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Hotel Lobby Decor Not What It Seems

September 29th, 2011 | By: Mandy Maxwell

Hotel Lobby Decorations

Rare Creature Spotted In Hotel Lobby

  • Scientific Name: Brontoterodactylsaurus
  • Common Name: Green Flying Dinosaur
  • Behavior: Non-aggressive toward humans
  • Food Requirements: Drinks water only
  • Natural Habitat: Hotel Lobbies
  • Life Span: 1 -2 weeks

SEPT 23 — The photo above is a rare glimpse at the elusive Brontoterodactylsaurus in their natural habitat. These two were spotted by expert florist and amateur dino-photographer, Tom Kenison of Crossroads Florist in Mahwah, New Jersey. Tom reports that these two creatures truly enjoyed the time they spent in this hotel's lobby.

Because they only require water for sustenance, hotel workers greeted them with open arms. "They were very friendly to all guests. Normally they would just strike a pose and blend in as lobby decorations," says Kendra, a desk-worker for the hotel. "We had people from all around the state coming to see these rare creatures as they passed through our lucky, hotel lobby."

This pair of lobby decor dinos only stayed at the hotel for a couple of weeks and have moved on. Will we ever see these creatures again? Your guess is as good as mine, but keep your eyes peeled next time you're in a hotel lobby. You never know what elusive creatures might be hiding in plain sight.


When Tom submitted this picture on our Facebook page, I knew I had to share it with all of our readers! It's just way too cool and creative. This hotel lobby design was made by Tom and his staff at Crossroads Florist. They typically do a new floral design for this hotel's lobby every couple of weeks. I always enjoy seeing them because Tom really find ways to be creative and think outside of the box. This is the type of floral design that really turns heads and gets noticed! It would also make a great design for event decor.

"Well sometimes you just have to have fun… I was hiking in the woods and came across a bamboo patch… I cut some down and started playing.. I made the bamboo stands and was just going to put an arrangement on top, when the vision of "legs" came to me… and it developed from there… "

Keep up the GREAT work, Tom, and we love seeing your pictures on our Page!

More Than Just a Boutonniere: Trends For Fall

August 25th, 2011 | By: Hannah Gonzalez

Natural Boutonniere InspirationBoutonnieres are a long-standing tradition; generally simple, delicate, and reflective of the partners wrist corsage or bouquet. But who says a boutonniere can't make a statement with a hint of flair, all on its own?

2011 fall boutonniere trends are leaning toward a more natural, earthy style than the average carnation or red rose.  Twigs, rope, feathers, berries, shells, stones, and thick textures turn what could be an ordinary boutonniere into something outstanding!

Natural Boutonniere Ideas:

  • Imagine a sunflower donning driftwood and/or feathers
  • Fun-textured greens nesting upon the lapel of a dark brown tuxedo.
  • Green button poms with red berries, rope, and festive greens will POP against the back drop of a black lapel.
  • Twigs wrapped together in raffia with a pheasant feather 

Natural and floral pocket squares are also very trendy this year.

No matter the color of the tuxedo or suit, these earth-inspired boutonnieres are sure to make a statement at any wedding or event.

Thinking outside the box!

Using your imagination as you get back to your roots with nature inspired boutonnieres will inspire you to create  a piece of wearable art that will stand out amongst the others!

Check out the galleries our sister site, Wedding And Party Network, for more wedding flower inspiration.

Feathers: Biggest Trend of the Year

August 16th, 2011 | By: Mandy Maxwell

Hair Feather ExampleI don't know about where you live, but here I can't go 50 feet without spotting someone with a hair feather extension!? Not just teens either — kids, moms, grandmamas, even DOGS are getting hair feathers! It's definitely the biggest new trend this year! Why not add a little feather to your summer flower power?

Feathers have been taking over hair accessory trends since January. Everyone, including Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Selena Gomez, Ke$ha, Hilary Duff, “Glee” actress Jenna Ushkowitz, and many more stars have been seen with them. You can wash and even curl the feathers, and they will last in hair for months.

The feathers are real rooster tail and hackle feathers that are normally used for fisherman bait. The way they are placed in the hair is by using a metal bead in the hair and clamping it down on the feather. Check out this YouTube video for how to clip in a hair feather.

The purpose of these hair feathers is to add just a little more PIZAZZ to your hair; the same thing can apply to floral design. Don't get me wrong, florists have been using feathers for years, but why not play up this trend of small colorful rooster feathers?

Feather Flower Arrangement

Feather flowers make fantastic gifts for kids, teens and young adults. Imagine a brightly colored arrangement filled with hot pink Gerbera daisies and thin, spiky blue feathers.
Continue reading "Feathers: Biggest Trend of the Year" »

Hottest Color Trends of Summer 2011

July 28th, 2011 | By: Mandy Maxwell

Summer is in full bloom and it is a SCORCHER! I know my garden is feeling the burn… If you need a little pick-me-up, and heat-wilted flowers from the garden won't do, it's time to call your local florist! I have been going through all my favorite floral magazines and there are some very unique and beautiful color trends going on this summer! Lets take a look..

 Bright Summer Trends 2011

1. Picture a bouquet of reds, corals, oranges and pinks with dark green foliage. Perfect for summer picnics!

Bright Summer Trends 2011

2. Think of periwinkle purples mixed with hints of mulberry-like pinks and lots of bright greens.

Bright Summer Trends 2011

3. Deep purples and ruby reds paired with hot pink, then toned down by light lavender makes an excellent summer color palette.
Continue reading "Hottest Color Trends of Summer 2011" »

Yellow – The Hottest Flower Trend For Summer

July 25th, 2011 | By: Mandy Maxwell

YELLOW was definitely the hottest trend for floral designs at the Texas State Florist Convention just a couple of weeks ago. So many designs used the color, and why not? Yellow is the perfect color for summer! Sunflowers were one of the most popular flowers used.

