Latest news with #floraldesign
Times
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
By royal approval: Van Cleef & Arpels' floral jewels
A century ago, the jewellery designer Alfred Van Cleef introduced an extraordinary floral bracelet at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels in Paris, the fair that is credited with launching the art deco movement. Adorned with diamonds, rubies and emeralds set in platinum, Van Cleef's Fleurs enlacées, roses rouges et blanches (Entwined Flowers) cuff evoked a border of blowsy red and white roses and stunned the judges, who awarded the jewel the Grand Prix. Since then, bejewelled buds, sparkling corollas and golden leaves have flourished within Van Cleef & Arpels' design repertoire. 'Nature has been a perennial source of inspiration,' says the company's CEO, Catherine Rénier. 'For me, this theme embodies freshness, vitality and joy.' As the techniques of its craftsmen have evolved, so have the jeweller's motifs. Patented in 1933, its signature Mystery setting allowed precious stones to be arranged tightly together without any visible metal, giving the petals of rose, peony and chrysanthemum brooches an unprecedented volume, depth of colour and almost velvety texture. With the sleek lines and pared-back silhouettes of early mid-century modernism came a plethora of stylised florals, such as the Fleur Silhouette brooch from 1937, which was crafted from loops of gold wire and curved rows of precious stones. Around the same time, Hélène Arpels — the glamorous wife of Louis, the youngest of the Arpels brothers, who regularly appeared on international best-dressed lists — was pictured wearing the house's iconic Passe-Partout collection at the Prix de Diane horse race in Chantilly. These multipurpose jewels had chunky sapphire, ruby and diamond flower clips threaded onto flexible gold 'Tubogas' chains, allowing them to be worn as bracelets, necklaces or belts. By 1939, one of the maison's gem-set posies had found its way into the wardrobe of one of the era's most infamous women, Wallis Simpson. The Duchess of Windsor was a longtime admirer of Van Cleef & Arpels' work, and many of the spectacular jewels in her collection (so large it has been dubbed the 'alternative Crown Jewels') hailed from its atelier, including a ruby and diamond bracelet gifted to her in 1936 by the Duke of Windsor (memorably inscribed with the words 'Hold tight'); a ruby-studded 'cravat' necklace that was a 40th birthday present, and a polished sapphire and diamond clip that she wore for her marriage to the Duke in 1937. For Christmas the following year, the Duchess received an ornate brooch shaped like a bouquet of ruby and sapphire flowers from her doting husband. The 8in-long jewel came from a new Van Cleef & Arpels collection called Hawaï, which featured miniature red and blue blossoms dotted about 18-carat gold stems and leaves. The gift was a hit: the Duchess wore it to sit for the artist Gerald Leslie Brockhurst in 1939 and the resulting portrait was given pride of place in the library at the Windsors' villa in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris. (It is now displayed in the National Portrait Gallery in London.) Next month, Van Cleef & Arpels will unveil the latest take on its Hawaï design, entitled Fleurs d'Hawaï, in a garden with a modern royal connection. The capsule line of graphic floral earrings, rings and three 'secret' watches — all composed with vibrant, pear-cut gemstone petals and white diamond pistils set in gold — will debut in a sunny spot within the five-acre Queen Elizabeth walled garden at Dumfries House, the 18th-century Palladian mansion in East Ayrshire that was saved for the nation by King Charles in 2007. The 2,000-acre estate is now also the headquarters of the King's Foundation, a charity founded in 1990 to champion regenerative community projects and sustainability. Since 2023, the maison has been the principal patron of the King's Foundation Gardens and Estates (which also includes the Castle of Mey in Scotland and Highgrove in Gloucestershire), helping to fund its extensive horticultural projects, such as boosting biodiversity and the creation of new woodlands and hedgerows. Among its first initiatives was preserving the rose garden at Dumfries House. The 3,300-plus plants that fill its beds and scramble over its arbours bear luxuriant, fragrant blooms resembling clusters of deep red rubies, pink spinels and peach-tinted sapphires in the summer sunlight. 'It is such a focal point for the celebration of nature and the gardens,' says Simon Sadinsky, executive director at the King's Foundation. 'Dumfries and Van Cleef & Arpels both understand the importance of preserving traditional skills and crafts, and of providing the next generation with the opportunity to learn these traditions. In our one-acre education garden, we teach young people about seasonal growing and sustainable waste. You'll find students from local schools there, as well as trainees and experts from around the world. An appreciation of nature and understanding our part in the ecosystem is really fundamental to the King.' Much like the youth programmes at Dumfries House, a key part of Van Cleef & Arpels' strategy is its own educational platform, De Mains en Mains (From Hands to Hands), which introduces school pupils to the heritage crafts of jewellery making and goldsmithing, and offers mentorship to adults who hope to work in the jewellery sector. It is also growing its manufacturing ateliers in France to meet the demand for its bestsellers, such as the clover-shaped Alhambra design, an evergreen favourite of the Queen and the Princess of Wales. Each 18-carat gold four-leaf motif is still finished entirely by hand and every one of its colourful ornamental stone centres is cut and polished by an artisan, just as they were when the collection first appeared in 1968.
