Editorial Review

Jane Packer has run a successful London floral design business for years, and in 1986 was commissioned to create the floral arrangements for Sarah Ferguson's wedding to Prince Andrew. In Read more

Reviews (5)

Easy Flower Arranging
I absolutely love this book! The arrangings are very easy to recreate.They are modern, unfussy and colorful.They show the difference between putting flowers in a vase and decorating with flowers.It just takes a few minutes to go from the former to the latter, as Ms. Packer demonstrates in this book.

Exceeded My Expectations
I once flipped through Jane Packer's Complete Guide to Flower Arranging while in a bookstore.It was a nice book, but it didn't inspire me enough to purchase it.This book, however, seemed to be getting rave reviews so although I couldn't find it in the store, I took the chance to order it.What a surprise!A beautiful book that exceeded my expectations.Much better than the Complete Guide to Flower Arranging, this has some very modern and all easy-to-create arrangements.As a floral designer, I sometimes pick up books here and there for inspiration to use in my business.However, lately I haven't found much to inspire me.This little book is superb.Some fresh ideas to get me restarted (and to get all those budding and would-be designers started).Kudos to Jane and her photographers.

a promising book that keeps its promises
I have just discovered this book and I really appreciate its presentation. The arrangements are really fast, simple and beautiful through their simplicity. This books clashes with the traditional books on the subject which aim sophistication or grand effects at a high expense.The introduction about the most used flowers is short but clever. Skimming through the book is very inspiring. I don't think it as a coffee table book, but as a resource for inspiration for daily arrangements. And I like the fact that most arrangements presented here are not made with 6 dozen of flowers. I have just made the first arrangement with daffodils (4 USD worth), a small terracotta pot and moss. The result is gorgeous. ... Read more

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

Reviews (34)

Great Book
This book gives you some great ideas on the kinds of flowers you may choose and gives you a good idea of how to put them together if you choose.

It worked for me!
This book is great!There is a lot of detailed information so that people with no official floral experience can recreate the arrangements.
Poor content. Not for flowershop owners
If you are a flowershop owner and searching for a variety of fresh ideas for your clients this is not the appropiate book. It has a few nice photos but they are scarce. Definitely not worth it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bridal bouquets    2. Flower Arranging    3. Flower arrangement    4. Love / Sex / Marriage    5. Reference    6. Seasonal    7. Weddings    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Flower Arranging    9. Floral crafts   

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

Subjects:  1. Christmas decorations    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Floral decorations    4. Flower Arranging    5. Flower arrangement    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Seasonal   

Reviews (3)

Bouquets: a Year of flowers
This is an awesome book.It got my creative juices flowing.I use this book for inspiration often.

Inspirational

Inspirational
This book is truly beautiful and will inspire anyone to instantly plan a dinner party, a tea, a wedding or shower(actually, any kind of gathering!) in order to put all the wonderful ideas to use.There are so many creative and innovative suggestions for setting a table and it made me look at things I already own in new ways.I also appreciated the suggestions for borrowing from friends and family or purchasing inexpensive pieces to make my old presentations look fresh and new.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Bouquets    2. Cooking    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. Flower arrangement    6. Flowers - General    7. Home Furnishing    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. Table setting and decoration    10. Tablesetting    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Flower Arranging    12. Flower arranging    13. House & Home / Decorating   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Entrepreneurship    5. Florists    6. Flower Arranging    7. Management    8. New business enterprises    9. Small Business - General    10. Small Business/Entrepreneurship    11. Business & Economics / Small Business    12. Service industries    13. Small businesses & self-employed   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Flower Arranging    3. Flower arrangement    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. La Grenouille (Restaurant)    6. New York    7. New York (State)    8. Gardening / General    9. Handicrafts    10. Hobbies, Quizzes & Games   

Reviews (5)

Complete Book of Wedding Flowers:Stunning Flower Arranging..
I found that this book was not detailed enough for beginners in terms of creating the arrangements.It focused more on the wedding day rather than the actual flower arrangements.I was looking for more of a step-by-step guide for arranging wedding flowers.

