LotusHaus

GlobalFlora } International Tabletops

Featured Event Designer: Kendal Brown of Eclatante Design
Featured Floral Designer: Donna O'Brien of Beautiful Blooms
Featured Photographer: Marie Labbancz of Art of Love

Via The Bride's Cafe, an awesome wedding blog, I discovered these fabulous internationally inspired centerpieces that were created for a Bat Mitzvah party. The theme was "Cities of the World" and each table represented a different city. Guests were given boarding passes to their tables. What a great idea for a global party or wedding!

 

Oyster Pearl Grey and Bright Colors!

I'm so inspired by this lovely color combination of grey and bright pop colors for a fall wedding... aren't you?! I saw this via Love and Splendor.

Happy Monday, Happy Buddha!

Happy Monday! We DJ'd a beautiful wedding this Saturday at Hotel 1000... The florals were done by Bella Rugosa and they were amazing! Vanda orchids, pink peonies, orange tulips, lime green hydrangea and gloriosa lillies! I was lucky enough to take home some blooms from the wedding and make a happy arrangement of my own with a ceramic mug of the laughing buddha (there is a hole in the front for a straw and an opening in the back for the drink... tres kitschey!). I found this figurine at the thrift store but you can get the same one at Perpetual Kid.

“When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky” ~ Buddha

Bloom a Day Book } A Fortune Telling Birthday Book!

A Bloom A Day looks like a wonderfully inspiring birthday gift for the floral enthusiast! It has 365 gorgeous flower photographs for every day of the year, each with a corresponding birthday fortune and the meaning of the flower.I found this via Snippet and Ink.

Centerpiece Idea } Orchid and Moss in a Wire Basket

I saw this wire momentum bowl in the Crate and Barrel catalog and just love the idea of an organic style wedding centerpiece using orchids, spongy moss and a see-through basket (that you could give away to guests). For a rustic look you could make your own basket out of chicken wire. For a modern look, scout your home improvement center for mesh you could spray paint and mold into your own shape. You can purchase the orchid potted plants in bulk at Aloha Orchid and the reindeer moss at Save-On-Crafts.

GlobalFlora } White, Green and Black - Modern Elegance

Featured Floral Designer: Flower Design, UK
I really love the freshness of these floral arrangements by Flower Design! I especially love the crisp modernity of the martini designs and tall centerpieces using orchids, anthuriums, curly bamboo and calla lilies! See more photos here.

Flowers for an Auction

Here's an arrangement I donated for a friend's church auction... (The photo is a bit overexposed, sorry! My good camera is out of commission, wah)

Chlorophylle Grass Planter Centerpiece

These would be sleek and modern centerpieces! Grown your own grass in these luxe Chlorophylle grass planter boxes! Via Totally Tabletops.

Ryan Takaba's Porcelain Wall Bud Vases

These porcelain wall bud vases by Etsy seller Ryan Takaba are way too cool! I saw these over at Jenn Ski's mid century modern design blog.

Grid Vase by Jaime Hayón

 
As an Ikebana practitioner, when I saw this Grid Vase by Spanish designer Jaime Hayón my eyes grew wide with the possibilities! These vases are beautifully formed and the grid patterns are so intriguing... so beautiful just by themselves... but picture branches and single blooms punctuating the grills... "grid is an eye-catching vase collection manufactured by turkish artisans, bestowed with hundreds of years of experience in copper craftsmanship. it combines contemporary design with turkish sensibility."

Flower & Gift Projects for Teens } Project No. 9

Everyone loves fresh flower pomanders! Finally, I remembered to snap some shots of the girls in my St. Luke's Class. We made some really cute mini pomanders about the size of a large grapefruit. 

