Thoughts on Flowers...

Latest

Remember Mom!!!!!


At  Pipper’s Flowers we process the flowers so that they will last as long as possible. People have mentioned repeatedly that their arrangements have lasted as long as a month in some cases depending on the species of flower.

Not only that, but each arrangement is individualized to suit the recipient. Traditional? Contemporary? Natural (which includes garden style)? Exotic? If you check the web site you will see arrangements for each of these categories. When you call to place an order you are asked about color, scent, species… We want YOUR input! Tell us what you want or do not want!

Best of all, our message cards are the same size as the industry cards, but they are done on individual Fabriano water color paper with a small original water color of a flower on it. The message is written next to the water color, placed in a matching Fabriano envelope and placed with the arrangement.

When you talk to your mom, let her know she can cut out this original water color and place it in one of those tiny frames as a keepsake! How special is that!!!?

And don’t forget the handmade fudge and chocolates from our local BonBon candy store. Lisa, the owner, is a wonderful lady, starting her store because she has always loved to make fudge.  The varieties are endless. All the truffles and other chocolates are first class yummies hand made by local people. She also has all kinds of imported chocolate, and candies from childhood! You can’t go wrong here!

So, give Pipper a call, 206) 780-4242.

Happy Mom’s Day!

Pip

Order now for Mother’s Day!

And the flowers are delightfully wonderful! There is no better way to tell Mom how much you love her than by surprising her with a beautiful spring bouquet. If you place your order before the end of the month you will receive a discount. And you might want to consider a gift of superb, melt in your mouth, chocolates or fudge hand made from our local chocolatier, Bon Bon. The added cost is nominal and well worth the look on your Mom’s face when she sees it all.

Clients will call and say they love #4 on the Everyday slide show. They will ask how much it is.  My policy is this: I can do any bouquet in any price range. Whatever you feel comfortable spending! I never do the same arrangement twice, but I will do something comparable to what you see on the slide show. Bottom line: Whatever YOU can afford!!!

How can I do  this? I have no employees, no overhead. Therefore, everything goes into the flowers. Depending on your budget, I choose flowers that will work for you! Not only will it make the recipient of the flowers happy, but the goal is to make YOU happy too!!

These pictures depict fairly traditional arrangements. Keep watching here or on Facebook for contemporary, exotic and natural designs!

Don’t forget! Order NOW!  206) 780- 4242.

Into the future for brides!

Here is a design that has become a current favorite with brides who want something different. For the most part a variety of decorative wires have been used, but flowers have been glued in place to give it a more natural appearance.  It’s lots of fun to make!

Designs like this can be made in so many many ways. That’s the wonderful thing about floristry. We can do almost anything and we will certainly TRY to do anything you can imagine! Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.

This design isn’t for everyone, but the bride who utilizes this technique will certainly be  the talk of the town! The table arrangements can be made to echo this kind of work.

The thing for any bride to keep in mind is that if you have a vision, your florist should be able to help you define and refine that vision with flowers! Wedding planners are here to do the same thing. People that you hire to help you with your wedding should always have your vision in mind and follow through to make your dream into reality. Your wedding is a one of a kind day, one that is extremely special to you and your husband to be. Pictures will be taken that will follow you down through the years to come.  You want to be able to look at these pictures and remember this day with happy tears in your eyes and love and laughter!

Don’t forget to check out my facebook page for more pictures! Have a wonderful wedding! Pipper

Jump into spring!


Spring is here! It’s always an exciting time of year. Daffodils, tulips, crocus, and many more flowers start to pop up. Buds on the trees and bushes are bursting and flowering trees make an ethereal cloud of wonder everywhere you look. Days are longer, birds are nest building, and yes. It is still raining here in my part of the world. (I love the rain!)

The picture on the left is an example of a chocolate and pink every day arrangement. Note the bottom center flower. Believe it or not, that is one of the brown sunflowers with the petals removed! These kinds of treatments are used in bridal bouquets as well. There are so many new techniques popping up. It’s all very exciting.

There is also new floral material becoming available to florists in the Seattle area.  One of our wholesalers is now importing some magical stuff from New Zealand and Australia.  There is no excuse for a boring arrangement – ever!

I love the color pastel orange. That’s a dab of orange and lots of white added. People use these names to describe the color: peach, salmon, coral, light orange…well, you get the picture. When a client describes a color to the florist, using one of these adjectives, you never know what you’ll get.  For instance, coral could mean a light orange or a dark orange. It really helps to be very specific in describing a color, using COLOR TERMINOLOGY. i.e, the flower is yellow/ green. or red, red orange. or yellow with lots of white added. Then there can be less room for error.

The industry has come out with a new tool that some florists are finding available. I just got one. It is a packet of color swatches. Ho hum, you say? Well, it works like this. The bride looks through the colors, chooses the ones that come closest to her dresses and table decor. Then the florist calls her wholesaler tells her agent, ” I want flowers in the following color numbers.”  Now everyone is on the same page! Simply wonderful!!!

