Robertson's Flowers

The latest Philly Mag is on stands and Robertson's Flowers is ready for our close-up. We were photographed in the Good Life Personal Space feature on Wyndmoor resident Franny Glomb's museum quality space. Working with designer Rebecca Paul, Glomb created a gallery-esque space highlighting PAFA artists, and we think our designs look right at home amongst all that fabulous art. What do you think?   

For her wedding reception at the Collingswood Ballroom and Theater, this bride wanted rock star cool meets purple chic. We designed her bridal bouquet with hot pink roses and orchids, purple callas and lisianthus, touches of gold mokaras and tons of texture. For the reception we submerged purple dendrobs, topped with floating candles and placed the bride's gold votives and rock star table numbers. Since the groom is a guitar player the wedding wouldn't have been complete without personalized guitar pics for the guests. What is the most creative personal touch you've seen at a wedding?

Thanks to photographer Nicki Albertson for the rockin' pics!!

 

We just provided decor for the PHS Flower Show Press Conference at Loews Hotel!!  PHS highlighted the 2012 Philadelphia International Flower Show, Hawaii:Islands of Aloha.  Pennsylvania Horticultural Society president Drew Becher, show designer Sam Lemheney and Mayor Nutter were all in attendance along with a surprise visit from "the Lorax."

Don't forget our own event designer Eric Schellack was in Hawaii this summer being inspired for the show this year.  Here is day 2 of his travelogue...

Day 2, September 27^th.  Some marketing and a Hindu Monastery!?

After a breakfast at a local Kauaian eatery (macadamia pancakes with coconut syrup and Portuguese sausage, which sent me into a food coma), we headed to a few local radio stations to do some radio spots promoting the Coconut festival.  Afterwards Neil and I traveled to Kauai’s Hindu Monastery high in the foothills behind Kapaa.  During a roadside stop at a waterfall I realized that I had forgotten my camera!  Luckily my phone takes pretty good pictures.

The monastery was very beautiful with fully planted gardens, multiple temples and religious statues.  The visit was complete with a guided tour, visit to the gift shop and many other activities.  Neil had taken part in helping to plant a number of orchids in the gardens and checked on their progress.  One of my favorite photos is of this statue of the deity Shiva hidden away in the cavernous growth of an old Banyan tree.

Here’s a general view of the grounds and a close up of the new temple that the monastery hopes to have finished soon!

After another long day and feeling the effects of jet lag I was off to bed excited for another day.  Stay tuned for tomorrows adventure:  a trip up the coast to Kauai’s Napali Coast.

 Hold on!  Did I mention the chickens?  Kauai has a good number of wild chickens which you will encounter frequently if you visit.  If you hear something rustling around in the bushes while in the woods hiking - it’s a chicken, often with chicks in tow.  No one is quite sure where they came from – some believe they arrived along with the first Polynesians and others believe they arrived more recently, possibly with Captain Cook, the first European discoverer of the islands.

We joined the Four Seasons for a bridal show this weekend. We designed a bright, spring inspired table, pairing a coral and gold damask linen with a lush arrangement of coral, pink, green and soft yellow blooms surrounding an elegant modern glass candelabra. 

 

 

 

International Philadelphia Flower Show 2012 Hawaiian Travelogue!!!!

Eric Schellack – Exhibit Designer

It’s that time of year again when we begin gearing up for our exhibit at the Philadelphia International Flower Show.  This year’s theme is Hawaii, the Gardens of Aloha, and we’re all looking forward to helping create a tropical paradise at the Philadelphia Convention Center this March 4-11. This year, Robertson’s Flowers will be depicting a beach-themed wedding scene using the Island of Kauai as our inspiration.  Over the summer I had a rare opportunity to visit Kauai to get a real feel for the island and its wonderful people.  One of the highlights of this year’s show is that besides the regular marketplace that everyone knows and loves there will also be a Hawaiian Village Marketplace featuring vendors from the various Hawaiian Islands selling a multitude of products made or grown in Hawaii.  I had a chance to meet some of the vendors who will attend.  Over the next week, I will give an account of my trip and post pictures of some of the amazing people and places I visited.

Day One, September 26^th:   Arrival!

After landing and picking up my rental car I made my way to the home of Neil Sams, Owner of Orchid Ally, in Kapaa (www.orchidalleykauai.com ) .  Neil was the main organizer for my trip and I stayed at a vacation rental on his property.  Neil grows thousands of orchid plants in shade structures all around his home.  On my way there I stopped to look at the ocean and put my feet in real quick:

 

The main goals for my trip are to find inspiration for the Show Exhibit and, at the end of the trip, to give two days of floral demonstrations at the Kapaa Coconut Festival.  Here are some of the orchids growing on a stump in the front of Neil’s front yard.  Later these ended up in some arrangements at the Coconut festival.

 

The avocado tree in his front yard gave one or two fruit a day.  They were delicious!

 

After settling in and having a little dinner I rested up for my first full day the next morning...