The delicate and aromatic beauty of blossoming bouquets creates a home filled with warmth and joy. Classic and colorful flower arrangements perfectly accent seasonal events, festive holidays and memorable life occasions. The gift of an elegant and timeless bouquet expresses sweet sentiments for a dear friend or tenderness and affection for a true love.
Jenny Cox, Writer and Content Creator of Jenny Writes, visited with Lavish Fleur Floral Design's Owner and Designer, Mallory Henry, about fantastic arrangements for autumn and winter, classic and dramatic floral wedding trends on the horizon for 2023, and blossoming bouquets and centerpieces for beautiful home accents.
Mallory, would you tell our readers about yourself and what inspired your career in floral design?
My husband Michael and I have two children: Mary Lynley, who is 7 and attends Jackson Academy and my son Seitz, who is 4 and attends St. Francis, but will attend JA next fall. They are the loves of my life and I feel so blessed to get to raise my kids in the city I grew up in - Jackson, Mississippi. I am extremely grateful to all of my amazing customers in Jackson and surrounding areas!
There was a floral shop that I would go into when I was little called Posh - I just loved it! I would always leave the shop and tell my mother that when I grew up I was going to be a florist! I have always loved flowers and been intrigued by all of the different varieties. After school in Oxford, I worked at Oxford Floral and all of the beauty created there sparked this desire even more!
What special services do you offer to clients? How would you describe your style as a florist?
Lavish Fleur offers everything from funeral work to weddings; and we also offer custom arrangements for every special occasion. We provide floral work for corporate events, showers, rehearsal dinners, luncheons, birthday parties - you name it! I would describe my style as classic and elegant. I love thinking outside of the box and customizing based on a specific theme. Being pushed outside of my comfort zone to create something amazingly different is always exciting!
What are the general rules of floral design? Any floral design 101 tips for those who are wanting to create a beautiful centerpiece for a kitchen island or dining room table?
My best advice is that you cannot mess it up! It is art! Everyone has a different style, technique or way of doing things. A top tip of mine is that greenery is an important and organic element needed to give life to the arrangement. I would say it is equal to adding shadows in your landscape when doing a painting. It gives the design depth and dimension. Also, Tulips are always the perfect way to add movement to your design.
What advice would you offer to those novices with flower arranging when trying to select vases or containers for floral arrangements?
I love using vessels special to my clients when doing events in their homes. This gives an authentic feel and flows with their décor. When not using their pieces I always gear towards clear, sleek vases that will be a neutral and allow the flowers to be the focal point. I also oftentimes customize the color palette to reflect the invitation being mailed to attendees or to compliment the colors in the home where the party is being given.
Would you share your favorite arrangements for autumn and also ways to incorporate the festivities and fun of Halloween into floral arrangements and centerpieces?
My clients, friends and followers know that fall is my absolute favorite season, so I get really excited about incorporating autumn elements and/or Halloween décor into my designs! Whether it be a pumpkin, spider webs, curly willow or bittersweet! It adds a fun and unexpected pop to the florals!
With the arrival of cooler weather, the deep autumn colors will be on display. We would love to hear your favorite ideas for Thanksgiving centerpieces and arrangements!
When I think of Thanksgiving centerpieces I think of bountiful textures and warm inviting colors! But I also love doing what I call Thanksgiving pastels! This is a soft color pallet but with added elements such as scabiosa pods, curly willow, berries and other touches specific to this time of year! Adding fruits and or vegetables in my florals is also something I do when given the chance! Artichokes, grapes, apples, pomegranates, blood oranges - a wonderful conversation piece to enjoy during your Thanksgiving dinner!
With 2023 on the horizon, what floral trends are you seeing for the upcoming wedding season?
Beautiful floral chandeliers, arches, flower walls, large, lush pedestal arrangements - all of those wow factor details that pull the vision together and create a dreamy setting for your event.
What creative and classic color palettes will we see for weddings?
The past couple of years have been filled with beautiful neutrals and blush tones. In the year ahead, I am seeing more color coming into the mix! Fashion and interior design often play a role in the color scheme, believe it or not, and I see people beginning to incorporate color and patterns in their linens as well as floral.
What arrangements and floral accents for weddings and rehearsal dinners do you enjoy creating?
I love creating anything that is a focal point and compliment to a beautiful setting! Low lush head table arrangements that drape over the front of the table are always a favorite of mine to create a little elegant drama for rehearsal dinners. Mixing in votives and candles so that the light bounces off of the pretty blooms is always a beautiful addition.
The celebration of love and life are beautiful occasions where flowers reflect the feelings of happiness and new beginnings. For baby showers and baptisms, what floral arrangements can clients special order?
I absolutely adore doing baby showers and baptisms or christenings! I love creating beautiful centerpieces or mossed baby carriages full of floral. We love taking pieces special to our clients such as silver baby cups, julep cups, and vintage carriages and incorporating floral into them. One of the most special items that we offer for new babies has to be our floral wreaths. They are all custom and I make each of them by hand!
Mallory, what do you enjoy most about your work with Lavish Fleur Floral Design?
Honestly, I am sitting here reading this question and my eyes are watering. My job, like any other, has its challenging days, but I cannot believe that I get to do what I love every day and help the sweetest friends and clients by providing them with florals on some of the most important days in their lives. It is such a gift! Anniversaries, weddings, proposals, baptisms, graduations, etc - I am just so honored to play a small role in these celebrations. I am blessed by all of them… I have made so many lifelong friends and am truly grateful.
Would you share your favorite festive mantle garlands, holiday wreaths and Christmas centerpieces that you have created? What services can you offer to clients with holiday floral design in homes?
We love decorating homes for Christmas! We provide beautiful ornaments and tabletop décor if needed; we offer tree decorating, door decoration, stair and banister, fresh mixed cedar garland and wreaths can be special ordered. We also have the most beautiful ribbon coming in and I could not be more excited!! I have pictures below of some of our work. We are excited to create more this holiday season!
When you are not creating magnificent floral arrangements, what do you enjoy doing during your free time?
I absolutely love playing tennis, attending Ole Miss games, traveling, reading, decorating my house, going out to eat and spending time with my sweet family and friends!
Your lovely advice for magnificent floral arrangements has brightened our day! Thank you so much for your time, Mallory! How can our readers find you on social media and reach out to you?
I can be reached on my website at www.lavishfleur.com or on Facebook - Lavish Fleur and Instagram @lavish_fleur
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