Reviews (10)

You can learn a lot if you don't fall asleep first.
I am currently enrolled in a floral design program using this book as text.Yes, it is a very imformative book, but Ms. Hunter goes into far to much detail and uses far to many words to get her point across.Maybe it's just me and I am a far more visually oriented person, but trying to learn floral design through the use of a text book so far is not my cup of tea...I think it's a good reference book but that's about it.

Excellent Textbook
I have referred to this textbook throughout the five years since I took my first floral design class.I am now a seasoned designer and sometimes refresh my memory by re-reading chapters.Well-written and illustrated.

Definitely worth buying.
This is a great textbook.Not for casual reading.It has so much information about floral design and care and handling of fresh flowers and foliage.It gives good design illustrations that you can copy and make for your home or for friends and family.I'll be referring to this book for information long after my classes are over. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Counseling - Vocational Guidance    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Design - Decorative    5. Floral Arts    6. Flower Arranging    7. Flower arrangement    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Technology / Agriculture & Animal Husbandry   

Reviews (3)

G R E A T
First of all the book is beautifully presented. The ideas are chic and easy to make. AWSOME floral design book with lots of explanation and beautiful pictures. I LOVE IT! It is an excellent buy for new designers.

Paula Pryke's Flower School: Mastering the Art of Floral Design
I bought the book as a present for my wife who has an interest and talent in floral arranging, but no formal training.She loves the book.It has numerous wonderful color photos and discusses colors and texture in floral arranging.The book covers design ideas for shape and form; balance; harmony; scale and proportion; texture and contrast; movement; dominance; rhythm; repetition; massing flowers; grouping; bunching and bundling; carpeting; layering; manipulating plant material; structural designing; and season.It also has an excellent and informative section on color concepts.A key feature of the book is the step by step instructions for making decorative arrangements, along with photos of the arrangement as described in the steps.I cannot speak for what professional florists would like, but for my wife it was a perfect book.It would have been worth it just to see the beautiful pictures of floral arrangements, but the lessons really make the book what it is.

Very Informative
The step-by-step instructions in the book are extrememly helpful -- but she still allows for the reader to think creatively in their review of her information.It is a beautiful book with many, many photos, including step-by-step photos for the instructions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Cut flowers    3. Flower Arranging    4. Flower arrangement    5. Flowers    6. Flowers - General    7. Gardening    8. Gardening/Plants    9. Gardening / Flower Arranging   

Reviews (8)

The Ultimate Gift for the Lover of Beauty
Carolyne Roehm demonstrates her exquisite taste from the very first page of this lavish book.Organized by season, each chapter celebrates the beauty of all sorts of blossoms in stunning arrangements.These arrangements are lush and full and show an artist's mastery of texture and extraordinary combination of color.The photos are reminiscent of the sumptuousness of the movie, The Age of Innocence, with lovely gilded gold, crystal and porcelain containers. The photography truly is breathtaking and includes not only close ups of the bouquets but also glimpses of elegantly set dining tables, gorgeously furnished rooms and spacious gardens.Her prose is poetry, but also practical in the sections on containers, elements of style and basics.A better book on flower arranging couldn't possibly exist.

**Fantastic Photos**
This book is a joy- the vibrant photos actually helped me through the long Pennsylvania winter.Lots of great tips on arrangements- from colors and containers.I envy Roehme's budget for entertaining!

Incredible photography of the most beautiful flowers
The flowers depicted in this book gave their lives for a truly noble cause and have been honored appropriately by the photographer.Quite simply they were displayed and photographed in the most beautiful fashion possible.Perhaps the key word there is fashion -- Carolyn Roehm has the experience and eye for fashion, having been a former designer, and that experience may be what enabled her to display the flowers in a way that truly does them justice.I coveted this book for a long while, having seen it in a bookstore, and couldn't get it out of my mind.Now that I own it, I consider myself very fortunate indeed.The book is divided into the four seasons.Particularly strong are the photos depicting the flowers prevalent in Fall and Spring.The smoky greens, yellows, oranges, reds, and browns of the Fall months's foliage manage to look festive and lovely despite their representing the waining of life until the Spring.The photos of lilacs and daffodils in the section on Spring make one hopeful for the end of winter and make one realize why all that shivering is eventually worthwhile.I loved this book and recommend it heartily for anyone who loves pretty flowers and doesn't particularly have any special horticultural knowledge. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dried Flowers    4. Floral Arts    5. Flower Arranging    6. Flower arrangement    7. Flowers    8. Flowers - General    9. Gardening/Plants    10. Pictorial works    11. Floral crafts    12. Gardening / Flowers / General   

