Nancy and Andrew came to see us with bags of amazing ideas for their DIY garden themed wedding. Set in the grounds of Wasing Park's Secret Garden they really wanted to take inspiration from the gorgeous surroundings.
After choosing the wonderful Laura Babb for their wedding photography, Nancy and Andrews wedding was featured on Rock My Wedding. Read all about their big day here
All photographs copyright Babb Photo
Nancy also took the time to write us this fantastic testimonial! We loved been part of their big day!
Every girl loves a crown. Flower crowns are the must have accessory of 2013. Don't just wear them to weddings, slip one on whilst popping out for your weekly shop, glam up any evening dress with this floral DIY post.
Invest in a good pair of scissors. We always use these yellow handled beauties - perfect for cutting stems and wires alike.
We've suggested using 3 different wires. One thicker wire which you will wrap around your head to get the correct measurements and 2 different wires for your flowers.
Parafilm will become your new best friend - pop it down your top until you are ready to use it. This will get it nice and warm, making it super flexible and stopping it from snapping every time you pull it tight.
There are loads of different ways you can make a floral crown. In this DIY tutorial we will show you the method where you will bind the flowers onto a metal hair band. Its a little less fiddly than the other methods, and is also a lot quicker allowing you to knock up a floral crown 10 minutes before your guests arrive.
So first off get a long length of your thicker wire and wrap it around your head where you would like your finished crown to fit. At the ends you want to make some loops which you can use to pin the crown to your head for some added security. I like to tie ribbons into these loops too for a little detailing at the back of my head.
Wiring the flowers! This is where the fun starts...
We've chosen to use lots of different flowers in our crown including; carnations, waxflower, calendula, mini daisies and little spray roses. You can pretty much use anything, although some things may wilt a little quicker than others.
For most stems the wiring methods shown in the above diagrams will see you through. For thicker stems where you can pierce the wire through the base of the flower (carnations, roses etc) I would suggest using fig. 1 - 3. If you've got a thinner stem like waxflower or the mini daisies you want to create a little U shape and wrap the wire against itself see fig. 4-6 for our how to.
After you've neatly wired each flower you want to cover the stems in the parafilm. Pull it tight, almost to breaking point and twizzle your stem or wire to wrap it around.
Start wrapping you parafilmed wires around your wire headband. Layer each flower overlapping the next. I love a statement piece ... go big or go home!
One floral crown ready and raring to go!
Send us a snap of your floral crown outings ... pretty please!
Cheering people up with bouquets of beautiful flowers is something we seem to be doing a lot of this week but we're not complaining! This cold snap makes the mildness of last weekend seem like a bit of a tease and its seems I'm not the only one in Pangbourne who is feeling a little under the weather!
A part of my job that I really enjoy is hearing about the person that we'll be delivering to. Whether its an 'I love you' bouquet, a 'welcome to the world' bouquet, a bouquet being sent to someone who has just lost a loved one or my favorite - the 'just because' bouquet. Sometimes they say 'I know these are her favourite', or 'Those colour tones would be perfect in her kitchen' but this week its been 'Oh, anything lovely... something to cheer her up!' and that in itself makes me smile. That way I get to indulge and its a win-win; I get cheered up by making something to cheer someone else up!
My ideal 'just because bouquet' would definately have some zesty greens in it-perhaps some lovely Guelder Rose {Viburnum Opulus} and an array of spring flowers, bright ones at that! It must seem that we go on and on about spring flowers but they really are special. They are natures way of letting us know that new things are coming and it might be cold and frosty on the outside, underground the bulbs are working hard and soon those brave and optimistic Daffodils will come up and put a smile on everyone's face!
Of course flowers are not the only way to show someone that you care, it can be little things. A hand written note popped through the door, a lovely plant. Last week whilst donning my coat to brave the cold and go home for the day I found some chocolate treats that one of the lovely girls here had snaffled into my pocket without me noticing! I was touched and it was lovely!
Anemone.
The windflower.
Possibly the love of my life in the flower world.
I could gush for hours about how much I love anemones. I promise I’ll keep it short. For me, they signal the true sign of spring and a hopeful end to cold winter weather. How can one not fall completely head over heals in love with their dainty heads and delicate unfurling petals.
Coming from the Greek word for “windflower” the anemone is rumoured to have sprung from Aphrodite’s tears as she mourned the death of Adonis.
They are said to bring luck and protect against evil. Throughout mythology anemones are linked to fairies, which are said to sleep under the petals, after the flower closed at sunset. The modern interpretation is linked to anticipation.
Anticipation that warmer weather is coming.
I love them arranged in single stem vases. I have an ever-expanding selection of gold and silver numbers that are slowly cluttering up our mantelpiece. These vases are my favourite. Beautifully simple, elegant and they use up all the off cuts, snapped stems and I know summer is a little way off but what better way to display sweet peas.
A new delivery of aged zinc containers has arrived in store.
I just had to jump in and arrange this table centre for an impromptu dinner party. A table isn’t complete without flowers right?
People expect my house to resemble a greenhouse, filled to the brim with fresh flowers – I don’t want to break the spell but instead my kitchen windowsill is littered with old, dried roses. I know they are dead but I love the beauty of them, they look like an oil painting.
Stealing ten minutes with a coffee - a much needed aid to post-Valentine's Day recovery, and I thought I'd share a little snap shot to remind us what lies ahead... yes I mean Summer! I know, we've Spring to come in between but I'm an optimist!
