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Our floral design class, The Parker, was inspired by mid-century modern design. Characteristics for this genre include clean, organic lines and shapes often combined with bold pops of color and geometric patterns. We translated the look into an arrangement of delicate dahlias paired with textured air plants, pin cushions, crespedia, chrysanthemums, poppy pods and succulents.

For the tabletop design, we pulled in a happy, sun-drenched color palette of yellow, orange and green reminiscent of The Parker Hotel in Palm Springs – a favorite get away and example of mid-century modern.

Details of this style include white ceramic vases allowing for the vibrant blooms and geometric patterned tablecloth to shine without completing. Miniature satellite arrangements composed of chrysanthemums and succulents adorn this day or evening (just add candles!) tabletop. For a finishing touch, add a simple, cut succulent to each napkin. And, in case you’re wondering, these succulents will last just fine out of water for several hours!

Live. Breathe. Bloom.
Jennifer

• FLOWER VARIETIES: Dahlias (*note on dahlias – these are delicate and should be kept out of the sun and in the cool) crespedia, air plants, pin cusions, poppy pods, succulents and chrysanthemums.
• COLOR PALETTE: Bold blocks of yellow, orange, green and white.
• VASES: Cylindrical white ceramic.
• LINEN:  Retro melon Linen from La Tavola Linens.
• CHINA: Off white matte Lucca Plates from Bright Event Rentals.

This April we installed the 30ft high Rose Chandelier in the San Diego Museum of Art for the 2019 Art Alive exhibition. It took our team over three months to create, three days to install and we used over 4,000 roses!

Inspiration
The design was inspired by the Alfred Eisenstadt photography exhibit in the museum and conveys the concept of flowers frozen in time – just as moments are captured in photographs. A floating garden of meandering red and black roses is encased within clear acrylic rectangular shapes suspended from the rotunda ceiling. Occasionally roses escape their “ice block” confinement, as if growing naturally. The installation’s modern chandelier shape enveloped visitors in roses.

Construction Details
The Installation required full 3D rendering and mapping that specified exact locations for each of the 44 cases on the 17 rigging points. Using the two story height of the museum’s rotunda space involved using a chain motor to move the structure up and down. Metal rods and steel wiring were installed within each case which connected them together at varying heights. Mirrored aluminum square panels were placed on top of the acrylic cases that held roses to hide mechanics. This reflective element contributed to the intended question for the viewer of where the roses began and ended.
Due to the exhibits four day duration and limited access to the higher portions of the installation, silk and fresh roses were used.

Behind The Scenes
Last fall the design of the installation was finalized. Eight months later, after endless hours spent on logistics, we arrived in San Diego to find it in full bloom. The museum is in the center of Balboa Park and is stunning. Every morning we replaced fresh roses to keep them perfect for the museum’s exhibit, glamorous Gala Dinner, Bloom Bash party and media events.

We are so grateful for all of the museum volunteers and staff as well for the amazing rigging team at PEP Creative. To see the installation process, check out the video below!

Live. Breathe. Bloom.
Jennifer

CHECK OUT OUR BEHIND THE SCENES VIDEO

This May, our peony floral design class was inspired by Chanel perfume. Both are classic, feminine and regal which makes the two a perfect fit.  While peonies and Chanel are considered traditional, we brought a fresh, modern edge to the arrangement and tabletop setting by balancing feminine elements with simple accessories.  Clean lined vases and a monochromatic pink table linen allow for these feminine flowers to shine.

Here are the elements that made up this season’s Peony No 5 tabletop:

I hope you enjoy!
Jennifer

FLOWER PAIRINGS

VASE PAIRINGS

• We made Peony No 5 labels for clean lined square glass 5″x 5″ vases in the shape of a perfume bottle.
• Satellite vases were created with emptied Chanel perfume bottles.

ACCESSORIES

• Blush linen from La Tavola Linens
• Monte Carlo china from Brite Event rentals

ARRANGING TIPS

• We began the arrangement with the hydrangea, because this is the largest bloom and becomes the foundation of the arrangement.
• Next, the peonies. Stems are inserted within the hydrangea. *Be careful not to damage the individual stems of the hydrangea flowers as you are inserting the peony stems.
• Fill in the shape with the blush Geraldine roses. *See this (video link) for how to reflex a rose.
• Tuck in the white lisianthus between the peonies and roses within the hydrangea blooms.
• Asymmetrically accent the arrangement with a couple blush astible to the top right.
• For added fragrance, wire a single gardenia and tuck into the arrangement. A single medium gage wire and corsage tape needed. This allows the gardenia to have an artificial stem which keeps it in place.

OCCASIONS

• Feminine day or evening occasion – birthday, bat mitzvah, bridal shower.

This month’s design class, Midnight Garden, was inspired by moody floral print patterns in fashion. Deep burgundy to plum hellebores, anemones, tulips, vanda orchids, scabiosa and grand jubilee english garden roses are combined into earthy matte black ceramic vases.  To complete the look for tabletop, we paired the arrangements with black linen table clothes and black stone plates. Blossoms are loosely clustered and strewn on the table for a pattern like effect ♣

Midnight Garden Pattern Inspirations

Here’s a few tips on how to create a Midnight Garden Table:

Color Palette: Plum, burgundy, black – the darker the better!

Loose Flowers: To accentuate the pattern like effect, cluster loose blossoms directly on the table.  These can go between the arrangements and place settings.  Add these at the last moment, preferably within an hour of sitting town to the table.   Camellias, heartier English garden roses, coffee beans and vanda orchids are perfect for this!

Napkin Treatment: A tuft of coffee bean and camellia leaves accent each napkin.

Table Cloth: Black! We love linen, but you can also use cotton or a matte satin for a sleeker, modern look. As shown, black tablecloth linen from La Tavola Tuscany Collection.

Place Settings: Black plates really add to this look!   As shown, dishes, glasses and flatware are from Classic Party Rentals.

The French White Design Class was inspired by a white on white color palette using subtle variations of classic European patterns. We combined white peonies, paper whites, istilbe, scabiosa, and hydrangea into herringbone patterned vases paired with a white damask table linen. For an added hint of traditional glamour, hand painted gold lemon leaves were incorporated into the centerpieces. Adorn your holiday wine or champagne gifts with fresh cedar, a peony and ribbon. Your hosts won’t forget who brought the good stuff! Last, we covered tips on floral gift garnishing!  Take a look, enjoy and Happy Holidays!

A place setting from our “French White holiday Design Class”

Garnish your gifts with painted gold lemon leaves, Brazilian berries, cedar, pine and gold mesh ribbon. The best thing about these materials is that they can be prepared ahead time and last up to 10 days.

Adorn your holiday wine or champagne gifts with fresh cedar, a peony and ribbon. Your hosts won’t forget who brought the good stuff!