Subjects:  1. Cooking / Wine    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Flower Arranging    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Parties    6. Party decorations    7. Planning    8. Tablesetting    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Flower Arranging    10. General cookery   

Reviews (3)

The Complete Book of Floral Design
This is a great book for visual pictures of different arrangements and ideas you may want to put together!! Lots of pretty pictures!

beautiful book
I love the book, and there is some great advice in it but I was looking for abit more of a "how-to" type of book. The book is mostly photos of her work with a black and white section of some instructional aspects of making bouquets, etc. There is also a small encyclopedia-like section of flowers which explains some aspects to the flowers but does not include general price range. I was hoping it would be the only book I needed to buy to do my wedding flowers, but I don't think it will be.

Best floral book ever!!!
This book was a Christmas present and the best floral book I own. The author gives you her wonderful insight into how she draws her inspirations and gives instructions on how to design each arrangement. Beautiful pictures, beautiful designs! I own other books by Paula Pryke, and like them all, but this is my favorite! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Flower Arranging    3. Flowers - General    4. Gardening    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Gardening / Flower Arranging   

Editorial Review

Wreaths and garlands take floral decorations out of the vase and into large-scale special-occasion decorating. Fresh and dried florals, greens, fruits, herbs, and other natural materials can be transformed into wall, door, tabletop, and mantel decor to welcome guests, mark a change of season, utilize a bountiful harvest, celebrate a holiday, or just brighten up a room. Hundreds of color photographs and step-by-step directions for well over a hundred projects fill this vast volume, along with a good introduction to materials, equipment, and techniques. A circlet of fresh flowers surrounds a bowl of floating candles; a swag of seashells and grasses graces a window; a ring of mosses and dried fungi commemorates a country stroll; lovely floral wreaths mark Valentine's Day, Easter, and Mother's Day. And of course there are Christmas decorations: a lush bay leaf and dried orange mantelpiece swag; a gold-flecked Yuletide kissing wreath; a lovely Advent candle ring. Complexity ranges from beginner to advanced--from novice wreath maker to expert, there's something here for everyone. Read more

Reviews (1)

Gorgeous, instructive book.
Absolutely lovely book- I've read as many wreath and garland books as I can get my hands on, and this book is superior to most. The quality of the photos and instructions, as well as the great variety of projects,materials, and quantities (of materials) used, contribute to the beauty ofthis book. I love their many ideas for roses, especially, and lavendar.Great book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Wreathmaking    6. Crafts    7. Crafts & Hobbies / General    8. Floral crafts   

Reviews (8)

Beautiful book
I keep this book out and just enjoy looking at it, even when I'm not making anything.Great book.

Ribbonworkk The complete Guide:Techniques for Making Ribbon Flowers and Trimmings
Excellent easy to follow instructions.Pictures very helpful.

Techniques for Making Ribbon Flowers and Trimmings
BEAUTIFUL book...worth having just to look at the pictures.BUT the flowers appear to be more difficult to make than I expected. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Floral Arts    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Ribbon    7. Ribbon flowers    8. Ribbon work    9. Textile Fabric (Applied Arts)    10. Flower making    11. Needlework & fabric crafts   

Reviews (2)

Great Reference Book
I just got this book today and I am so happy that I purchased it. It is the perfect reference book that i have been looking for. It has great pictures of the flowers and foliage , pronunciation as well as design applications. Great book, a must have to all beginner florist.

