Dahlia A Florist

Information may not be reliable

I rarely take time to attend events, yet, with AD smartly scheduling this on a Monday/ Tuesday, I was able to go. I was very intrigued, not only because the featured designers are all heavy weights in our industry, but I have fond memories of using AD's celebration vases for my very first large event, back in 2000, and have relied on their innovative products ever since. I decided that what I wanted to get out of this was more than just to be inspired. I set the intention of walking away with a suitcase full of tangible ways to combine everything business-wise that I’m trying to achieve right now; blog ideas for my website, content for my book, and 4th quarter sales boosters for my shop. A tall order, but it was achieved!
This event, "design days", could be summarized as an open house with a mini flower trade show.
Walking into the warehouse, my first feeling was one of being overwhelmed. The showroom had all of Ad’s items not only out on display, but examples of how flowers work in harmony with their products. I new I would be back here by the end of the day to sketch my favorite ideas out.
From there, I wandered into a second room where mountains, literally mountains, of fresh flowers from Hawaii, California, Vietnam, and South America were on display.

In a daze, I then peaked at the stage area, and noticed lots of spot lighting, the sound system, video cameras and the large projection screen. At this point, the one word that came to mind was PROFESSIONAL. Just the way I want my vendors to be. Have you ever gone to an event with high expectations, only to walk away not only feeling let down but kind of stupid for buying into the hype? Well, this was not one of those events. I was feeling really smart!
I spent the rest of that and the following day gathering thoughts, ideas and techniques to take back to Greenville. Here are some of the highlights. . .

Let's start with the featured designers:
Els Teunissen's designs are the most romantic, of the three. She has that European accent going for her, as well, which in the flower world, instantly makes us picture fields of tulips! I loved her idea of tucking "naughty messages" into small bouquets at the counter, to get customers talking. She explained how fun it could be to get people to talk about your shop and your gorgeous flowers. Els did a lot of matching flowers with vases ("It's a marriage") and how there's an art to it.
Next, we have Hitomi Gilliam, who showed us the magic that can happen when expert design mechanics, meet with impressive materials, meet with floral artist. I loved her explanation of floral designs being a combination of architecture, fashion and nature. You start with the structure (the bones), and add layers (the skin) for a complete design. Hitomi showed us how, in even her mounded designs, she creates "arrows" by clustering like flowers or colors together, and having them visually fall in her intended directions.
And last, but not least, is Kevin Ylvisaker, the entertainer. He is very much focused on the Y Generation, and loves exploring the similarities between his age group and the future rulers of the world. The energy in his creations come from exploring vivid colors, in flowers and Ad's materials. Greenery, to Kevin, when used in an arrangement, has a specific purpose, such as, to create an implied line or to add a pop of color, instead of just being a filler. Where as Hitomi used AD's materials more as structural beginnings for her creations, Kevin went crazy with using the elements as center stage to his designs, and then would strategically place a single gorgeous lily to tie everything together.

1. "Ultra Red" - Everything about this was "ultra": ultra tall, ultra candle lit, ultra opulent, ultra flowery. Using professional design mechanics, Ad's grande vase, and varying shades and shaped blooms in red, Hitomi created a tower of red flowers, that could not be ignored!
2. "French Garden Romance" - with moss spheres, over blown David Austin roses, and gray trellises with Fleur de Lys finials, Kevin created a secret garden feel.
3. "Talk About the Party" - Els thought about the details a younger generation would love: tea lights in flower shaped lime green vases, silver chargers, and casually thrown about fuchsia orchid leis, which all serve as take home favors, as a well as decor.
4. "Urban Bazaar" - think spices, Moroccan markets, and a sense of the exotic. The warm colors and unusual flowers are key to this look. Ad's Moroccan lanterns and punched out metal candle holders were awesome. For a holiday touch, glittery gold Kua trunks were laid on the table, which made you think of myrrh, and the nativity story.
5. "Submerged In Platinum - using Ad's water pearls, splashes of fuchsia orchids danced inside tall skinny vases, and then the vases were surrounded with platinum and silver matsumata sticks, all sitting on a bed of pink petals, which was all sitting on Ad's Chloe pedestal! Many layers and many new ways to work with materials.