Materials:

• 1 or 2 bunches of kermit mums
• lime green ribbon or poly yarn
• small floral foam orb -or-
• small block of floral foam 
• chicken wire (optional)

Instructions: (also good instructions here)

1) Prepare wet floral foam.
If you can find a floral foam orb in the size you want, simply soak in water and then set out to drain. Or else you can take a small block of floral foam and shape it by cutting it down and sculpting it into an orb. I used an apple for size comparison. Optional: Wrap the orb in chicken wire for a more sturdy structure.
2) Assemble ribbon.
There are different ways to do this. If you have wrapped the orb in chicken wire, tie a ribbon with a loop handle through the wire at the top of the orb. But this is what I did because I used a green poly yarn i/o ribbon: Take a chopstick and stab it through the center of the orb. Push a double strand of yarn through the hole with the chopstick. Cut a stem about 2" and tie it with the yarns so that when you pull up the loop the stem creates a stable stopper for the yarn.
3) Cut kermit mum heads.
Cut stems to about 2" and insert into foam in a row that circles around the entire orb. Then make another row that circles the orb so that it creates quarter lines. Then fill in the rest of the quarters with mums.
4) Add any other embellishments.
You can add another bow to the top loop if you like. I attempted to make a chinese style knot with the excess yarn at the bottom of the pomander.
5) Experiment with your pomander and enjoy!
You can use your pomander as an centerpiece too by placing it in a glass cube or on top of a cylinder vase.

My inspiration for the near Future! } Kate Fujimoto Event Design

Whoa, how do I contain my excitement? I finally found a career inspiration that closely matches my lifestyle, my experience and my aesthetic! Today I discovered the story of Kate Fujimoto... a fashion designer - turned wife - turned event designer! Kate Fujimoto worked as a fashion designer and product manager for labels such as Trina Turk and Betsey Johnson.  She was getting frustrated with the corporate structure and felt that her aesthetic didn’t necessarily match up to some of the companies she worked with. After planning her own wedding, Kate began to consider a career in event design. She took on small events at first, but with a growing client list, the budding designer launched Kate Fujimoto Event Design in November 2007. With an emphasis on color, texture and trim, she treats events as landscapes similar to fashion designs, and applies her expertise to every aspect of presentation. Kate often looks to the venue first— much like she used to look to the human form—to find ways to enhance its features...Kate, you are my she-ro!

Aktipis Flower Shop in Greece

Check out this really unique and well designed flower shop in Greece! The name of the shop is Aktipis and it was designed by Point Supreme Architects. Discovered via Laissezfaire and Dezeen.

Black Ribbon, Rhinestone Buckles, Green Horsetail and Ruby Reds!

I'm loving these arrangements and overall table top display found over at Head of the Table! The horsetail or equisetum look so fabulous with the black ribbon and rhinestone buckles atop charcoal polished river stones!

GlobalFlora } Plum and Chartreuse Wedding Theme - Asian Inspired

Today I was inspired by Flora Nova Design and their recent blog post letting us know that Plum is a big color for 2009. Check out their recent Plum, Cream and Chartreuse wedding! I have long loved this color combo so here is my Asian inspired version of a plum and chartreuse wedding. As a disclaimer, I usually don't post any images without linking the source, so I sincerely apologize because I don't have sources for all of these photos (boo! I know!). Please email me if you know the source. Thanks and enjoy!

From left to right, top to bottom:
Photo from Organic Style Magazine; Actress Zhang Ziyi; "Origami Crane" invitation by Tiny Prints; "Brilliant Blooms" wedding invitation by WeddingPaperDivas; custom made blooming tea favor; lime bridesmaid dress; chartreuse arrangement in Chinese shallow basket; catalog photo from Smith & Hawken; pink purple arrangement in footed basket; colorful macaroons by Jin Patisserie; and decorative Black Cherry Plum soap bar by MOR Cosmetics.

Tulip Festival

Finally, this year we were able to catch the Tulip Festival in Mount Vernon, which only happens once a year in April. The drive was about 1.5 hours north of Seattle and the traffic was horrendous, but it was well worth the wait to see so many beautiful fields filled with colorful tulips! I went with my hubby, best friend and godson... Isaiah was more interested in the tractors going by and the airplanes flying over head than the flowers, lol!