Wonderful resource book
A friend of mine recommended this book to me and what a friend he is!Ms. Diehl Scace has written an excellent guide for everyone in the floral design industry.It is very easy to use, has terrific photographs and is packed with useful information.A book like this has been sorely needed in our industry for many years.Buy one for your design library and buy another one for your friends. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agriculture - General    2. Counseling - Vocational Guidance    3. Cut flowers    4. Cut foliage    5. Flower Arranging    6. Flower arrangement    7. Flowers - General    8. Gardening / Horticulture    9. Life Sciences - Horticulture    10. Science    11. Science/Mathematics    12. Floral crafts    13. Technology / Agriculture & Animal Husbandry   

Reviews (8)

Breathtaking Floral Designs- Thank you David Stark!!
David Stark has done a wonderful job of giving us fabulous ideas and inspiration for couture floral. I appreciate this book because many times brides can't afford full-blown high-style floral designs, but she still appreciates the very best. This presents the very best to everyone. Thanks, David!

a-m-a-z-i-n-g
THIS WAS A TRULY AMAZING AND HELPFUL BOOK THAT GUIDED ME TO MAKE THE BEST FLORAL DECISIONS FOR THE WEDDING THAT I ALWAYS DREAMED FOR.

FABULOUS BOOK
"WOW!"Is all I can say.Finally a truly inspiring and helpful road map through the sea of floral choices.It was the perfect resource to show my florist what I truly love and want for my wedding.Thank you! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bridal bouquets    2. Flower Arranging    3. Flower arrangement    4. Photography Of Specific Subjects    5. Reference    6. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals    7. Wedding decorations    8. Weddings    9. Floral crafts    10. PHOTOGRAPHY / Subjects & Themes / General    11. Reference / Weddings   

Reviews (8)

Heaven & Hell
I was in Heaven through the fresh flower chapters, and then... I was descending to Hell through the dried flower chapters.My math counted 90 pages of Heaven and 54 pages of Hell.

Flower Power
This is a great book for people who are new to flower arranging.

Complete Guide to Flower Arrangeing
The book is very good. However, I am not so sure if some of theRead more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Flower Arranging    4. Flower arrangement    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Crafts & Hobbies / Flower Arranging   

Reviews (1)

A good solid beginning
This isn't the longest flower-arranging book in the under-$20 category, nor the most profusely illustrated, but Judith Blacklock's TEACH YOURSELF FLOWER ARRANGING has considerable merits of its own.The British series of TEACH YOURSELF books covers everthing from learning Afrikaans to practicing Zen, and this is a worthy, relatively short (120 pp.) work that doesn't stray too far from its promise to teach just the basics.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Arts And Crafts    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Floral decorations    5. Floriculture    6. Flower Arranging    7. Flower arrangement    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Flower Arranging   

Editorial Review

For every bride (and her mother), Read more

Reviews (10)

elegant but not inspiring
This is a book about bouquets, not wedding flowers overall. The title is misleading.The picutres are very simple and well laid out however, I did not find that there were many original ideas in this book.They bouquets were super simple and clean.I like a little more flair than what was presented in this book.If you like that very plain look, than this is for you.

Wedding Flower Books
I have been going through several wedding flower books and I find this one to be the best!They have realistic arrangments for people on a budget and they give a list at the back of the book as to what flowers are in season when.They also show several diffent greenery items you can use.It is great!

Very Helpful
I can already tell that this book is going to ensure a huge success at my friend's wedding. We are doing all of the flowers and the book has given us great ideas and lovely pictures. I compared it to other books and it seemed to have the most color pictures in it, which help when you are following the photos. Just like several of the other books by the Knot.com it is well organized and has great check lists and timelines. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bridal bouquets    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Floral decorations    4. Flower Arranging    5. Flower arrangement    6. Reference    7. Seasonal    8. Wedding decorations    9. Weddings    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Flower Arranging    11. Floral crafts   

Reviews (2)