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Chattels & More Has Launched The UrArtU Flower Studio, Filled With Blooms To Brighten Your Home
Chattels & More elevates home and interior design with the opening of the UrArtU Flower Studio, at its flagship boutique in Mall of the Emirates Floral storytelling has the transformative power to enhance interiors, homes and special occasions. That's because flowers and art are universal languages that connect people through colour, imagination and expression. Dubai's homegrown interior brand, Chattels & More, takes this transformative power to new heights with the opening of the UrArtU Gallery. Of it's launch, founder Gurgen Yeritsyan explains, 'Some of my most artistic and bold floral creations have been inspired by a deep connection to nature, art, emotion, and storytelling. Each arrangement is more than just flowers – it's a composition of mood, meaning, and moment.' The studio offers an experiential invitation to explore the possibilities of floral storytelling. Imagine texture, tone and unconventional shapes and colours blended together to reveal depth, character and soul. Each fresh or dried flower bouquet comes alive in varying shapes and sizes, curated according to specifications, and the occasion. 'I love creating arrangements that tell a story without words, using flowers to express different emotions: grief through dark, moody florals and trailing vines; celebration through bold colours and dynamic, upward movement; romance through delicate, soft petals and blush tones,' adds Gurgen. With creations taking anywhere from 15 minutes to 10 hours to make, and ranging from three to five types of flowers to elaborate or large-scale installations, there is much to explore within these mesmerising displays. 'Boldness often comes from breaking rules. Whether it's using unexpected materials like burnt branches, industrial wire, or fruit, or challenging traditional shapes with asymmetry and motion, I enjoy exploring the line between floral design and conceptual art,' shares Gurgen, who is known for elevating any occasion or space with his unique selection of rare flowers and unexpected non-floral elements. Often becoming conversation starters, some of these arrangements and exotic flowers include King Protea, Ranunculus and Fritillaria – each selected for its form, appearance or patterns to create artistic designs using twisted elements like branches, bark, seed pods, driftwood, fabric or wire art. Aligning with the vision of Chattels & More, this new collaboration offers customers endless options to enhance any space. A choice of art-inspired vases, with sculptural and seasonal floral compositions, is also available to experiment with. And if you don't know where to begin, you can request a made-to-order design, beautifully arranged in a vase of your own.
