Sunday, October 23, 2011

Recycled materials at Symposium 2011


IMG_5553 Pallet love - cropped


The AIFD florists at Symposium 2011 proved that sustainable business practices don’t have to be boring or dreary, but in fact can be playful and beautiful.  

These pallets were elevated to a new high as grouped calla lilies, steel grass, hala leaves, and eremurus strike a pose reinforcing the geometric lines, while the orange roses and anthuriums provide a perfect accent.


IMG_5553 Pallet love


Lois Hiranaga, AIFD used the whimsical Pinocchio rug as a youthful backdrop against sunflowers and crespedia. 

IMG_5925 sunflowers and rug

I smiled when I saw this display of Chinese steam baskets...

IMG_5557 Chinese Steam Basket arrangement

...wafting with fresh flowers.

IMG_5791 Chinese steam basket flower arrangement


The next time you trim your birch tree, rather than filling the dump or burning the branches in your fireplace, follow Gerry Gregg’s lead and slice them into discs to create a unique, reusable, 100% natural base. 

IMG_5860 Gerry Gregg flowers

Who knew that plastic water and soda bottles...

IMG_5730 recycled plastic water bottle arrangement in progress

...could look so great with phaleonopsis orchids and albino gloriosa lilies...

IMG_5785 recycled water bottles flower arrangement

...and be illuminated into pillars for a green, urban look?

IMG_5779 recycled soda bottle  arrangement

How great would it be to see these freesias and hala leaves springing from an urban landscape?

IMG_5742 Urban arrangement with hala and freesia


Taking these lessons to heart, I decided to re purpose Tracy’s award-winning napkin decorations and add an organic touch to the lampshades in our hotel room.


IMG_5430 Tracy Lou napkin decoration recycled

IMG_5427 Tracy Lou napkin or  lampshade decoration

16 comments:

California Girl said...

So happy you're following up last year's photographs of what can only be described as extraordinary floral art.

Ginnie Hart said...

See! It's all rubbed off onto you, DB! I love it.

Lisa Gordon said...

What amazing works of art these are! I especially love what was done with the pallets. The way those beautiful flowers have been woven through is really stunning. Thank you so much for sharing all of this beauty here!

Marilyn Miller said...

Those are gorgeous and amazing. What clever artist that think outside of the "box". I love it.

Marja said...

Just unbelievable What a gorgeous art works I love sunflowers and was please to see the design with these beautiful flowers

Kala said...

These are amazing and very earth-friendly creations. I cannot believe how beautiful plastic water bottles can look in a display!

Patricia said...

Thank you for this post. I appreciate how designers can enhanced wonderfully organized "spent" materials with elegant natural materials. How wonderful to have such beauty and wouldn't it be nice to have it in our daily lives? I feel inspired.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear California Girl,
It was definitely an extraordinary week. Tracy and I learned so much!

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Ginnie,
That was just the tip of the iceberg. We borrowed many ideas from this week.

Ruth said...

Who knew? The draped callas knock me out. And you could not have told me the plastic water bottles would look elegant, you had to show me. And the repurposed flowers on the shade . . . utterly glorious personal touch. You open up possibilities.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear lisa,
I thought the pallets were ingenious also. I loved everything about that installation.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Marilyn,
It's amazing how new ideas come out of this event every single year.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Marja,
The presentation with the sunflowers was one of my favorites of the week. Thanks for your visit.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Kala,
I must confess,I was skeptical when I saw the water bottles being assembled. But they looked great with the light shining through as a single column.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Patricia,
Thank you for your eloquent observations. These designers truly are inspirational.

Dutchbaby said...

Dear Ruth,
Yes, I love how those calla lilies look architectural in this setting. The plastic bottles were definitely a big surprise. Thanks for your visit.

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