Black, White and Chartreuse } Inspiration from Kelsey and Kyle's Wedding

Last weekend, our DJ Company Bamboo Beats, had the pleasure of celebrating Kelsey & Kyle's stylish and hip wedding at Pravda, an uber cool NY-Loft like space in Capitol Hill. I want to share with you the beautiful decor details put together by the amazing Michelle from Married with Michelle and Julie from Bella Rugosa. *4/27/09 Update: Check out the amazing pro photos by the awesome Photo Elan team at this link!

I love the lotus capiz shell votive holders from Bella Rugosa and floral silhouette satin linens by BBJ Linen.

Check out the table placecards and simple unity candle.

Next to the ceremony area there was an awesome lounge area with cocktail tables and modern seating complete with bar area and our DJ setup.

I totally fell in love with the lounge area... these rentals are available from Bella Rugosa!

Capiz lotus pendant chandeliers graced the ceilings... so modern and elegant!

Modern and minimalistic high and low centerpieces with chartreuse table linens created a very dramatic effect in the all white venue.

This is the guest table shown on the left along with a creative way to show table numbers using sparkling water bottles.

And lastly, I was loving the lime green glass hurricane holders on top of acrylic pedestals that lined the ceremony aisles. On the right is a photo of these cool wrought iron candle holders that marked the ceremony alter. All in all, this wedding had all the perfect details and I can't wait for the pro photos from the fabulous Photo Elan team to show you how much fun the dancing was! They kicked it all night long!

Mercabarna-Flor } Barcelona's Energy Efficient Flower Market

To all my floral design friends and event planners... don't you wish this was your flower market?! I do! Via Inhabitat I was whisked away to Barcelona to discover Mercabarna-Flor, an energy efficient and totally design-savvy flower market designed by Willy Mully Architects. The plant market acts as a greenhouse to grow potted plants and its climate is very carefully regulated with both radiant heating and passive cooling - one of the biggest systems of its kind. Passive cooling helps to introduce humidity and ensure that temperatures stay between 15 and 26 deg C. Meanwhile the radiant industrial floor ensures that the flowers have enough warmth to grow.The zinc roof and walls are covered with geometric patterns, intended to evoke an aerial view of cultivated-flower fields. A multicoloured band of striped panels wraps around the structure. The building contains three different markets selling cut flowers, plants and accessories. It also includes offices, two floristry education centres, an event space and parking.

Brussels in Bloom } Flower Carpet in Belgium

Holy begonias! Do you know what 1 million begonias looks like? It looks like this Carpet of Flowers in Brussels, Belgium. Every other year, since 1971, the Grand Place courtyard turns into a Carpet of Flowers to promote the lovely begonia. Chosen above all for its qualities of robustness, resistance to bad weather and strong sunshine the begonia guarantees the long life and freshness of the carpet. It also provides a rich range of colors - from vivid colors to delicate pastel shades, with in between, the parti-colored and white flowers which reflect the light so well.

2008's carpet was based on the patterns of the 17th Century French Savonnerie tapestry. How is this done? A perforated plastic with the design on it is laid down and the spaces between the floral design areas are filled with rolled turf. The stems are packed so tightly, 300 stems per square meter, directly onto the stone, so they won't be blown away. No soil is used at all. The next display will be August 15-17, 2010. Below is a video of the nighttime presentation with its special lighting and most beautiful musical score!

Thanks to Sprout Flowers in Worchester, Massachusetts for the heads up on this fabulous floral display!

Silver, Pink, Yellow and Black by Yvonne Design & Friends

Extreme beauty and lushness is all I can say about this lovely wedding concept by Yvonne Design and friends. This color combo is refreshing and bold with a hint of contemporary Thai flavor (orchids, lilies and lotus petals). You know I LOVE the lotus and window pane details of the silver, white and yellow cake by Cake Lava, and the pop up lotus on the menu card by Emi Ink!

