The most inspirational photos from Instagram this week…  I think we all want to hold onto summer for a few more weeks. 

Feature: Gypsea_lust Clockwise: Photo 1: House Beautiful Photo 2: Archdigest Photo 3: J.Crew Photo 4: Viyet NY Photo 5: Vogue Photo 6: Mimi Brown Studio Photo 7: Gracie Studio Photo 8: Viyet NY Photo 9: Vogue

In the second edition of my Weekly Instagram Roundup, here are my favorite pictures from the week.

Feature:  @britishvogue Clockwise from left to right:  @modaoperandi @elledecor  @verandamag @abeautifulhunt @elledecor  @floretflower @housebeautiful @garypeppergirl 

Instagram is hands down my favorite form of social media.  I am constantly inspired by the images I find.  So, why not share some of my favorites each week with all of you?  Here they are from this past week:

Feature:  @floretflower Clockwise from left to right: @giambattistapr @nannie_inez @townandcountry @onekingslane @austinflowermarket @johannaortiz @giambattistapr @abeautifulhunt @gardenvarietydesign @elledecor

There is nothing like keeping fresh floral arrangements in the house to add color, dimension, and help bring a little of the outdoors inside.  But given the chance, I’d forsake all the fresh flowers to add one of Vladmir Kanevsky’s handmade porcelain floral sculptures to my home.  The
Ukraine native, now living in New Jersey, creates one-of-a-kind potted botanical arrangements, commissioned by a very stylish in-the-know global customer base.  Kanevsky’s attention to detail and his precision in transforming botanicals into lasting decorative objects is master artistry at its finest. 

Feature Photo: Veranda.com Photo 1: thevladimircollection.com Photo 2: Pinterest Photo 3: Veranda.com Photo 4: Pinterest

I love flowers (who doesn’t?).  But, I have never been great at transitioning flower bunches into an actual arrangements.  A few weeks ago, I took a flower class taught by Michael and Darroch from Putnum & Putnum.  They did an incredible job putting on the event, which was hosted at The Kitchen Table, a beautiful loft space tucked away in Little Italy.  With a little champagne, delicious finger foods, and gorgeous flowers to play with, it was an afternoon well-spent.

If you aren’t familiar with Putnam’s work, they happen to be the florist of-the-moment in NYC and are creating some of the most beautiful installations in fashion, as well as party tablescapes.  Their arrangements have sort of a Dutch painting aesthetic, which make them dramatic and absolute knockouts.

The class was a total success – I loved my finished arrangement.  And there was no way I would have every had the guts or know-how to make what I learned in their class without Michael’s guidance.

*these two pictures via Putnum & Putnum

Here are some of learnings from the day…

Tools:

1) flower shears

2) chicken wire

3) vase

4) clear flower tape (1/4 in wide)

5) spinning stand to rotate the arrangement

Guides:

1) use at least 3 face flowers (garden roses are an example of a face flower)

2) you want asymmetry, but always balance

3) have some negative space in the middle of the arrangement- and tuck in some amazing flowers as a little surprise!

4) transition color from light to dark or change in color from left to right

5) always add different layers, some for texture

6) work in 3’s (2 or 3 of the same flower throughout)

7) you can get away with 3 varieties of flowers at the market, but 5 is more ideal

Arranging Process:

1) set the structure of the arrangement with stems/branches first

2) next, add the face flowers (remove thorns!)

3) then add secondary flowers

4) last, add the filler flowers and texture flowers

4) if arrangement is going to been seen from all sides, make sure the arrangement is mirrored on both sides

Happy Arranging!

During our “babymoon” in Paris last Spring, I found these incredible vases in a store and promptly fell in love.  I have never seen anything like them before or since.  Too intimidated to inquire about the artist or cost, due to my very poor French, I quickly snapped a photo and left – without finding out the amazing creator of these beauties.

Thanks to some detective work and luck, I somehow recently came across Hugh Findletar, or as he is known on Instagram, Mr. Flower Headz, and realized he was behind those incredible vases I had seen.  It turns out that Mr. Flower Headz is actually a photographer and occasional florist, who collaborated with the Zanetti glassworks of Murano to create these human-inspired head vases.  His pieces are so stunning in-person and the way the flowers become the hair of the vase-person is beyond beautiful and allows for so much creativity and personality.  One of these vases would make an incredible statement piece in any home and be the perfect entry-way greeter.

*Top photo and bottom photo via @mr.flowerheadz