Call Up A Girlfriend: Seattle Northwest Flower & Garden Festival starts Feb 14-18

Details Home & Garden @detailshomeandgarden Booth in 2023 

I want to invite you to the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, my favorite event of the year. The show is in the Seattle Convention Center in Seattle from Weds Feb 14 - 17 from 9:00am - 8:00pm, Sunday Feb 18 from 9:00am - 6:00pm.  

Let me start by saying that the show is grand, imagine if Willy Wonka was into flowers. It has 20 huge show gardens (with an estimated 30,000 forced plants & trees trumpeting spring), a City Living section where designers focus plants & plans that urban dwellers can use to maximize their garden life. There's a huge plant market, a quirky Vintage Market and a staggering number of vendors selling art and design pieces. I'm going to expound on it below (and during the show) but it is an unreasonable feat and that is what makes it so fabulous. The show is all indoors and designed to inspire. This year I have been asked to judge 2 of the prestigious awards given and I can't wait to get at it.

This year’s theme is “I Love Spring.”  Built by the region’s best designers and landscape professionals, these show gardens are a breath of fresh air.  The outside is brought indoors. Green grass, blooming trees, flowing water, camellias flowering and a carpet of bulbs in bloom – it is the reassurance of spring that we all need in February.

Hartley Botanic Greenhouse

Each year I spend hours walking the show and then when I need a rest, I soak up knowledge at seminars covering everything from caring for succulents in the Pacific Northwest to How to Transplant & Root Prune for Healthier Container Plants. The breadth of content covered in the seminars is staggering and more than half of the speakers are GWA (now known as GardenComm) members. Impressive. The coursework available is like a "garden university" and I want you to look at the schedule a head of time and really plan which day suits you best. Here is a link to this year's seminar schedule. Pick a class, any class, they are all free to attendees.

An unexpected part of the show is the Vintage Market—booths crammed with up-cycled and vintage items, often planted with primulas or violets to give them a je ne se quoi. Charming and fresh, this section of the show inspires us all to work with what we have, to create meaningful and storied displays in our home. Last year I bought bundles of paper-wrapped pussywillow branches and an aqua drinks pitcher. You never know what you'll find and that's the fun.

Another neat event each day at 11 am is called Container Wars. Skilled garden experts take each other on in a healthy container design competition. Presented by Cascade Water Alliance, Crescent Garden, Corona Tools, and Sunnyside Nursery, Container Wars is hosted by Seattle's beloved gardening columnist and television host Marianne Binetti. Be sure to make your way over and watch Container Wars live to get great tips on planting your own container garden.

As you look ahead to the show, you can book a slot at Blooms & Bubbles presented by Debra Prinzing of SlowFlowers.com. During each session, a floral designer teaches a flower or plant inspired hands-on design workshop. Debra answers questions and encouraged the designers to share tips and tricks during their segment. The crowd loves these events and I encourage you to wander over and watch, even if you haven't booked one of the classes.

Wanna shop more? There are garden retail booths galore, merchandised to within an inch of their lives. I am so proud how (in just 72 hours) they can create a store out of thin air. My favorite booth is Ravenna Gardens and I always buy from them to give show them my love.

And how about pure plants, bulbs or citrus trees? Don't forget, there is a whole plant market dedicated to selling specific varieties orchids, houseplants, dahlia tubers, succulents. It is wonderful.

I will be judging Tuesday (yay!) and then supporting the show vendors and speakers on Weds & Thursday and then on Friday we have our GardenComm Regional Meeting & Post Show Happy Hour. Plus I've got a large group of Junior League of Seattle members meeting up with me to see the show for the first time. It's going to be a big week! Please look for me and say Hello. I always carry one of my ANA Delight totes, so you’ll know its me. 

ANA Delight magazine bags

My hope is that my words reach you. That you call up a girlfriend and make time to attend the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival this year; I know that you will love it and you must share what inspired you. 

I hope you have a wonderful growing season ahead of you and may the internet connect us like far-flung cousins until we meet again, hopefully at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival. 

