Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Here's to 2010 ............

Yipee !!

Oh to look this glamorous and so utterly bored !

While my New Years Eve party days are behind me, I could have a lot of fun lounging about on the sofa on the BIG night in this most gorgeous deep chocolate brown ball gown.

Let's see, we'll be sipping champagne (ok, prosecco) served with some delicious canapes, perhaps with some oysters (actually, no oysters - not a fave thing I'm afraid) and followed by scrumptious macaroons, ideally from Laduree, but realistically from Patachou (a great French patisserie here in Toronto).

We'll likely have some music playing softly in the background -- a little of everything; lounge, Cole Porter, Vivaldi, Brazilian bossa nova and a little pop and indie stuff just to stop things from feeling too highbrow. Depending on our mood, a film from The Film Buff might be in order (something cheery I hope) and if time allows and I can hang in there, a late game of Scrabble.

Throughout the evening we'll chat about our resolutions and aspirations for 2010......the goals, the dreams and the bets on how long it will take to break them !

Last year I followed a set of resolutions offered up on Vivre.com (of all places --my goodness) and found them to be spot on. They were all doable, achievable and I pretty much kept these in check for 2009. I think I'll build on these for 2010:


Well ok, I still have to work on the black clothes thing and planning in advance, but four out of six isn't too bad.

And.... I think I'd like to take up dance lessons.......

We'll see.

I wish all of you a most festive New Years Eve and a fabulous 2010 filled with good health, great joy and love.

Image 1: Anna Williams (photographer); Image 2: Vivre.com; Image 3: Toast

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Intoxicating scents......

I've just purchased my very first Diptyque candle and... I AM IN LOVE !

POMANDER ......bitter orange peel, spicy cloves and fresh cinnamon - the quintessential ambrosia for the holiday season.

Mind you, it was a toss up between this and the new limited edition TOASTED CHESTNUTS with aromas of roasted chestnuts, juniper and birch which I also found rather delicious. However, being a visual person, I wasn't so keen on the limited edition patterned glass that it came in. Plus, I felt if this was going to be my first Diptyque, I really wanted the classic label. It's sooo elegant and handsome.

All Diptyque candles are made from 100% natural ingredients and fragrances. I believe that POMANDER is one of the original scents.

Yes, I know what you're thinking, and you're right. It wasn't cheap. At $70.00 Canadian, plus taxes (13%), that's a lot of dosh on a little candle.

But as the lovely salesperson pointed out, "it's all natural essential oils and parrafin wax". And she promised "you'll get 60 hours worth of burning". I'm such a sucker for a good sales pitch !

So, according to my calculations that would work out to either one candle infusion per hour per day for 60 days (two months) or, at $70.00 divided by 60 hours, that's about $1.15 per hour of blissful aromatic heaven !

That's not so bad, is it ?



Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Soft, billowy clouds of white....


also known as....Baby's Breath


Whilst I can't say that it's one of my favourite flowers, I somehow feel obliged to come to its' defense.

Gypsophila, commonly known as "baby's breath" is typically used as a "filler" in most corner store flower shops. It's the cloud of white that surrounds the red roses or peach carnations to help "fill out" the bouquet. And to add insult to injury, it's usually wrapped in some mass produced cellophane envelope that quite frankly, depresses the hell out of me.

Shame really. As on it's own and used in great abundance, baby's breath can be quite chic and dare I say it, elegant.

A modern young bride with an ethereal mass of gypsophila. I do think you have to be of a certain age to carry this off. The flower itself feels youthful and delicate. And she looks so chic, contemporary and very stylish.


Marcel Wolterinck, the master of modern Dutch flowers. This is a florist at the top of his game using baby's breath in a fresh, modern yet classical manner. Simply beautiful.


Nikki Tibbles, Wild at Heart. Spare loft living is given a jolt of Constance Spry garden flowers meets London cool via organic hand blown glass.


The American in Paris.
Jeff Leatham gives baby's breath his trademark "tilt". Indeed gypsophila is one of his favourite flowers for those on a limited budget.


This is a very pretty use of the flower for a country wedding, especially with the birch bark wrap.




And as always, nature leads the way. Not a rose or carnation in sight.


Sunday, November 15, 2009

Veuve Clicquot, La Grande Dame

Looking for an inspirational book to read ? 

