Floral Art - Nemi

Floral Art outdoorsFor the past few years the tiny town of Nemi has invited me along with a very few other floral designers to participate in their annual celebration of wild strawberries and flowers. This little town just outside the center of Rome is famous for these two items.

Since there are many flower growers in Nemi, they each donate all kinds of floral related materials for this event. Upon arrival we are guided to a warehouse full of all types of flowers, greenery, branches and assorted other items. This warehouse is a floral designers dream come true. We are each permitted to chose whatever we want to create our designs. Many of us have brought along other items to add to the vast assortment.

It doesn’t take long before we are each immersed in our design projects. I have chosen types of flowers that I usually don’t use in my work as a way to force myself to create new forms and to experiment. What a wonderful experience to design literally whatever you want using flowers.

Although I am always thrilled with this very special opportunity to create outdoors for the sheer joy of doing it and not bound by customer needs, the best part of all is eating all those strawberries at the end of the night.

How blessed I am to be doing something I love.

Debra

Circolo Della Caccia

Ambassador Cousin and Debra Biagini

Ambassador Cousin and Debra The Bouquet

Recently the American International Club of Rome (AICR) was invited by our club Vice President to the Circolo della Caccia.

The Circolo della Caccia, also considered an exclusive private museum, was founded 140 years ago in 1869, and is a true privilege for those who are able to gain access to its noble doors.
Stepping back in time, guests marveled at the 17th century frescos adorning the walls; at the traditionally-clad wait staff in livery catering to their every culinary need; at the secret staircase hidden within the internal wall structure of the palazzo; and so much more. Guests were welcomed with a cocktail and treated to a refined dining experience amongst an international group of friends and two american ambassadors.

The club asked me to design a bouquet for Ambassador Cousin. Since I did not know her I decided to just create something that I truely loved and hope that she would love it too. The above bouquet was created with roses and ipericum. It was turely exciting to find out that the ambassador not only loved my bouquet but really does love flowers....just as I do.

It really was an honor to create something beautiful for this intelligent and beautiful ambassador.

Debra

Floral Art/Design

The Bridal GownWhen most people think of their local florist a simple bouquet of flowers are first to come to mind. Then if there is a holiday party on the schedule maybe a nice centerpiece is the item that encourages you to call or better yet visit your florist. What many people do not know is that today the world of floristry has grown and developed into a very professional industry. Most people choosing to become florist today will first attend a trade school. Florists who have been in the industry for years or generations return to the classroom for extensive training or better yet a college degree program in floral art and design. Today it is not enough to just prepare simple bouquets and nice centerpieces.

Handcrafted netting

Recently Condè Nast asked me and 3 other professional florists to create floral sculptures for their stand at a bridal fair. Yes, floral sculpture is part of our talents and becoming more often requested from our clients. Floral art and design is fast becoming a must in our industry.
I decided to create a bridal gown constructed of hand crafted wire netting. The support structure alone took 42 hours to construct. Then the entire structure was covered with sisal making sure to maintain transparency. The finishing touch included pearls, diamonte, crystals and finally flowers and greenery. This is truly floral art and design. Many thanks to master Gundensen from Norway for sharing this technique with me.

The bridal gown

Vase

Buffet table

My Stand

This technique can be used in various ways to create decorations for events and gift items. I have used it from creating lamps to decorating the brides home. Even my own stand at the bridal fair was decorated with hearts in his same technique.
Next time you have a decorating need be sure to check first with your florist….you might be in for a nice surprise.

Debra

The Bridal Fair - IoSposa

My stand at "IoSposa"



The ceiling design was all hand strung beads.

Organizing for a fair is so much work. Not only does it require that I find some creative idea that will capture the attention of thousands of tired fair goers but also to create something that will show my skills as a designer and florist. Then comes the managerial and marketing work. Even though I have people who handle these responsibilities, I believe it’s important that I am involved in the process.

This year I concentrated on WHITE and LIGHTS. All of the arrangements on the stand were white and had LED lights in and around everything. The overall effect was interesting.

The big news this year was that the national television channel asked me to do a brief interview on the trends in bridal bouquets. How odd that something I created just for my own pleasure was spotted by the reporter for the interview. This is exactly why I love my work.

That's it!!! Now it's time to wait for the results of so much hard work.....which will mean more hard work during the wedding season.

Maybe I'll rest for a moment.

Debra

Irish brides in Rome

Although only 15% of my bridal business comes from Irish couples getting married in Rome I must admit that designing for the Irish women who contact me about their wedding is one of the most enjoyable parts of my work.

Just this September I was asked to design for an Irish couple. The lovely bride was kind enough to send me a photo of the bouquets that I designed for her and her bridesmaid. I absolutely love these bouquets. I hope you do too.

Many thanks to the bride for sending me the photo.

Debra

"The colors of Baroque"

Professional florists make a point of fueling their inspiration. They make an effort to update themselves on new techniques and trends. This is one of the main reasons why I always suggest to my clients and friends too, to chose a professional florist just as you would any other professional for your needs. Honestly, would you chose a hairdresser or chef who hasn’t had any training in their field? Chose a professional florist.

Here I am in a city 85 km from home taking a course. The theme of this course is the “Colors of Baroque”. This may seem unnecessary to Americans but here in Rome I often find myself in churches or Villas that are decorated in this period style. Understanding the period assures that my designs will successfully enhance their surroundings.

Learning has been made especially inviting since the course is being held in one of Fiuggi’s five star hotels. Just take a look at what we are seeing while we are listening to the instructor and designing our works of Baroque floral art.

Ahhh!! It’s great to be a professional florist.

Gotta go. Class is about to begin.
Debra

Hearts and Flowers

Invitation

My last visit of the day at the October 2008 Bridal Fair was a mature and very friendly couple. After only a few minutes of conversation and I knew this was going to be a meeting that I would remember for a long time. Maria Grazia and I hit it off straight away. She loved my work and I loved her enthusiasm for planning her upcoming wedding.

Maria Grazia and her fiancé came to my shop where we talked for literally hours about her dreams for her wedding day. Even Walter had many questions and special requests for the designs and types of flowers. Their enthusiasm was contagious and I began to make simple drawings of the designs to make sure that we were all imagining the same concepts. Once we agreed it was time to take pencil and paper (still use those) and my calculator (yes, I still use that too). I put together my proposal and then printed the contract.

The months prior to the wedding passed very quickly. Maria Grazia and I met at intervals to discuss adding items to the church decorations. We even met at the reception location in order to verify that all our ideas were correct logistically as well as artistically.

Well, I underestimated my own creativity. The overall effect was stunning. I decided to call in a favor from my good friend Fabrizio who is a freelance photographer, to take photos of our work. These are the results of our hard work and Fabrizio’s photographic talent.

I hope you have enjoyed these as much as I have. Each time I look at the photos a smile comes to my face. First for realizing my designs so accurately and second for the wonderful friendship that developed between me and Maria Grazia during the process.

Enjoy!!

Debra