#NWFGF #seattle #gardenshow #plantcollector #beautyofeverydaylife #gardener 

Shopping the Seattle Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Brocante Beach House

I fell hook line and sinker for the world Kim & Dino Medica of The Brocante Beach House created at this year's Northwest Flower & Garden Festival. They had a booth in the vintage market section and created a City Living Display named, "Coastal French Cottage." 

I was talking with Kim and she said that they opened their shop on Alki Beach during the pandemic. I told her that we would be sure to visit this Spring when we started visiting the Alki farmer's market again. I can't wait. I mentioned that the mannequin that I had photographed (above) was missing, and she told me that a woman bought it for her daughter who would be wearing it for her wedding on the coast of Oregon this spring! They arranged the whole transaction on the phone from the show and Kim was excited to tell the bride that the dress had been made for the Seattle Opera. How glamourous!

You can see my plate on display (above). I bought two of these gorgeous blue French plates that I can layer in with some of my other dishes. Note to self, plant more medium blue grape hyacinth. They are everything.

I also bought several bundles of pussy willow branches wrapped in brown paper. They were so beautiful and elegant I simply couldn't resist.

"Coastal French Cottage" in City Living section

I absolutely laughed out loud when I read, "I love you. In French" As if she really wants you to know it, and then tags on a way to make it even better. I can see this being used a lot of brilliant ways and I'm here for it. I love the old cloth. I love the block white letters. I love the dirt. It's absolutely great.

It's so great that it took me a while to see the rest of the display. The lion with the hat askew. The cream tin canister planted with blue grape hyacinths. The fact that the dresser has different knobs and pulls all the way down. 

The artist's painting on the easel and a palette smeared with paints - wonderful. A champagne bucket filled with moss -love it. Vibrant double white daffodils sprouting from the cabinet drawer. It all adds up to great visual storytelling.  

#nwfgs #cityliving #springvibesonly 


 

My Mom & Seattle Northwest Flower and Garden Festival

It's taking me longer to write blog posts these days. In my mind they burst like firecrackers, but getting them past the keyboard seems to take longer these days.

So I want to stop and tell you that this year, for me, the best part about the Northwest Flower and Garden Show was that my mom could attend. She had a frightening fall last year at this time and I wasn't sure about anything. But here she is, happy and enjoying it all and I am amazed. And thankful.

Dan took the day off work to enjoy the show with us and help with with logistics and we had a really great day.

Can you see us in the mirror? This show garden by Hello Garden and we loved all of her sweet entertaining touches - silverware, plates and platters mixed around her display garden. It was darling. 

Hello Garden added grow lights to this vintage cabinet to create a gardener's dream set up. We could all take a page from her book and do this! Isn't it awesome?

Aren't the plantings beautiful? I must plant coral tulips and white crocus.

My mom insisted I zoom in and photograph just the coral primulas (photo above)

Anyhoo, 11 months ago I was scared to death, yet here we are walking among the flowers and buying seeds to plant this spring. This is the beauty of every day life.

#nwfgs #seattle #gardenshow #plantlovers #springvibesonly

Blooms & Bubbles: Slow Flowers at 2023 Northwest Flowers & Garden Festival

I enjoyed watching Debra Prinzing's Slow Flowers workshop Blooms & Bubbles. Tyra Shenaurlt of the W.W. Seymour Conservatory taught this workshop on building a living arrangement with spring plants. 

Slow Flowers doyenne and author of 10 books and her acclaimed Slow Flower podcast, Debra Prinzing welcomed the thrilled registrants to the plant arranging demonstration and gave a warm introduction to horticulturist Tyra Shenaurlt. 

Everyone seems so very engaged and happy. I think it's great to have additional for-purchase activities for interested attendees at garden shows like this. I would happily plant an herb pot or plant a wire head with succulents on top - it would be fun!
 

The pot, plants and supplies were arranged at each place, along with a pot of dirt to pull from in the center of the table. The attendees listened to each step Tyra explained and then you could hear the swell of chatter and laughter as everyone relaxed and got to it. I think the show would benefit from more workshops like this because everyone really liked bringing the aspirational ideas of the show down into their own two hands. The project wasn't hard, but it was satisfying. And that is what people want, to feel like they accomplished something in a space of time and have something to show for it. Win-win.    

