We had the honor and pleasure of designing a magical wedding for actress Jeanine Mason, with the amazing Lizzie Eisenberg and Shayna Rosenfeld of Orange & Rose Events. Together we got two wonderful features, one in Bride's and the other on  Thursd. 

Here an excerpt from Bride's: "The former "Grey's Anatomy" and "So You Think You Can Dance" star and her husband, Nicholas, threw an intimate wedding that stopped traffic—literally" and the bride herself  "The front stoop where the couple exchanged vows set the mood for their reception aesthetic. “The words ‘flower explosion’ and ‘dark decadence’ were used often,” says Jeanine. “We wanted the flowers to be dancing. Our neighbors were blown away and we kept the installation up for the rest of the week. So fun to see everyone on the block enjoying it.” 

and from Thursd.: 'Ingrid has been involved in numerous extraordinary weddings, each with its own unique story. And Tin Can Studios' signature style, continues to gain worldwide acclaim. According to her, flowers can infuse magic into any space, and they play a central role in setting the tone for a wedding day. She believes that they can tell a couple's story through the artistry put into the floral arrangements.

“Flowers have the power to add magic to a space. At a wedding, they play a central role and set the tone for the day. I like to think that we tell stories through flowers, and at a wedding, we want the flowers to reflect the couple’s story.'

 Full article in Bride's here and Thursd. here.

 

A simple Ikebana inspired recipe as well as some of my tablescape tips for you to try at home all based on recipes from my book Flowers by Design below!

 

Tablescape Tips 

1. Make arrangements in different sizes and thrive for varying heights. With an asymmetrical design the eye moves around the table and creates more visual interest. 

2. Incorporate budvases between other objects such as candlesticks, fruits and vegetables in colors that match the flowers. Here we used, artichokes, figs, pears, white and variegated pumpkins and some chanterelles from the farmers market. 

3. Add a little something on top of your napkin or plate such as a little sprig of astrantia, tweedia or a berry branch cut-offs (please note: ilex is not edible) or a beautiful fruit such as a fig. 

4. You can also lay cut-offs from branches directly on the table such asin the upper left hand corner in the third picture above. 

5. Use a combination of vases with different finishes and styles such as glass, brass, vintage and modern for an eclectic look. Brass and gold finishes add warmth and glass adds sparkle.

6. I prefer stemless glasses as they don’t block the flowers! 

7. I encourage going outside to forage a few additional branches of foliage to add in to your arrangements but be sure to not use invasive species. If you are unsure of what is invasive I recommend the Picture This app. 

 

Thrilled to announce this rare opportunity to join a 3-day intensive, creative workshop exploring sustainability with some of the biggest leaders in sustainable floristry today.
Designed to cultivate conscious creativity; this annual workshop, will examine environmentally and socially aware practices; explore new techniques and design principles; and foster relationships between growers, designers + flower sellers.
The Sustainable Flowers Project, brought together by Becky Feasby & TJ McGrath, is the perfect place for flower lovers to come together and celebrate our craft. 
A lineup of noted instructors, speakers + mentors that can help florists, flower farmers, flower growers + flower lovers achieve business and creative practices rooted in environmental, social + economic sustainability.
More than that though, the workshop will provide a warm and meaningful place for people to come together and celebrate all that is possible with sustainable floristry.

Photo: Christian Garibaldi
Jardin de Buis, New Jersey
September 18-20, 2022
During our time together, we will be creating pure magic with locally sourced, seasonal blooms. We will discuss the importance of soil health, regenerative growing practices, sustainable design mechanics, seasonal flowers, social + environmental justice issues in the flower industry, and the healing power of flowers.

INSTRUCTORS
Ingrid Carozzi, Tin Can Studios, Brooklyn, @tincanstudios
Ingrid is considered one of the leading designers in the sustainable floral design movement. A graphic designer turned passionate florist, she was named "Best Florist" in New York Magazine in 2015 - the same year as founding Tin Can Studios. She is the author of three floral design books: ‘Flowers by Design’, ‘Handpicked’ (Abrams), and ‘Brooklyn Flowers’ (Massolit). Ingrid attracts students from all over the world to workshops and master classes in sustainable floral design, as she has a true passion for sharing and teaching others in the industry.

