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By cydney, on January 26, 2012, 6:56 pm
People don’t generally think of wintertime as a time for beautiful flowers. Gray skies and dormant fields don’t inspire visions of lush gardens and colorful bouquets. But wintertime offers its own unique type of beauty where rich textural elements, snowy white blooms and glossy green foliages combine for a sumptuous look.
To embrace the beauty of winter, we decided to launch our 2012 Design Series with a class entitled, Winter’s Walk. A talented group of flower lovers and budding designers gathered at the English Garden design studio for a class led by EG design instructors Myra Saylor and Renee Becker.
Using a simple design bowl and standard florist foam, participants created an elegant centerpiece from a palette of all white florals contrasted with rich brown lotus pods, gilded pinecones, glossy magnolia and aspidistra foliages. Fuji mums, chrysanthemums, star of Bethlehem, dianthus and roses in all white gave the budding designers an opportunity to see the simple elegance of a monochromatic palette. Myra and Renee instructed students on proper care and handling of the florals used, knife and scissor techniques for the proper cutting of flowers and foliage and the benefits of using floral foam for certain design styles. The design created also gave students a chance to work with a mix of fresh and dried materials while also experimenting with the design techniques of grouping and terracing. The finished bouquets have hopefully given each attendee a fun treat to enjoy for the week and helpful hints for enjoying flowers in the future! The 2012 Design Series continues with a rose care and design workshop on February 28th. Call 919-341-6650 or email us at classes@englishgardenraleigh.com to book a spot.
By cydney, on January 21, 2012, 9:31 pm
It wasn’t just the SC political scene that was wild and crazy this week! The English Garden gang was busier than the CNN pollsters!
The week started off with a fun jaunt over to Charlotte for the Mayesh Wholesale National Open House. My friend and fellow designer, Renee Becker, journeyed over with me for this great annual event. We were expecting a fun, educational day. What we didn’t anticipate was finding a treasure trove of great new vases and event pieces to add to EG’s ever growing inventory. Had we known we were in for a shopping spree we certainly would have taken one of the vans. We had to do some pretty fancy packing to get everything back to Raleigh in one piece. Check out the image below to see our handiwork! Renee quipped that now we know how sardines feel!
Julie, Lacey and Marlene kept the phones manned fielding all kinds of requests. Secret admirers sending love notes and roses. Grandparents sending birthday wishes with gerbera daisies and a framed Pink Panther print integrated into the design. And our favorite of the week…a design that had to incorporate a fabulous Silver Oak Chardonnay, a John Deere tractor and ski wear! We put our thinking caps on and voila! we created a fabulous design integrating Norfolk pine boughs, wintery branches, verdant mosses, roses, and callas. A John Deere tractor cleared a path through green trick dianthus and lotus pods while a coordinating winter scarf looped through the bouquet adding a whimsical nod to the recipient’s love of mountain sports. Check out Lauren’s handiwork below! The design was a huge hit for the recipient’s retirement party and really showcases how the EG team fuses skill, creativity and attention to detail to ensure our customers always receive a wonderful product.
We’ve been busy at work preparing for the Carolina Inn Wedding Show next weekend (hint, hint, we have tickets. Give us a call). Our Charlotte trip produced some super finds not only for the show but also for our newly refashioned consultation area. What would we design divas do without Ikea! Our friends at Mayesh Charlotte helped us select a bounty of beautiful florals for next week including orchids, flowering branches and several fantastically fragranced garden roses. Check out the flower images below for a sneak peek!
The week brought many new bridal consultations. We are seeing such beautiful palettes-lots of deep aubergine, soft smoky pewter, buttery yellow and pretty pinks. We hope to have the chance to play a part in many weddings in 2012. We truly love the experience of getting to know a couple and their families and helping them express their style through flowers.
Next week brings lots of fun events including our first design class of 2012! Stay tuned for more….
By cydney, on January 18, 2012, 2:11 pm
By cydney, on January 18, 2012, 2:09 pm
By cydney, on January 18, 2012, 2:07 pm
By cydney, on January 18, 2012, 2:06 pm
I am officially renaming Tuesday, Twos-Day, after today’s interesting kickoff to the work week. Following a restful three day weekend, I jumped into my pile of year-end paperwork; the dreaded red tape no one mentions when extolling all the virtues of small business ownership. An hour of paperwork turned into two. One set of copies turned into duplicates. A single shipment of tulips was doubled by a vendor. Two future brides walked in requesting consults at the same time (a situation we gladly welcomed). So in honor of an average Tuesday that quickly became some type of twin-set Groundhog double play, I’ll share some thoughts on two of my absolute favorite flowers! Two beautiful varieties that graced my desk today and inspired me thru all the madness!
