I'm constantly inspired by floral arrangments that I see at other people's homes, at restaurants, and in the plethora of catalogs that arrive, especially around the holidays, full of lush gift baskets and beautiful florals.
For years, I've loved the arrangments I've seen in the Olive & Cocoa catalogs. I've never actually purchased one, but as the stack of accumulated tearsheets in my office can attest, I am inspired. I love the use of boxes as vessels, and the tight arrangement of stems and moss.
In anticipation of hosting a big dinner for 15, I knew I wanted centerpieces that were low, but striking. I knew the dinner would be slightly chaotic with lots of people, kids, talking, passing of food and drinks and didn't want the centerpieces to be in the way or have to be moved.
I knew that this would be the time to break out that stack of tearsheets and see what I could do! Here are a few that I love:
I've had a few wooden boxes stuffed in the basment for years, and now, after lining with some plastic and filling them with Oasis, they finally got put to use! I took my inspiration photos to the flower market with me. While they didn't have all of the specific flowers I was looking for, I found that we were able to come up with some great replacements.
While they certainly don't replicate the Olive & Cocoa arrangments, I think they are pretty fabulous!
I used two arrangements, spaced down the middle of the table, with gold mesh fabric woven around and through. There was plenty of room for food and wine, and beautiful arrangments to look through and across, while enjoying everyone's company. They stayed fresh for quite a few days, andI thoroughly enjoyed looking at them each meal after the party!