The Fine Art of Flower Arranging: A Garden Club of America Book [Hardcover]

Nancy D'Oench (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002

In this volume 170 colour photographs record fashionable as well as traditional and historical styles of flower arranging. In arrangements created for the dinner table and the living room, in spectacular designs for competition halls and museums and in botanical sculptures for the garden, the art of this hobby is presented. The text reveals how the best arrangers create their floral masterpieces and gives the reader how-to advice and inspiration to create their own arrangements.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Cutting-edge floral design is associated with lavish traditional arrangements in this exquisitely produced compendium replete with color photographs. Under the distinguished sponsorship of the Garden Club of America, this sweeping survey presents the most creative approaches to combining plant material and complementary vessels. Pictured are contemporary displays in which leaves take the form of sculptural lines in space, echoing the similarly undulating curves of a ceramic vase. The accompanying text provides an introduction to the history of flower arranging, followed by instructive descriptions of glorious arrangements spanning romantic rococo style to stunningly modern compositions. Anyone inclined toward interior design or an interest in gardening will find a rich source of ideas and inspiration both for the home and for special events. Alice Joyce
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Nancy D'Oench is a writer, award-winning flower arranger, flower show judge, and long-time member of the Garden Club of America. She lectures, teaches arranging, and served as editor of the Flower Arranging Study Group Newsletter for the Club. Bonny Martin is a prolific flower arranger, designer, lecturer, and judge. She grows 360 roses, 250 bonsai, and countless other plants in her gardens in Memphis, Tennessee, where she has been parks commissioner and president of the Garden Club. Marine has currently a director of the Garden Club of America. Mick Hales is a highly regarded flower and garden photographer whose work has been published around the world.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; First Edition edition (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810932814
• ISBN-13: 978-0810932814
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #521,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Thorough and Beautiful Look at Advanced Flower Arranging!, April 10, 2004

By 

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This review is from: The Fine Art of Flower Arranging: A Garden Club of America Book (Hardcover)

When Spring finally comes to New England, thoughts of the flowers to come begin to dominate my thoughts. In such a mood, I spotted The Fine Art of Flower Arranging at the library as a way to provide some of this beauty in advance of the real thing arriving outside. I was bowled over by what I found in the book. It is simply the most comprehensive view of advanced flower arranging that it has ever been my pleasure to read.

The book begins with a history of flower arranging from the perspectives of Western civilization and of Japan, both of which are amply illustrated with outstanding examples. The book goes on to show how both traditions are now being combined in contemporary arrangements in the United States.

Next, you visit the gardens of four arrangers to see how they use their own raw material to create arrangements. This was most impressive for me because three of the gardens are in New England where I live. The fourth is in Hawaii where I often tour gardens. I got a number of ideas about how to use my own garden to help with arrangements from seeing these gardens.

The book then turns to flower shows, and devotes a chapter each to table arrangements, working in defined spaces, pedestal arrangements, fashion-related arrangements, museum arrangements designed to complement fine art and arrangements that serve as outside sculptures. There are many remarkable arrangements in each chapter which will inspire my future arrangements. I seldom have gotten so many good ideas from one source!

The book also has extended appendices about how to get involved with flower arranging, conditioning flowers and plant material for display, mechanically assembling arrangements, dates of flower shows (including museum shows), and other resources for arrangers.

If you buy only one book about flower arranging, I encourage you to make it this one. I think this book can help you create much more advanced designs than you would ever think of on your own . . . which will add to both your skill and pleasure in designing.

May beauty always surround you!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Beautiful Book, November 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Fine Art of Flower Arranging: A Garden Club of America Book (Hardcover)

I think this book is the most beautiful book on flower arranging that I have ever seen. There are all types of arrangements for all seasons and all occasions. I am giving it to all members of my family and many friends for Christmas, even teenage granddaughters. It will become an heirloon and study guide of the future.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars American Amateur Flower Arrangers Debut, November 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Fine Art of Flower Arranging: A Garden Club of America Book (Hardcover)

For years, amateur foreign floral arrangers have compiled anthologies of their work - from France, Italy, Belgium, New Zealand and even South Africa. "The Fine Art of Flower Arranging" is the American compendium, featuring arrangers from Maine to Hawaii who have created 150 works of floral art. Also unique is its combination of historical perspective, flower show flower arranging competition entries and an extensive resources and further reading section. I particularly enjoyed the arrangers' texts which explain their thinking and methods. What a fabulously rich learning experience, beautifully written and compiled by Nancy D'Oench and enhanced by Mick Hales' exciting floral photography. A coffeetable book that makes the ideal gift for any flower arranger.