Great book with lots of ideas
This is a cute book with lots of ideas.Doesn't have a lot of "how-to's", but does have some. Great pictures.I use this as a book for "brides-to-be".Someone always chooses something from this book.

It's the little details
I enjoyed this book because of the ideas it presented for the little details ... suggestions for floral arrangements that were dramatic, beautiful, and unique. It gave examples of floral arrangements for everything from baptismal fonts to tents. I was inspired to think beyond the standard altar pieces and table decorations.Read more

Subjects:  1. Bridal bouquets    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Flower Arranging    4. Flower arrangement    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Love / Sex / Marriage    7. Seasonal    8. Wedding decorations    9. Weddings    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Flower Arranging    11. STUDY AIDS - SAT/PSAT   

Reviews (3)

avery helpful guide
I bought this book and found it very useful. the photos are beautiful and
Creative Floral Arrangements
The Book arrived in a timely fashion.The photograply was beautiful.However, I found it to be a coffee-table book rather than a text book which I needed.

Creative Floral Arranging
I loved the books big, colorful illustrations. The instructions were step by step and easy to follow. The materials list for each project made it easy to get organized for the project before I started. I also found thefloral arranging tips very useful. I worked at a floral shop for a briefperiod of time and found the instructions easier to follow than my trainer!A good book for people who love to make crafts for their homes, friends orfamilies. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Flower Arranging    5. Flower arrangement    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Floral crafts   

Reviews (2)

Tropical Colors
I own hundreds of books on all types of design.This book on design with tropical flowers is the absolute most beautiful I have.The ideas depicted in this book are very simple for the most part and easy to do.And yet, the designs create a spectacular effect.

Beautiful Flowers
This book is a feast for the eyes. I stumbled on this book in a bookstore and was just mesmerized by the pictures. Beautiful exotic flowers in vivrant colors are arranged artfully in creative settings. Photography is brilliant. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Decorating - General    2. Flower Arranging    3. Flowers - General    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants   

Reviews (4)

Mostly Dry History, Little Arrangements
Mostly dry historical text, and most of the "photos" are not of the recreated new arrangements, but of ancient paintings and old drawings about history.Of the very few recreated arrangements, most look rather ordinary, with some photos even too small to tell.There were only 4 or 5 that I'd say were truly original and outstanding.

Flora Domestica - Blooming Marvellous!
I had this book recommended to me by a college. As it's a new book I thought I'd have a look. Having studied Floristry and Flower Arranging I amnow Lecturing in Floristry and have been looking for a new book torecommend to my students. This book has long been awaited by students andteachers alike. A lot of books covering this subject have been written, butare now out of print. This will fill the gap. A beautiful book. I can'trecommend it enough. Blooming marvelous!

flora Domestica
It is rare to discover an auther who has focused on the topic of flower arranging from a sociological perspective.By placing flower arranging in the social context of it's time, the reader is better able to appreciatethe use of particular flowers, artistic design and color combinations. Also, by looking to England, we here in the U.S. can better appreciate ourcolonial era of flower arranging. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Design - Decorative    3. Floral Arts    4. Flower Arranging    5. Flower arrangement    6. Gardening/Plants    7. Great Britain    8. History    9. Gardening / Flower Arranging   

Editorial Review

Martha Stewart's decorating ideas are deceptively simple. Thematerials are readily available and the instructions are easy, masking the sophistication it takes to realize the simplistic beauty of aplain white plate with a single maple leaf as a place card. "GoodThings" is what Martha Stewart calls the "easy tips"segment of her television show, and, in fact, all of the tips in thisbook are remarkably easy (at least, in comparison to some of her otherprojects). Martha's potato, sweet potato, and onion latkes areremarkably good, and are particularly recommended for those who maystill doubt whether they can match Martha in their own kitchens. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Cut & Paste Job. Avoid
Rehash of articles in her magazine.Avoid.

Nothing Good Here But Try....
...these others books that I think are grand: The best of the magazine !
If you don't subscribe to Martha's expensive magazine (I don't), then this book is the only thing you need to own.It is the best of all the good ideas without weeding through ads. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Decorating    5. Gifts    6. Handicraft    7. House furnishings    8. Interior design    9. Seasonal    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Decorating    11. Floral crafts    12. Home furnishing & decoration    13. Household hints   

Reviews (4)

Loved by garden club members!
Cover to cover, this book shows and explains many of the aspects of working with flowers and design.