Bear with me please! My Web Master, who is an absolute marvel, is busily redoing the site. Under the wedding header there will be two new drops. Bouquets and Receptions/Events! It is just a start. Eventually I hope to have the pictures arranged according to event, popping up all together. One step at a time! Let me know what you think!

Have a great spring! Pipper

We are well on our way…

…in the wedding world for this year! Brides are busy. Decisions, decisions, decisions! The picture at the left is very lush and it’s much bigger than the little portion seen. If you’ve seen my wedding web page or browsed through the rest of the blog you’ve seen that there are many many ways to use flowers for your wedding. Most brides are fairly traditional in the use of flowers, but the contemporary look can be fabulous – and not cost quite as much.

Why? Because the contemporary look can use fewer flowers. “Can” is the operative word here. Take a look at the next picture. This bouquet uses fewer flowers, it’s  very bright and cheerful, and ribbon and wire are used to great advantage. Don’t be afraid of color. In this example orange, hot pink, yellow, green and purple are the dominant colors. That’s 4! colors. YUMMY! The picture on the far right shows a new wool like material that we can do a great deal with!

Keep in mind, there are new materials becoming available to florists constantly.  Every bridal conference a wholesaler puts on highlights all the new materials.  Growers continue to come up with new colors, new flowers. A bride shouldn’t feel like there is only one way to do a wedding.  

If you have a dream, a picture of your wedding day in your mind, one you have had since you were very little, go for it! Don’t take “NO!” for an answer.  You CAN do it. Your florist can do it.  If not, look for another florist!  Here’s hoping you have a great day!

Seattle Flower and Garden Show Design Competition

The Seattle Flower and Garden Show Design Competition is over. PHEW!!! But it was very educational, to say the least. The best thing to come out of it so far is an email I just received from a photographer for Floral Design Magazine. One of the pictures he took  of my work is on the left  and my design may be used! Before we go any further, I am going to go into the pros and cons of this competition. You may or may not want to read further!

First, let me say that I have done a good deal of judging in the world of art. The some of the criteria, across the board, is or should be, the following: creativity shown, use of technique, composition, use of materials. (That’s just for starters.) I won’t bore you with more.

Now then, there were designs at this competition that were truly exceptionally well done. The use of floral technique was of a high quality as was the creativity and composition, not to mention use of floral material! One in particular that stood out was “Pearl Harbor”. It should have received lst place and didn’t get any attention at all. I was totally disappointed in that judging call. The design to get first place was an Ikebana work of very high quality. The designer had taken grasses and made fascinating thick, organic shapes with it. She deserved an award.

Second place was given to a design which was well executed. It was a formal event design with a red rose covered floral ball placed on top of a stand of white calla lilies. The base was a box containing a pave of roses. Because of the lack of creativity and standard industry techniques it should not have received an award.

So much for my comments on the judging. On to the set up. (Oh boy, am I going to get in hot water for all of this!!)  I haven’t been to the show in 6 0r 7 years. When I did go, the design competition, even the bonsai from the Seattle bonsai clubs, were always set up with a blank wall as a back drop. Look at the picture included  here. What do you see? I will explain. The back ground is a bank of huge windows behind which is a lovely outdoor garden mazed with concrete walls of varying heights. The sun streams in through these windows all day long because they are South facing. Any cut flower receiving this much heat and light won’t last a day. Need I say more? But, of course, I will. A viewer, standing before a design, is hit in the face with the sun. When your eyes adjust, you have to decide where the design is. Out in the garden? No, it’s this dark shape in front of you…. Color is lost in this situation.

Lastly, the bank of windows zigzagged. It wasn’t a straight flat wall of windows. There were 19 designers. Each zig had approximately 4 to 5 designs set up on pedestals. Some of the designs were huge and ran into other designs, leaving no room or very little room in between.  All the designs faced out into the main entrance area where the crowd would see them. But the last 3 designers were on the tail of the zag facing away from everything. Not only that, but a huge black  movie screen had been set up and this little area behind the screen where the last designer works were set up was chock full of electrical wiring as big as snakes and feet thick going every where. This is not good. These are professional designers we are talking about. They deserve a professional presentation of their work.

I know I sound like a wet blank (to use nice terms) but these are ideas that should be considered by not only the show presenters, but viewers as well. And one last comment. Many competitors at any competition would feel very uncomfortable voicing an opinion, as I have. This happens for any number of reason, some of which are good and some which may not be.         Just remember, if YOU, as an individual, see a wrong being committed, think of a way to make that wrong right. Too many people look the other way when they should step forward, when they could actually do a lot of good. Just try not to hurt another by your actions.  Pipper

Personality and Color! the last trend…

When guests come to a wedding they are happy and excited. They can hardly wait to see what the bride’s imagination has brought to reality. Will they be surprised? Or will they be disappointed? Will the bride’s personality show through bright and clear? Or will the wedding look like it was thrown together with no thought or care?

