Flora Domestica: A History of British Flower Arranging 1500-1930 [Hardcover]

Maryrose Blacker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2000

For centuries people have been using flowers and plants to decorate their homes. In a lovely book that combines practical how-to advice with informative social history, Mary Rose Blacker details the use of flowers and plants in houses throughout Britain, Europe, and North America-from the delicate bouquets of the 16th century to the extravagant displays of the Victorian and Edwardian periods.

Just as recipes culled from old cookbooks provide a taste of the past, so flowers and plants enhance the authentic appearance of a period room. Stunning photographs of specially commissioned floral arrangements, shown in the houses and great estates preserved by Britain's National Trust, offer ideas and step-by-step instructions for arranging Elizabethan wedding bouquets, Georgian-style garlands, Victorian table decorations, and much more.

200 photographs, 165 in full color, 8 3/4 x 9 5/8"

MARY ROSE BLACKER has worked with Britain's National Trust for 30 years, and was research assistant to the noted architectural historian Gervase Jackson-Stops. Blacker, who grew up in Ireland and whose family includes such knowledgeable and well-known gardeners as Lady O'Neill of the Maine, was instrumental in re-creating the famous 18th-century flower displays at the Trust's Osterley Park in 1985.

ANDREAS VON EINSIEDEL is an acclaimed photographer of interiors whose work has appeared in such magazines as House & Garden and Architectural Design and in Abrams' Historic Interiors of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; First Edition edition (June 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810967030
• ISBN-13: 978-0810967038
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,096,719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flora Domestica - Blooming Marvellous!, June 13, 2000

By 

sue buckle (Portsmouth, Hampshire, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flora Domestica: A History of British Flower Arranging 1500-1930 (Hardcover)

I had this book recommended to me by a college. As it's a new book I thought I'd have a look. Having studied Floristry and Flower Arranging I am now Lecturing in Floristry and have been looking for a new book to recommend to my students. This book has long been awaited by students and teachers alike. A lot of books covering this subject have been written, but are now out of print. This will fill the gap. A beautiful book. I can't recommend it enough. Blooming marvelous!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Mostly Dry History, Little Arrangements, April 18, 2006

By 

Bill Noon (Daly City, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flora Domestica: A History of British Flower Arranging 1500-1930 (Hardcover)

Mostly dry historical text, and most of the "photos" are not of the recreated new arrangements, but of ancient paintings and old drawings about history. Of the very few recreated arrangements, most look rather ordinary, with some photos even too small to tell. There were only 4 or 5 that I'd say were truly original and outstanding.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars flora Domestica, June 12, 2000

By 

Valerie Burgess - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flora Domestica: A History of British Flower Arranging 1500-1930 (Hardcover)

It is rare to discover an auther who has focused on the topic of flower arranging from a sociological perspective. By placing flower arranging in the social context of it's time, the reader is better able to appreciate the use of particular flowers, artistic design and color combinations. Also, by looking to England, we here in the U.S. can better appreciate our colonial era of flower arranging.