Read an Excerpt
Introduction
One of the first books I purchased myself was Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin. I will never forget the jaw-dropping transformations he was able to achieve with puffs of pressed powder and flourishes of mascara. Making Faces was the perfect slice of escapism as I endured the tragedies of teenager-dom in the nineties. The text was full of trade secrets. It felt like I’d stumbled upon a grimoire of ancient powers, accessing centuries of wisdom without having to do any of the work. It would not be until many years later, when I began instructing floral design, that I would understand there is as much joy and beautiful escape in creating as there is in sharing. Through teaching the art of floral design, I have been able to show my students how to use flowers as a source of healing and beauty. Flowers have changed my life for the better. I know they will change yours as well.
This design resource is for anyone looking to create artful floral arrangements and have fun while they are doing it. The design world can sometimes feel like a cold, judgmental place, which can deter curious creators. Though the floral design recipes offer real instruction, we will never take ourselves too seriously. It’s just flowers.
You will also come to learn one of the biggest floral design secrets I have been holding on to for years. (I won’t confirm for exactly how long because then you would have enough information to guess my real age, and the last time I checked, the internet thinks I am twenty-nine . . . and I plan to keep it that way!) For now, I want you to adopt the mindset that you belong here just as much as anybody else. In addition to supporting biodiversity and keeping the air on our planet fresh, flowers are here to arouse joy. So, whether you are a professional floral designer, a fledgling creative, or simply love pretty pictures, use this book to enrich your creative life. If you happen to have a laugh (or six) along the way, even better.
The text is divided into three sections: A Floral Foundation, A Rainbow of Arrangements, and The Flower Vault.
In A Floral Foundation, you will find all the information needed to get started, including my tips and tricks for crafting color stories, the different parts of an arrangement, my ten floral commandments, and why working with flowers is a form of self-care.
A Rainbow of Arrangements is a color-driven design guide. In this section of the book, arrangements are organized by color and shade. Not the shade you experience when someone is talking about you behind your back, but the kind of shade you can enjoy, like melon, mint, or mauve. Wait, not mauve (for more on that shady lady, see page 245). Each color category includes easy-to-follow instructions for a variety of arrangements and bouquets. These step-by-step floral design recipes demystify all that goes into making an artful arrangement. I mean it when I say anyone, even your ditzy roommate who somehow manages to burn boxed mac-n-cheese can use this text to make something pretty. Each recipe contains three key elements:
1. How to build an organic SHAPE
2. How to layer in COLOR
3. How to create DEPTH
These three elements are the map to creating a multidimensional floral masterpiece. Once acquainted with the techniques, feel free to experiment with new shapes, color combinations, and textures of your own design. Coloring outside the lines is highly encouraged. The sooner you learn to listen to and trust your creative instincts, the more satisfaction you will feel.
The Flower Vault is a photographic journal of the blooms seen throughout the book. This section is organized in two ways: first, by color, and second, by season, helping take the guesswork out of when a flower is in bloom.
The last thing I will leave you with is this: It’s just flowers. I mentioned this earlier and it bears repeating. It’s. Just. Flowers. Yes, they are living art. Yes, they smell great. Yes, to appreciate their fleeting beauty we must learn to stay in the present. Yes, my loves, flowers are amazing. You know what flowers are not? Painful. No, flowers should not cause you to feel hurt or bad about yourself. Flowers will never diminish your light or ask you to sacrifice the best parts of yourself. Nothing and no one should have that much power. It’s just flowers.
Love, Kristen
P.S. Oh, and one more thing . . . I repeat myself. A lot. It’s on purpose. I want this information to stick. Just think of me as the best friend you didn’t know you needed, never wanted, but are thrilled to have.