First up, the proverbial symbol of all that is happy…the sunflower. Not often seen (or thought about) this time of year, there is no other flower that makes a work day seem like a beach day like the vibrant golden sunflower. In January and the remaining winter months, sunflowers are not as readily available as they are come mid to late spring. The local blooms generally start to “crop” up around late May to mid-June. Sunflowers during the off months are often cultivated in South America or in California making them slightly pricier than at other times of the year. But what impact! Few flowers can pack a sunflower’s punch! They are beautiful in combination with lots of other florals, but I tend to go the purist’s route- a few simple blooms perched sunnily in a simple vase.
And next, but certainly not playing second fiddle, the beautiful Chinese aster. Unexpected, somewhat quirky, as if Jim Henson had decided to cultivate flowers instead of create furry Muppets. Large aster varieties are still somewhat of a novelty but they are growing in popularity thanks to their budget friendly price, long vase life and unique look. The Matsumoto aster with its more distinct yellow center has become a florist standard and it’s fluffy ruffle cousin, the giant aster, is sure to follow. Perfect in combination with lush bountiful blooms of peonies and hydrangeas, the aster is also stunning shown simply in a glass vase such as this carafe.
If you haven’t perked up your desk or dinner table with one or both of these blooming beauties, snap to it. Whether its a Tuesday or a Twos-day, you are guaranteed a double shot of happiness!
By cydney, on January 15, 2012, 9:07 pm
I love Sunday weddings. There is something unexpected about a wedding outside of the classic Saturday at 3:00 pm time. Add to that a location as warm and welcoming as a beautiful family home and the stage is set for a relaxed, intimate affair. Such was the setting for Roxanna and Stefan’s wedding.
With family and friends gathered, the couple said their vows in a simply and elegantly dressed living room. An eclectic grouping of candles and white and green florals including tulips, snapdragons, bells of Ireland and hydrangea on the mantel softly framed the ceremony. Accents of natural curly willow in a soft brown provided a visual connection to the rich leather chairs the couple selected for seating in lieu of white chairs.
Following the ceremony, guests shared in toasting the couple with sangria made by Roxanna’s mother Helen and festive Persian wedding cookies, a nod to the family’s heritage. A reception at Durham’s Parizade featured a savory menu of family favorites. Vibrant bouquets of jewel tone florals with roses, gerberas, callas, iris, and hydrangea enlivened the Mediterranean inspired interiors of the restaurant. More images to come from our friend Christobal with Azul Photography, but we have included few fun images from today’s set-up.
By cydney, on January 14, 2012, 7:35 pm
On a gorgeous day like today, your favorite Raleigh florist can’t help but dream of spring. Sure, we aren’t really in a state of the winter blahs and blues, but as the euphoria of the holiday season subsides, we could all use a little pick-me-up. What better treat than a fun pink fizzy cocktail to put a “spring” in your step! Working today with a client to create a fun palette of flowers, linens and decorative touches for an upcoming March engagement party, we created this simple, refreshing cocktail that is also budget friendly. Perfect not only for an engagement party but also for a girls’ night or a bachelorette soirée! Order a pretty bouquet of pink peonies or tulips from English Garden and the stage is set for a grand fete!
Spring Fling Spritzer
1 bottle of a sweet white wine
1 bottle of a crisp, but drier white wine
1 container of pink lemonade mix
1 two liter bottle or multiple cans of lemon lime soda
Wedges of sugared grapefruit jelly candies
In petite highball glasses, place cubed or wedge ice. Sprinkle a generous amount of lemonade mix; around two teaspoons. Fill the glass with one part white wine (a Chardonnay for a drier cocktail; a Piesporter or Reisling for a sweeter cocktail) and one part lemon lime soda. Stir to wake up the cocktail. Garnish with a candied grapefruit wedge. Enjoy!
By admin, on July 7, 2009, 2:16 pm
By admin, on May 31, 2009, 10:11 am
 Great bouquet! When a couple have a vision for their wedding day and then entrust their vendor partners to fulfill the vision , the result can be stunning (and the wedding process can be a breeze.) Such was our experience with Hannah and Steve. From our first consultation, they shared their vision for their wedding day- a “romantic first date”, that date of course being the start of their new life together. Red roses, a blending of Opium and Freedom varieties selected from our ever growing palette of reds, classic white Escimo roses, subtle touches of beautiful foliages, seasonal blooms like lilies and waxflower and dramatic branches transformed the veranda and ballroom of the Governors Club in Chapel Hill. Hannah’s bouquet, a stunning presentation of red roses captured so elegantly by the artistic photography of Brian Mullins, epitomizes the romantic feel of the day. No detail eluded Brian’s keen eye. Every time I look at the gallery I discover another element captured by his lens. Hannah and Steve’s classic style and shared vision made their wedding day one to remember. Their connection as a couple and their incredible personalities will ensure that every day of their married life will be as romantic as their “first date.”
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