Floral centerpieces for your tabletops
So, in honor of the upcoming Passover Holiday, and in the tradtion of doing my best to procrastinate from the kitchen cleaning, I set out for Rishpon to visit my favorite Flower Boutique, Vered Shamir (09-958-0914). Being that I am hosting the seder meal, and that the guest list seems to have happily, taken on a life of it's own... I will be setting up two tables and serving buffet style. This allows for my guests to mingle and not be partnered throughout the whole festive evening just with the people to their right and left. To the delight of my guests, I offer a gorgeous flower centerpiece for the tabletops. To ensure that it does not interfere with their comfort, it is best to choose an arrangement that is neigther too high nor to wide. This way guests can see one another across the table, as well as have enough room for their place servings, without having to remove the flowers from the table altogether9heaven forbid!)
It is advisable, to visit the flower shop a few days prior to when you need your order, this way you can reserve the flowers you know you like, as well as drop off your favorite vase. While I often bring my own vase along to use as a base, this time, I have already fallen in love with a wonderful salvaged plank of wood that the fabulous shopkeeper, Orna showed me a few days earlier that I will be using. Because it is extra long I will break it up with lovely unscented candles flanking each side. Best not to use scented candles at a dinner as it negates the floral and food scents which should take priority.
While flowers are always in style, the flower de jour is the peony! It has a short season here in Israel and is quite coveted by those of European descent where these were popular in holiday floral bouquets. To select the flowers I would be using, we went back among the hidden alcoves of this never ending shop, to consult with thier floral expert Leonard. A fine getntleman from Holland, Leonard accompanies us into their enormous flower walk- in cooler, where he offers some wonderful selections for the arrangement. Leonard will be composing the bouquets for the many clients that have placed orders with him. What a treat it is to be in that cooler especially on a hot day like today. The smells and colors are entoxicating! I am sure this may very well be a new trend in health treatments in the future.
Having decided to focus one table as the larger centerpiece, the other table will feature a more eclectic grouping of three smaller glass vases that can be moved around comfortably between the settings. After selecting the proportions of the floral arrangements, it is then time to have fun choosing the colors and textures that your centerpiece will bring to your decor. For that the sky is the limit! To offer a bit of a boost, enjoy these inspirational photos of some of their work:
A few key ingredients for creating these wonderful arrangements are to create contrast in your bouquet with textures. This can be introduced by a rough vase for a soft arrangement or a crystle vase for a collection of folliage. Placing fluffy peonies with herbs or stiff branches are lovely. Another great element is that of movement, be it swirling branches, falling strawberry stems, or the bow of an olive branch. And lastly, introducing an element of suprise creates interest. This can be done by mixing various hues of flowers that would not be expected, such as bordeux peonies with light pink roses, simply delicious!
Do stop by your favorite flower shop and enjoy selecting your floral table arrangement without trepidation. Let your senses and your imagination be your guide. Why not engage the shopkeeper for their recommendations, often some of the best treasures are kept in the back for those who seek it! Most of the floral arrangements shown run about 200 NIS to 400 NIS.
Happy Passover!
