I want to start this blog today by thanking everyone for
their kind comments and emails. I read every single one and they all make my
day. Then I read them to my husband and say, “Jealous?” :-)
In this part of The Art of Entertaining, let’s talk flowers.
My daughter, Gracie, doesn’t know it yet but I am enrolling her in weekend
flower school here in Paris. She’ll thank me later. It’s part of her
“education” in Paris. Flowers are the icing on the cake when it comes to
entertaining. But for God’s sake, let’s do it right. If I see one more sliced
lemon inside of a vase of daffodils, I’m going to kill myself. When it comes to
flowers, I like to think outside the box but with some “decorum.”
First of all, I think it’s important to put some thought
into the vase. By the way, don’t you hate this new fad of calling a vase a
“vessel.” Call a spade a spade, call a vase a vase. I love using the unusual…
wine crate, Moroccan tea glass, antique urn, Mercury glass cup, old French
enamel pitcher, antique sterling silver trophy cup, loose tea containers, Chinese
blue and white ginger jar, terra-cotta pot, old bucket, Delft tulipiere, antique
cache pot, wicker basket, majolica, faux bois… just anything that does not
shout “Clear Glass Vase from FTD!” I am not a huge fan of exposed stems. Take a
look at these gorgeous "vases"...
I am also in love with asymmetrical flower arrangements.
Take a look…
What I love the most is unusual accoutrements in
arrangements. Orange branches, kumquat branches, strawberries and their leaves,
rosemary, basil, lavender, peppermint, geranium leaves, cherry blossoms,
magnolia branches, blackberry branches, artichokes, fig branches, olive branches, persimmons,
fall leaves and fruit (used properly). Take a look…
Whenever I feel a little lost in my faith, I look at a
flower and remember that there is a god. I mean, who else made that pink and
green parrot tulip or black orchid or blue passionflower or night blooming
jasmine!
I realize that flower arranging can be daunting. Here’s what
I would do… Go to flower school. It’s important to know the basics and the
tools of the trade…floral frogs, oasis etc. There are a lot of secrets to a
good arrangement. If you are not confident in your flower arranging, flower
school will teach you about texture, scale, asymmetry, depth, color
combinations etc. (In terms of color combinations, it’s always best to let
Mother Nature be your guide.) After that, you can make your own arrangements.
Did you know that Carolyn Roehm went to flower school in Paris before she wrote
her book, A Passion for Flowers? She
did. She studied at the renowned florist Moulié Fleurs. However, my advice
would be to go to the flower school in Paris of Catherine Muller, the protégé
of famed Parisian florist Christian Tortu. If you are in New York, there is the
inspiring Little Flower School in Brooklyn.
After you receive your “degree” from the flower school, my
advice on this is to go to your local wholesale flower mart. You’re ready for
it now. All big cities have one. My favorite is the New York City Chelsea
flower market on West 28th St. This is the Mecca of flowers. My
friend Diandra (and her reluctant driver) and I would go every week and load up
on everything from magnolia branches, cherry blossoms, cut flowers, topiaries,
succulents, even palm trees. We bought all of the Christmas garland, pine cones
and berries there as well. Talk about a visual feast! You need to know how to
navigate this place though. There is a great tutorial with tips on how to have a
successful day at the New York City Chelsea Flower Market from gardenista.com.
You can watch it HERE. In my opinion, the best shop at the Chelsea flower mart
is Associated Cut Flower. Watch this little video with Carolyn Roehm at Associated
Cut Flower shopping for parrot tulips and David Austin roses HERE. It is like
a candy shop!
If you are not up to all of that, there are brilliant florist
that you can visit to find atypical arrangements. In Paris, the most exclusive
old-school Parisian “fleuriste” is called Lachaume on rue Faubourg Saint Honoré.
Having been in existence since La Belle Epoque of the late 1800s, this is the
secretive boutique that writer Marcel Proust would stop by daily to pick up his
cattleya flower to decorate his buttonhole. Another favorite of mine in Paris
is Odorantes on rue Madame in Saint-Germain-des-Prés. This ain’t your mama’s
flower shop. This discreet little shop arranges its flowers by scent and it is nothing
but the extraordinary. And of course there is always Dani Roses at my favorite
Hotel Costes in Paris. They only sell roses and I am sure the staff spends half
of their time wiping smudge marks off their windows from lookie loos like me.
My other favorite florist are Amy Merrick in Brooklyn. Think
asymmetrical old Masters. Lewis Miller Designs of New York. Think Vogue and
Givenchy. And also, Sarah Winward of Honey of 1000 Flowers. Think organic. And
don’t forget my favorite florist in Los Angeles, Eric Butterbaugh. Think
sarcastic.