Telegraph
08-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Telegraph
How to put together a posh planter: a step-by-step guide
The plantsman and gardener Alexander Hoyle moves in rarified circles: he creates gardens for both smart city homes and historic country houses, and floral displays for high-end clients including the interior design shops along London's Pimlico Road. His love for plants was born during his childhood in the Cotswolds, and his style, which he describes as 'modern English country garden', was honed during his training at Aberglasney in Carmarthenshire and Kew Gardens in London. Yet despite this pedigree, he is down to earth and informal, with a relaxed and naturalistic aesthetic that is, he says, is 'a little wild and fanciful'. His work can currently be seen at the entrance garden of the WOW!house decorator showcase at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour until July 3, where he has created a display of hundreds of planters filled with a variety of seasonal flowers and greenery. Here, he offers a step-by-step guide to putting together a beautiful planter in a similar romantic style. Plant list: 1 x foxglove 1 x Orlaya grandiflora 1 x Euphorbia pithyusa 1 x Centranthus ruber 'Albus' 5 x Lysimachia atropurpurea 'Beaujolais' 5 x Erigeron karvinskianus 1 x Helianthemum 'Wisley Primrose' Top tip Alexander likes to use odd numbers of plants, to give a more natural effect, and he uses a mix of perennials and annuals. Step one Select a large planter – Alexander collects antique and vintage pots and planters, and in this case he is using a vintage copper pot that was originally the inside of a washing machine, with a verdigris patina. Fill your pot with peat-free compost, leaving enough room at the top for the rootball of the largest of your plants. Step two Start with your first anchor plant – here, the foxglove – and place it towards the front of the pot (Alexander points out that even if you place your planter in a spot where it can be seen from all sides, there is often a natural 'front' to an arrangement). Step three Continue to add your anchor plants – here, the orlaya, euphorbia and centranthus – and space them out a little within the planter, in a way that looks as if they have grown there naturally. Try to ensure there is a gentle gradation in the height of your plants, to give your arrangement some movement. Step four Fill in the body of your arrangement with the lysimachia plants. Alexander has split his five plants into a group of two and a group of three, and placed them among the anchor plants, so that it looks as though the latter are growing up through the lysimachia, as they would in nature. Step five Add the helianthemum towards the front of the arrangement, so that it spills over the edge of the pot. Alexander acknowledges that yellow can be a controversial colour for some, but here it adds an accent of colour that contrasts with the verdigris finish of the planter. Step six Fill in the edge of your arrangement around the rim of the pot with the erigeron plants, again placing them at a slight angle so that they trail over the edge of the planter and soften the edges of the pot. Step seven
CBS News
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Legion of Honor, de Young will have dozens of floral displays from June 3-8
Bouquets to Art returns to San Francisco de Young and Legion of Honor Bouquets to Art returns to San Francisco de Young and Legion of Honor Bouquets to Art returns to San Francisco de Young and Legion of Honor Monday was the beginning of the 41st annual Bouquets to Art at the San Francisco de Young and Legion of Honor museums. For the week-long event, designers have created huge floral displays as botanical interpretations of the museums' artworks and architecture. "You can see we have a whole inferno behind us, so many flames on this gallery. And that is actually the inspiration," lead designer Raul Dueñas said. Raul Dueñas designed a floral display for the 41st Bouquets to Art at the Legion of Honor. CBS News Bay Area Dueñas created one of the biggest installations and said it was made with "thousands and thousands" of flowers. The 41st Bouquets to Art will run from June 3 to June 8 at both the de Young and Legion of Honor, with dozens of floral installations on display. An opening night reception was held from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday. Proceeds from a raffle fundraiser will help support the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
10 best local florists whose flowers are as bright as a daisy
