As I rounded out my first season being a Leader for the weekly fresh flower arrangements at the DIA, I want to share some of my favorite designs from this spring. I try and pick a color palette that's in season, sourcing flowers from our two amazing local wholesale houses, Mayesh Detroit and Nordlie Warren. Both have awesome flowers in their coolers daily, and give me access to the highest quality imported flowers as well.This design had a flair for the Eastern. Chinese lanterns, bi-color chrysanthemums, and oriental lilies on a structure of bamboo, Such a moody palette! I wanted to combined some really unsaturated tones with some overly saturated ones and this was the result. The pale, ginormous allium schubertii grounded the whole design and opened nicely over the course of the week. These pieces were designed in an uplifting feminine palette. White, lime and fuchsia, with greyed purple lowlights. Three tones of purple mokara orchids created a fun vibration at the base, repeated by the bounding orbits of Oasis flat cane. The Explosive white agapanthus lift the eye up and out of the design. This month's tropical efforts featured protea, some amazing specimen variety eucalyptus, monstera leaves and more. The folded flax leaves gave just enough dynamic flair to compete with the trailing burgundy amaranthus. Flowers sourced from Holland, inspired by Dutch Old Masters paintings. Fritilleria, monkshood, eremerus, amaryllis all come together, framed by flowering quince branches and several textured foliages. Wintery- Mod design, highly textured flowers, dynamic colors. Unusual suspects such as nerine lilies, bottlebrush protea and amaryllis, used in an unconventional way. Suspended upside down. Why not? This was the month I tried to design for 'me.' My color range, my style. Nothing but drama. Love it! Orchids, roses, berries and more all mingle with a range of highly textured foliage. Oasis midollino adds a dynamic line to the designs. I had initially signed up for one week each month, and as the season came to its conclusion, I found there were many openings. So I stepped up! In the month of May, I led the team of designers and assistants from the Friends of Art and Flowers in three different designs. I've really enjoyed my time and making such great connections with my ever-changing team of support designers. I'm really looking forward to the next season and to becoming more involved with the Friends of Art and Flowers, as I take charge of the DIA's holiday decor this year.
|