowers and vegetables, add fresh herbs and berries to the mix, setting the composition in a container of chartreuse-colored banana peppers for maximum effect.

Spring Green: Ideas and Tips for Earth Day Entertaining

In previous years, Earth Day ranked as one of those oft-forgotten minor holidays, relegated to a compost heap of lowly status and generating only marginal interest.  Now, with increased public awareness of global environmental threats and the knowledge that we all need to play a part in saving our planet for the future, Earth Day has taken on a new role with greater significance.  This year, with even the First Lady getting into the act by planting an organic garden on the White House lawn, we can all show off our greener lifestyles with festive, eco-friendly entertaining – on Earth Day and throughout the year.    

Entertaining in Earth-friendly style. To plan your Earth Day celebration, start by choosing an earth-friendly theme – such as a garden-style party, a woodlands fête, or a seaside soiree.  Plan to celebrate your event outdoors to capture the full spirit and intent of Earth Day, enjoying the scenery and ambiance of your natural setting. Next, select a color scheme that incorporates earthy shades of green and brown, punctuated by the bright colors of early spring. Choose linens made of natural fibers, avoiding plastic or disposable items that will be discarded after the event. The same goes for glasses, silverware and dishes – find vintage items at the flea market or thrift store that can be used again and again. Make your own centerpieces and decorations using locally grown, sustainable materials, including a wreath made out of vegetables, an herbal topiary tree, or green bouquets set in natural containers of leaves, moss and twigs.

Arrange flowers naturally – in water as opposed to petroleum-based foam – and try to use vines and twigs to bind materials together rather than wire or tape. Add vine-wrapped beeswax candles to your table for a natural ambiance.  Finally, scour the Farmers’ Markets for fresh, local produce, herbs and flowers and incorporate these elements in both your décor and menu.  A bonus: Green entertaining is not only chic and modern, it’s easy on the budget, too! 

Each year on April 22, Earth Day compels us to focus on the beauty of nature and our role in protecting it, bringing the principles of green living to life. These concepts, including reducing consumption, recycling, and re-using and re-purposing everyday items, are important guidelines for leading a more eco-friendly lifestyle, and confirm the fact that environmentalism is a compilation of smart choices we make each day. On Earth Day we have an ideal opportunity to share our environmental commitment with friends and family and to promote the message that we can all make a contribution, conserving precious natural resources and forming vital partnerships to ensure the health and well-being of people and the places in which they live.

La Grande Bouffe: Secrets of Entertaining in the French Style

The setting – Versailles, circa 1700. In a mirrored salon overlooking the gardens and fountains of the Palace of Versailles, an evening of unprecedented splendor is about to unfold, replete with glamorous guests, exquisite décor, and haute monde cuisine. The glittering soiree launches with a champagne fete set against the backdrop of hundreds of flickering candles, lavish bouquets of roses and lilacs, and ornate furnishings of gold, silver and vermeil, creating a magical ambiance. After musical and theatrical performances, the evening will continue in the grand dining room, where the opulent table, laid with exquisite hand-painted porcelain, linens, cut crystal, and finely chased silver, elicits cries of delight from the guests. At La Grande Bouffe a Versailles, the revelry and pageantry will extend well into the early morning hours, setting a new high standard for sophisticated, elegant and glamorous entertaining in the French style.

Whether you’re hosting visiting royalty at your grand country estate or planning a casual barbecue for friends in your urban back yard, the secrets of hospitality and stylish entertaining, as elevated to a high art form in France, are surprisingly the same for “la petite bouffe” as for a grand affair. Whatever the occasion, the elements of entertaining in the French style can be pared down to three essential points: 1) create a magical ambiance, 2) exude a warm spirit of generosity and 3) add elements of surprise and whimsy – all of which will result in a festive occasion that your guests will enjoy, remember and wish to repeat.


Here are some specific tips for incorporating chic and timeless French style into your dinner party and event decor this season.