Florists arrange and sell flowers for a living. They create floral arrangements for various occasions, such as weddings or gifts and also provide floral design services for installations. Check out our list of the 10 best florists in Singapore that will have you stopping by to smell the roses. The Florté is a homegrown floral studio in Singapore that was founded in 2017. Their inspiration? The flower markets of Covent Garden, London. There, their founder acquired a distinct modern botanical style that characterises every one of their floral bouquets today. Their Wild Lilac Bouquet (S$192) (above, left), which is made up of purple tulips, white alstroemerias, purple veronica, and delphiniums is assembled by hand. Each of these flowers signifies something different: the purple tulips stand for love, the white alstroemerias for loyalty, the purple veronica for steadfastness, and the delphiniums for beauty and grace. White roses, crisp white tulips and eustoma arranged in the White and Crisp, Bouquet (S$185) (above, right) for a breathtaking expression of dedication. The all-white flowers signify innocence, making this wreath an ideal way to convey your most sincere emotions. 81 Tagore Lane, Tag A, #02-14, Singapore 787502 +65 9828 3370 Mon to Sat: 11am – 6pm (By appointment only) Closed on Sun Facebook | Instagram | Website Founded in 2020, Sanwraps creates stunning and rustic-styled flower pieces for weddings and everyday flower pieces. They offer both preserved and fresh flowers in their creations. Their Preserved Poppy Bouquet (S$60) (above, left) comprises a bundle of carnations and rose as main flowers, together with side flowers such as hydrangeas, bunny tails and sea lavenders of their usual style. Preserved flowers generally last 9 to 12 months when kept under optimal conditions. You are advised to keep them in a cool, dry environment. Their Fresh – Tulips Bouquet (S$159) (above, right) comprises tulips, scented roses, sea lavenders, eucalyptus and other foliage. Fresh flowers last around 3 days. Keep them in a cool environment. There is a water source at the base for the flowers to stay hydrated. 12 Woodlands Square, Woods Square Tower 1, #09-86, Singapore 737715 +65 91721905 Facebook | Instagram | Website At Floristique, customers are not limited to standard seasonal flowers. The owner combines her proven aesthetic sense with her clients' preferences to create exclusive bouquets that have earned her a loyal following since the business was incepted. If a customer has a specific arrangement or a photo reference, Wendy tries to replicate it. Their Euphoria Bouquet (S$49.90) (above, left) features a pastel medley of lavender roses, pink carnations, and lemon-yellow blooms with variegated pink-white carnations. Tucked in a cone and finished with a cream ribbon, it's a whimsical touch for any event. A charming ensemble of pastel florals, their Fleur Bouquet (S$69.90) (above, right) brings together lavender, pink and creamy roses with complementary seasonal blooms. Flowers are layered in a graceful blush wrap, offering a timeless expression of elegance. 22 New Industrial Road, Primax Building, #01-11, Singapore 536208 +65 6904 4046 / +65 8031 9620 Mon to Fri: 6.30am – 2.30pm Sat & Sun: 6.30am – 12pm Facebook | Instagram | Website Little Flower Hut is a florist in Singapore that stands out for its fast and reliable delivery service, including same-day and 24/7 options. They offer a range of services, from urgent delivery to custom designs, and are known for their fresh bouquets and competitive prices. Their KH-20 Sweet Merry Hand Bouquet (S$89.90) (above, left) is a classic Korean-style hand bouquet comprising tulips, eucalyptus and others. With a length of 50 cm, it delivers delight for big bashes such as birthdays, anniversaries or graduation ceremonies. Their TA-136 Love Garden (S$150) (above, right), arranged in a stylish cylinder vase measuring 15cm by 15cm, comprises hydrangea, 6 pink roses, 10 pink tulips and more. The bouquet is suitable for Valentine's Day, birthdays, anniversaries and grand openings. 50 Gambas Crescent, Proxima @ Gambas, #01-19B, Singapore 757022 +65 6503 9750 (WhatsApp) Daily: 24 hours Facebook | Instagram | Website Cool Petals is a florist that sells affordable, handcrafted luxury flower bouquets, with a particular focus on popular arrangements and custom-made money bouquets. They also offer convenient flower purchasing with 24-hour vending machines and delivery services. Their Rainbow Smiley (S$49) Bouquet (above, left), which measures 30cm by 25cm. Each ball of vibrant chrysanthemum is arranged to craft a smiley face bouquet that radiates happiness with each glance, making it ideal as a get-well-soon gift for a recovering patient. Brighten someone's day with their adorable Bumble Bee Bouquet (S$39) (above, right), featuring a charming bumblebee character made from a flower ball, nestled among sprays of baby's breath. It's a playful yet elegant arrangement that's sure to bring smiles and joy. 60 Ubi Crescent, Ubi Techpark, #01-06, Singapore 408569 +65 8859 7170 Mon to Fri: 10am – 6pm Sat: 10am – 1pm Closed on Sun Facebook | Instagram | Website Pollen, Gardens by the Bay: 'You'll be left thoroughly impressed.' From fresh flower bouquets to glass domes with preserved flowers, Fav Florist is your trusted online florist in Singapore, dedicated to