Archive for April, 2009

Q & A with Sandra Morgan

Tuesday, April 28th, 2009

We first met the elegant and vivacious Sandra Morgan at the New York International Gift Fair several years ago and were immediately taken by her warmth and charm.  Having seen her beautiful interiors in the pages of House Beautiful and Connecticut Cottages & Gardens, we were thrilled that she would take the time to see us.

sandra-morgan-portrait-3

Sandra’s passion for design began with positions on the editorial staffs of House & Garden and Mademoiselle (where she created a column Chez Mlle devoted to stylish decorating for young women-on-the-go) and has developed into a career as a leading designer and art collector.  We were excited when she opened her retail showroom, SM Home, in Greenwich last June and even more so when she chose our flowers to complement her gorgeous Swedish style.

sandra-morgan-1252

sandra-morgan-213

sandra-morgan-167

We think Sandra Morgan is a divine designer and we hope you do too!

1.   What did you want to be when you were a child?
      A trapeze artist – I fantasized about being the girl flying through the air high
      in the big tent

2.   What is your necessary luxury?
      My little Shih Tzu, Tiger

3.   What is your favorite decorating accessory?
      Flowers

4.   Where do you window shop?
      SM Home, 70 Arch Street, Greenwich

5.   What makes a house a home?
      Love

6.   What is the most enjoyable part of your day?
      Sunday morning breakfast at home with The New York Times and a cappuccino

7.   What is your favorite flower?
      Peony

8.   If you were a cocktail, what would you be?
      A Bellini

9.   If your life were made into a movie, what would be the title and who would play
      your part?
      ”Don’t Look Back” – Sophia Loren

10.   Name one thing from your “Bucket List”
        See the Serengeti at sunset

Photos from Sandra Morgan Interiors and SM Home

Paper Flowers

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

We are loving all the paper flowers blooming this spring!  It all started with Chanel‘s spring fashion show featuring over the top white paper floral headpieces and backgrounds which made the all white collection anything but boring…

chanel-flowers

Then came Elizabeth Arden‘s print and television ad for Pretty (which we blogged about last month) with beautiful peonies bursting from the background for a modern yet feminine touch…

ea-pretty

But it was the most recent installation by floral artist Jo Lynn Alcorn (for designer Amy Lau and Maya Romanoff Wallpapers) at the 2009 Kips Bay Decorator Show House that left us breathless…

newsday-amy-lau

We think these paper blossoms are giving faux fleurs a whole new meaning… don’t you?

Photos from The New York Times, Elizabeth Arden and Newsday

Earth Day Eco Chic

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009

We know that earth-friendly products are all the rage and have been so for quite some time so we couldn’t let Earth Day pass this year without mentioning some of our favorite eco chic accessories.

VivaTerra - Floral Enamel Pitcher

VivaTerra - Floral Enamel Pitcher

Potting Shed Creations - Lavender in a Bag

Potting Shed Creations - Lavender in a Bag

Balanced Design - Pods Pillow

Balanced Design - Pods Pillow

The New York Botanical Garden - Nova Eco Pots

The New York Botanical Garden - Nova Eco Pots

NKD Candle Company - Flora Soy Candle

NKD Candle Company - Flora Soy Candle

Photos from VivaTerra, Potting Shed Creations, Balanced Design, The New York Botanical Garden and NKD Candle Company

Celebrate Mother’s Day – 20% Coupon

Monday, April 20th, 2009

We think Moms deserve the very best so give a Diane James design instead of fresh flowers this year and she’ll know your love is lasting!  Our gift to you – a special 20% coupon on any order placed through May 10th.  Visit Diane James Home for new spring designs and enter coupon code MOM2009 at checkout.  Happy Mother’s Day!