In the midst of the busy-ness that engulfs Green Parlour on v-day as we refer to it 'in the trade' we had some pretty Pinks dotted throughout the shop lodged in these lovely zinc containers. I love them and just looking at them makes me happy!
Updating the chalk boards is on our 'to do' list today! Valentine's is so last season, it's Mother's Day next don't you know! Peeping it's head around the corner - Mothering Sunday falls on the 10th March this year- three weeks away tomorrow! Ahh... where does the time go!
As a treat for all my hard work this week, tomorrow I will assign the day to be spent in garden. There's nothing quite like the first day you spend in the garden. It looked positively pretty in the snow until it melted! And I feel quite inspired with all our new 'Burgeon and Ball' goodies we had delivered in to the shop, I might even buy myself some new Gardening Gloves for the occasion. ...Something about a new broom sweeping clean - does that translate into new gloves - greener fingers?? I do hope so!
A welcome break from dust and decorating, spring has well and truly sprung in the shop with some of my favourite plants and flowers filling draws, shelves and all spare space. I just wish my home and garden looked full of promise!
Possibly my favourite spring bulb of all time, Muscari.
I think they are the perfect way to brighten someone’s day
They also smell like sweets.
Hellebore heaven ...
I am super dizzy with excitement! We just got a huge delivery of the most knock-out hellebore plants and cut stems. Its making me want to create some jam jar arrangements with some scented jasmine foliage for an extra dash of loveliness.
I’ve wallowed in winter enough. To celebrate (slightly prematurely) the start of spring the girls are busy bee’s re-vamping our windows with botanical drawing inspiration.
Learn professional flower arranging in our summer 2011 flower schools.
We have finally announced our new season of flower schools, we are running a selection of day courses, evening courses and half day courses, designed to teach you how to arrange in the gorgeous Green Parlour style. Anyone can take part, budding amateur to professional florist wanting some fresh inspiration.
Flowers and home-made cakes are provided in abundance, as well as some gorgeous containers and all the know-how you need.
Our flower school is run from our flower shop in Pangbourne, Reading in small informal groups.
Its going to be a giggle.
This one day course gives you an insight into how to arrange the flowers we love. Suitable for all abilities, this course will teach you how to make one of our signature hand-tied bouquets, a beautiful vase display and learn how to use small vases. The price includes all flowers and containers, refreshments and cake, lunch with a glass of sparkling wine. You also receive a discount card valid for 6 months on all flower purchases and a pair of professional floristry scissors. Please book in advance as places are limited.
This half day course gives you all the knowledge to produce one of our signature hand-tied bouquets within a beautiful glass vase. We will give advice on how to combine flowers and colours to create the perfect floral arrangement. Price includes all flowers and containers, a pair of professional floristry scissors, refreshments and cake. Please book in advance as places are limited.
This evening course teaches you how to make a table centre for the home using a selection of glass vases and containers. We will give advice on how to combine flowers and colours to create the perfect floral arrangement. Price includes all flowers and containers, a pair of professional floristry scissors, a glass of sparkling wine and cake. Please book in advance as places are limited.
Hello my name is Emma and I'm addicted to ferns.
Is there a proper word for this? There are proper words for other types of addictions. Mine is equally unhealthy, I have over indulged.
Maidenhair, Boston you name it we have it.
They are starting to gather names, like Miranda, Fenella and Percy.
I have taken to wearing ferns in my hair, a sort of homage to Julius Caesar with a few delphinium flowers for a more feminine touch. I think this should be part of my regular wardrobe, sort of a Green Parlour uniform.
Today we have mainly been thinking about cakes, lots and lots of cakes. I have vowed to whip out my whisk and produce something spectacular. Marzipan carrots are sounding like a suitable decoration to a three tiered carrot cake. Over the top doesn't even cover it.
Recipe suggestions are welcome.
Note to self: must buy more hessian.
We’ve been busy filling our flower shop in Pangbourne, Reading, Berkshire with some gorgeous new home ware, hand chosen by us for its nostalgic yet practical twist. Our new range of Beautiful Finds can be found in our online store with inspiration from all over the globe designed to fill your home with quirky unusual beautiful products.
These to-die-for Lustre photo frames have stolen our hearts. Beautifully designed, these silver lustre finish will steal the show on any sideboard, add our Sophia candlesticks or Antique silver tea light holders for extra sparkle! Our Lustre photo frames are available to purchase in 2 shapes:
square measuring 16cm by 16cm (this will hold a picture measuring 9cm by 9cm) and portrait measuring 20cm by 16cm (this will hold a picture measuring 14cm by 9cm).
Click the link to see the whole Beautiful Finds range and buy the Lustre photo frames HERE
We’ve been busy filling our flower shop in Pangbourne, Reading with some gorgeous new home ware, hand chosen by us for its nostalgic yet practical twist. Our new range of Beautiful Finds can be found in our online store with inspiration from all over the globe designed to fill your home with quirky unusual beautiful products.
Transform your dinner party table with our Sophia mercury glass candleholders! These antique feel holders will add an elegant antique sparkle to home, perfect grouped together, or scattered along your mantle piece. Decorated with a gorgeous barley twist design these mercury glass candlesticks will hold a standard sized column candle and are available in two sizes, small measuring 20cm in height and the large measuring 28cm in height. Take a look at our Beautiful Finds range and purchase these beautiful Sophia candlesticks HERE