#nwfgs #bloomsandbubbles #slowflowers #finddelight #seattle #indoorgarden

GardenComm Friends at Northwest Flower & Garden Festival

It is such a joy to be able to participate in the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival again this year. I met my dear friends Mary-Kate Mackey (burgandy) and Marinne Binetti (cream) in the press room at this show in 2016. 

Erica Brown Grivas (coral) and I got to know each other through GardenComm at one of our Regional Connect Meetings just a few years ago and we have talked a mile a minute ever since! She is a phenomenal National Director for our GardenComm Region VI, which covers a vast portion of the Western United States and has been so great to work with.

We all missed being able to see our garden industry friends & colleagues during the pandemic and this photo was taken after the 2023 Press Tour - the start of an incredible week in Seattle.

While I was organizing my photographs, I kept noticing this photograph in my garden show pics and thinking that our group shot (above) matched it. You decide, did we dress for...Spring Vibes Only?

#nwfgs  #springvibesonly #finddelight #gardencomm

Northwest Flower and Garden Festival: A Gardener's Delight

As I slowly get my bearings in the Pacific Northwest, I still have a lot of questions when it comes to the garden. It was exciting to move to a more temperate zone (from 6a to 8b) but my new-construction house means my blank slate garden has gotten softer edges and a bit of texture, but not really changed all that much in 5 years. I now know that roses love it in pots here, so I can take advantage of the sun at the front of the house and have enormous healthy rose bushes.  

Where do I flush out ideas for our future? The Northwest Flower & Garden festival. My experience with the GWA (Garden Writers of America, now known as GardenComm) began in the show’s press room. As a blogger since 2007 and a flower enthusiast, I was thrilled to cover this famous show. I have self-published 3 books that highlight my love of flower arranging, gardening, edible flowers and floral portraits.  My mission as a writer and photographer is to dissolve the barrier between busy American women who get their information and inspiration through their phones and the intimidating “you-need-to-know-a-lot” world of flowers.

I was carrying one of my DELIGHT magazine bags (the Rose issue) and it caught the eye of Marianne Binetti and Mary-Kate Mackey. We all started talking and the next thing I knew, they were introducing me to everyone in the press room (loads of GWA members, of course) and encouraging me to come to the GWA Connect Meeting the next night. I met a whirl of members who echoed a message of “I’m so glad you joined!” They were supportive of my work and how I fit into the new definition of garden communicating.

It’s been 7 years later now and I feel like I’ve found long-lost cousins. We speak the same language and love the same things. I walk into the Washington Convention, and I am back at a botanical family reunion, hugging those I’ve gotten to know better through Facebook and introducing myself to names I only know on-screen. It is fantastic.

I want you to buy two tickets to the Northwest Flower and Garden Show (early bird pricing is available thru 2/15) call a friend and attend the show. You will be inspired and delighted. I promise. Continue reading to see just what the show is like.

From my perspective, the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival covers the intersections of all the things I love. Cakes that look like birch trees; air plants arranged like wallpaper and blown glass vegetables that add visual vitamins to any kitchen. It is impossible not to be inspired. Attend free lectures. Watch experts compete in “Container Wars” over the best way to make a showstopping planted container.

At the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, I start my week with the media tour hosted by Marianne Binetti.  Trying to absorb and photograph each of 18 grand show gardens in a manner of minutes is difficult. We all appreciate Marianne’s insight and coaching to keep our lenses focused on the important elements and story-telling details. This year’s theme is “Spring Vibes Only,” and I can’t wait to see the gardens. Built by some of the region’s best designers and landscape professionals, these show gardens are a breath of fresh air.  The outside is brought indoors. Green grass, blooming trees, water flowing, camellias flowering and a carpet of bulbs in bloom – it is the reassurance of spring that we all need in February.

I always take one day of the show to walk the floor with my mom. We admire the show gardens, search for seeds, investigate a vertical aero-growing system and always buy beeswax candles. When we stop for lunch, we always end up sharing a table with other plant lovers and these native gardeners give great advice. It is the perfect way to spend a winters day and I hope I’ve enticed you to join us this year. I know you’ll find delight.

