After a full week of marvelous restaurants and enchanting museums, bustling farmers markets and sold out workshops, all in the company of two Kansas City candlemakers we adore, Jaithan and I are finally back home on the farm, pruning our roses, polishing new finds and, of course, catching up on posts! To start, here's a recap of the flower and table setting workshops I did, just in case you missed them on Twitter. For this arrangement, inspiration began, as it often does, with color. Not of flowers and leaves, fabric or paint, but wax—candle wax!—in a zesty Lime Green.
Good candles, as you know, are so important in setting a beautiful table, and with tapers this happy and fresh, I wanted to create an arrangement in an equally vibrant palette of greens that's versatile and a touch unconventional. For the vessel, I began with with two simple glass cylinders, one inside the other. Then, in the space between, I used a material that came to me only after a routine trip to the hardware store to soften our water—solar salt! It's white, coarse, and I think quite beautiful really, not unlike the quartz crystal in some of her bauble boxes. Green was the theme of this arrangement—it's versatile enough to go with any décor—so to bring texture and shape to the mix, I added limes. Here's what each work station looked like before we began.
For the flowers, I chose hydrangea to give the arrangement shape, hypericum berries to add even more texture, and a variegated myrtle to pull it all together. Now from the beginning, I wanted everybody in the workshops, whatever their level of experience, to learn something new, and I do believe this arrangement achieved that. Here I am, showing one member in our group how to strip leaves off the myrtle so the stem becomes more of a skewer in preparation for the Oasis.
And here's the arrangement all finished! The raffia I wove throughout to give it a more designer touch.
What I love most about this arrangement, especially the vessel, is
that anyone can create (and re-create) variations on the look without spending a lot
of money. For example, how pretty would an arrangement be with, say, all yellow
sunflowers, golden seckel pears and, in place of solar salt, vintage
yellow buttons from the flea market? Pair it with a simple burlap
tablecloth, and it's the perfect arrangement for a casual, mid-summer soiree. For the workshops, though, I wanted to do something a bit more formal, as in this intimate table setting for four.
In fact, I love small folding tables that travel well; they're perfect
for an impromptu supper in the library, the living room, at the beach, or on the docks. Here at the house, Jaithan and I love to entertain
other couples, so a small table for four always comes in handy. Mixing metals, I might add, is such a great way of introducing a cool, eclectic vibe to any table. Think of David Yurman and this cuff I'm coveting for myself and about a hundred of my best friends! Silverware is like jewelry for the table, so why not have fun with it? After all, when it comes to setting beautiful tables, rules are meant to be broken. Now to give credit where credit's due, the antique brass candlesticks are from Christopher Filley in Kansas City, each with a 15" elegant taper in lime green from Creative Candles. The silver fork and knife, together with the mixed pairs of majolica luncheon plates are from Pear Tree. The spoons, linen napkins, and modern wine glasses are from George, while the French Ivory flatware and antique opaline water goblets are from Parrin & Co. Thank you first to our friend Mrs. Blandings for introducing us to her favorite dealers around town and, of course, to each of them for their great generosity!
With our flowers done, we finally sat down to lunch: tarragon chicken salad on mini croissants, grilled vegetable wraps, and a zesty lemon and feta pasta said with grape tomatoes, together with my no-fail sangria. Thank you to Lon Lane for their inspired menu!
And thank you to everybody who joined me for our first of many workshops to come!
Next week, it's off to the factory at Creative Candles for an insider tour you'll love! And in the meantime, check out attendee Jenny Steffen's recap here, as well as this gallery of images from the Kansas City Star!
Welcome home, by the looks of it you and Jaithan had a fabulous time.
Have the weeds over taken your garden, thay have mine.
XOXO
Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Love these colors (as they were the main ‘pop’ of inspiration in my wedding….) These arrangements couldn’t be more lovely!
What a fabulous tutorial. Many thanks!
WOW, these turned our marvalously!!! I’m forwarding this post fo my BFF whose upcoming wedding will feature a Chartruse/Black/White color scheme – and these flowers are perfection 🙂
Oh so fabulous. That closeup shot of your arrangement is breathtaking.
what a beautiful table…I so wish I could have attended!!!
What a wonderful workshop…please come to L.A. soon. Would love to attend such a great experience.
So fun to see the table setting – and two of my friends at the workshop! Miss you already.
could you please give more information on the modern wine glasses and where they can be purchased? i’ve been looking for this style for ages and the ones at crate and barrel are too heavy. many thanks!
Welcome back! Feels like you’ve been gone for ages!
xoxo
Evy
You guys are amazing! Eddie- There is not one table setting you’ve done I haven’t liked. You are an amazing inspiration and I think you would have been the perfect judge on Design Star.
Well, as usual..you have done it again.
The flower arrangements are simply stunning. You are so talented, everything you do is perfection. I am in awe…..
Best to you and Jaithan.
Kary
Eddie,
You and Jaithan are amazing!!! Not only does the table look beautiful but your food selections and plating is off the good taste charts. Your blogs are such an inspiration to me.
I followed along on Twitter and I LOVED it. The simple color combo was my favorite- and the limes just make it go over the top 🙂
Gorgeous Eddie! You all have the magic touch! Hope you all had a great trip.
Eddie great shot of you and your work framed between those two tall tapers! Love the hint of your idea of using solar salt as a runner at a wedding with white arrangements on top. More info please! How about a whole post on wedding ideas!!?
Beautiful as usual! I love chicken tarragon salad and now I just have to make some. Thanks for reminding me I haven’t had it in awhile.
I think green is truly one of my favourite colours! I just love that unique arrangement you did!!
Such a talent you are Eddie!
Eddie,
Once again, you leave me feeling inspired. Thank you.
Happy Friday!
Debbie
So lovely! I was just in Kansas City at the beginning at the month. I wish our dates would have coincided because I would have loved to have taken your class. You need to come to Texas!
Would love to see a video or more info on the flower arranging and especially your use of solar salt.
The green of a living lime next to the ivory blooms is uplifting and elegant. I very much like keeping things to green, white and brown. It’s a combo I never tire of, and it always works in my house. I’ve no cutting flowers in the yard, but I’m always walking out back to clip branches, leaf topped stems, and shrubs or vines with white blossoms. I also happen to have a new lime tree, so that will be going into the mix as well!
(p.s. There’s a great pic on the Tango Life website of you cracking up at the Vamp’s birthday party)
Please make a video of this arrangement and post it. I miss your sweet voice!
beautiful and imaginative! can’t wait to use limes in my next arrangement!
How utterly delightful…I wondered how any blogger could get so many A-list advertisers..now I know. Thank you. Penelope
Any more workshops on the rise?!
Looked fab!