Carnations are back, and they are hotter than ever! When I meet with brides for a consultation and ask what flowers they like and don’t like, 90% of them say that the only flowers they don’t like are carnations. Things have changed, and in a big way. Brides are now recognizing that carnations can be great when used creatively.

My favorite way to design with carnations is to use them on their own and to not mix them with other flowers. For this photo shoot shot by Jenna Alcala I used a variegated magenta carnation that gave the bouquet a lot of depth and texture. Tricia Turner’s side swept up-do and makeup is the perfect compliment to the color of the flowers.

So I dare you…don’t be affraid of the carnation!

Last Fall I did the flowers for a beautiful wedding at Cornerstone in Sonoma County with the talented Amy Nichols Special Events. The bride wanted the decor to compliment the sculpture garden and to feel natural in the  outdoor setting. We used manzanita branches, moss and berry balls, white dahlias and fresh lavender. Annie Florin Photography captured the day perfectly.

A close up of the dahlia blooms nestled in to the bark and berry balls. Simple can be so fun!

Queen Anne’s lace made for a light and airy feeling juxtaposed against the rich and hard manzanita branches.

The bridesmaids carried posies of queen anne’s lace, scabiosa pods, mint and lavender. What a lovely wedding!

My sweetheart had a birthday this month and what better way to celebrate than with a party complete with peonies and pinatas! We had strawberry rhubarb pie, a request of Sir Birthday Boy, instead of the traditional cake. At the flower market I found gorgeous cherry branches and wild strawberries on the stem and decorated the house with them.

What a sweet little arrangement of white peonies, wild strawberries, and beautiful mint. Oh, and yes, that is my favorite Jonathan Adler boob vase.

Pinatas are so fun! I filled this Lion pinata with retro candy that I found at the most wonderful candy shop called, naturally,  The Candy Store.

I believe that every party should have a signature cocktail and even bar-b-que’s call for a martini glass! We served Hemingways, which was the perfect choice for a Spring day.

HEMINGWAY

2 parts gold rum

1 part each luxardo, fresh lime juice, grapefruit juice

Shake vigorously, strain in a chilled martini glass and garnish with a grapefruit twist.

Sip and repeat.

Welcome to the first posting for Natalie Knows. I have always loved flowers, design, entertaining & color, and this blog is going to be a journal of what Natalie Knows on those subjects. Natalie Knows is also about what inspires me and what my latest fascinations are.

Let’s raise a glass to entertaining in style and always with an abundance of flowers.

Without further adue…let the blogging begin…