Thanks for the Flowers

Celebrating loved ones with Thanksgiving flowers is one of my favorite times; remembering that in our all-too-hectic lives, we have few opportunities to enjoy a leisurely meal surrounded by beloved friends and family. We often use kale, artichoke, mini pumpkins, rosemary, and seasonal berries in our centerpieces to reflect the harvest notes of a Thanksgiving table.

This lush mantel arrangement is actually from a fall wedding last year, but the colors are similar to ones we love to use this time of year—dusky purples, soft greens, highlighted with sparkly orange and magenta hues. A long and low arrangement like this can easily move from table to mantel and back again. 

 I have a soft spot for these tiny arrangements in twig baskets which can be put just about anywhere. They are surprisingly complex, with just a few flowers, some leaves, berries and twigs, almost like little fairy houses for the table.

Vintage Bling

Tonight we're holding a workshop with the dynamic and ever-creating Lilla Rogers, who will be introducing her Ruby Violet line of embellishments, necklace kits, cuffs and stamps. I wish I had a photo of Lilla's iphone—her bejeweled case exemplifies her exuberant approach to design! With Lilla's embellishments and a bit of glue, you can add some decorative spice to even the most everyday parts of your life. Festive, fun and fabulous—just the way we like things at DerbyFarm.

The Birds

The Mincing Mockingbird's bird panels are up on our walls again—we've been eagerly waiting their arrival.

Quirky, fun and thought-provoking, these gorgeous portraits share a sense of humor about birds, and our relationship to them. Do you love beaked critters? Are you a bit afraid of them? Do you want to enjoy them through a window but not up close?

The good news is that we have them in. The bad news—they'll probably all be claimed in a week and then we'll have months of waiting. I guess it's retail migration from artist to store to home.

Dreaming of Summer Weddings

 We're still collecting photos, and thanks to our lovely brides we have a few more to show. These are from Amelia Keller's wedding in July at Fruitlands, out in Harvard, MA. Amelia's vision of a summery wedding included wildflowers, seasonal blooms, and soft textures. We chose a mix of soft colors with a few bright accents, and used mason jar centerpieces that fit perfectly into Fruitland's rural setting.

Photos by Chattman Photography

A New York Moment

A chilly NYC evening last January, Claudia, Sonia and I were desperately searching between snowbanks for Good Warm Food when were distracted (yes, it happens easily, I know) by a lovely store window filled with lush arrangements, gorgeous pillows and elegantly funky furnishings. We had found Prudence Designs; we were happy.

Warmly welcomed by the shop's owner, Grayson Handy, we talked flowers, design and food. Soon Grayson was making room for us at the yummy bistro next door and we were well into the perfect New York Evening!

Our long-lasting reminder of that magical night is Grayson's gorgeous book, Flowers for the Home which we're carrying at Derby Farm. I promised Grayson I would order it, and was so glad when it arrived last week! When you come by, pick up a copy to put on your nightstand for inspiration, it'll make you feel flowery all over. Just don't take my copy.