Wreaths & Bouquets

by Paula Pryke, Sarah Cuttle (Photographer)

Master designer and author of over seven bestselling books, Paula Pryke shares her experience in planning floral displays and accents to set the tone for any event or special occasion. This book emphasizes wreaths and bouquets, but also includes other floral accessories that add a special decorative touch. From making grand statements with massed flowers to thoughtful touches like garlands for mantles or swags for banisters, Pryke covers all the details of decorating with flowers. She discusses both foam and wire-based wreaths, and explores the pros and cons of each depending upon the ornaments used and whether a wreath is meant to last a season rather than just an evening. Also included are centerpieces as well as small posies to be used with table settings. Signature concepts are explored, such as using unusual containers and unexpected accessories like candles. Pryke demystifies the technique of combining colors, textures, and architectural forms and discusses different types of flowers, foliage, and even fruit. Packed with ideas, skills, and techniques, this book is replete with inspiring yet achievable designs for both novices and seasoned floral artists alike.

Genres: Crafts

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 21, 2008

Reviews

[Starbubbles · Rating 3 out of 5]

This followed right after going through an amazing book on ikebana. This just didn't or couldn't compare. This just did not inspire as I had hoped it would. Outside of a few cute ideas to do with Curly Willow or raffia, I was left reading a lot and with little to no inspiration. This book is not meant for beginners, but seems to try to be as the instructions constantly call for the removal of foliage from the flower stem. It is a very basic move for creating handties and arrangements. Her favorite flowers to use are not easily obtained for most customers, nor would I recommend most of her flower choices. In my experience, Gerberas, Peony, and Ranunculus are fragile and will easily blow out (fully bloom) in a moment’s notice. Dahlia can crumble apart if you blink wrong, and kale (which was in all of her autumn examples) can easily become very slimy and smelly. What's this rotting smell coming from my flowers? Oh, it's just the kale turning into sludge.

She went on a lot about holiday traditions and festivals, which had some tie in here, but I fail to grasp it. Her color associations were a little off in my experience. Yellow is more connected to Fall (not Spring), Pink with Spring (not summer)...
You can argue that those are my personal connections, and they are. But I can tell you that yellow is one of the first and last colors to bloom. Yellow, orange, and dark red is everywhere in Fall, pink and purple for Mother's Day, and very vibrant colors for the Summer. Why don't I have anything for Winter? Other than whites and pastels (which can lean towards the Spring side), people just don't buy too much in the Winter.

Valentine's Day.
I'm going to tell you the reason right now why people wait to the last minute to purchase flowers for their dates. Flowers are highly perishable and to ensure that what is given is beautiful and fresh, closer to the date the better.
Symbolism was completely ignored here too. She was recommending flowers that can be associated with arrogance and pride (Narcissus and Amaryllis). For Valentine's people actually ask about the symbolism of flowers. Might as well recommend Hydrangea (heartless) to them.

Lastly, there was the handy seasonal flower guide at the end. It was fine, but considering that I (who actually works with flowers) did not recognize all of them, I don't expect the average person to pick up on which one was which either. Even with the process of elimination for the example pictures, it wasn't a way to identify most of the ones I did not already have an idea of what they were. Pictures with the names would have been nice. The common name listed and then the scientific name would have also been nice.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful ideas and gorgeous photography.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent examples and easy to read instruction to make a variety of wreaths and bouquets. I am looking forward to making a wreath for the Christmas season