Shane Connolly, Shane Connolly & Co., UK, @shaneconnolly
Born and raised in Northern Ireland, Shane read Psychology at university but a lifelong passion for plants and gardening eventually led to a complete career change. Subsequently, he has built an enviable reputation as a floral designer with a small, dedicated and talented team of florists, artists, and craftsmen working from offices and a large light-filled studio in North Kensington. Nature both inspires his work and guides how he executes it and he works with a deep conviction that floristry should work in harmony with the planet. Shane is one of the founding global ambassadors for the Sustainable Floristry Network.

Amber Tamm, Brooklyn, @ambertamm
Amber is a farmer, horticulturist, and floral designer who works in cannabis, farm education, permaculture, agroforestry and urban farming. The social justice advocate grew up in Brooklyn and craved more nature. Now she is fighting to establish a farm in Central Park as a way of promoting New York City's food sovereignty while creating a reminder of the history of Seneca Village and bringing diversity to Central Park. She leads the food justice division of Dan Barber's Kitchen Farming Project, where she grows food for Black and Brown chefs who then prepare food for low-income communities in New York City. More about Amber.
Jardin de Buis
The workshop is set within the stunning grounds of 'jardin de buis' where nature is encouraged to live her best life.
Comprised of exquisite formal gardens, extensive grounds, and stunning structures decorated with one of a kind European antiques, the environment at jardin is approached as a complete living system and managed in a way that respects its intimate ties with the natural world.
Andrea Fillippone and Eric Fleisher will be your teaching sustainable and regenerative soil practices.


HOSTS
Your workshop hosts + leaders are Becky Feasby and TJ McGrath. Becky is a passionate and outspoken proponent of sustainability in the floral industry. She has spent almost 25 years working as a landscape designer, ornamental horticulturist, horticultural therapist, florist, and flower grower. She is currently completing her Master's degree in Sustainability at Harvard University and is the Canadian Ambassador for the Sustainable Floristry Network and the Canadian representative for Slow Flowers.
TJ is a soulful and intuitive designer who is passionate about increasing the sustainability of the floral industry. TJ has flowered weddings and events for some notable clients and is an outspoken advocate for sustainable mechanics through is notable social media platform. Creating beautiful, seasonally-inspired arrangements with sustainability in mind, TJ is also a kind and patient teacher, who loves to share his passions with his students.
Becky Feasby, @prairiegirlflowers
TJ McGrath, @tjmcgrathdesign

SCHEDULE

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 18
noon - welcome lunch* 
afternoon:
1.  sustainability in the floral industry, with Becky Feasby 
2. regenerative design and soil principles, with Eric Fleisher 
3. guided tour of jardin de buis, with Andrea and Eric 
4. panel discussion with all of our instructors

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 19Z
8:30am - light breakfast + coffee/tea*  
morning:  designing alongside the seasons, with Shane Connolly
(hands-on) 
noon:  lunch*  
afternoon:  sustainable, large-scale installations, with Ingrid Carozzi
(hands-on)
evening:  catered dinner* (amongst our beautiful hands-on creations)

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 20
9:30am - light breakfast + coffee/tea*  
morning: creatively re-thinking your designs, with TJ McGrath (hands-on)  
noon:  lunch*  
afternoon:  understanding social + environmental justice and the power of flowers, with Amber Tamm
4:30pm:  farewell
*included with tuition
INVESTMENT
$2800 USD
Price includes: 
• all florals + supplies
• 3 days of lectures, sessions + hands-on instruction with our 7 instructors/mentors
• meals (as indicated with *)
• workshop booklet
Price does not include transportation or accommodation.

PLEASE FOLLOW THIS LINK TO REGISTER
location
Jardin de Buis
The workshop is set within the stunning grounds of 'jardin de buis' where nature is encouraged to live her best life. 
Comprised of exquisite formal gardens, extensive grounds, and stunning structures decorated with one of a kind European antiques, the environment at jardin is approached as a complete living system and managed in a way that respects its intimate ties with the natural world. 
With Andrea Fillippone and Eric Fleisher explore sustainable and regenerative soil practices as it pertains to flower farming and the many public space and campuses they have worked on throughout the United States.
F2Environmental Design @Jardin de Buis