1. Develop an overall theme or concept. Start with a cohesive vision or color scheme and choose specific elements (menu, china, linens, flowers, candles, etc.) to carry out your theme. For a “Spring Luncheon in the Loire Valley” setting, for example, choose a cheerful combination of yellow and orange Old Paris and Sevre porcelain, antique French linens, and a pair of yellow rose bouquets. For another spring concept, try an “April in Paris” theme, with a color scheme of hot pink and fuchsia accented with silver flatware, chargers, and wine coolers. Add bouquets of peonies, roses and orchids set in antique silver vases to complete the lush and lavish look.

2. Create a beautiful ambiance. Louis XIV invented the use of mirrors as decorative objects and they remain a beautiful and popular idea for party décor today. Use chic mirrored cube containers for bouquets of garden roses and trailing ivy, and surround them with votive candles for a romantic centerpiece idea. Decorate with flowers and candles throughout your house to create a warm and welcoming ambiance. Mix and match decorative elements, including linens, stemware, china, serving pieces, etc. but stick to monochromatic colors in flowers to create more visual impact.

3. Serve a simple, yet elegant meal. The formula for a French-inspired meal is simple and straightforward: Always start with champagne as an aperitif, since champagne elevates any occasion to make it special. For the main course, create an elegant or rustic dish and pair it with seasonal vegetables. Here, you can show off your cooking skills or buy prepared foods at the gourmet store. Serve a green salad after the meal a la francaise, followed by a cheese course and a simple dessert of fruit and mille feuille pastry. Add fun and lively guests, a bottle of wine, and Voila! You'll have perfect La Grande (or Petite) Bouffe in the French style.

Spuds and Buds: Fresh Ideas for St. Patrick’s Day Décor

In the annual scheme of holiday celebrations, St. Patrick’s Day ranks high as the perfect, carefree occasion.  Unlike some holidays that can be fraught with gift-giving pressure and tense family dramas, St. Patrick’s Day exudes an undeniable charm with its primary focus on boisterous camaraderie and unbridled indulgence in Irish food, music, fun, and drink.

 How ironic then that this festive holiday that celebrates Irish heritage while simultaneously heralding the arrival of spring has become synonymous with such accoutrements as faux leprechaun costumes, dyed green carnations, and plastic shamrock decor.  Rather than create an inspiring homage to Irish history and tradition, these items, albeit amusing, have become all too commonplace and lack the imaginative creativity that is the hallmark of the Emerald Isle.

 Whether you envision March 17 to be an ideal occasion for sipping a rare malt whiskey in a Georgian manor house or for belting out the Unicorn song in a beer-drenched pub, perhaps it’s time to reclaim the simple charm of St. Patrick’s Day and infuse some fresh style back into the festivities.  Here are some new ideas for incorporating natural elements into your own Irish-themed party design and décor this year.

 1.  Potato wreath. To proudly declare your Irish heritage to the world, place an unexpected, yet very appropriate, sign of welcome on your door.  This potato wreath, rendered in 25 pounds of basic white Idaho spuds, makes a strong statement, offering an unmistakably Irish greeting as well as providing enough potatoes for a hearty and satisfying meal later on.  

2.  Cabbage bouquet.  Continue the Irish theme in the entry hall, with a bouquet of decorative kale cabbage that hints subtly at the corned beef and cabbage meal to follow.  This bouquet, composed in an abundant, overflowing style of floral and vegetable elements, adds color, style and another iconic Irish motif to your holiday decor.   

 3.  Green bouquet.  If green is the color of envy (and St. Patrick’s Day), your friends will turn a bright shade of chartreuse when they see a set of trendy and modern all green bouquets on your Irish holiday table.  This bouquet of green flowers – roses, calla lilies, hydrangeas, bells of Ireland, and viburnum – is placed in a basic container that is covered entirely in Kelly green ribbon, further accentuating and complementing the overall Irish theme. 