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on your wedding. But the money you do spend should be spent with a great deal of thought. A wedding is a visual experience. First at the ceremony, then at the reception.

One bride chose beautiful colors, made wonderful choices. But then mom came along and decorated the pews. The bows made for the pews were so large and overbearing you hardly noticed the bride as she walked down the aisle.  Yes, as the bride, you DO have to take charge. Yes, you DO have to tell some very beloved people that their idea is unacceptable.  This is your wedding. It should depict you as a person, not someone else.

These are some examples of how different brides decided to use orange as a basis for their look. There are many more ways to use orange with other colors or even alone. There are so many shades of orange! Any color you choose will have a tremendous range of flowers to choose from. It is up to the florist to guide you in how your colors can best showcase your theme and your personality.

The Enchanted Wedding! the third trend…

Every wedding is enchanted!!! It’s the most wonderful, strange, delightful, elegant day of your life. Whether you opt for very casual or very formal, you will be in your wedding dress. It is YOU who make the day enchanted!

You may never see your husband in a tuxedo ever again. Seeing him dressed in such a sophisticated a manner is enchanting! Anything you do after that will make the day a day to remember for the  rest of your life.

When I think of enchanted I think of words like whimsical, fantasy,candlelight, sparkle, ethereal, floating, airy.  You can think of many more, I’m sure. No matter what your color choice, flowers will make a huge difference in creating this dream world a reality.

Loose designs will help the “floating” look. Heavy, round designs will not enhance this concept. We can use any flowers, but by keeping the designs loose (and there are many techniques for achieving this) your wedding will be one to remember.

Keep the venue in mind as well. A modern, contemporary venue will make it harder to achieve the look you want. Fairytales are ancient stories and that’s where the word “enchantment” comes from. Choose a venue that promotes your theme. Remember, you will be looking at your wedding pictures for years to come.

Eco Chic is the 2nd wedding trend.

Eco Chic is comprised of clean, clear lines, and strong form. Black, white, green, brown are the main colors. It is a very organic look using moss, bark, river rock and other natural forms. Succulents have become very popular and give a bold look to any design.

The look can be formal or informal. It can be minimal or very lush. It all depends on the budget and the bride’s taste. Ask yourself: What look do I want to achieve?  When we look at the wedding pictures 5, 10, 15 years from now, will we still love the feeling the flowers give us? Here is where it really helps to have a professional guide you. They have had years of experience, understand how to pull all the disparate parts together to make a whole, and what needs to be discarded.

And don’t forget bling! Everyone seems to be into bling in some form or another. With this trend bling is used judiciously, with care. In Heirloom we see bling everywhere. The broach bouquet can be all bling. But with eco chic we see bling used very carefully and only where it will actually enhance a design. One thing to keep in mind. It’s YOUR wedding. You can do whatever will make you happy. Nothing is cut and dried. Don’t be a wall flower and let others dictate what they think is the way to go. Speak up. You are the one that will be looking at those pictures in years to come.

Don’t forget to check face book. I would love to hear from all of you!

Pipper

Wedding trends for 2013!

January is an exciting month for brides! Experts in the field have decided to give us a hand by using four descriptive words: heirloom, eco chic, enchanted, and personality pallet. Let’s start with Heirloom.

This category includes such things as soft, muted colors, pearls and lace, hobnail glass and “antique” bling. It looks restrictive, but we can open it up to include all kinds of wonderful things. Many brides want to include family traditional items like lace from an old mantilla, books, bird cages, or even old iron works an honored family member may have made generations ago.

It is wonderful fun to incorporate any ideas the bride may have and pull it all together in a cohesive look. It can be informal or formally done depending on the bride’s inclination.

One trend I’m seeing is the use of the “broach” bouquet.  It can be made with a minimum of antique looking broaches scattered  throughout the flowers or you can really go wild and do the whole bouquet in antique looking broaches.  Broaches can be purchased to conform to your color scheme. Go to my facebook page for a close up picture and critique of a bouquet I saw at the Seattle Wedding Show on Saturday.

Whimsical touches add to the happiness of the day. Butterflies can be incorporated or birds for a natural touch. A special area set aside for children where they can  play some of the older board games is fun and keeps them occupied. You could opt for old fashioned candies to be placed at each table setting.

Saturday I am going to the Seattle Wedding Show. It is always wonderfully fun. I always come away with new ideas. The vendors are very helpful. Any bride, in any city, should try to go to their wedding show. If nothing else – to eat cake!! In the next blog I will discuss the Eco Chic look followed by Enchanted, and the Personality Pallet. Regardless of what nomenclature is used, your florist should be able to plan your wedding to look just the way YOU want it to look. Don’t be afraid to speak your mind.

When you come for your first consultation with your florist, remember to bring any items with you that will help showcase the look you want for your wedding.  Remember, it is the most important day of your life and you want it to be perfect!