6. "Ocean Wave" - a three storied design, which also, was in three segments, unified with "waves" of turquoise midollino sticks, perfect for a long buffet table. Ocean blue is the featured color, with accents of silver and pearl. Silver in the mercury glass votives, silver martini looking vases and tabletops. Pearl in the seashells and pearlized tabletop ornaments, which were grouped on trendy dishes, used as mini vases for white anthurium. Vietnamese white phaeleonopsis sprung out of the tallest vases for the peaks of the ocean look.
7. "Christmas at the Hamptons". - think natural elements and colors with a masculine touch; brown leather chairs, oversized branches with moss, birch orbs, variegated winter greenery, and rose hips. Now, take those items and expertly attach them to 4ft candle sconces, for a "magically floating" look, and your centerpiece just became a conversation piece without being flashy!
8. "Art Gallery" - where clean lines and simplicity are key, and the use of trendy colors, silly flowers and funky fruit give this tablescape a super fun feel! But don't be deceived, this creation takes a well planned out design in order to keep the balance in check.
9. "Wintery Landscape" - have you ever considered mixing cork with white flowers? I hadn't, until I saw this! This design evokes looking out onto rolling hills, covered with snow, where tree trunks, and stacked fire logs peak out from fluffy white mounds. White containers and flowers sit on top of a cork colored linen, with Ad's cork blocks, wood chunks and moss balls mixed in. Of course, snow is haphazardly sprinkled over everything for an authentic look.

10. "Sans Couleur" - or without color. All three designers gave it their all, on this one! Hitomi used white blooms, white materials, all on a white table linen, to really talk about LAYERS. Kevin used a mix of white and black, which is so "now" with weddings and events. And Els, true to character, deviated from all white with one shocking bloom of red amaryllis. What better way to talk about white than contrasting it against a strong color?

When I came back from the show, and rattled off to my sweet husband all of the neat stuff I saw and sketched, he said the best summary of all: "You don't have to be afraid to go nuts with design, as long as you have the perfect container.” YES!!!

Bre's bouquet includes loops of curly willow for a rustic touch. The phaelenopsis orchids had to be glued in just before she walked down the aisle!

Bre carried the rustic, chocolate touches through out her table centerpieces using these awesome lanterns. You may notice that NO greenery, not a single leaf, was used in her ENTIRE wedding.

This Pennsylvania bride, Ashley, brought her very own, favorite apples from a PA farm. We filled the bubble bowl vases, then tucked in lots of "sprouty" materials

This is a special picture to me, because the photographer, and the wedding coordinator were Dahlia Brides!!! And, of course, the burgandy dahlias are so rich in color, and all about fluffy goodness! I like to nestle dahlias in a big hydrangea, to give them some added support, and to let there heads rest on the hydrangea petals, so they their faces are pointing up.
The other wonderful aspect to this bouquet is the peacock feathers. We have seen the feathers paired with pool blue, green and teals, but the dark wine/ burgandy color is a great transition for fall. For more pictures of Jamie's wedding, go to our flickr album!

New Design Products and Great Gifts
This month, I have booked demos at Greenville garden clubs, to give passionate flower people new ways to create interesting and beautiful arrangements. My first demonstration was for the Laurens Road Garden Club, held in Thornblade, on Pristine Drive at a beautiful home filled with light and good company. The president, Myra Eskew, was so welcoming and genuine, I immediately felt at ease, and ready to give them my all.
Wire spheres, magnets, wood strips, midollino sticks, matsumato branches and colored reindeer moss were the highlights of the presentation. At Dahlia, we have put all of these featured items on a featured table, so you can pop in anytime, to see and learn about these great finds!!!! See you soon!!!!

Dear Kristi, I just wanted to thank you for doing such a wonderful job on the flowers for my wedding. You are so talented! Enclosed are a few pictures where the flowers are just the highlight of the photo.