Design In Bloom Blog

I am an enabler. Or maybe I should say, I am an Enabler.   When a client comes to me with a project, whether it’s a wedding, rehearsal dinner, corporate dinner for the Board of Directors, or a holiday party, my first inclination is to always find a way to enable their vision for flowers and decor.   Mirriam Webster, the dictionary people, define enable as ‘to make something possible, practical or easy.’   There are other definitions, and although they relate to different industries, I think they can easily apply   as well - for example, when you’re working with computers, you enable something to make it active or available for use.   Yes!   That’s what I do!   I help you tap into your inner design diva and think inside, outside, around and through the box.   To help you visualize all the possibilities and then help choose the one that best matches your vision, budget and capabilities.   It’s that last one that I’d like to talk about today: ...

The Power of the Peony ©2015 Cynthia Damico Throughout history, the peony has captivated gardeners and artists alike.  The Chinese and Japanese cultures have revered the lush blossoms for centuries, and it is prominently figured in many of their art mediums - ceramics, painting, and ikebana, the traditional Japanese floral design.  In fact, peony and pine is the traditional way to begin the new year: from orchidsandikebana.blogspot.com Why is this flower so popular?  Why do brides love it so?  I think the reasons are many, but first and foremost is the flower shape and style - it’s full and lush, both delicate in its tissuey petals and ripe in its rotund beauty.  This is not a flower for the faint of heart, it’s big and full and in your face.  It’s also almost always scented as well, a clean fresh flowery scent that is rarely cloying or crass.   Peonies are widely regarded as a ‘special’ flower, one that isn’t available the year round ...

Happy New Year!  It seems like yesterday I wrote my last blog post, but when I look back at the date, it was March of last year.  Now that is truly a sad thing - so much happens during 'wedding season' and I have failed to keep up with the action.  Not this year!  My resolution this year is to keep a better blog, posting often with things that inspire me, designs I've created, and hopefully some tips and tricks to make your wedding or event flowers perfectly suited to your personality. 2014 was one terrific year at Design In Bloom, with dozens of brides who inspired me.  I very often get asked where my inspiration comes from, and I can unequivocally say it always comes from my brides.  Whether it's a scrap of lace from her Mom's wedding dress, a favorite flower that she shared with her Grandmother, or the color of the sunset from the deck of a battleship on her last tour of duty (no kidding! We love our brides in uniform!), it's always a piece of the lif...

It's the most wonderful time of the year for a flowerista!  Spring is when the earth wakes from a long slumber, and the first signs of life are already with us - the witch hazels are done blooming, the first crocus are here, the miniature iris in full swing, and the hellebores just starting to show buds.  And love is in the air!  Engagement season is here, with holiday brides beginning to search for venues and photographers, and bridal shows every weekend.  Inevitably, almost every single one of my potential brides asks, "What flowers will be in season for my wedding?" and "Can I save money using local and seasonal flowers?" In bloom today in my garden: 'Tutu' hellebore 'Spring Beauty' crocus 'Gordon' iris reticulata Because of the miraculous network of transportation in place around the world, the concept of 'seasonal' flowers is almost non-existent.  We can get tulips in July and peonies in December.  The q...

Happy Holidays!  It's true - another year has gone by and we're again facing the most wonderful time of the year.  In honor of the timing of this post, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, I thought a little autumn was in order before we completely turn things over to the red and green, silver and gold of the Christmas season. Molly & Scott were a terrific couple to work with, and their late October wedding was a beautiful testament to the season.  The backdrop was The Piedmont Club in Haymarket, which was particularly glorious on that fall day. The bridal bouquet was a blend of sherbet-y orange and smokey peaches, Free Spirit and Freedom roses with a rich mango red mini calla, green hypericum, dark red dahlias and a little curly willow for accent.  The dahlias and curly willow were both grown at local farms. The boutonnieres and corsages were a mix of the best the season had to offer, including panicum grass seed plumes and locally grown wheat. ...

As a gardener and one who makes her living with flowers, Spring is my favorite time of year.  The promise of another gardening season filled with a riot of color, fragrance and work!  Yes, it's true, I look forward to the work as much as I look forward to reaping the rewards.  It's very soul satisfying when you uncover a bunch of bouquets you're delivering and the Mother of the Bride quickly and loudly takes a breath in surprise and delight, and starts to tear up a little (true story, happened this weekend).  It's just as satisfying, but in a more earthy all-about-me way when I can sit with a beverage after that delivery, in my garden, and appreciate a job well done (while noticing the edging, weeding, and planting that still has to happen).  Spring is a time of promise, when the entire wedding and gardening year is before you, and you just know it's going to be a great year! Here's some of the work we've already accomplished this year, starting early in F...

I love Martha Stewart and reading the newest issue of Weddings very often inspires and informs.  She’s so crafty!  BUT, she’s also not at all interested in keeping within a reasonable budget for your wedding.  One of the recent issues has Blake Lively’s bouquet on it from her wedding to Ryan Reynolds.  Oo la la!  It’s masterpiece - lush garden blooms in pale colors accented by jasmine vines and a beautiful duchesse satin vintage ribbon.  $300, easy, probably more.  If this is your budget, great!  I’d love to re-create this for you.  If you want to avoid the Martha Effect, be open to floral substitutions that will mimic the design, without costing a fortune.  Your bouquet is one area where you should get what you want, but you shouldn’t need a second mortgage to do it.   I found this similar bouquet while Googling for Images.  Its design is attributed to Flowers by Fudgie out of Sarasota, Florida.  You’ll notice ...