Flower & Gift Projects for Teens } Project No. 6

When fresh peonies are not readily available you can always make paper peonies! For this class we used colored gift wrap tissue to make these lovely ruffly peonies! If you make enough you can tie them together and create a peony pomander!

Materials:

• Colored tissue paper
• Green chenille stems (craft pipe cleaners)
  
• -or craft raffia wire/twist tie

Instructions: (also good instructions here)

1) Cut tissue paper.
Cut 4 or more sheets of tissue paper to approximately 6"x10" sheets
2) Accordion fold.
Layer the sheets and accordion fold about 1"w folds. (fold up 1", then turn stack over and fold up again, repeat)
3) Scallop the edges.
Take sharp scissors and shape the peony petals by cutting the short edges like the top of a heart (that is, two scallops... or you can simply round of the edges)
4) Wrap and Ruffle.
Tie the center of the accordion with the pipe cleaner or twist tie. Fan out the piece on both sides of the pipe cleaner. Remember there are 4 layers. Begin pulling up the petals. Start with the top tissue being careful not to tear it. After you have done the top layer, go on to the second layer, then the third and the fourth. Straighten out the flower to your liking.
5) Enjoy!
Make a bouquet, pomander, garland or simply place a bundle of them in a basket or a bowl.

Flower & Gift Projects for Teens } Project No. 5

For this class we made wire wristlet corsages using faux orchids! The look is modern and the technique is soooo easy!

Materials:

• Craft wire (bendable and less than 1/8th inch thickness)
• Faux orchid blooms
  
• Faux grass blades
• Glue dots or hot glue

Instructions:

1) Create the wristlet.
Cut wire long enough to wrap 3 1/2 times around your wrist, loosely. Coil both ends of the wire. Place your finger at the center of the wire and cross over the ends around your finger. This will make a loop that you will affix your orchid to.
2) Attached flower and grass stems.
Apply glue dots or hot glue to the loop you created at the center of the wire. Fold a grass blad in half and attach to loop. Next press on the orchid. Let glue dry.
3) Wear it!
Place the orchid with wire on your wrist. Wrap the straight ends around your wrist and enjoy your floral wristlet!

Brazilian Modern Orchid Show at the NY Botanical Garden } YouTube video!

I've been sick with a cold for more than a week now... so this video on the Brazilian Modern Orchid Show at the NY Botanical Garden really brightened my day! The music, flowers, artwork and imagery are simply stunning, so make sure you watch it in HD! (Click video to play, and then click on the HD button) Enjoy!

Flower & Gift Projects for Teens } Project No. 4

Today, I instructed my class on how to make a simple boutonnière. I explained that boutonnière means "button hole" in French and refers to the tradition of flowers worn by men on their lapel for formal or special occasions like weddings and homecoming. They loved that idea, and dreamed about making their own boutonnière for their upcoming dances!

Materials:

• Available flowers and foliage (shown are carnations, alstromeria, wax flowers, baby's breath, steel grass, kermit mums)
• Floral tape
  
• Light gauge silver wire

Instructions:

1) Arrange the flowers.
Cluster the flowers in the desired arrangement. Trim stems evenly. Secure stems with floral tape.
2) Accent with wire.
Wrap wire around the stem.
3) Pin boutonnière onto someone special!

Kuga Designs } Wearable Floral Design!

I don't know how she did it, but Bree from Kuga Designs created this absolutely stunning "Retro Glam" wearable floral dress (including shoes!) and other fabulous couture with her design partners for the Bouquets to Art event in San Francisco! I want one!!!! Girl, you rock!

Flower & Gift Projects for Teens } Project No. 3

Next up is a lovely and petite gift bouquet from my flower & gift class at St. Luke's.