Now, if you’re too lazy to go to flower school, if you’re
too lazy to go to the flower mart, and if you’re too lazy to go to a florist there
is a solution for you and it’s not a fat farm. Your miracle is called The Bouqs. This is an online sustainable
eco-friendly florist. The concept is simple and you can order from the comfort
of your tufted sofa with a vodka tonic in your hand. You can also order from
the comfort of your hybrid Prius on your cell phone while you are in your kids
after school car pickup line because there “is an app for that.” $40 flat fee
for a not too shabby bouquet. They cut on the same day you order so the flowers
last longer. The best part is that their farms are energy-efficient and offer
living wages, health care, child care and adult education.
If you want to see more gorgeous flower arrangements, you
can check out my Pinterest board “Fleurs” HERE.
That’s it for today. Stay tuned for the next Art
of Entertaining. Hint: cluck cluck.
The natural beauty here is overwhelming.. going to follow your board on P right now! Gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteon my way to P as well... so pretty these arrangements, thanks for the resources! xo Kit
ReplyDeleteInspiring photos and text- As a seasoned 'floral decorator' of the table and altar your lovely photographs and encouragement to always always be open to learn more!
ReplyDeleteDear Ellie,
ReplyDeleteI used to walk past Associated Cut Flower on my way to work every morning just wishing I could stay there all day - the hydrangeas in particular always pulled me in...the size of small bushes and colors galore!
I read about your blog on Habitually Chic this summer...it is now one of the highlights of my day! If only I had found it last Spring before my most recent trip to Paris...imagine the places I would have visited. They will have to wait until next time!
Can't wait to read what you have for us next...
With gratitude,
Jennifer
Princeton, NJ
Dear Jennifer, so glad you like the blog! I'm so jealous you lived near Associated Cut Flower! XO XO
DeleteWhen I first found you, I wanted to be your new best friend…well, for all the obvious reasons;) but also because you like everything I like (I know, a very mature sentiment;))…but now I want to be your daughter because I really, really, really want to go to flower school in Paris! O'k seriously you are such a good mom to bring this to her and I think its a great idea. Thanks for the heads up on the NYC options for flower school, my daughter is at Columbia for a couple of years and it would be a wonderful mother/daughter activity. xob
ReplyDeleteDear Brenda, your daughter is at Columbia! Bravo! What a great idea to do mother/ daughter flower school! Look me up next time you are in Paris. XOXO
DeleteThanks so much for linking to our video! A pleasure to be here!
ReplyDeleteDear quintessence, the first day that I found your blog and video series I binge watched nearly every single video until my husband physically took the computer away from me. Then, I told him I hated him. I love your video series so much! And your blog is beyond fabulous and so is your Pinterest board. I think I just officially outed myself as your stalker. XO XO XO
DeleteHa! Lovely to have found you as well!! xo
DeleteWhat?? Quintessence has a video series??? Are you kidding?? Another of my VERY favorite blogs!!!!
DeleteI my never leave my computer again!!! My husband will pitch me new "air" into the pond (when we have one again!!!)
XXOO
Dearest Ellie, " Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others; cannot keep it from themselves . " by James Barrie I love this poem and it suits you so very well. I am thrilled to have found you. You bring such joy to each day. With much gratitude and blessings to you. Warmest Regards, Pamela p.s. Flowers make our hearts dance !!!
ReplyDeleteWell that was an awfully nice thing to say about me, Pamela! Thank you. However, my husband begs to differ. :-) Thank you again for your kind words. XO X
DeleteAnother wonderful post! Have you ever seen Zeze's in NYC???? It is a florist shop! Never in all my days......another place I almost had a heart attack when I saw it!
ReplyDeleteI took a ton of pictures last time I was in NYC; I will post a blog.
Google them. They are a divine couple....who have a country house in New York state and the chicest flower store I have ever seen!!!
Thank you for your inspiration!!
You are a wonder!!!
Hello!I found you from Penelope's Facebook page!I remember your AD in SANTA BARBARA magazine too!I think I actually called you about an item in the photo!!I will be in PARIS the 21,22, and 23........if you would like to meet for a cafe I would Love that as I will be by myself just wandering!I
ReplyDeleteDear Contessa! So glad you found the blog. Would love to meet you. Any friend of Penny's is a friend of mine. So excited you are also going to go to Normandy. Love it there! I will check out your website right now. Looking forward to meeting you! XO XO XO
DeleteAmazing flower & their pictures.. Thanks for sharingBest Florist in Toronto
ReplyDeleteGreat collection. i also decorated out side of my room like thisschool classes.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! I am in love with all these flowers that have been shown in these photos. I really love flower bouquets. Usually I buy fresh flowers for my home and I use online Flower Delivery NYC services for that. They deliver fresh flowers very quickly.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing an interesting and very useful article.
ReplyDeleteAnd let me share an article about health here I believe this is useful. Thank you :)
Custom Packaging Boxes Wholesale