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.