Pink Peace Rose

Blush Peonies

hydrange-rose

A Day at Neiman Marcus – Natick, MA

Sunday, April 19th, 2009

Last week we had the pleasure of making a personal appearance at Neiman Marcus in Natick, MA, where Diane met many of her loyal fans and showed them how to create lovely spring bouquets using fresh garden flowers.  We loved how the visual team used little vignettes to showcase our designs with some of our favorite home accessories like Frances Palmer and Jan Barboglio.

natick-4-4-09-19

natick-4-4-09-20

natick-4-4-09-22

It was a delightful afternoon spent sipping champagne, nibbling flower-shaped sugar cookies and designing one-of-a-kind bouquets for happy clients.  What a treat!

natick-4-4-09-27

natick-4-4-09-31

natick-4-4-09-30

Setting a Perfect Purple Table

Friday, April 17th, 2009

This spring, we are passionate for purple and our Spring/Summer 2009 collection includes gorgeous purple hydrangea, ranunculus, phalaenopsis and agapanthus.  If we were setting the perfect spring table, we would use one of our favorite bouquets as the centerpiece and add a smaller budvase at each placesetting as a gift for each guest.  We hope these pretty pieces add a dash of purple to your parties!

ranorc_gls09pr_hyd_gft07

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

matouk-venus

medard-pansy

 alain-saint-joanis

vivre-amethystPhotos from Diane James Home, Matouk, Medard de Noblat, Alain Saint Joanis and Vivre

Spring Has Sprung at Gracious Home

Tuesday, April 14th, 2009

We recently visited one of our best clients in New York, Gracious Home, and loved the colorful spring displays at the Chelsea store.  Our flowers were paired with coordinating home accessories such as Middle Kindom porcelain vases, Michael Aram pewter candlesticks and Peacock Alley Palazzo bedding.  Gracious Home’s new store on 26th and 6th Avenue is a feast for the eyes and we can’t think of any other store in New York where we could spend an entire day browsing for beautiful things.

gh-chealsea-march-2009

gh-chelsea-march-2009-2

gh-chelsea-march-2009-3

Daisy, Daisy, Give Me Your Answer True

Saturday, April 11th, 2009

Given that our production manager’s name is Daisy, we have a natural affinity for April’s birth flower – the delightful daisy!  With over 23,000 known species from asters and sunflowers to gerbera, there’s a daisy shape and color for everyone.  We think this flower adds a certain whimsy to life and love the following daisy designs.

Georg Jensen - Daisy Pendant

Georg Jensen - Daisy Pendant

Portmeirion - Crazy Daisy Tray

Portmeirion - Crazy Daisy Tray

Marc Jacobs - Daisy Perfume

Marc Jacobs - Daisy Perfume

Wallies - Wallpaper Daisies

Wallies - Wallpaper Daisies

Photos from Georg Jensen, Marc Jacobs, Portmeirion and Wallies

A Not So Traditional Home

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

We loved how interior designer Palmer Weiss used color and floral patterns to add fun and warmth to an old Victorian house in the pages of this month’s Traditional Home.  By mixing contemporary elements such as steel bars stools in a stark white kitchen with more classic antiques and cheery prints in the adjoining family room, Palmer creates a living space that is timeless yet youthful and fresh.  We also like the fact that as a mother of two, this decorator understands the need for a home to be as functional as it is beautiful!

palmer-weiss-family-room

palmer-weiss-master-bedroom

palmer-weiss-bedroom

palmer-weiss-powder-room

Photos by Michal Venera for Traditional Home and from Palmer Weiss Interior Design

April’s Necessary Luxury – Pasotti Ombrelli

Saturday, April 4th, 2009

April showers bring May flowers…  And if you have a Pasotti umbrella, you’ll stay dry in floral style!  Since 1956, the Giacomini family have been making the most beautiful umbrellas  in Castellucchio, a tiny town near Verona, Italy.

 pasotti-33

We love the fact that Pasotti Ombrelli is a family business (like ours!), founded by Eva Giacomini, who produced “one of a kind” umbrellas that she sold directly, sometimes from the back of her scooter.  The company is now run by the second generation, daughter Ernesta and her husband Mauro.

 pasotti-4

The company produces over 30,000 umbrellas a year from the finest Italian fabrics and with the most incredible handmade handles.  Some embellishmenst include Swarovski crystals and gemstones, hand-painted designs and hand-sewn petals.

 pasotti-11

Rain or shine, we think a Pasotti umbrella is this month’s Necessary Luxury!  Don’t you?