Materials:

• Available flowers and foliage (shown are carnations, alstromeria and daisy mums)
• Floral tape
  
• Colored Wrapping Tissue
  
• Raffia

Instructions:

1) Prepare the bouquet.
Cluster the bouquet in the desired arrangement. Trim stems evenly. Secure stems with floral tape.
2) Prepare the packaging.
Take some colored tissue sheets and fold down the top edge, about 4-5". Lay the bouquet in the middle, along the top of the folded edge. Top of bouquet should be above the fold about 1". Fold up the bottom edge to enclose the stems. Wrap the left/right ends of the tissue loosely around the fullest part of the bouquet, creating a cylinder, then cinch the middle.
3) Finishing.
Tie the raffia in the middle and shape the tissue so that it is evenly curved around the bouquet
4) Give to someone special!

Flower & Gift Projects for Teens } Project No. 2

Here is the second project for my flower & gift class at St. Luke's. I had fun creating this fast and friendly project!

Materials:

• Chinese take out container
• Floral Foam
  
• Chopsticks
• Raffia
• Baby's Breath
• Mini Carnations or any other flower you like

Instructions:

1) Prepare floral foam.
Cut floral foam to fit inside take out box. Follow the directions on the package and make sure you purchase floral foam designed for fresh flowers (not dried). Place floral foam, with the holes-side face down, in a bucket of water. Let soak until it floats. Remove and let it sit out until excess water drains.
2) Prepare take out box.
Tuck the flaps inside the box. Wrap the bottom of the floral foam with wax paper (helps to prevent water leakage), and insert foam into box. Tie a raffia bow on the metal handle and slide it close to the box.
3) Insert flowers and chopsticks.
Insert baby's breath into the floral foam evenly to create a "muffin top" shape. Then insert carnations/flowers evenly throughout. Finish the design by inserting the chopsticks.
4) Give to someone special!

Fract } Engineered Flower packaging concept - Israel

I'm lovin' this futuristic floral packaging by Nimrod Gavish, a graphic design student in Israel! Read about it at Twig & Thistle and the Dieline.

Related post: Modern Flower Gift Box

Indian Weddings - Inspiration from Lemiga Events

This Indian Wedding style collage is only one of the many awesome inspiration boards from the talented Michelle of Lemiga Events in Atlanta! Click here to see more.

GlobalFlora } Modern Island Style Wedding

Featured Floral Design Studio: Flowergirls, Honolulu, HI
Featured Cake Artist: Cakelava, Honolulu, HI
Featured Photographer: Rachel Robertson - Honolulu, HI
Featured Blog: Style Me Pretty

This is Irene and Joe's wedding in Hawaii. I wasn't invited but thanks to Style Me Pretty, I caught a glimpse of this lush and modern Island Style wedding! I love the bride's dress, the cuter than cute flower girl and ring bearer, the funky retro cake, colorful paper lanterns, mod centerpieces and all those gorgeous flowers! Kudos!

Calendar and Flower Vase

So cool! This is a cleverly designed flower pot/vase AND calendar by Korea-based nothing design group. I found this via Spoon & Tamago.

Graphic and Modern Bridal Bouquet in Purple and Khaki

Holy wowness! This is an amazing bridal concept full of graphic interest and incredible technique! The designer is Moniek Vanden Berghe from Belgium and I found this photo at uBloom via Leanne Kessler of the Flower Design Institute. This bouquet with it's raffia texture and purple hues upholds the "Wanderings" Pantone trend forecast, and goes go well with my Escada inspiration board below. How many of you would be bold enough to walk down the aisle with this bouquet? I want to design for you!

Monogrammed Leaves for Tags or Place cards! More floral fun with paper punchers!

Saw this at Laurie Cinotto's awesome floral, craft and lifestyle blog!  You can use paper punchers for lots of things! Check out my version...

Zen Gardenia } Valentine's Day Arrangement by Jayson Home & Garden

Zen Gardenia is a creative and endearing Valentine's Day arrangement available from Jayson Home and Garden (delivery in Chicago only). I LOVE the sweet scent of gardenias, the artistic curly willow and wire wrapped bamboo cane and the adorable heart shaped vase.

The Sayuri Valentine's Day Arrangement by Brassavolas Floral Couture

I LOVE this Valentine's Day arrangement by Brassavolas Floral Couture!