#plantlover #gardener #northwestflowerandgardenfestival #springvibesonly #seattleevents #horticulture #seattle #garden #color #planning #livingwall

Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Seattle Feb 9 - 13

Pinch me! It feels like an eternity since I could announce Seattle's Northwest Flower & Garden Festival, but in truth, they really only missed 1 year holding the show in person. Isn't it weird what the mind can perceive? 

All I know is that absence makes the heart grow fonder! 

If you are comfortable attending an event again (please note the safety guidelines), this is the show for you! House plants, garden inspiration, book signings, educational classes, art vendors. 

Happy Spring! P.S. We just bought a snow blower, as I live in the foothills of the Cascades, so I'll be ready for anything! ;-)

#nwfgf #seattle #spring #springfever  

Northwest Flower & Garden Show: Emerge and Explore

I was able to attend the press tour for the Northwest Flower & Garden (before the show opens tomorrow), and I am so grateful to be back. If you read the health and safety protocols in place and feel ready to attend, I encourage you to come to the Washington State Convention Center and find a breath of Spring. The show is open Feb 9-13 in downtown Seattle. All show details, times and programming are at www.gardenshow.com .

 

I loved this show garden by Urban Earth Nursery. They have so many layers of plants, woven trellis and edible aspects to their display. They've got my mind racing. In the image below, you can see they've layered in an old apothacary unit to add interest to the space. When you walk around to the front, you can't miss the welcoming picnic blanket emphasizing the theme of an edible garden. The show program states

 

"Urban Earth Nursery presents a whimsical, slightly futuristic, yet practical space featuring an abundance of stunning, edible plants. These unique perennial edibles provide a joyful, spring energy, perfect for those looking to grow their own produce while maintaining a beautiful aesthetic. Just be sure to admire this display with your eyes instead of your tastebuds!" 

I met Rooted In Landscape designer Smitha, who is a newcomer to the City Living design section (areas spotlighting ideas for apartment dwellers who may have balconies or may need to focus their gardening inside a small space). She had a fantastic entry loaded with ideas to add plants and great design to your work from home space. She featured a living chandalier over the couch and included a small modern fish tank to add style AND aquatic plants. Her #thelivingworkspace had humor and great design insight into how we really want to work at home. It was wonderful and I know you could get loads of great ideas working with her.

In another section of the massive convention center floor, I found a moment of calm admiring the sound of the water feature and magnificent trees in the Redwood Builders Landscaping show garden. I was forest bathing and wanted more. Please be sure to stop and admire trio of bonsai in the photograph below.

"Take a moment of silence to reflect in this tranquil garden. Named after the Japanese term for forest bathing, this serene display centers around a large and old ekianthus, water features and several bonsai. Destress and listen to the sounds of the stream or enjoy natural reflections in the pond while gazing at the expertly pruned bonsai set in stones and lava rocks." - NWFGF 2022 program

Of course I instantly loved this compact City Living display (below), "A Pacific Northwest Ode to Hygge" by Sunrise Design. The tonal colors of birch, flesh and cream offset the lush green so beautifully. Don't miss the beautiful macrame wall hanging that holds a plant in its pocket.

After we got our quick preview of the show floor, my GardenComm (formerly Garden Writers of America) colleagues and I took turns getting photos at the Hartley-Botanic greenhouse, which was loaded with orchids contributed by the Northwest Orchid Society. 

I'm intentionally ending with this photograph because it is not lost on me just how much WORK putting on a show of this magnitude is. I applaud the men and women who donned a mask, rolled up their sleeves and showed up. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. The world is slowly moving out of the pandemic and it requires risk and heart to believe that the public will return and enjoy what we once held dear. This is the first Northwest Flower & Garden show since Covid 19 sent shock waves through the country and world and I am so grateful to be back. If you read the health and safety protocols in place and feel ready to attend, I encourage you to come to the Washington State Convention Center and find a breath of Spring. The show is open Feb 9-13 in downtown Seattle. 