delivering the best and freshest blooms. Some say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, although the Satomi Japanese Style Flower Box – White Rose Arrangement (S$43.90) (above, left) is exquisite no matter who looks at it. The pairing of its white roses that symbolise purity and complementary green fillers makes the perfect present for anyone. Who says that flowers are only for girls? Want something that lasts forever? Their Mystic Blue Preserved Flower Dome (LED) (S$119) (above, right) is the gift for you. LED lights in the dome bring out the essence and features of the preserved flowers, making it the ideal art piece to showcase at home. The dome, which emits a mysterious, calming feel, requires 3 x AAA batteries to turn on. 6 New Industrial Road, Times Centre, #02-01, Singapore 536199 +65 9173 7748 (WhatsApp) Daily: 10am – 6pm | | Fu Bloom Flowers offers a variety of fresh and preserved flower arrangements. They specialise in custom bouquets, offering cheap prices and same-day delivery. They take orders via platforms such as WhatsApp, and they are known for their positive reviews. Their Periwinkles Dreams (S$84.90) (above, left) is an enchanting bouquet that embodies the serenity of the twilight sky. It features blue and purple roses paired with white accented flowers. This elegant arrangement evokes calmness and timeless beauty, making it ideal for any occasion or as a thoughtful gift. Pay another S$5 for LED lights. Their Sunflower & Carnation Bouquet (S$45) (above, right) is a cheerful wreath featuring a radiant sunflower symbolising joy and admiration at its heart, surrounded by vibrant red carnations that convey affection. This arrangement is perfect for brightening someone else's day, celebrating special anniversaries or conveying your heartfelt emotions. 10 Woodlands Square, Woods Square Solo 1, #02-49, Singapore 737714 +65 8490 9041 (WhatsApp) Mon to Sat: 11am – 5pm Closed on Sun Facebook | Instagram | Website Flower House specialise in all kinds of floral arrangements, gifts & hampers for weddings, corporate and events. They pride themselves on delivering fresh flowers for every occasion. Their Pretty Sweet Bridal Bouquet (S$108) (above, left) is a hybrid of pink roses, pink gerbera and baby breath. It comes with a boutonniere for the groom. As the contents are subject to availability, the stalks inside the bouquet may be swapped with other varieties. Their Sweet Affection Wedding Car Bouquet (S$320) (above, right) for the bonnet comprises pink peony, pink roses, champagne roses, light purple sea lavenders, woolly flowers and light pink artificial flowers manufactured from fabric. You will also receive 4 stalks of woolly pink roses for the car door handles and a complimentary ribbon for the car. 80 Changi Road, Centropod@Changi, #02-25, Singapore 419715 +65 6385 2738+65 9644 5613 / +65 9644 5613 (WhatsApp) Mon to Fri: 10am – 8pm Sat: 10am – 6pm Closed on Sun Facebook | Instagram | Website At Peony Blooms, they believe in living a meaningful life with your loved ones. They offer flowers for all occasions and a range of affordable flower arrangements to suit every event. Their Prosperity Blooms Congratulations Stand (S$138.90) (above, left) comprises a mix of lilies, carnations, gladiolus and gerbera. The actual flower colour and size may differ from the image and some flowers come in bud form. The flowers and foliage are seasonal. Unavailable flowers will be swapped with varieties that are of a higher or equivalent value. Their Choco Love Bouquet (S$59.90) (above, right) includes Ferrero Rocher chocolate with 3 soap flowers, which are soap bars carved into a flower shape. It can last for up to 2 years. You can use it as hand soap or decoration. The best part? You don't have to water it. 39 Woodlands Close, #01-10, Singapore 737856 +65 8157 0762 Mon: 10am – 8pm Tue to Fri: 8am – 8pm Sat: 8am – 6pm Sun: 8am – 4pm Facebook | Instagram | Website As a leading florist in Singapore, Windflower Florist prides itself on delivering only the freshest flowers and ensuring that every one of its flower bouquets is of the highest quality. Like how the dashing actor Scott Eastwood cameos in Taylor Swift's music video of the same name, ravishing peonies make an appearance in the Wildest Dreams Bouquet (S$192) (above, left). Peonies symbolise affection, making them ideal for your loved ones. If someone you know is tying the knot, purchase the J'adore Bridal Bouquet – Frontal (S$138) (above, right). For the lady who exudes elegance, this muted bouquet of menta roses with hoary stock flowers and foliage is a surefire way to make a bride's face light up. 60 Kaki Bukit Place, Eunos Techpark, #07-09, Singapore 415979 +65 8045 4058 (WhatsApp) Mon to Sat: 10am – 5pm Sun: 10am – 2pm Facebook | Instagram | Website New in town: Petals by Victoria.H, Queenstown — decadent cheesecake with lifelike jelly flowers The post 10 best local florists whose flowers are as bright as a daisy appeared first on