Addressing Flowers
Ron Morgan is an artist, an assemblage artist, who substitutes paint brushes and oils and canvases with living flowers and the components of still life. In this magnificently illustrated book Morgan shares his famous skills in the most congenial way, allowing us as viewer to appreciate his artworks by sharing the materials with which he works.
An enthusiastically recommended source of inspiration
In the Company of Flowers presents masterpieces of floral arrangement and table setting by legendary floral designer Ron Morgan. Over 180 full-color photographs on every page, some of them two-page spreads, reveal 60 unique table settings that incorporate flowers, fine silverware, and centerpieces into breathtaking examples of transient beauty. The photographs speak for themselves; In the Company of Flowers has very little text, aside from a few words by Ron Morgan, a synopsis of the materials and containers used for each table setting, and a handful of tips about caring for flowers. An enthusiastically recommended source of inspiration, and a restful work of wonder that invites the reader to simply page through its contents. Also highly recommended is Morgan's previous volume of centerpieces, "The Center of Attention".
Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Flower Arranging    5. House & Home    6. Tablesetting    7. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (4)

The only book on wedding bouquets I needed!
This little paperback had more stunning bridal bouquet ideas than all the other expensive hardbound books I bought put together.While I understand that florists may find the lack of instructions or specific flower names frustrating - it was simply perfect for a bride looking for designs from simply elegant to wildly creative.I would recommend it to all brides as well as to all florists looking for a nice compilation of exquisite bouquets.

Great Pictures
If you are looking for pictures of bouquets this is the book for you.Watch out though.This book is a compilation of bouquets from a popular wedding magazine produced in the UK and they often use the true botanical name instead of the common flower names as we know them.No instruction but they do list the style of bouquet and flowers in them.Great to get ideas from.

Wedding Bouquets -- Over 300 Designs for every bride
The photos are excellent but the specifics are poor.As a florist, I wanted to know the exact name of each rose color, and would have liked the botanical name of the flowers as well.Although the editorial review says there are price indicators, I have not found them & have read every page.This would have been helpful info, too.A side view of each bouquet would be informative also.The "language of flowers" info is repetitive and could have been listed in a table at the back of the book.And I've never had a bride pick her flowers based on their meaning anyway.But it's a good book to show brides for ideas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Flower Arranging    2. Reference    3. Reference And Information Services    4. Weddings    5. BG-OCCULT - BG-ASTROLOGY/OCCULT    6. Floral crafts    7. Reference / Weddings   

Reviews (7)

Flower Arrangement as an Art Form
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.
all you want to know about flower arrangement
This book has all you would like to know about flower arrangement. Starting from how the flowers make it to the market(from the growers) ,to the Common names and Latin names of the different flower species. There are superb pictures of 100s of arrangements for different occassions and step by step descriptions of how to do some of them. What I liked the most , was the last chapter called techniques, it has a thorough description of all the equipment one needs to do these elaborate arrangents. However, for a complete beginner like me , this book might seem too intense as the arrangements are quite elaborate. At any rate, it makes a good coffee table read.

Simply the Best

Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Cut flowers    3. Floral Arts    4. Flower Arranging    5. Flower arrangement    6. Flowers    7. Gardening/Plants    8. General    9. Interior Design - General    10. Floral crafts    11. Gardening / General    12. House & Home / Decorating   

Subjects:  1. Buddhism - Zen    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dried Flowers    4. Flower Arranging    5. Gardening    6. Gardening/Plants    7. General    8. Zen Buddhism   

Reviews (15)

It may be the only book I need!
I ordered four or five books about Wedding Day flower arrangements, as I'm determined to do my own.When I received this in the mail, I was extremely impressed by how well everything is illustrated and explained.It makes it all seem very managable.
Save your money
I read the reviews and thought this would be a helpful book, it wasn't. The designs are outdated, the instructions aren't clear. I actually found better instructions on the internet for free!!! Even the pictures aren't that great to look at.

