Tennis Court Couture

Next week is a big week on the courts of the US Open. August 24^th marks the launch of the qualifying tournaments, sending continuing contestants into the heated competition of the 1^st round.

As the official floral designer of the US Open 2010, Ovando is gearing up to present a brilliant line-up of sculptural arrangements and themed floral creations in the hospitality area and in select sponsored suites. And, as one our dedicated readers, we wanted to offer you an insider’s glimpse on Ovando’s inspirations!

While each match comes fully equipped with the ferocity of a high-paced volley, the intensity of the highbrow & high fashion people watching amongst the 725k approximate attendees is equally as exciting. Ovando has drawn its inspiration from sultry tennis figures to the likes of Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova, as well as a retinue of fashion mega icons like Anna Wintour. The agility and grace of these figures celebrates Ovando’s design philosophy of “Simple Not Simplistic”. And indeed, our floral creations are certain to be quite the spectators sport.

In this arrangement, 2 species of flowers, both elegant and agile, are brought together within the confines of 1 space... the dance of the match begins.

Yellow pompom buttons, strategically position on a court of wheat grass, come together to offer a more literal interpretation of a US Open match.
Again working with a spherical subject, this floating flower ball appears to lay effortlessly within the square court. In actuality, each player, as represented by the flower ball, is struggling to stay above water and defeat their dexterous opponents.
A loop of ever-chic lily grass emerges into a carefully fashioned bunch of Phalaenopsis orchids. The arrangement celebrates the fluidity and grace of the US Open players as well as the escalation and triumph of the ultimate winner.

DIY Corsages and Boutonnieres

The recession lingers on. We understand. That said, however, your wedding is a once in a lifetime event! There are certain corners that can be cut and certain others that may still require the added finesse of a wedding planner or designer. Hence rages on the battle: DIY or paying for various wedding vendors?! Well, simply put, it's time to bridge an alliance. When you live in a culture where infinite amounts of information are available at the click of a few Googles, we, too, are firm believers that empowering your audience makes them wholly more dedicated customers.

And so, here are a few "how-to" tutorials to help you mix in those lovely DIY touches...

A poppy boutonniere offers a delicate yet playful touch for that jubilant indie bride!

Phaleonopsis orchids are undoubtedly an Ovando favorite.


Or perhaps a modest yet handsome calla lily boutonniere for him?


Good luck designing! And we still look forward to hearing from you when it comes time to design your wedding bouquet and table centerpieces!

The Floral Festivities Part 2

Wednesday eve marked Ovando's 2nd floral arranging class, focused on "Orchids & Succulents" and our design principles in combining the two species; one an ever-so-delicate blossom, and the other a far meatier plant prototype.

It began with snippets of curly willow as well as several sighs and giggles as our participants began fashioning the branches into Ovando's signature vision vases.




Next came the Lisianthus and Mokara orchids, shaped and laid atop the willows, dynamically suspended within the vase.


And alas, the accent flower, an Ovando "must". The pink Vanda orchids offered a rich focal point to finish off the "Opposites Attract" arrangement.

We had such a wonderful evening! Call us over zealous, but August 18th seems terribly far away.

"Wedding bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages" to come...!

Floral Couture in the Land of Cakes

Hypothetically speaking, were we ever to tout our own horn, it might be said that we’ve indeed flourished quite brilliantly in the world of floral design. In the land of cake couture, however, we’re decidedly novice and downright delighted to see some of the gorgeous designs coming out of these NYC kitchens…

Artisanal cake designer and devout locavore, Amy DeGuillo, opened Sugar Flower Shop some years back with the express intention of creating beautiful cake designs using only local and sustainable ingredients. What’s perhaps even more frenzy inducing are her magnificently crafted sugar flowers, strewn across many-a-cake and also available as sugar floral bouquets. This is a great alternative for brides & grooms weary of the pesticides used by some floral producers but nevertheless hoping for a wedding cake with floral flair. We must say, Amy’s callas, cymbidiums, and peachy garden roses boast a shockingly vivacious quality that might engage the eager fork holder in a little game of trompe-l'œil!

Sugar Flower Shop
Cake topper of roses, freesia, lily of the valley, stephanotis and foliage.

French Romance: Anemones and calla lilies wrap this wedding cake covered in buttercream, lined with ribbon and piped with delicate dots.
Photo credit: www.rydocumentary.com & www.cavaweddings.com

We’re also quite smitten with the cake and, oh yes, cupcake (!) creations wafting their way out of Sugar Couture, headed up by seasoned confectionery artist, Penny CM Stankiewicz. With designs ranging from chic to whimsical to petit confectionary accoutrements-- including sugar-flower studded cookies-- Penny will be sure to capture your sweet tooth and your inquisitive eye somewhere along the way!