Design358 } Bold Tablescape at The Special Event Show

Here's a sneak peek of just one of the fabulous tablescapes from the Design358 Floral & Event Management team that were created for The Special Event Show 2009 in San Diego this past week. I just love the bold use of color and the unique use of orchids with roots showing and all...so clever! I wish I could have been there to see Hitomi Gilliam of Design358 demonstrate her unique and stunning techniques! Become a fan at Design358's Facebook.

GlobalFlora } Floral Sushi by Embellishment Design

Featured Floral & Event Design Studio: Embellishment - San Diego, CA
Featured Event Planner: Red Letter Days - San Diego, CA
Featured Photographer: Jay Reilly - Carlsbad, CA
Featured Blog: Style Me Pretty

This "floral sushi" design by Embellishmint for wedding couple Andrea & Scott is simply scrumptious! I love it! Head over to the fantastic blog Style Me Pretty for more photos by Jay Reilly and full details from Red Letter Days on this awesome wedding with an Asian twist!

New Ikebana Creations by Baiko of Zen Images

Aren't these images wonderfully pleasing! Capture the essence of these works of art by purchasing a glicee print from Zen Images and learn more about the artist Baiko, a Sogestu Ikebana master from the South of France.

Seattle Wedding Show - part one

The New Year (year of the ox) has started off just right! I've been busy with work and meeting lots of wedding couples for our DJ business. We had a booth at the Seattle Wedding Show last weekend for the first time (we were waitlisted for a year) and it was a huge success! Before I show you my non-pro photos here are some glorious photos from Azzura Photography , Janet Klinger Photo and One Love Photo! Stay tuned for some great event decor ideas...

Bella Signature Design - Event Design, Event Decor, Floral Design, Green Wedding Service
Beautiful hot pink and orange themed environment. I love Daniela! She's so awesome...and she's an expert at designing Indian style weddings! See more photos on her blog. (Photos:Azzura Photography)

Rented Elegance - Event Design, Event Decor Rentals, Floral Decor
Refreshing chartreuse and yellow greens along with taupe and champagne colors. (Photos: Azzura Photography)




Flora Nova Design - Floral and Event Design
Modern tablescapes, bouquets and centerpieces. See more work at the Floral Nova blog. (Photos: Janet Klinger Photo)


One Love Photo - The Ultimate Wedding Artwork!
Heather Gilson is an awesome photographer that also makes breathtaking, sentimental and endearing mixed media artwork starring your favorite photo and vintage fabrics, papers and other artistic elements. I was in love with the dress form and the many pieces she had on display at the show! Wouldn't this be the most amazing wedding gift!!! I Want one!

Modern Christmas Tree } Ikebana Style

This ikebana style Christmas tree by Karen Hsu at Grandiflora brings the calm and serenity of the beautiful snow outdoors, inside my heart and home. "Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature, it will never fail you.”  ~Frank Lloyd Wright

Hiroyuki Kado } Floral Artist

Hiroyuki Kado is an incredible floral artist from Japan and the creator of the contemporary floral shop Matilda. Shown above is "Lucent Woods", an amazing ikebana installation that was done at the Ennagon Gallery in Soho, NY in '07. The massive forms and suspension are breathtaking. Via Spoon & Tamago.

Azuma Makoto } Air Bonsai

One day I will have a bonsai Christmas tree, but for now I can oggle over Azuma Makoto's amazing plant/floral installation work. The suspended trees shown above were for art exhibitions, so I'm hoping no trees were hurt in the making of this film, lol.  I really admire Azuma Makoto's conceptual work!!! Via Spoon &Tamago

Tantawantan Bloom Floral & Event Design - NY

WOW! Look at this amazing floral decor and event design work for the Lamborghini Showroom in Long Island by Tantawantan Bloom. How incredible are these arrangements that defy gravity!

Ikebana for a Japanese Inspired Wedding Reception!