May I suggest a visit to Jacqueline's notes on a vine blog. The post "Champagne.....An Entrepreneur's Story" (Nov.5.09), was a most delightful find.


As a woman running my own business, I am always fascinated and inspired by other women who have built successful businesses. And in this instance a woman of the 18th century ! I can't wait to get my copy ! 

Thanks Jacqueline for the recommendation and for sharing your enthusiasm and admiration for a woman of substance. Salut!!!!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Tufting and buttons............

I desperately want to re-upholster our sofa. To say it's fairly bland and tired looking, is quite honestly, an understatement. I was going to take a picture for this post, but just looking at it left me uninspired to do so. However, I can tell you that it has good bones and shows lots of potential.

Now, I've always considered myself a bit of a modern gal. In the past I've dreamt of replacing my rolled arm sofa (with overstuffed cushions) with something cool and contemporary, perhaps in french grey or a deep charcoal. Something with clean lines and low to the ground. You know what I mean, one of those slick Italian pieces that can seat entire families (or parties for that matter) and completely take over a room.

But.... I've changed. Or at the very least my taste has evolved to a level where I now appreciate many styles. But I'm particularly drawn to the tufted, buttoned looks seen here.

Gorgeous sofa from Fromental website. This is so terribly chic.

Love the dark, sexy vibe here designed by Ilse Crawford.

Kettners Brasserie in London again designed by the amazing Ilse Crawford.

Very pretty dove grey velvet.

The fringe and the sumptuous silk curtains add such glamour. Champers and oysters anyone ?

Well I've spoken to the upholsterers next door to my studio and they're ready anytime to work their tuft and button magic. 

Now all I have to do is convince David. Sigh......he's not exactly the tufting and buttoning type. Any suggestions as to how I could persuade him ?

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

A Memoir....Gore Vidal



Gore Vidal, 83, author, raconteur, man of letters, outspoken American, friend (and foe) to political elites, celebrities (mostly from the 50's, 60's 70's) and an infamous correspondent with one of America's most despised men. Though very often at odds with his fellow Americans, he was and is no less concerned about its' future and place in the world.

Mr. Vidal is never dull, always provocative and someone I genuinely admire. 

A new book published this fall reveals the life of Gore Vidal through photographs, his perspective and memories. 

Gore Vidal: Snapshots in History's Glare

What a life !





Saturday, October 31, 2009

I'd like to introduce you to.........Paula Pryke


A modern day Constance Spry.

Her book, The New Floral Artist (published 1993) was the first flower book I ever bought (1997). And I never looked back. I fell in love...fully and completely.

What fabulous textures and colours -- all of autumn in one wreath !

You see, prior to flowers, I had worked in the really rough world of politics. I had studied Political Science at university. And as you might well imagine, I wanted to see change in the world. So with the arrogance of youth on my side I embarked on a career in the political realm. Ohhhh, how naive I was. Without going into any great detail, suffice it to say, politics was not my calling.

This epitomises summer and romance for me.

Soooo,  in 1997 I was living in London (working for a politician) and one day I found myself in Paula Pryke's flower shop in Islington. I don't know why I walked in as I had never been in a flower shop before. Flowers didn't interest me. I thought it was a trivial waste of time and felt there were more important things to do. 

But somehow I was drawn in. Maybe it was the glorious window display. But I suspect it was more likely my stressed out state of mind. I needed to relax and not think about work. It was Christmas and the shop was so incredibly beautiful, overflowing with flowers, exquisite bouquets, breathtaking wreaths and sumptuous garlands. The florists in their black aprons were wrapping flowers in the most elegant manner with the prettiest tissue papers and ribbons. My head literally spinned in this grotto of beauty.

On one of the consoles was the book, the one that would change the direction of my life. I purchased it, went home and read it, studied it and then reread it hundreds of times over the next few months. I memorized the ingredients to all of the arrangements, the flower names and the histories Ms. Pryke told of this wonderful world of flowers. The styling, the colour combinations, the containers.

Detailed description of how to create a painterly floral still life.


Isn't this exquisite ?

A fantastic bouquet of delphiniums in an antique pot !
 
Paula Pryke has written many books since, but this was my bible. I literally learned all about flowers and flower arranging from this modern day Constance Spry and The New Floral Artist. She has certainly influenced a generation of florists.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Dear Prairie Girl,

I've been meaning to post this for the past few days. It's been a little crazy here at Wild thyme. We've just finished our last wedding of the season and now we are just starting to prepare for the Holidays.