Creataive Flower Arranging
For a garden club member who wants the most concise and helpful guide to arranging for Flower Shows, this is the best text I have seen.Although I have been entering shows for over 25 years, I found it very educational.The detailed descriptions of each type ofdesign, along with great color photographs, were able to provide a framework to trynewtypes of creative arrangements.

The title of this book should read creative vases
The entire book is devoted to most unusual vases which would be used by very few people. The actual floral designs used do not require a great deal of creativity. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

A beautiful floral arrangement can add the perfect touch of beauty and elegance to your home, and who would know this better than our favorite doyenne of the dainty, Martha Stewart. In Read more

Reviews (13)

A real letdown and overpriced
I found the Fine Art of Flower Arranging by Nancy D'Oench, Mick Hales.It is so much better than Martha's book.

A Disappointment - Well Below Expectations
Perhaps my expectations were too high?Martha produces a beautiful magazine and her new Best of Weddings book is superb so I thought that this book, although older, would be a nice addition.I was disappointed.Although the book was published in 1999, it seemed even more outdated than that.The flowers used seemed repeated over and over again and the book was centered completely around the varieties in Martha's garden. For a more thorough view, I'd like to recommend 2 books in place of this one.Jane Packer's Fast Flower Arranging is fantastic and shows beautiful arrangements that can be made quickly even by a novice.For actual, technical "how to" steps and design theory, I'd recommend Judith Blacklock's "Flower Arranging" (might be called Teach Yourself Flower Arranging in some indexes).Once you know proper floral design techniques, you can use any kind of flowers (NOT just those from Martha's garden) to create beautiful arrangements.

Not exactly a how-to book, but great pictures
I wouldn't really consider this a how-to book, as most of it is pictures of arrangements with a paragraph or two about the flowers. To paraphrase, "Martha loves spring when the peonies in her garden are blooming. They look stunning massed together." Most of the description is of her garden.Read more

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

Reviews (2)

flower arranging style an international collection of ideas
Great book for information along with gorgeous photos of designs around the world.As a floral designer I can appreciate a book that offers such helpful techniques and ideas for new design.If you are just beginning your adventure into floral decorating, you must have this book! A+

A GREAT BOOK THAT HAS HELPED ME IN COMPETITION WORK
I PURCHASED THIS PUBLICATION IN 1997 AND HAVE FOUND THE STEP BY STEP IMFORMATION GREAT.Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Decorating    3. Floral Arts    4. Flower Arranging    5. Flower arrangement    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Flower Arranging   

Editorial Review

"For those who love flowers, their rhythms and rituals become part of life itself," says English designer Tricia Guild. Flowers are a symbol of passion and emotion that few remain untouched by; the fleeting scent of a rose or curve of a lily's stem can evoke powerful memories. This book speaks to those emotions. Rather than being a guide to producing fancy arrangements, it's about truly looking at flowers, seeing the joy inherent in a bowl of riotously colorful zinnias or a single midnight-blue delphinium. James Merrell's luminous photography peers deep into the mysterious purple heart of the anemone and lifts the sunlight from the soft petals of a cyclamen. Quotations from writers and artists turn this small, perfect coffee-table book into a perfect gift book for lovers of literature as well as lupines. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

On the fence.....
This is a great coffee table book .... the photographs are beautiful, the quotes fitting and Ill probably get many years of enjoyment out of looking at it from time to time. However, I thought this book (through its photos) was going to give me some ideas on simple flower arranging and container choices. Instead, the photos are of macro shots of flowers, so close up that you really cant see the detail of the containers at all. What this book has done is given me some insight on some different flowers to ask for when I go to the market to pick them up, or plants to ask the nursery about when I pick out flowers for my garden next spring. Anyone who enjoys flowers will love this book, just don't get it with the hopes that you will get any arranging ideas from it. All in all, a gorgeous book that puts me in a cheery mood just by looking at it :)

Beautiful book, Very Inspirational!
For the Painters out there who love the world of colour this book is a must have.

