Posts Tagged ‘flowers’

May 1st, 2013 No Comments

weddings: start with a color palette and let your invitation set the tone for your event

When planning your wedding I have found it makes the planning and decision process so much easier if you select a color palette first. This will automatically narrow down your selection process when you are faced with a million options. Consider the colors of your ceremony and reception site though when selecting your color palette. Remember, the first thing your guests will see is your invitation. So think of your celebration as a whole and start with the invitation to set the mood and tone. Then carry this style and color palette throughout your event and hopefully what seems overwhelming … Read more

April 24th, 2013 No Comments

flowers with michael george: a peek at the rewards of spring from michael’s very own personal garden

Last week every flowering tree burst into a profusion of blossoms. Dogwood, cherry, magnolia and lilac are all available locally or from your garden. More great news, peonies have arrived at great prices. The coral charms are a bit more expensive. As far as telling you what to do, c’mon, you know what to do. And if you don’t remember, think of mom or grandma and you will remember. Spring is here. For the more avid gardener, muscari, violets and blue bells are all up and with the cool weather the daffodils and forsythia are still fine.  –Michael George … Read more

April 22nd, 2013 No Comments

trick of the trade: use multiples and repetition with centerpieces for a dramatic presentation (along with a tight color palette… of course)

I almost forgot that I used this week’s palette a number of years ago in collaboration with Antony Todd, so I thought I’d share it with you today. We worked on a story together for Martha Stewart Weddings, transforming the giant open space in the middle of the Starrett-Lehigh offices which was photographed by the very talented Victor Schrager and art directed by visionary Ellen Burnie. When planning a party, celebration or even a wedding it’s always best to start with a color palette. Then as you begin to decide on your decor an easy trick of the trade for … Read more

April 17th, 2013 No Comments

flowers with michael george: lilac is in the market, it’s spring!

Lilac is spring and it is in the market. Remove the lower lateral spikes from the branches, keeping those with buds. Keep the branch long, leaving a plume at the top- 10 inches or so. Buy at the market until local lilac becomes available. Use tall lilac branches in tall vases and the side pieces that you cut in smaller vases. To add a little more luxury mix a few peonies in with the lilac (shown above). Late spring is here and few warm days will reveal her glory, hurry up! – Michael George. Check out Michael’s amazing book, … Read more

April 15th, 2013 No Comments

this week’s color palette: inspired by lilacs

This week’s color palette was inspired by our floral contributor, Michael George, and his garden in upstate NY (His arrangement on his table shown below). Once Lilacs are done flowering you should snip the blooms off. Then keep watering and fertilize so that each spring you will have very fragrant blooms. Lilacs need a period of cold to bloom. So if you live in a locale that is warm all year, you should stop watering after September to force it into dormancy. Note: As we do every week with our color palettes, the names and numbers above are from Benjamin Moore … Read more

April 10th, 2013 No Comments

flowers with michael george: forsythia

I noticed over the weekend that the flowering trees were showing their buds. After a few warm days we will be pruning our forsythia and bringing the branches into our home. One or two large scale, 3-5 foot tall and others that will fit. Compliment the yellow forsythia with white or yellow market daffodils or another seasonal bloom in small containers. Keep it natural and simple, relax and enjoy the spring. -Michael George Note from Lynn: I’ve learned a lot from Michael of the years and he always has great tips- which you can find in his book- Simply … Read more

April 3rd, 2013 No Comments

flowers with michael george: spring is in the air, daffodils make a beautiful table setting

Spring is in the air; the bulbs remember. We looked closely this weekend and found hellebores in the garden. Six florets in low crystal bowls, a few naturally colorful eggs, great food and it was a fete complete for Easter! Another idea for a spring table is a crisp white linen tablecloth, pale yellow napkins, white plates and 4″ or 5″ containers filled with yellow daffodils and placed with whimsy around the table. – Michael George For ideas and floral techniques be sure to check out Michael’s beautiful book, “Simply Elegant Flowers with Michael George”.  

February 19th, 2013 No Comments

tabletop: have fun with your setting by using a bright spring palette

I love minimal tables and design (as you can see from my shop), but now that I have children I’m finding that bright pops of color and whimsy is fun and can be just as pretty when setting a table, especially for the holidays. Adding little touches like small bowls of lollipops, candy sticks and cupcakes are inexpensive but effective to make your table look festive.  A table like this is very easy to pull together, so let’s break it down to make it easy for you. If you’d like to work from this specific palette then make sure to … Read more

January 31st, 2013 No Comments

valentine’s day specials from michael george flowers, especially for you!

If you are gearing up for Valentine’s Day here are three specials selected personally by Michael from Michael George Flowers. We order from Michael anytime we need to send flowers in NYC. These are especially for you! (pictured above) Please mention Little Blue Dish/and or Lynn Butler Beling sent you! Box with Dozen Red Roses and Wax Flowers special $100.00 Red Italian Fringe Tulips                          special $150.00 Kissing Pink Tulips                                  special $150.00 … Read more

January 23rd, 2013 2 Comments

weddings with liz banfield: a snowy winter wedding in jackson hole, wyoming

A winter wedding opens up so many ways to seasonally distinguish an event visually. From the flowers available that time of year, to the rich iconography (snowflakes! sweaters! candlelight!), a well-designed winter wedding will always stand out from the crowd. One of my favorite events was this wedding I shot in the ski heaven of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. A palette of pewter, dusty greens, and white was the perfect way for this bride to embrace her January date with elegance. She also incorporated natural elements such as polished riverbed stones with long white pillar candles. And guests received keepsake blankets … Read more