Helpful for Beginners
When my daughter took her ideas for her wedding to our local florists, the estimates were over $3,000. When we finished laughing, we bought this book. Even though we had very little previous experience with florals, with a little practice we were able to make quite a few of the things she wanted ourselves. And perhaps more importantly, we were also able to determine what we couldn't do ourselves, and how best to work with a professional florist.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bridal bouquets    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Family/Marriage    5. Flower Arranging    6. Flower arrangement    7. Seasonal    8. Wedding decorations    9. Weddings   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Floral Arts    4. Flower Arranging    5. Hobbies/Crafts   

Reviews (5)

definitely not the best book on ikebana
The problem with this book is that most of the shownarrangements are plainly not beautiful. They don't look balanced as real ikebana should look, containers don't seem suitable for flowers, color combinations are not always harmonious, and in many cases it is not clear why this is called ikebana at all. There are some pieces of useful information such as diagrams, tools, and tips, but I don't think it reasonable to buy the book for those 10 pages (like I did). Decent how to, but lacks explanation of why
I got this book to go with Origami Flowers by Hiromi Hayashi.Reiko Takenaka does a good job explaining how to make an arrangement that looks like the pictures, with step by step instructions and clear diagrams.Some of the containers seem to clash with the flowers, and some of the special occasions arrangements are lost in translation for someone not intimately familiar with Japanese culture like me.My only real criticism, however, is that the book does not really explain any principles about why and how and what looks good - it's more a menu to find an arrangement that looks nice in the picture and repeat it.

great book for those who need English explanation of basics
This is a clearly written, well thought out explanation of the basics of Ikebana. The photographs demonstrating the combinations of materials, and their height relative to each other, are great as examples for beginners. Many ikebana teachers don't speak English well, so this book is useful for a cross reference for something you were taught in class. One problem - there are many schools of ikebana so the book has to be quite generic in its explanations, which is not necessarily how your particular school may approach a certain principle. But again, as a study supplement to a class, it works well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Dried Flowers    3. Flower arrangement, Japanese    4. Gardening    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Japanese Gardens - General    7. Flower arranging    8. Japan   

Reviews (10)

Fantastic
This is a great book on ribbon flowers.The author explains how to make the flowers so it is easy to follow and you have a flower like hers when you finish.I highly recommend this book.

book + practice = nice ribbon flowers
I've had this book for about 4 weeks and have tried making a couple types of roses and, just last night, tried making a pansy.The directions are easy to follow and, after some practice, the reader is able to make some nice looking flowers.The particular projects in the book don't appeal to me, but I could see that they would be of interest to those who like the frills and complexity of Victorian-inspired objects.The author does provide a variety of ideas for using ribbon flowers that the reader can adjust to her or his taste.

Good, but not great.
I have to say I was very interested in this book, but it was not exactly what I wanted. I have yet to find a ribbonwork book that is set up as clearly as possible and is really designed for a beginner. The Artful Ribbon, by Candace Kling is a treasure for those seeking old fashioned ribbonwork and is still the best reference I have found. Overall, if you are looking for how to make very realistic Roses (esp. Tea Roses) you will be absolutely thrilled with Helen Gibbs's book. Also, if you are looking for a book to teach you how to make flowers that look as realistic as possible, this is for you. Bear in mind that you are only taught how to make the flowers in the book (Pansies, violets, sweet peas, poppies, canterbury bells, bluebells, hollyhocks, fuchias, chrysanthemums, delphiniums, carnations, peonies, and gardenias). Actually, the gardenias alone may be worth the price of the book! Spectacular! You will also be taught to make only specific sizes and flowers are mostly done on stems, which makes them hard to use as embellishments on clothing. The projects in the book are not as appealing to me as playing on my own. I am still seeking the definitive book on using silk bias ribbon and, while Helen uses it when she's on the Carol Duvall show, she doesn't have many examples in this book. This is a crying shame, since I have a bunch I bought from The Store on the Corner in San Diego.I've also seen Helen's last two books and they seem to contain basically the same material.Another book to check would be A Passion for Ribbonry by Camela Nitschke. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Flower Arranging    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Ribbon flowers    6. Ribbon work    7. Textile Arts    8. Textile Arts - General    9. Handicrafts    10. Home furnishing & decoration