Fruit and Herbs

When I see a bouquet like this, it truly confirms that quitting my job and going into the floral world was a great decision. This bouquet of fiddle fern, rosemary, immature blackberry, jasmine, white anemones with navy blue centers. (Yes that's right navy blue; which is rare in the floral wold.) Is truly fab. What I love is the texture, the dramatic darkness of the centers of the anemones; pared with the blackberries. This is floral arranging at it's best. Play around with herbs and flowers. You will be greatly surprised how better your arranging gets. Herb arrangements are great for lunch or dinner party's. They are low cost and look great when even simple grouped together.

I'm Lusting After Japanese Anemone

Well I've awaken from the dead. Or a bad case of food poison; take your pick. It was like death warmed over. The only thing that's made me happy today is to think about tomorrow when I will return to work and be able to stare at the bountiful rows of Japanese Anemones that are growing in my bosses back yard.

To say that the Japanese Anemone is one of the best fall flowers would be an understatement-it is the best. Here is a plant and flower with real charm, refinement, and sophistication.

While I would love to show you some fab floral arrangements of this flower, no floral designer dares to put them in their arrangements; because they wont last. Unless your a daredevil like my boss and grow them yourself, cut them and put them directly into an arrangement.

I will try to get some pics of the Japanese Anemones that we are doing at the French Laundry; but for now pare this with hot, and cool pinks along with some dusty miller if your dark like me. Or alone for the most impact.

FYI: My favorit part of the Japanese Anemone isnt the flower, but the little buds before they pop; so modern and fresh.

Granola Chic

Sorry about the delay in posting. I just worked 3 weeks straight on weddings. Great images to come soon. But with all the roses and hydrangea that I've been arranging with; I though it would be great and take a step back to look at the simple things in the floral world. I call it granola chic. Yes it's everywhere these days; simple earthy arrangements. Using a lot of succulents or orchids is normal the way to play it. However, never be afraid to stop on the side of the road to find something amazing like the bouqet above. But you also must find the right salvaged or natural container. I would say www.roostco.com is the best source for these containers; also www.barreveld.com is another great source. But keep in mind these are wholesalers, so get that resale # ready.

My Lust for Cockcomb

Cockscomb flowers are also known as Wool Flowers or Brain Celosia, suggestive of a highly colored brain. The flowers belong to the amaranth family. Cockscomb Flower blooms from late summer through late fall. But we've been getting our hands on them now in pale green; which I love mixed with any type of pod. This truly is one of my fav's for the intense colors and the pure saturation of color within the brain/bud.

Haute Couture Show Wrap Up

Well my eye's welled up and I almost shed a tear. Yesterday was the last of the Fall-Winter 2010 Paris Haute Couture Shows. Above are more of my fav's. It's the usual suspects above, Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Givenchy. I'm truly at a loss for words on how I respond to these images. Well almost a loss for words. These shows and the creativity that pours out of each one is so unbelievable. This truly is an art that is becoming lost. With the generations of hand made ateliers being at it's all time low. The craft that these people have; isn't being passed down and technics are being lost. Enjoy while you can; because true Haute Couture will disappear soon.

Petal To The Metal

I'm usually not a big fan of silver vases, but when done in a different patina; to look more like a rustic metal; I start to become intrigued. While the above table arrangement is better suited for early spring; I just fell in love with it and had to post it. Flowers, from front: yellow cattelay orchids: lemon phales; mini cattelay orchids; calla lillies; with parrot tulips, lady slipper orchids; and ranunculus. The designer has already hit it big with Oprah; so he's not worth mentioning.

Très Chic of the Week

This wedding was so much fun to work on. (Yes I work for Kathy Hoffman Flowers) We had a great time working with our clients antique milk glass collection. We wanted soft garden feel yet modern; especially considering the backdrop for this event was the simple yet posh Carneros Inn, Napa Ca. I don't normal give props to wedding coordinators on this blog (this blog is dedicated to the promotion of great floral designers) but since I work with Ms. Rebecca Feeney founder/owner of Custom Event Group and she rocks it out always; I will give her some post space.

Goodbye Christian Lacroix, Hello Chanel

So here are some of my fav's from the Paris Couture shows yesterday and today. Obviously (bottom) Chanel at it's best. I mean the hat in the center and the winged cat eye makeup. Am I the only high style bride out there, come on ladies this is pretty sick stuff. Even for a Tuesday night out with your man!

(Top) from French designer Christian Lacroix, who yesterday delivered what will likely be his last haute couture show. Tell me this isn't the sickest hat and silk draped dress! I promise I'll be getting back to flowers soon; I mean come on it's called Le Fleur Couture; clearly the Haute Couture Paris shows are always going to be featured on this site!!!

Daily Delivery: Ink & Peat Floral

Ink & Peat Floral makes our list of Le Fleuriste because of this stunning bouquet above. An amazing use of texture. Succulents, pale roses, scabiosa pods, smoke bush, hypercum berries; and my favorite immature blackberries. Ink Peats is located in Portland OR. I think she has a great style!

Just A Taste: Haute Couture Shows 2010

The Haute Couture shows just started today in Paris. This image of the Dior (aka the Master British Designer John Galliano) show has just been released by the (AP) a few hours ago. More tantalizing images to follow. Don't forget to be inspired by that fab floral decor in the background. It's so crazy to think we just used the same ingredients; at the French Laundry's 15th Anniversary Party. Cudos to Kathy Hoffman who is always ahead of the curve! More images and insperations to follow :)

Laura Dowling: Intérieurs et Fleurs

Everyone is in love with Laura Dowling. Her Haute Couture Fleur style is straight off the Paris runways. I'm so in love with her wreathes above; especially the potato one. Your can learn the steps on how to recreate these amazing wreathes at home by going to the project section of Laura Dowlings website. Here at Le Fleur Couture; we could easily show you her amazing bouquets for ones weddings. But... this site is about flowers for everyday. That's why we are highlighting these amazing wreaths. Any one of these creations could hang on your door daily.Très Magnifique!

Daily Delivery: Saipua

I came across this little company in Brooklyn that is actual in business because of their fab soaps. But when I saw their website and noticed that they had amazing arrangements in their floral section I had to learn more. Sarah Ryhanen is their florist and she is one talented designer. I emailed her to find out more about her; but I've not recieved a reply yet. Her work is amazing and her use of ingridenants with a salvaged container feel; make my blog for simple couture style. Sarah Ryhanen; I would love to know more about you. Ladies seriously check out www.saipua.com

Haute Couture Will Never Let You Down

One of the reasons why I named this site Le Fleur
Couture is because from a very small age; when I first
found out about Haute Couture. I realized that Couture
fashion was so unbelievably inspirational to so many
genres of art; flowers included. I mean the picture to the
left is the perfect modern wedding stationary colors. The picture on the right is an amazing color pallets for a summer event, whether that's a dinner party, luncheon, or just because it's March. p.s readers the black dress above is just fab. I will always provide you with my fav little black dress. Haute Couture is the heart of art!

Perfect Form From CB2

I love this vase by cb2.com its called
the Paleo Pot Vase. It has amazing
lines to it. You can arrange something
very simple for a modern feel;
or somethingmore lush.
7.25"dia.x8"H

Love Them Stems

Who says we must wrap double satin ribbon down the entire length of the bouquet. The above image is a perfect example of how natures beauty does it's own special wrap.
The stems make the perfect texture in this bouquet.