A gorgeous, inspiring book for anyone...
...especially flower lovers. The photographs are stunning and visuallydelicious; the quotes fitting. The commentary is appropriately minimalist,so as not to distract from the images, it seems. I love this book -- simplybeautiful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Cut flowers    3. Flower Arranging    4. Flower arrangement    5. Flowers - General    6. Gardening    7. Gardening/Plants    8. Pictorial works    9. Symbolism of flowers    10. Gardening / Flowers / General   

Reviews (3)

Amazing Designs, So-So Instructions
I own both the 1st and 2nd book from these authors.I've made 4 different leis from the first book, and am starting to get a feel for the techniques.The instructions really could be better, but they've been adequate for my needs.It would be nice if the authors could have included more step-by-step close-up photographs, and as already suggested in another review, more sources for the supplies and materials.(In my case, I've just substituted regular needles and nylon fishing line for the special needles and thread).I was able to find the recommended brand of ribbon from an online source (www.jkmribbon.com), for anyone who's having trouble locating the stuff.Since the book doesn't include difficulty ratings for each design, I can only suggest that the reader look closely at the instructions, and choose his/her first projectcarefully.I'm not a serious crafter, but I've been able to create really impressive leis on my first attempts.Since these books are about the only ones dealing with this type of project, I feel they're worth the reasonable purchase price.

Great instruction - but impossible to find supplies!
I bought both books 1 & 2 and I really love them the instruction is uncomplicated & easy to follow. However finding the supplies you need (if you don't live in Hawaii) is not easy!
Great book for those interested in this craft!
I belong to a hula halau and recently we were each required to make ribbon leis for a fundraiser. I thought this book was very useful in instructing me on how to make more unique kinds of leis versus the most simple and common technique. The designs included in this book are wonderful and made my leis bestsellers! Using your creativity, you can use different types of ribbons to create interesting textures and looks. Great pictures, easy instructions, all around good book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies / General    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Fashion    4. Flower Arranging    5. Hawaii    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Leis    8. Ribbon    9. Ribbon flowers    10. Ribbon work.    11. Crafts    12. Crafts & Hobbies    13. Crafts/Hobbies    14. Hawaiian   

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dried Flowers    4. Flower Arranging    5. Flower arrangement, Japanese    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Japan   

Reviews (3)

Learn to make your own wreaths from what you grow and find.
As the subtitle implies, this is an idea book. The wreaths are beautiful and the instructions simple. The focus is not only on giving guidelines for preparing the flowers and making the wreaths, but on sharing the elements of design necessary for striking out on your own. A Must Have Bookfor Wreathmakers
Richard Kollath's Book on Wreaths is very easy to follow and his work isvery beautiful. I have looked at numerous books and have found Kollath'sBook to be easy to understand and lightweight to carry around forreferences. It's a Book reference thatthe reader can say "I can doit" and make creations to beautify their home or gifts for friends.Ifound that the "Wreaths " book expanded my own creativity andimagination. I like the way it is easy to read and the floral craft piecesare beautiful as well as stunning.Richard Kollath's book has been aninspiration and only added to my own creative pieces of work.

A Must Have Bookfor Wreathmakers
Richard Kollath's Book on Wreaths is very easy to follow and his work isvery beautiful. I have looked at numerous books and have found Kollath'sBook to be easy to understand and lightweight to carry around forreferences. It's a Book reference thatthe reader can say "I can doit" and make creations to beautify their home or gifts for friends.Ifound that the "Wreaths " book expanded my own creativity andimagination. I like the way it is easy to read and the floral craft piecesare beautiful as well as stunning.Richard Kollath's book has been aninspiration and only added to my own creative pieces of work. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Dried Flowers    4. General    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Seasonal    7. Wreathmaking    8. Wreaths    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Flower Arranging    10. Floral crafts   

Reviews (1)

Great Step-by-Step
I looking for step-by step book for wedding bouquets and this one was very good. It is not very up dated but is basic. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Flower Arranging    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Weddings    6. Crafts & Hobbies / Flower Arranging    7. STUDY NOTES - SparkNotes