I want to thank you so much for featuring Wild thyme flowers on your lovely blog Prairiegirlstudio last Friday. I was thrilled to pieces !

I look forward to keeping up with your new Friday flowers post and I'm so glad I've found another great blog pal !

Most Sincerely
Margaret
xo

P.S. Congratulations to WASKADA, Manitoba for your win over Winnipeg on CBC Radio 2's Great Canadian Songquest. I LOVE this radio station !

Monday, October 19, 2009

to growing older, great taste and warm smiles....

A few years back (June 2006 to be exact), David and I were hanging out at home. He was reading the newspapers. Me, I had just received my latest issue of House & Garden (very sorely missed by the way)

After some time and nearing the end of the magazine I saw this picture and suddenly I said: "David, I really hope this is how we will look when we grow older..." 

This is Yves and Michele Halard

Up until this point, David had not seen the picture so he didn't want to know. All he heard was "older". Not a great word for most men. Or women for that matter. Then I quietly slipped the magazine in front of him. It took a moment, but then he smiled and said;"Yes, that would be very nice. Let's keep that somewhere to remind us".
 
Yves and Michele Halard are very famous French interior designers. Since entering the world of blogging I have discovered that quite a few bloggers have posted about them and their work. 

Their house in Provence probably sums up their taste and philosphy. It is a beautiful, eclectic, slightly eccentric home.

The entryway is painted in a sky blue mixed by Yves, features a wooden chandelier (a stage prop), Spanish urns and a bust of Christ. The console is covered in a glorious red antique silk textile. The photograph on the wall is by their son, photographer Francois Halard.
 
The dining room is a wonderful, mad clash of  garden style chairs, geometric rugs, noeclassical moldings, Italian marble on the mantel, a terra cotta pot of ivy trails and Royal Limoges dinner ware.

The Library holds a large number of books and magazines.  The white side chairs are from Versailles and the sumptuous carpet is a 19th century Aubusson. 

As you can see Yves and Michele love colour.

At the end of the article, they spoke about their work and life. One question and response caught my attention.

What is the secret to a welcoming decor?

" You need a little disorder to go with a little fantasy. If you are too neat, you'll never have a warm house. There should be magazines lying around. Perfection is intimidating".

Well said Madame Halard.

A Sidenote: When the H&G article was written, Madame Halard was still working, commuting from Paris to Provence weekly. All the photopgraphs by Francois Halard, their son.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Hi there.....



Just a little busy with work at the moment. 

I must say I do love my work, but I have seriously fallen for this blogging stuff. So many swell people and great stories. And I'm really missing it the last little while.

Will be back next week and look forward to catching up with some of my favourite blog pals.

In the meantime, maybe you'd like to check out some old blogs o' mine.....they sure could use a little visit.....

Have a great weekend.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Great Big Thank You !

I haven't blogged or checked my blog for several days now. 

My dear partner David dared me - no, in fact he double dared me to stay away from the computer for the entire long weekend (Canadian Thanksgiving). And of course, being a good competitor, I took the challenge. 

Mind you, it wasn't easy. My favourite day of the week is Sunday (mornings to be precise) when it's all quiet and cosy. I make myself a pot of tea and some toast, settle in  and do some catching up on my favourite blogs. 

However, I couldn't do so until this morning. And what a lovely surprise awaited me.

The delightful Miss Gigi of The Magpies Fancy  very kindly shared some of my posts on her blog. And said the nicest things. Thank you Gigi. You really made my day. No, you've made my week !

Monday, October 5, 2009

Just thought this was lovely.....


British designer L'Wren Scott
Image via style.com

I don't think the green translated to my post, but it actually is quite beautiful. You may have to visit style.com to get the true colour. I love the exaggerated boat style neckline, the 3/4 sleeves, the shapely style of the dress, and her cap is so chic - very Parisian, or could be 1930's New York. And the shoes..perfect complement. Very stylish indeed.



Tufting and buttons............

I desperately want to reupholster our sofa. To say it's fairly bland and tired looking is quite honestly, an understatement. I was going to take a picture for this post, but just looking at it left me uninspired to do so. However, I can tell you that it has good bones and shows lots of potential.