All show details, times and programming are at www.gardenshow.com

#nwfgs #nwfgf #gardenshow #seattleevents #gardens #plantlover #gardencomm #worththewait #growcookeat

Leah Erickson: Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Seatlle 2020

Oh how I love the glamour of old hollywood. That is all I see when I look at Leah Erickson's stunning mannequin. The long sleek gown. The enormous I am a movie star coat. I absolutely love your design, Leah. She is everything.

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #SLOWflowers

Zupan Markets & Coree Ryan: Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Seattle 2020

I can see her riding side saddle on a prized horse, can't you? Her fitted jacket looks like the finest deep green silk...but it's made from leaves. This bit of floral glory was designed by Coree Ryan of Zupan's Markets. 

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #SLOWflowers

Garden Party: Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Show 2020

Does anyone else hear Berlin's song Masquerade playing in their head? I think it is so great that they designed a grande dame at a masquerade ball. The headpiece is a feat of engineering, the wispy mask makes me want to wear a mask and I never would have thought to layer orchids on top of white anthuriums to create a pattern- it's just wonderful. Garden Party Flowers created this sunshine yellow dress and they deserve your admiration. 

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #SLOWflowers

Hazel Landscapes & Design: Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Seattle 2020

Oh the genius of making ruffle layers out of corn husks, and adding a pouf with flowers themselves. I think she is fabulous, Hazel Landscapes. You have designed such a beautiful place for her to shine too. Lush and luxurious.   

This flower child got warm in the sun and happily shrugged off her moss & lichen coat (don't miss the detail of pussy willow cuffs!). 

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #SLOWflowers

Ondine: Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival: Seattle 2020

The floral designer's company name Ondine means "little wave or sea witch" in French and it represents her love of the sea and her island roots. I love the antique colors and vintage vibe she conveys with her beautiful creation, which won the People's Choice Award from the public. 

Look at how she wove sea grass to create a shell-like base. So inspired. I commented on Instagram to the designer, Hannah Rindlaub, that the gown reminded me of something Jane Seymour would wear in the movie, Somewhere in Time, a romantic movie set in Michigan (yay!) in 1912. Have you seen the film? It's one of my favorites. Congratulations, to the team at Ondine.

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #barbies #hendricksgin #SLOWflowers

Seattle Floral Design: Fleurs De Villes: Northwest Flower & Garden Festival 2020

Here comes a masterpiece! Seattle Floral Design outdid themselves with this floral gown. She could glide down any grand staircase and the guests would know that the party could finally begin. 

Isn't this mass of blooms gorgeous? And I think it was so smart of them to show depth by highlighting under the skirt with deep raspberry blooms. Swoon. 

The collection of floral mannequins is an installation arranged by Fleurs De Villes, who "combines the love of flowers, local design talent, and bespoke, utterly unique displays, for experiential events like none other." 

I enjoyed listening to Fleurs De Villes founders, Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley, discuss their company with SLOW Flowers creator, Debra Prinzing in her podcast, just weeks before their Seattle debut. 

Hendrick's Gin was a sponsor of the Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show and they had a beautiful bar area and floral cocktails adorned with edible flowers available for purchase. My impression was that it was designed to looked like the mannequins, in their floral glory, were guests at Seattle's biggest garden party. Well done.

I have long talked about encouraging people to find delight at the intersection of two things that they love. As I stood at the show, I realized that my appreciation for the gowns of Fleurs De Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is because for me, they hit a bulls eye at the intersection of flowers and Barbies. 

I love Barbies and have such happy memories of combining just the right clothing, jewelry and hair styles to make my dolls look their best. I played with joy, imagination and freedom. When I walked among the Fleur De Villes mannequins, I had flashbacks of some of my favorite gowns, high heels and sheer nightgowns - all fabulous and all made for an 11 inch doll. I love that the whimsy of Fleurs De Villes allows local floral designers the chance to give in to their joy and imagination and the freedom to create custom couture. The result makes us all swoon.

#nwfgs #fleursdevilles #seattle #gardenshow #floraldesign #floralgown #colorstory #flowerinstallation #finddelight #seattleblogger #floralglory #barbies #hendricksgin #SLOWflowers