Florals on the Mind
Creative florals and curated vessels
Inspiration is like the tide. It’s always out there–sometimes further from reach and other times it's rushing over you, nearly toppling you. At the moment, I’m watching the low tide from shore with just a hint of movement of the waves bringing the water in steadily.
In my work as an interior photo-stylist, florals are a constant of mine. Throughout the year come new varietals and seasonal beauties. In the warmer months there’s a feast of diverse offerings which transitions to the depths of winter. Then you’re left with all the usual suspects and less to play with. Only new ideas can make an arrangement sing and feel fresh. After all, styling is about ideas–not things.
Unconventional pairings, poignant single-flower arrangements, food as florals, color play, asymmetry, branching stems, and wrapped grasses are among this host of inspiration. What inspires you? For me, the art of pairing the florals with the vessel is half the fun. (And oh, I could go on and on about vessels and vases!)
Today, I want to highlight some of my favorite floral inspirations, mostly of the avant garde persuasion along with a few classic beauties. Something about seeing unconventional, even impractical, and sometimes odd florals pushes the bounds of artistry and expression. The world is more fun when we’re all a little weirder. So here’s to the artists who are subverting the norm and creating for themselves.
I curated a round-up of vintage vessels that would be fitting to pair with these floral ideas. Vessels serve as a tool to bring floral schemes to life. Sometimes they need additional help of a floral frog or chicken wire. I drew inspiration from two of my favorite sources: Scandinavia and Japan. I found an array of creative ikebana vessels along with some timeless vases that would be perfect to create an arrangement inspired by the florals in the collages.
Hot sourcing tip: If you’re a designer, stylist, or collector of beautiful things … always check sites like eBay with the names of makers like Just Andersen (Danish sculptor, silversmith) or Gunnar Nylund (Swedish designer, ceramicist) for example. Oftentimes, you will find their pieces for much lower than what you would at curated showrooms and auction houses.
Vintage scandinavian pewter vase
Carl Sorensen bronze trumpet vase
XO,
Jenny