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.

Styling Flowers 101

As a florist, I am hard wired to zero in on the flowers of any interiors photo shoot. It can be a hit or miss in getting the flowers right. One way for me to determine whether the flowers rock it or not is to ask myself two questions:

Were the flowers an afterthought? As in "Damn, we need flowers. Quick somebody, corner store, grab something...anything!".

Or, did they actually consider the flowers as part of the whole interior ? As in, look at that luscious bowl of blowsy, almost expired tumble of garden roses, clipped from an equally fabulous garden moments before......even if they don't have a fabulous garden.

As we all know......it's all about the fantasy..... the idealised interior.

The best idealised interiors display the simplest, most appropriate flowers. Whether it's classic, traditional or modern, the flowers fit.

A sampling of my favourite flower stylings and why.

.....because Jeff Leatham is brilliant.

The poppies complete the room.... give it life.

It has a 17th century painterly feel. Absolutely gorgeous!

.....another Jeff Leatham. Note the Philippe

Starck ghost chair. But the flowers are so Elizabethan.

And you know the house is in east end London. This is very cool.

.....because it's the Upper East side, it's Mayfair,

it's nouveau riche Los Angeles.

In other words, it's very chic,

and so are the flowers !

Same apartment, but the the naturalness of the arrangement

tells me they have a great florist. It's simply beautiful and works in

this retro contemporary style. Plus, I love bowl shaped urns.

.....because it's design icon Terence Conran in his office at home in the shires. I love that Terence has a bouquet of roses on his desk in his very modern study. I'm convinced they reflect his taste, because I feel that he would never have something on his desk he didn't think was beautiful and lovely. And I bet they've been clipped from his fabulous garden.

.....because I think this is amazing. They've taken some ivy

vines and invoked a very romantic, creative vibe to this room

without artifice. It's perfect ! Don't you want to be there and

meet the other guests ?

My favourite interiors mags who get it right most times include;

ElleDeco, ElleDecor, Canadian House and Home, Australia Vogue Living, Veranda, World of Interiors, and recently House Beautiful (my newest addiction courtesy of my good friend Stephanie over at EyeSpyStyle) and not to be forgotten, the late, very missed (US) House and Garden.

Lastly, my favourite books that get it right come from some brilliant florists and interior designers.

Flowers say a lot about your taste and style.