Flowers, Flowers!: Inspired Arrangements for All Occasions (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This well-written and sumptuously illustrated work on the art of flower arranging offers help to the beginner and innovations for the experienced. Particularly useful are the sequences of photographs providing step-by-step instructions for creating arrangements. Separate sections deal with containers, the use of a single color range, and themes and period styles, while a gazetteer supplies the plant names, common and Latin; brief descriptions; and necessary care instructions. There are a wealth of ideas for using the common utensils and materials of everyday life, as well as those that are more exotic, to create dramatic effects. The 52 possible yellows; an arrangement using, among other items, artichokes, ginger, kohlrabi, and peppers; and the incredible edible valentine may be more than the ordinary reader aspires to, but how wonderful to see them! If your library needs a combination of the practical and the lovely, this is the book for you.
- Paula Frosch, Metropolitan Museum of Art Lib., New York
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

This book creates a whole new aesthetic for flowers. Paula Pryke breaks the mold of conventional flower arranging so successfully that this visionary collection of arrangements gives real meaning to the term floral art. Her originality, ingenuity and dramatic use of raw materials are key to the strong visual impact, vibrancy and always perfectly harmonious arrangements she creates. Stunningly photographed, the book is both a rich sourcebook of fresh and stylish ideas and a highly practical guide enabling the amateur to create dozens of artistic arrangements for every occasion. The multiplicity of flowers available today offers almost limitless scope for flower arrangers. Part of the book's novel approach is to encourage experimentation and innovation by showing how to mix some of the less familiar flowers now appearing on the market, with the more typical.

How to create celebration arrangements for anniversaries, Christmas, the New Year, Easter, Hallowe'en, Mother's Day, weddings, birthdays and house warmings. Which containers to choose to complement arrangements: pottery, china, wood, basketry or metal, and how to make unusual natural containers from vegetables and foliage. How to arrange flowers according to particular color schemes, through the spectrum of reds, yellows and greens to blues, whites and mixed combinations. Selecting floral themes, whether formal or informal, period or modern, scented, edible or tropical. Easy-to-follow, step-by-step photographs and an illustrated chapter on techniques show you how to achieve perfect results. A comprehensive gazetteer acts as a reference guide to over 300 flowers. In Flowers, Flowers!, the artistry and expertise of Paula Pryke's masterful flower arranging skills are now accessible for the first time, to capture the imagination, teach and inspire.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Rizzoli; First edition. edition (September 15, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0847816796
• ISBN-13: 978-0847816798
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #409,170 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Useful..., November 4, 2000

By	Nicole Flowers (United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have been running my own floral design business for parties and special events for two years now, and this book has proved itself to be one of my most valuable resources. A very diverse collection of arrangements is found throughout the pages of this book and I would rate it as a definite asset to the library of both professionals and flower lovers alike.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flower Arrangement as an Art Form, August 7, 2006

By	Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Paula Pryke is an artist is every sense of the word. Coming across this magnificently and luxuriously illustrated book is like discovering a famous artist new to you. The topic is 'Inspired Arrangements for All Occasion' and both the writing and illustrations certainly prove that claim to be true.

But what is so very different in this rich volume than in other volumes on flower arranging is the unique approach to the medium. Pryke's keen eye combines not only flowers of every possible kind (from simple wild garden blossoms to the most exotic of species from strange lands), but she also sees vegetable, seeds, gourds, branches, twigs, moss, vines - all are of equal importance to her choices for synthesis of her amazing creations.

Some Floral designers elect to create books about their craft that are limited to beautifully photographed final arrangements. Paula Pryke, with a winning writing style, takes us through the puzzling mysteries of how she finds and assembles the components of her art. She also separates the book into simple works, arrangements according to a unified color scheme, and arrangements and accoutrements that are celebratory for holidays and special occasions.

Whether this book is added to the library as a coffee table adornment (sure to be admired by all discerning guests) or as a guide to creative floral design, FLOWERS, FLOWERS! is an artwork containing some of the most exquisite floral you will encounter. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, August 06

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow !!! Paula is so talented, bra-vo for this book..., May 8, 1999

By A Customer

This book not only illustrates and shows her beautiful arrangements, but what I like most is that Paula uses little greenery. This has helped me in my business where I sell myself on "more flowers, less green" my clients would rather pay more for flowers, than greenery.