Recycled materials at Symposium 2011

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.

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

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

...wafting with fresh flowers.

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. 

Who knew that plastic water and soda bottles...

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

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

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

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.

Tracy Wins Two Awards at 2011 AIFD Student Competition

Congratulations to the ultra-talented Tracy Lou, representing College of San Mateo, for winning not one, but two awards in the 2011 AIFD Student Design Competition.

Competing is a nerve-wracking experience. Each student is given materials they have not seen before they enter the venue. After a few minutes of planning and sketching, they are given approximately an hour to complete their design. They are judged on the strength of the design, the use of materials, and their workmanship.

In the Napkin Decor Design category, "the competitors are asked to make two identical napkin decorations with fresh floral/foliage accenting. Duplication accuracy is a part of the point structure for just this category"*. Tracy placed second with her napkin design featuring an intricate use of bear grass and deco wire:

...and third in Sweetheart Table Design:

College of San Mateo's capable coach was Wendy Pine AIFD, who won the top prize when she competed in the student competition. 

Tracy did not win in the bouquet category, but I thought her entry was impressive. I loved the beautiful lines she created by wiring the equisetum and how the tiny spray roses sheltered by the ti leaf invited closer inspection:

Other College of San  Mateo students turned in beautiful designs.

I thought Shannon's napkin design was beautifully balanced and airy:

Victor's dynamic, asymmetric bouquet was my favorite of his four entries:

...and I loved the dramatic lines in Kim's tall buffet design in monochromatic green:

There were other wonderful CSM student entries, but I regret that those photos did not turn out. 

Over fifty students competed and fifteen awards were given this year. See all results here.
_________________

*Competition guidelines here. 

Lavatory Levity

You've seen the lobby florals of AIFD's 2011 Symposium, now you will see how the restroom decorations during the gala night gave new meaning to nature's call. This post is a bit out of sequence, but I had the urge to write this now. 

Michelle Perry White, AIFD was the designer responsible for all the decor on the final night of the convention. Michelle tapped Susan Standerfer, AIFD and  Susie Overton Ayala as the team to decorate the restrooms. They did a magnificent job interpreting the night's theme: Flourish! 

They used mechanics that I always hesitated to use because I had no idea if they would be fool proof. Originally designed to stick on car windows for flower parades, the team chose Oasis suction cup holders to decorate the mirrors.

 My new best friend Robert, learned that they proved to be easy to install...

...and failsafe...

...with gorgeous results.

The team went above the call of duty to beautify the otherwise stark room.

Every stall was decorated with a wreath.

When it came to decorating the sinks, they left no stone unturned...

...giving a rich, succulent look...

...with a nod to the night's theme.

As magnificent as the ladies' room looked, everyone was abuzz over the men's room. They outdid themselves in here...

...with florals flush against the wall. 

I will refrain from making reference to the orbs hanging about the room. 

If you read this post looking for real humor, I suggest you click here where Anderson Cooper looses all decorum when he shares over twenty bathroom puns in four minutes.

AIFD Symposium 2011 - Lobby Flowers

The day after my flower partner Tracy and I checked into the San Francisco Marriott Marquis, Bloomster's capable crew installed the remaining lobby flowers. Wil Gonzalez, AIFD was responsible for the lobby flowers for the week of American Institute of Floral Design's 2011 Symposium. He wisely chose to collaborate with local florist Kren Rasmussen, AIFD. He brought the seeds of ideas to their first meeting several months prior to the event, and Kren sowed them to transform the lobby into the Garden of Eden.

Guests arriving from the Fifth Street entrance walked down the ramp...

...flanked by tropical terrariums the team created inside the glass banisters.

Here is Kren moving a tall arrangement into place by the elevator bank, while his crew is waiting with the bamboo-pole armature...

...which brought these works of art to new heights. 

We were plenty impressed with the two oversized spray arrangements of Eremerus...

... sago palm leaves, Asiatic lilies, orchids, kangaroo paws, and ruscus,

...but we were bowled over when an oasis of tropical flowers blossomed at their feet. 

The glass containers by Accent Decor allowed the crew to easily refresh the florals throughout the week.

Bravo to Wil and Kren for taking the concept of lobby flowers to the next level. 

Imagine - 2011 AIFD Symposium

Imagine stepping into the lobby of the San Francisco Marriott Marquis and seeing three of these spectacular murals at the registration desk.

I knew right away that this was going to be a great week. I chose to check in at the middle desk and confirmed that these are real anthurium flowers and monstera leaves.

No big surprise. After all, I was about to attend "Imagine", the 2011 Symposium for the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD).  Wil Gonzalez, the AIFD Northwestern Region President, and Kren Rasmussen, AIFD of Bloomsters in San Jose collaborated on the lobby design for the event. All the flowers and foliage were provided by Greenpoint Nurseries. Stay tuned, this is only the tip of the iceberg, I will show you lots more in the coming weeks.

I have been super-duper busy all summer long and I'm desperately behind in responding to all your wonderful comments. I hope to catch up slowly, but I couldn't contain myself any longer, I just had to share a tiny bit of my wonderful week in San Francisco.