Hottest Floral Trends For Summer 2011:

Yellow Flower - Rose Design Yellow Flower - Daisy Design

Continue reading "Yellow – The Hottest Flower Trend For Summer" »

Southern Florist Recaps Biggest Floral Event of the Year – AIFD's National Symposium

July 19th, 2011 | By: FSN

AIFD Imagine Symposium 2011Written by member florist, Shirley Carmack of Shirley's Florist in Birmingham AL:

I have not been home from AIFD Symposium in San Francisco a week, and my head is spinning from the magnificent floral displays presented! Being a "white knuckle" flyer, it was a pretty big deal for me to get on a plane and fly across the United States to attend this — my first AIFD Symposium. I can not describe the excitement I was feeling by attending this event!

The theme of symposium this year was all about 60's Flower Power. I am old enough that I actually lived through this era as a young teenager. The hotel, every restaurant, walkway, doorway, you name it was covered in flowers! Flowers were inside bookcases, stairwells, landings — even the back wall of the check-in desk was covered in foliage and anthuriums! I have honestly never seen anything like it.

Flowers at the Front Desk - AIFD Symposium

The first reception I attended, everyone was dressed in 60's hippie garb. Tie dyed T-shirts and pants, denim and leather jackets complete with fringe, bell bottom pants, and flowers, literally everywhere. I was dressed in jeans, tie dyed T-shirt, leather sandals and peace sign earrings. Continue reading "Southern Florist Recaps Biggest Floral Event of the Year – AIFD's National Symposium" »

QUIZ: Think You Know The Elements & Principles of Floral Design?

May 20th, 2011 | By: Mandy Maxwell

Elements and Principles of Floral DesignHas it been a while since you've reviewed the good ole' elements & principles of floral design? Take this quiz and see if you might need to hit the books for a refresher! No matter how traditional or far-out contemporary, good design makes use of all these principles. Grab some scratch paper and get started..

1. What is not a primary characteristic of floral design?

(a) Line
(b) Pattern
(c) Symmetry
(d) Texture

2. A design using flowers and foliages in all one color in various hues is

(a) Achromatic
(b) Monochromatic
(c) Complementary
(d) Tetradic

3. When you are trying to create emphasis in a particular area of a design, it is the

(a) Symmetrical
(b) Visual Flow
(c) Focal Point
(d) Harmony

Continue reading "QUIZ: Think You Know The Elements & Principles of Floral Design?" »

Flowers For Mom Style Guide

May 5th, 2011 | By: Mandy Maxwell

When it comes to buying flowers for Mother's Day, it can be a bit overwhelming deciding which one is perfect for mom. Don't worry, Flower Shop Network is here to help! Our flower buying style guide is your source for the perfect gift for mom!

The Classy Mom

Sophisticated, stylish and always full of class.

  • Tips for classy moms: monochromatic color schemes, contemporary styles.
  • Flowers for classy moms: orchids, garden roses, calla lilies, anthurium.
  • Colors ideas: white, coral pinks, ruby red, deep purples

Classy Coral Roses For Mom! Classy Red Flowers For Mom Contemporary Mothers Day Flowers

The Natural Mom

The mom who loves the outdoors — gardening, birdwatching, hiking, this mom is more at home outdoors than in.

  • Tips for natural moms: think garden flowers, terracotta containers, fresh fruit, houseplants, arrangements made on wood.
  • Flowers for natural moms: lilies, roses, tulips, asters, irises, peonies and carnations.
  • Colors: earth tones, emerald green, dusty pink, creams

Mothers Day Fresh Flowers Mothers Day Garden Flowers Mothers Day Houseplant

Continue reading "Flowers For Mom Style Guide" »

The Importance of Flowers For Cremation Urns

April 26th, 2011 | By: Mandy Maxwell

Cremation Urn FlowersThe iconic, casket flower arrangement has become a staple in our funeral flower traditions. Open or closed casket, the large spray of lush flowers and foliage has a way of calming our spirits in a time of loss. Beautiful flowers have a way of enhancing the atmosphere at somber events. Additionally, it gives guests something to talk about that is comforting and uplifting.

But what if there is no casket?

What if the deceased chose to be cremated, can you use flowers on a funeral urn? Absolutely! Florists everywhere are creating magnificent floral displays for funeral urns that are equally as impressive as the traditional casket spray.

Cremation flowers can be personalized to celebrate the life of the departed by using the their favorite flowers and colors. Incorporate favorite hobbies and pastimes into your flowers. If they were an avid gardener or loved to fish, use some of their equipment within the flowers to better represent them. Treat flowers for cremation urns just the same as you would in planning for casket flowers.

Below, Robbin Yelverton of Blumz… by JR Designs in Detroit & Ferndale MI walks us through creating flowers for cremation urns.



Continue reading "The Importance of Flowers For Cremation Urns" »

Unique Bud Vases From The ISFA Convention

April 6th, 2011 | By: Mandy Maxwell

These little novelty bud vases were a HOOT at the Illinois State Florist Association Convention last month. In a class titled "Rockin' Petal Pets, Eldon Haab showed attendees how to create some of the coolest and most unique floral designs around! Of course the pets were super cute; the poodles were just adorable. One type of design we had never seen before was his unique bud vases in the forms of little people! Check it out:

Cheerleader Flowers - Novelty Flowers

Just imagine sending this cheerful bud vase to your favorite cheerleader, perhaps as congratulations or for a job well done! Kids and teens love these little vases because of the bendable appendages! It's so much fun making them strike a pose! (more pics after the jump!) Continue reading "Unique Bud Vases From The ISFA Convention" »