Now, I've always considered myself a bit of a modern gal. In the past I've dreamt of replacing my rolled arm sofa (with overstuffed cushions) with something cool and contemporary, perhaps in french grey or a deep charcoal. Something with clean lines and low to the ground. You know what I mean, one of those slick Italian pieces that can seat entire families (or parties for that matter) and completely take over a room.

But.... I've changed. Or at the very least my taste has evolved to a level where I now appreciate many styles. But I'm particularily drawn to the tufted, buttoned looks seen here.

Gorgeous couch from Fromental website. This is so terribly chic.

Love the dark, sexy vibe here designed by Ilse Crawford.

Kettners Brasserie in London again designed by the amazing Ilse Crawford.

Very pretty dove grey velvet.

The fringe and the sumptuous silk curtains add such glamour. Champers and oysters anyone ?

Well I have spoken to the upholsterers next door to my studio and they're ready anytime to work their tuft and button magic. 

Now all I have to do is convince David. Sigh......he's not exactly the tufting and buttoning type. Any suggestions as to how I could persuade him ?

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Mr. Mark Laird and his gorgeous book....

I cannot tell you how excited I am for my dear friend Mark Laird. He is the co-author of a wonderful book on the life of the fabulous British aristocrat and artist Mary Delany.

Mrs. Delany and Her Circle, 2009, Yale Press
The cover image is of the botanical Passiflora, one of Mrs. Delany's paper collages/mosaics.

The book will become widely available in November. However, lucky for me, Mark and his wife Sharon dropped by my studio today to show me the newly published copy. The cover is beautiful and the book itself is simply outstanding. It stole my breath away.

THIS is the mesmerising story of the life of one happening woman in the 18th century!

Portrait of Mary Delany at the age of 82 years by John Opie (1782)

Mary's friends included Handel, a close confidante and Jonathan Swift, a neighbour. She was courted by John Wesley and studied drawing with Hogarth and flower drawing with Georg Ehret. 

Need I go on ? Let's see..... she studied painting with Joseph Goupy and, as you have seen above, she had her portrait painted by John Opie.

At the age of 72, Mrs. Delany embarked on a series of beautiful botanical paper mosiacs. Her illustrations of plants and flowers are made entirely of coloured paper. The craftsmanship and detail are so accurate that it's hard to believe that they were created by a 70 year old woman.

Pancratium Maritinum 1778, Mary Delany 
Paper collage botanical illustration

Mrs. Delany produced close to one thousand botanical illustrations in the 10 years that followed. Astounding! There is a wonderful exhibition of her life and work being shown at The Yale Center for British Art from now until January 2010.  

In addition to her paper collages, the exhibition also pays tribute to a woman who led an extraodinary cultural and artistic life.

King George III 
 
Queen Charlotte

King George the Third and his wife Queen Charlotte were great patrons of Mary's work. She also had a circle of friends that would be the envy of most of us - as noted previously.

One of M.Delany's drawings taken from the book.

Mary was a great woman of letters, skilled at embroidery and shell work, decoupage, and marvelous gardener (A regular 18th century Martha Stewart I should think..... then some!). 

Edmund Burke called her "A woman of fashion for all ages". 

I'd love to see a film of Mary's life and art produced. What do you think ?

Her tools and bag ( a gift from Queen Charlotte).

My warmest congratulations to Mark.

I'm told that this is a most charming exhibition and that there are many good restaurants in that neck of the woods. Doesn't hurt, does it ? Plus all that academia and great buildings. Oooh, sounds fun.

An hour and half train ride from NYC will take you to Yale. Gosh I love train trips. Enough reason for me to go.

A Grand Day Out .....I should think.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Chronicle of a Black Bouquet

Last night I nestled into bed with one of my favourite books on flowers; "Sensational Bouquets". The book was created and written by one of the world's best and most original florists, Christian Tortu. I happened to be looking for inspiration for an upcoming event thinking to myself Monsieur Tortu will definitely inspire me.

As I casually flipped the pages perusing one beautiful floral arrangement after another, I eventually found myself  at the end of the book reading the chapter "Chronicle of a Black Bouquet". I had previously read it with passing interest. But this time it struck a chord. I was instantly reminded of the devastating fires this past summer here in Canada on the west coast, the California fires near Los Angeles, as well the wild fires in Australia, Spain and Italy.

Flowers taken from the burnt landscape and made into a bouquet.

Monsieur Tortu's words on a deadly forest fire in the south of France 1999.....