 4.  Polka dot mums.  Enhance the décor of your Irish table-setting with an inexpensive burlap or fabric tablecloth that is decorated in green polka dot mums.  Green “Kermit” mums are inexpensive and long-lasting and can survive out of water for the evening or longer.  Simply cut off the stems and glue the flower heads onto the fabric surface in a jaunty polka dot pattern.  

5.  Candles and flowers.  Candles and flowers are a classic combination and provide the finishing touch to your Irish table setting.  In addition, the Claddagh, a16th century Irish candle decoration symbolizing eternal love and friendship, provides a perfect St. Patrick’s Day motif.  Decorate silver candelabra with flowers and greenery for an elegant look or even insert candles (securely, of course) in bouquets for an earthy, woodsy feel. 

Bloom and Gloom: Flower Tips for the Current Economy

Throughout history, flowers have been associated with exaggerated exuberance:  think of the lavish confections of roses and lilacs in the court of Versailles, the Dutch tulip mania in the 1600s, or the Victorian-era obsession with hidden meanings of flowers and florid floral décor.  Contemporary floral trends, while decidedly more muted and sedate, still celebrate flowers as a desirable element for marking life’s special occasions – or for just enjoying everyday life. It seems that whether it’s an era of economic boom or bust, flowers transcend practical considerations to become an object of fancy and desire.  

Yet, the relentlessly bad economic news can put a damper on even the most enthusiastic flower aficionado.  After all, flowers are expensive and ephemeral and are easy to dismiss as a frivolous and ultimately wasteful expense. 

But if you subscribe to the notion that flowers have intangible qualities that provide charm, beauty and happiness, the challenge becomes how to integrate them – stylishly and inexpensively – into your recession-era lifestyle.  Here are some flower tips to remind you that spring is on the way and that the economy will get better soon.

 1.  Buy seasonal flowers.  The least expensive flowers are always the ones you can buy locally in season from the farmers’ market or from the grocery store.  This time of year, the daffodils and tulips make their debut, providing a cost-effective, heart-lifting glimpse of spring.  In addition, spring branches are always a good buy, offering high impact and longevity for a relatively low price.  Look for quince, pussy willow and curly willow tips to display now and over the next few week as the buds unfold.  (photo above by Kate Headley)

2.  Use a single flower judiciously.  It’s a well-known fact that one carefully selected focal point flower conveys more impact than a jumbled collection of uninspiring flowers or arrangements.  The key to getting a sleek, modern look is to invest in a single, elegant flower such as a phaleonopsis orchid or Dutch hydrangea, and present it creatively – in a beautiful container, slanted on an angle, or in pairs or groupings.  (You can find them at Red Barn Mercantile) 

 3.  Use less expensive flowers en masse.  On the other hand, if you admire unabashed extravagance and want an opulent look for less, a good strategy for stretching your floral dollar is to use large amounts of inexpensive flowers (e.g., daisies, carnations, etc.) in a large, monochromatic bouquet.  (photo byRobinson Photo).

4.  Add fruits and vegetables to flower arrangements.  A top tip from L’Ecole des Fleurs, the French flower school in Paris, is to incorporate fruits and vegetables in floral arrangements.  Fresh seasonal produce adds color and bulk – as well as a contemporary touch – to traditional bouquets and is an economical alternative to flowers.  Use vegetables such as green beans, carrots, or celery to create organic containers and add seasonal produce, (e.g., apples, artichokes, or lemons) as accents in flower arrangements.  Unusual elements, including potatoes and onions, can create surprising, yet effective, results.  (insert apple branch bouquet photo, credit:  and potato wreath. (photo by Kate Headley)

5.  Make a personal statement with flowers.  The most rewarding aspect of having flowers in the home is when you create something original, special and beautiful for yourself.  Look around your house and garden to locate materials and found objects that can be incorporated in your designs.  These elements, ranging from snippets of ribbon and paper to tiled fruit, can be used to craft bouquets that bring natural beauty and personal style to your interior décor. (photo credit "Orange" bouquet above left:  Kevin Allen.)