I had the lovely pleasure of creating modern Ikebana arrangements for a super cool bride and her intimate Japanese inspired wedding reception this weekend! (The bride discovered me through my blog!) The catering menu was organic and included miso salmon and a green tea wedding cake! I can't wait to see the pro photos but until then catch a glimpse of the action from my camera. Above is a shot of the totally cute wedding invite she designed with a kokeshi doll character along with brocade swatches of gold and white -for her custom wedding dress- and red and gold for her handmade bridal party fans.

The colors were dark red, gold, black, and white. I used these gorgeous black ceramic Ikebana containers and floated each atop a riverbed of polished stones.  The arrangements consisted of dark red roses, red lilies, red poms, wax flowers, steel grass, aspidistra leaves, a bronze chrysanthemum, and various mizuhiki picks for a golden touch of Japanese handicraft.

In Ikebana, one must be aware of how the arrangement is viewed from all angles.

Above is the back angle with a bodacious bronze chrysanthemum in plain view.

Lastly, here is the view in 360 degrees for your viewing pleasure...I know, I know, overkill...but I just had to remember the whole effect! Please let me know what you think about Ikebana style centerpieces for parties and weddings. I'd love to know your feedback =)

Takashimaya NY - floral boutique

Takashimaya is a delectable Japanese department store with only one store in the US... it's in New York of course! I have been dreaming about New York lately (I need some inspiration and a change of scenery so badly...) and this store is definitely on the hit list. The photos above are of the floral boutique. Ahhh, so beautiful and serene... after you buy some flowers you can have Japanese tea and artfully displayed snacks in the Tea Box cafe.

Modern Fall Centerpieces } by Cymbidium Flowers

Check out these autumnal beauties by Cymbidium Flowers, an amazing floral and event design boutique in Dallas. The trend colors are amethyst, aubergine, coral, rouge, black and lime. Any of these arrangements, along with an elegant place setting would set the scene for a night of beauty, love and celebration.

Sakul Intakul } Floral Engineer

"In every petal lies the most precious beauty nature can give to the world" - Sakul Intakul

Sakul Intakul is an engineer-turned-floral artist from Thailand who is known for interpreting spiritual ideas through sculptural plant installations. I was introduced to his amazing sculptural work through the floral design book Tropical Colors: The Art of Living with Tropical Colors.  His work is spiritual, breathtaking, modern and timeless...I'm in awe of his large scale sculptures and design projects. Here are the three qualifications Sakul believes every good flower designer must possess - "first, the basic knowledge of floral design; second, the understanding of all plants and flowers, and third, aesthetic sense of lines, colors, composition and space. Well, lots of space...because I always believe that emptiness is luxury."  Sakul has also designed a beautiful and inspiring collection of vases, vessels, and various other home accessories with the same concept of "emptiness is luxury." I couldn't agree more.

Modern flower gift box! Ridiculously cool!

I'm jonesing on this architecturally inspired flower gift box...not to mention the fab combo of purple, lime and black! If I could read Japanese I would tell you the source for this origami like mystery packaging...but I can't - so I won't. I just had to share!!! (from Hanajikan Magazine)

Modern Inspiration for a Winter Wedding } Museum Style

While re-visiting the site of Hitomi Gilliam, one of my favorite floral artists, I was inspired to share these two amazing sculptural pieces. I imagine a winter wedding held at a museum or ultra modern building with the floral decor serving as additional art pieces for an eclectic and unique setting... I also like the color scheme of all white with hints of gray, green, black and brown, along with the square motifs, all of which could easily be incorporated into the wedding invitations and table decor, like ice sculptures, square plates, and accessories (see below). *Check out the graphic modern invitations from GraphicBoard, a Japanese design company.

Gloriosa Gals } Wedding Inspiration

I truly adore this wedding ensemble...the yellow, chartreuse and fire red colors, the glowing beauty of these gorgeous ladies, and the exotic elegance of gloriosa lilies and orchids! From Ellen F. Burnie and Brides.com