Sublime flowers for a marvelous holiday centrepiece

We're working on a few videos for the web with an amazing downtown florist called Pistil. Yvonne, the fabulous owner, is going to show me how to do up some simple and stunning arrangements for the home. While I was at the shop, I snapped a few photos that inspired me.

We've all seen Phaelinopsis orchids over and over and over, and dare I say the tropical stunner is getting to be a little ho hum. But Yvonne's sky-high, tiny red orchids are simply stunning. I love the way she stakes them so they reach magical heights, and when paired with the holiday favourite dogwood, they looks graphic and modern.I don't profess to know the species of orchid, but I can tell you that these were at least three feet high, plus the vase! Amazing!

 

Also love the way she put a large simple amaryllis bloom into a short earthy little container. Got me thinking about the $8 amaryllis I have in my house, that is so uninspired in it's supermarket green pot. I think I'll re-plant it in an antique soup tureen that I never ever use, or maybe a silver champagne bucket. I'll top the whole thing off with some pine cones and a little moss. Promise to take photos and share the results on Monday.

 

Notice the unusual little bouquet of roses and evergreens in the background? What a sweet idea.

In the meantime, check me out on Canada AM this morning.

The wreaths just keep going and going! I'm back on the show on on the 21st with great ideas to set a holiday table.