Wednesday, November 26, 2008

ATribute



We were challenged to make a piece this week for a certain special someone at Barney's NY. We came up with two ideas and the one in the black vase won. The other one - which we knew was over the top to begin with, is now gracing our store front window to welcome holiday shoppers on Friday. Why so obnoxious? The challenge we were given was to create a design the matched Barney's decor. This holiday season their decor looks like my grandmother's craft bag exploded on a warehouse full of Helmut Lang.


Czarina Umi

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Tips for Choosing Your Wedding Flowers

I was sitting down to write a post with advice for brides who are beginning to plan their big events for the Spring when I happened upon this article by Karen. She said it so well I thought I'd just let her do the talking...


Excerpted from Simply Stunning Wedding Flowers by Karen Bussen:

"Pruning your Blossoming Budget"

  • Stay seasonal:
If you've chosen a date and a location, use flowers that are readily available rather than fancy imported blooms. Peonies, like many other special flowers, including dahlias, cosmos, lilies of the valley, amaryllises, ranunculuses, and hyacinths are only in season during certain months and can be unavailable - or a lot more expensive - in between growing periods.

  • Don't overdecorate your ceremony.

Think of your flowers as a tribute, not as an opportunity for excess. Create a beautiful backdrop for your vow space, and place something special at the beginning of the aisle to mark your entrance. Avoid sight-blocking arrangements at all cost.

  • Banish random decor.

Stay away from pedestals and small arrangments placed here and there. These random elements tend to disappear in a party space. Instead, concentrate on areas that are focal points (fireplaces, entrances, escort card table, and so on) and create something spectacular there.

  • Think double-duty.

Design clever details you can use twice. Don't, however, move arrangements from your ceremony to your reception if it will make for akward timing or will impact your guests ("Excuse me, Aunt Betty, can you move so the florist can grab that aisle marker?)

  • Remember, some holidays affect flower prices.

In general, flowers (and sometimes design-labor charges) are more costly around Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Christmas and New Year's Eve.


And I'd also like to add:

When you visit your florist, try to bring a few tears from magazines or pictures from the internet. It is likely that your floral designer has a certain style of his or her own. It will help the both of you determine whether or not you are a good fit for one another.

Feel comfortable asking questions about pricing up front, and if you know that you have a strict budget don't be embarassed. Being forth coming will take pressure off of you and save everyone involved from persuing options that aren't realistic possibilites.

And lastly, be open to the unexpected!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Part II of pics






Credit: Real Simple Weddings






Credit: Four Season's Paris

Inspirations for a New Texan!



Credit: 
Photography:  Jill Broussard




I'm posting pics for a friend.  Above are pictures for her (and your) perusal.  She hails from the North East and is in the midst of planning a wedding! How difficult in a new city. Our goal today is to show her a few directions she can move in and give her a leg up in the planning process!


coming soon....

This week we will post pictures from the Oak Cliff Home Tour, Laura & George's wedding this past Friday, and a few sample Thanksgiving centerpieces that are a new take on old classics.

As engagement season gears up in Texas I will also be sharing some advice on how to pick your flowers and the florist that is the right fit for you. It will include a list of questions to ask, and answers to look for to make sure that your florist understands you.

In the meantime, enjoy this quote from Real Simple Weddings: