Friday, August 31, 2012

What is Steampunk?

Have you heard the term "Steampunk" recently?
 It seems to be everywhere suddenly, but it's not new.
Google "Steampunk" on Etsy and you'll come up with loads of decorative items...

from goggles...


...to artwork.

According to Wikipedia: "Steampunk is a genre that originated during the 1980s and early 1990s and incorporates elements of science Fiction, Fantasy, alternate history, horror and speculative Fiction.  It involves a setting where steam power is widely used—whether in an alternative history such as Victorian era Britain or Wild-West era United States, or in a post-apocalyptic time —that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology,  or futuristic innovations as Victorians might have envisioned  them".
 

 

Believe it or not, Steampunk is becoming a hot style for design now. 
Even weddings are incorporating elements of Steampunk into their decor. 
Check out this bride's leather belt and wire bouquet!

Tori Spelling's reality show recently created a Steampunk wedding for one lucky couple,
 right down to the cake accented with 'gears'...

 Take the theme all the way through to seating cards with the addition of metal bits...


 Location is important. 
Nothing too perfect. 
Ruins are ideal! 
Overgrown is the key...

 Think you can't have flowers in a Steampunk-theme wedding? Of course you can! 
The trick is to be sure they aren't too sweet...
Some element of toughness needs to be incorporated, as in this chain, wire and metal key bouquet. 
Making Baby's Breath  the star is the unexpected twist.


Leather, feather, goggles, wire, anything 'tough' can and should be incorporated into Steampunk design, whether it's a wedding or everyday design...

Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
 910-815-8585
www.BloomersWilmington.com
bloomersflorist@yahoo.com

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Two-Toned Flowers

In the world of flower colors, two are better than one.
And bicolor roses for one, are right on trend.


"Abracadabra" one of my favorites, with its velvety petals and yellow splashes.


The "Intuition" series of roses are stunning, and available in different color combinations, 
such as this "Orange Intuition".



"Sweetness", a  mostly white Grandiflora rose with a not-so-subtle edging of hot pink and a sweet scent.


"Katari" is an unusual green rose with a deep pink edge. 
Yes, there are true green roses, and this one takes it a big step further!



This Lisianthus variety called "Mariachi"  is lovely, 
with deep purple edges complimenting the sweet white petals.



Even the much-maligned Carnation is available in many different bi-color combinations
like this beautiful hot pink edged.
What's not to love?

And let's not forget everyone's favorite flower,
the magnificent Hydrangea.
This beauty is the Mophead variety called "Tivoli."
Madonna doesn't know what she's missing!

Even the already gorgeous Gerbera is available in bi-colors now.
This one is like holding sunshine in your hands!



Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.BloomersWilmington.com
bloomersflorist@yahoo.com

Friday, August 17, 2012

The Rainbow Rose

 Have you seen the tie-dyed rainbow rose? 
If you haven't yet, then get to the phone right away and call your florist!


Before you dismiss these photos as some pretty good Photoshopping, think again. 
This is a real rose, dyed in a very special process, allowing multiple colors on one flower head.

How is it done? 
Different dyes are injected into the stems of white roses, which are then taken up by the individual petals. 
A painstaking process, and of course, this translates into a more expensive flower than the average rose,
 but the wow factor makes up for all of it.

Now, these roses aren't for everyone.
 Some may think they are garish, or belong in a circus;
but just consider the uses! 

How about using them in centerpieces for a tie-dyed birthday celebration? 
(Think 1970's)
 
Or, in a wedding where each bridesmaid wears one of the colors in the rose? 

They'd be really cute in a little nosegay for dance recitals.
Little girls love roses and especially love lots of color!



 
High School proms are the perfect place for this unusual rose. 
But please no baby's breath here...this rose just begs for an unusual treatment
 such as wire, beading and feathers!

Think you'd like some Rainbow roses?
Give Bloomers a call!


Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.bloomerswilmington.com
bloomersflorist@yahoo.com

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Flowers, En Masse!

Fashion designer Raf Simons made his debut recently,
newly installed at the House of Dior in Paris.
For his gala opening fashion show, the walls of the hall were festooned with flowers.
 In fact, 1 million blooms were used!

 Yes, you read that correctly.
One. Million. Blooms.
 Incredible! And all for an event that lasts 15 minutes.
Peonies, Roses, Dahlias and Orchids,
to name just a few of the varieties that were trucked in for this project.
Even more incredible is that these 'walls' were assembled in 4 days!

To create this beauty, hundreds of cases of flowers were trucked in,
then lifted with cranes standing ready in the street, and in through upper windows.
'Walls' of wet floral foam were constructed, and covered with chicken wire.
An army of workers clipped and inserted bloom after bloom, 
over and over again, until entire walls were filled.

 Suddenly, I am seeing massed flowers everywhere!
The artist Jeff Koons installed a floral puppy topiary
outside the Guggenheim Museum in Germany.

A few Haute-Hippie flower-bedecked vehicles have been spotted. Cute!



And how about this huge 'hand tied' bouquet? 
Gotta love it!


Bloomers Floral Design
122 South Front St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
910-815-8585
www.BloomersWilmington.com
bloomersflorist@yahoo.com