Sugar Couture's floral confections

Sugar Couture's elegant bridal cakes

And, of course, our ode to cake kingdom wouldn’t be complete without a mention of our beloved “Queen of Cakes”, Sylvia Weinstock. Her sugar-flower and buttercream creations are an inspiration to cake aficionados (and floral designers!) internationally. And, with a client list fully baked with big name celebrities, her cakes will most certainly be coveted by brides-to-be for decades to come…

Cheers to the brilliant artists whom make our dessert ogling wholly more forgivable.

The Art of Gift Giving

Flowers are personal. We emphatically and wholeheartedly believe that. They tell a story, they bring positive energy to any space, and they are living and breathing creatures that develop relationships with their admiring owners. Such is perhaps why flowers are and always will be such exquisite gifts.

Indeed we believe that gift giving can be an especially intimate exchange when there are 2 newlyweds tearing through the wrapping. But, we also know that finding that “bestowal-beyond-compare” can in fact be quite stress inducing! And so, fear not, here a few Ovando picks on how to tenderly add in that extra, personal touch.

One of our favorite Brooklyn designers, Mélangerie, offers an adorable, silk-screened "To Have and To Hold" cotton tote that can be lovingly festooned with breathtaking peonies from Ovando’s West Village boutique. It’s not only the ideal carry-all, but it’s also an everyday reminder of Mr. Beloved.

Our friends at Paperfinger can most certainly help squeeze in a few other intimate notes. Our favorites include the ever-so romantic love letter, or “letter of love”, transcribed in elegant calligraphy on fine Italian stationary. This is a perfect way for a Maid of Honor (or Best Man!) to make certain that the affectionate words of her speech are forever treasured. Paperfinger’s Customized Return Address Stamps are another exquisite addition to the “tote of love”, as well as the ideal time saver when Mr. and Mrs. finally get around to sending out “thank you” cards!

Last but not least, one of our favorite photographers, Matt Schwartz of She Hit Pause Studios, is now offering some of his enchanting Polaroid prints for purchase. We’re of course partial to his beautiful collection of floral prints, framed in handsome, weathered barn wood.

Once your tote is plumped and primped, it will undoubtedly make an unforgettable wedding gift to help the Mr. and Mrs. forever commemorate their special day.

The Floral Arranging Festivities

Our idea of a fantastic way to spend a Wednesday evening: chatting with friends, sipping from a fine vintage, and trying your hand at high-end floral design. And we were delighted to hear that the 13 lucky participants who joined this week’s floral arranging class enthusiastically agreed!

The evening began with snacks and sips of Sauvignon while creative genius Sandra de Ovando discussed some of Ovando’s design principle: bold colors, dynamic tension, minimalism. Then, out came the bare grass, the white stock, the chamomile, the sunflowers and the Vanda orchids. We giggled together encouragingly as participants looked quizzically upon their creations, until alas they snipped, tucked and twisted to perfection.

In the end, we were thoroughly impressed with each and every stunning “Summer Flower” arrangement, not to mention the perfectly formed Viburnum berry hand ties! And we hear that our participants had other admirers as well…

July’s session includes Orchids and Succulents and the design principles involved in combining the two…Don’t miss out!

Our Cultivators to the East

‘Twas the First Week of Summer And all through the city,
Suitcases were neatly packed. Then quick, a sprint to the jitney!

Indeed, the race to the beaches of Long Island has launched. And as it turns out, the Hamptons & other LI hot spots are not only a preferred weekend haven for us city dwellers—they are also a common breeding ground for some of our favorite flowers, trees and other decorative vegetation.

While the above may not come as a surprise, what’s perhaps more compelling is that the very first commercial nursery in a land that would later be named the U.S.A was first built in Long Island. Established in 1738 in Flushing, Queens, then a robust farming commune, Prince’s Nursery was said to have been a favorite stop-off for horticulture lovers all along the Atlantic Seaboard. While the nursery was born off of only 8 acres, its popularity in turn fueled an expansion of up to 100 acres by the time of the Civil War.

Other nurseries popped up along Long Island proper in the mid to late 18th Century, and by the turn of the 19th Century, as wealthier folk began flooding to the island to build lux homes, the Hicks Nurseries in Westbury launched the industry into the era of modern flower nurseries and landscaping.

Today, certainly, floral design and landscape decorating are one of the most cherished pastimes, (or worthy expenses, as the case may be!) of homeowners and renters alike. So, too, is horticulture education an enjoyable way to spend time when out on the island. So, when you get off the jitney on your next Long Island excursion, keep these Ovando picks in mind:

The Long Island Orchid Society undoubtedly shares in Ovando’s unconditionally love of orchids. With monthly lectures and events, participants can learn everything about the different species of orchids (some 30 thousand!), planting different breeds, and even digital technique for photographing these lovely blossoms.

We’re also smitten with the annual “House and Garden Tour” organized by Jitney Jaunts. It’s a great opportunity for Long Island visitors to explore some of the gorgeous homes on the island and learn about the cultivation, landscaping and design techniques. Chin-dropping, we’re quite sure.

Enjoy the summer flowers and the summer weekends!