Monday, November 26, 2012

Thankful



 (the farm mid-summer blooming with flowers)


As the season at Larkspur farm winds down, we are in a reflective mood. Over the past Thanksgiving weekend while walking the grounds of our fertile land in Buchanan, Michigan, we filled the bird feeders, gathered leaves for mulch and took long walks with our dogs Clyde and Ruby.  As we listened to the crisp sounds of the fallen leaves and frosted grass under our feet we give thanks for the earth's bounties that nurture us year after year.  This winter will be filled with days gazing at heirloom seed catalogs and going over our notes as we plan our next year's plantings of beautiful, unusual varieties of flowers, herbs and foliage.  





(We find Larkspur Farm to be just as breathtaking in winter slumber as it is all dressed up in summer)




 

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Bridal bouquets: Part II



This bouquet of hydrangea and peonies was created for Heather for her wedding at The Enchanted Estate 
outside of Chicago, the bouquet was wrapped with a piece of vintage fabric from her grandmother's wedding dress
***



The arrangements for the tables were made up of purple lisianthus, dahlias, chocolate Queen Ann's lace, curly willow branches, hydrangea, and yarrow

delicate clusters of arrangements filled vintage mercury glass and milk glass containers that were interspersed with tea light candles in order to create a romantic ambiance





Friday, November 16, 2012

Bridal bouquets: Part 1




We had a very busy summer and fall wedding season that is just now winding down!
We will be highlighting some of the designs from weddings we were able to be a part of in 2012 in this next series of posts.


 (close up of the bouquet created for our client Ashley)

This elegant mostly white bouquet consisting of peonies, ranunculus, and striped lily grass was created for a spring wedding which took place in one of the historic ballrooms at Germania Place.










Thursday, November 1, 2012

The Black Petals


(The Black Petals 2009, Mixed Media on Paper, 10.5 x 7.5 inches)

In Tony Fitzpatrick's book entitled "The Train:  An Artist's Journal" he writes about this work, called The Black Petals
which was inspired by the leaves of a calathea plant he purchased from Larkspur.  A passage from his book recalls:

"There is a lovely flower store across the street from my studio called Larkspur.  My friend, Beth Barnett, owns it.  Sometimes when it is gray and shitty in Chicago, which is about eight months a year, I go over there and marvel at the color and smell of her daily inventory of flowers and plants . . . it is one of those pleasures that I live for."

We love the work that Tony makes and we are so very excited that he created a mural based on The Black Petals, directly across the street on the outer fence belonging to Red Door restaurant.
Be sure to check out the mural on Damen Avenue if you are in the Bucktown area!



Monday, October 22, 2012

The Walnut Room

(The Walnut Room at the Allegro Hotel)

This past weekend Larkspur had the pleasure of creating floral arrangements and personal flowers for a wedding reception held at The Walnut Room in the Allegro Hotel.

We were totally blown away by the restored art deco space with original chandeliers and wall sconces!  We think it was the perfect setting for the "Classic-Chicago-Vintage-feel-with-a- Modern-twist" vibe that the bride and groom
were going for.

(original late 1920's perforated metal chandelier in the Walnut Room)

We were also blown away by the staff at the Allegro for making the load in and set up for the reception so smooth.  They were super organized and friendly- especially K.T. Thompson, who coordinated Jessica and Andy's big day. It's always a delight to work with a professional and organized staff.

(wall sconces affixed to the grand wooden walls)

The Walnut Room has a really interesting history as well, apparently the Allegro Hotel was originally named The Bismarck Hotel.  On December 5, 1933:  The Bismarck became the first place in Chicago to serve alcohol after Prohibition was repealed, tapping the first legal keg of beer just one minute after midnight. Revelers in the hotel’s Walnut Room donned beer mug-shaped caps with the slogan “Happy Days.”




The color story we worked with to create the floral arrangements was a mix of faded indigo, French blue, nude, gold and a pop of apricot.
 To infuse the space with a soft glow, we used lots of romantic tea candles housed in mercury glass votive holders and glass cylinder vases filled with curly willow branches and elegant floating candles.


(arrangements included garden roses, dusty miller, ranunculus, stock, light blue delphinium, 
pink stock, blue thistle and seeded eucalyptus)

Congratulations Jessica and Andy!