July 1999: the Alpilles are on fire; a strong wind spreads the horror at a mind blowing rate. An entire region is taken aback, and the roads are blocked. It's impossible to know the size of the blaze, to know where the devastating wave has struck. Man is forced to acknowledge his impotence before such wild forces.

It is suspected that an arsonist's hand is the cause of the disaster. Outrage, disgust, and also shame because man is responsible for many forest fires every year. Does he need to burn part of himself to this extent? Does he need to think for just one moment that he can dominate nature?
.........

We have scheduled our first photographs for this book (Sensational Bouquets) to be taken at this time. We of course feel the need to testify through a bouquet composed of plant life from the desolate area. We are not out to record final images of the site, for we know that the land will revive.

In the weeks and months following this apocalypse, the landscape is in mourning. Black predominated at all levels. The holiest of trees, one hundred year old olive trees, were but pantomimes barely standing out against a background of gray, brown and black. 
.........

I painfully remember a herd of boars, adults and little ones, wandering aimlessly along the road, bewildered of what they had seen of hell.......For miles and miles, it seemed like the end of the world.


A year later: the same roads, the same paths. Seen from afar, all is green again, a green that is unknown around here, almost worrisome. A uniform colour, bordering on yellow. Vegetation has changed........

For a second, one would think that nature had taken its place again. It's not true. Gone is the metallic green gray of the olive trees, gone is the very particular green of the burgeoning vineyard, the darker green of the changing light hitting the holm oak and pine trees. Only charred silhouettes haunt this luner landscape. A few trees yielded some shoots.......We will never see the Alpilles that we knew again. Time is against us.
.........

We tend to forget that nature is fragile. We crave domination, and this surpasses all of our ancestral fears........

Dead fish, naked trees, tides of many colours, deadly haze on the horizon. All our indignation is in vain if we are not deeply concious of our every act. Serious, often irreparable, whether it damages or builds, nature belongs to a time that outlives our own existence.


Life is so fragile. 

To my late sister Catherine. Miss you.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Something old should become new again.....


Well..... I'm going to go out on a limb here by admitting that I rather quite like cascading bouquets. They have been out of fashion for so long that I think it's about time we revisited this flower style. Mind you, I'm not speaking of the stiff cascades that seemed to be immensely popular in the 1940's, 50's and 60's. Unfortunately the poor flowers were wired to near death and had no natural flow or feeling to them. 

When meeting with a bride, if I sense she might be open to the idea, I love to suggest a contemporary version of the cascade. Our bouquet would be looser and softer, with oodles of style and personality.

A gorgeous bouquet of orange, apricot and ivory roses with chinese lantern branches. Such  a beautiful idea for an early autumn/Indian summer wedding.

What an incredibly sumptuous gathering of sweet peas. I think this would be divine to hold. It's not heavy, but it would feel luxurious and it's definitely gorgeous.

Again, sweet peas. This time covered with fine netting. Love it !

Classically speaking..... a bride should be tall, and her dress quite full and dramatic to carry a full cascade. However, as you can see in the photos above, even a simply styled, modern dress can carry this look. 

Now, if you happen to be 5'6'' or shorter, simply adjust the volume and cascade of flowers to a level that gives balance and good proportion . The idea is to have a soft flow of flowers. So even if it's just a few dangles of ivy trails or vines, it will be elegant.

Stephanotis vines with leaves.

An eclectic bouquet of cattleya orchids, jasmine vines, ferns, lily of the valley and lady slipper orchids. 

Admittedly they can be cost prohibitive as they're very labour intensive. At our studio, a full cascade bouquet starts at $ 250.00. But they are beautiful, romantic and extremely chic.

A cascade of bougainvillea blossoms. I'm in love with this bouquet. It is so rare and so lush.

A classic bride, full skirt dress and romantic surroundings. A perfect combination for an extravagant bouquet of foliages and trailing ivy.

Another example of a contemporary fall featuring orchids and stephanotis vines. Exquisite.

Bride's attendant.... great look and wonderful bouquet.

A beautifully arranged cascade featuring roses, vines and gardenias.

So, if you are in the midst of planning for your wedding and your flowers, do give some consideration to this loveliest of lovely bouquet styles. It is sophisticated, elegant and romantic. And may I add, a fashionable choice right about now.

Photo credits: Martha Stewart Weddings, Shane Connolly Weddings, Marcel Wolterinck Weddings

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails