I am onto the next adventure (follow @hollychapple on insta to see where I am now) and have barely had a moment to grasp the happenings of last week. The pace of my business never slows. But I keep telling myself I’m going to stop and savor the incredible things that are happening for me and my team, so that’s what I’m doing with this post.

Last week we had the incredible opportunity to design for the British Floral Influencers Luncheon. The proceeds from the luncheon will go to the Garden Museum of London and the exhibit being created for Constance Spry, which will open this October. I was so honored to be involved. Just think, I got to design with some of NYC’s finest designers and hear the incredible Shane Connolly and co-speakers Emily Thompson. Shane has a royal appointment to the Queen in floristry, imagine that. Shane is also one of the strong voices behind the no floral foam movement. 

Several NYC designers and I each had a table to design. This was grand and I was thrilled, but things got even better. Martha Stewart herself took on a table and designed her look in conjunction with Dennis Schraeder of Landcraft Environments. I admit I was really quite blown away when I heard she would be designing along with @DavidBeahm, @NicCamille, @Foxfodder, @joshuawerber, @cathybgraham and @ryanzoeller.

Here is the picture of my tablescape! Many thanks to Harmony Harvest sharing so many beautiful local blooms! We were also lucky enough to get to create botanical couture for two beautiful ladies, who floated among the guests.

Table setting by Maison De Carine

Martha arrived carrying cattleya orchids from her greenhouse. At this moment, she embodied the love I see in all of my other flower friends. She was so, so proud of her stems. Let me also say she is gorgeous. In years past, I have had the pleasure of going to her corporate offices. I remember in one board room, there were portraits hanging from her modeling days. It’s easy to see how she was a successful model.

Martha’s Table Design

As chance would have it, I got to speak with her. I didn’t really believe it would happen, but I promised myself I wouldn’t annoy her or self promote if I met her. Crazily enough, we just stood talking about our designs and what I grow on my farm. I told her about my peonies and that I get my dahlias from Erin at Floret. I thanked her for what she had done for floristry and the love of flowers, and I walked away. Moments later, I was kicking myself because I hadn’t thanked her for the features of my work or of my Syndicate Sales product line in her magazine. It’s hard to know what to do or say when you meet a legend and you’re also trying to respect that she was there to enjoy the day.

So I have to say for the most part I’m pretty damn thrilled. Here are some pictures of the day! A big huge thanks to Carolyn Bender @cbealifestyle for all of her hard work planning the event and to Char Hubble for her commitment to this cause and hosting us at the Metropolitan Club.  My table was truly lovely, and I’m so proud of our work. Thank you, Sydney, Jess and Chapel Designer Gabriel Wile. And thank you, Carine, for the table settings from Mason De Carine. You clinched the deal. 

The luncheon and our designs were also featured on the Martha Stewart Blog!

If you read our newsletter you will know we have had a lot of amazing things going on. Our latest leaflet (get it?) shared some sweet memories about the last ten years. If you aren’t subscribed, you will want to subscribe here. Images by @fredmarcusstudio and @andymarcus.

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We are so excited about the upcoming opportunities to study with the HHC Studio. We have created a consolidated list of our classes; please check it out here. Each workshop features some of my favorite educators in the profession of floristry. We have covered all aspects of education from fundamentals of floristry to luxury event design and all of our workshops address best business practices and marketing. You will receive the benefit of many years of experience at our courses. Most of our teachers are legacy educators with a family history of over 100 years in floristry. I hope you will take this opportunity to join the HHC family. Who wants to meet me in NYC, Ireland, or Hope Flower Farm? Image Rebekah Murray

Lots of love!!!

HC

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Today, I am excited to be sharing my latest project with you, born from a collaboration with two of my favorite florists: Abby Chapple and Abby Chick. “The Abbys,” as we call the dynamic duo in our studio, approached me with a powerful idea: What if we create a product to help retail florists enhance their offerings?

The three of us have long observed an absence of resources for designers seeking bespoke flower arrangement imagery and recipes for e-commerce. The true talent, taste, and originality of retail flower designers has not been reflected in the imagery available for their websites. Recognizing the significant resources – time, money, and energy – that would be required of each flower shop to rebrand and update their imagery, we also saw an opportunity. And Wellspring was born.

The intent of this project is to bring modern imagery and profitable recipes to the retail flower industry. Wellspring includes: 

–Over 25 unique floral designs, with corresponding recipe, product code, orientation, helpful hint, substitutions, occasions, and placements

–Images of each design, optimized for e-commerce websites and social media.

–High resolution images of each design, intended for print items such as customer-facing flyers and lookbooks

If you own a retail shop, or you want to add daily work to your event and design business, or even if you’ve just enjoyed the free Flowering Formula recipes we’ve been sending in our newsletters, click below to learn more. It’s not too late to update your website before Valentine’s Day!

Learn more about Wellspring!

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On one of the coldest days I can personally remember, I flowered the presidents. I did this in collaboration with my good friend and event designer Laura Ritchie from Events In The City. Laura had been dreaming of a presidential shoot for over a year and she just so happened to bring this shoot to life just days before she delivered her second child. Way to go Laura!!!  Running through the streets of DC with flowers in hand was quite a fun and exciting adventure. If it had not been bitter a _ _ cold it would have been even better!! Here are some of the presidents I flowered and the beautiful table scape and concept Laura designed.

One of my favorite details of the day were the ghost chairs. Laura worked with calligrapher Laura Hooper to design these chairs, each chair featured a presidential quote. I was in love with them!!

This shoot was photographed by Abby Jiu and was featured on the Inspired By This Blog. 

Event Design & Styling: Events In The City
Photography: Abby Jiu
Floral: Holly Chapple Flowers
Venue: Ritz Carlton Georgetown
Calligraphy: LH Calligraphy
Paper: Haute Papier
President Busts: Hobby Lobby
Linens, Glassware, Chairs, White Plates: DC Rental
Flatware: West Elm
Grey Chargers: Crate & Barrel

 

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A life long dream of mine has come true. I am in Australia, I am not sure where this longing to come to Australia came from, but it began long before I was a florist. I think perhaps it started when I saw the movie the Thorn Birds, I was in high school when that movie was released. Never in my wildest dreams did I believe that flowers could take me to the places I longed to go. We have already been here for one week, so I will do my best to catch you up. I traveled to Australia with my dear friend and fellow floral designer Francoise Weeks. Our fabulous friend Michelle Van Eimeren a fellow Chapel Designer and owner of Affair With George is our host, she has made everything possible.

Our flight landed on Tuesday morning at 6:30 a.m. Michelle had a full day planned for us, our first stop was at Apack floral supply. In Australia they call this shopping for sundries. Apack was awesome and they were a sponsor of our event, here we got ribbon, vases, and various sundries. It was so much fun to see the different supplies in Australia. Being the flower mother, I just had to take my picture with this MUM sign of oasis.

It was fun to see our good friend Design Master on the shelf!! The designers of Australia are anxious to get the newest Design Master paint, rose gold.

Many thanks to Tony for showing us Apack.

Our next stop was Craig Scotts flower farm. His family owns East Coast Wild Flowers. Craig was awesome. I am so thankful for the time we had on his farm and the flowers we got to design with.

His property was amazing. The day also included a trip to another farm where we gathered straw flowers and we went to the Sydney Opera House to see an event called Vivid.

You could say we had a very spectacular first day!

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We’ve seen a surge in the use of compotes in recent years for lush centerpieces packed to the brim with naturally arching and draping stems. The Chapel Designers have embraced the compotes and used them to anchor many stunning designs for their clients. The design above, created by Janet Martineau of Floral Verde, is a perfect example. You can see in the following designs how each Chapel Designer brings a unique vision to the compote design. Enjoy!

Love Peace Flowers (formerly Jennifer Macy Floral Design)

 

 

 

 

  • Lori Says: (05.22.2014 | 09:10)

    These are all insanely beautiful!

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Last week began with a photo shoot here at our home based studio. We had the pleasure of designing for the ladies of Southern Weddings Magazine. The fabulous Katie Stoops photographed the designs, while miss Grace supervised the shoot. We will be waiting excitedly for the November release of this magazine.

Once the shoot was over, I put together some additional bouquets that Katie photographed for me. I enjoyed myself immensely last week. I had an abundance of product to play with and it did my heart good.

Grace had her end of the school year field trip at the local zoo. This girl is a treasure.

My good fortune continued through the week when I was blessed with a visit from the world recognized designer Robbie Honey. I am in awe when amazing people like Robbie end up here at my little house in Lucketts. I keep finding and connecting with the most lovely and real people. Robbie was no different, he is one of the most fabulously positive people I have ever met. The energy that surrounds him is so POSITIVE.

It was very exciting to see our name land on a window in Middlburg last week. We are very excited to be a part of a collaborative design space and our grand opening was wonderful.

This design was created for the upstairs conference space.

A collection of HCF bouquets was created for the grand opening.

The design partners gathered on the streets of Middleburg for a fun photo op. The collective includes Matilda Reuter from The Red Fox, Rosanna Smith of Bella Villa Antiques, Rachel Merkle, Jodi and Kurt Miller, Aly Rohling from Belle Luce, and Holly Heider Chapple Flowers. In addition we are delighted to have Becky Armstrong as our studio director. This is a serious collective of amazing talent. Watch out Middleburg here we come!!!

In addition to the grand opening and the two photo shoots we did, we designed for three weddings, and two rehearsal dinners. Our gardens rewarded us with amazing bounty and endless inspiration.

On Friday I made it to the Mothers day tea at preschool. I was just in time to see Miss Grace sing. 1 hour later I was in the back of a cargo van designing flowers on a floral chandelier.

That day ended with some seriously beautiful bridal bouquets and one sweet sleeping angel.

On Saturday we were up bright and early with a wake up call of 4:30 a.m. Our entire family gathered to watch our daughter Abigail graduate from JMU. I was so proud to be with my entire family on this remarkable day. Many thanks to the HCF team that oversaw the weddings so that I could be with my clan.

Not bad for one week of living!!!

  • Maxim Says: (05.14.2014 | 05:05)

    Never cease to admire your team and so what you do. A wonderful example of a family business. Good luck!

  • Jessica Says: (05.16.2014 | 12:49)

    I’m just catching up on my blogs…you make me tired! Super woman!

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Few blooms are as well loved and universally recognized as those of the tulip. Their interesting growth and movement once tucked in a floral design can make them both a challenge and a pleasure to work with. The Chapel Designers have designed with many of the 15 divisions of tulips. Some are showcased here today, beginning with the beautiful White Magnolia Floral Designs elevated design pictured above. Enjoy!

  • Christy Says: (05.12.2014 | 01:11)

    Beautiful’

  • Charlene Says: (05.15.2014 | 05:19)

    Fantastic! They all look stunning! I really love tulips. They are very elegant and sophisticated.

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