Chandara Creative: Currently Coveting: The Art of Floral Design

If you follow me on Pinterest, you'll understand that I have a slight addiction to floral design & artistry, and I owe it all to my mom. Growing up, she'd take us kids to the local rose gardens and make us stand next to each rose bush while she snapped polaroids of us. Our home was littered with seemingly gaudy silk roses and marigolds that my mom salvaged from her thrift store outings. Her infatuation with all things floral spanned the gamut; from the covers of our family albums to the floral-laden fabrics she chose to sew her handmade peplum dresses that marked her 80's fashion sense, my childhood was perfumed with a flowery puppet show. Looking back through our family photos can only validate my claim that while I never grew up in the 60's, I was certainly a flower child in my own rite.

This week, I'm sharing my love for floral design as part of my Currently Coveting series. While I like to think that my taste has grown more refined since my days spent posing next to rose bushes, I would be lying if I didn't tell you that those formative years have only deepened my affinity for the more grown-up rose varietals, including the heirloom garden roses such as those darling David Austins and Sweet Juliettes that so many top-notch floral designers are incorporating into their lush arrangements. No, they aren't your typical roses at your local Safeway supermarket--far from it. If I had it my way, I would love to have flowers delivered to me every week---it can brighten the darkest of moods on the gloomiest of days and I'm all for that! I especially adore the simplicity of one-of-a-kind florals like a bunch of hand-tied Lily of the Valley or blush pink Astilbe just as much as I covet the organic, free-flowing nature of Dutch-inspired arrangements that are oftentimes spotted in vintage urns with fruits and other foraged greenery. Either way, here are my picks for the designers who are at the top of their game when it comes to floral artistry. Which is your favorite?

1. Fleurs de Fallon