Icon - Arrow LeftAn icon we use to indicate a rightwards action. Icon - Arrow RightAn icon we use to indicate a leftwards action. Icon - External LinkAn icon we use to indicate a button link is external. Icon - MessageThe icon we use to represent an email action. Icon - Down ChevronUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - CloseUsed to indicate a close action. Icon - Dropdown ArrowUsed to indicate a dropdown. Icon - Location PinUsed to showcase a location on a map. Icon - Zoom OutUsed to indicate a zoom out action on a map. Icon - Zoom InUsed to indicate a zoom in action on a map. Icon - SearchUsed to indicate a search action. Icon - EmailUsed to indicate an emai action. Icon - FacebookFacebooks brand mark for use in social sharing icons. flipboard Icon - InstagramInstagrams brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - PinterestPinterests brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - TwitterTwitters brand mark for use in social sharing icons. Icon - Check MarkA check mark for checkbox buttons.
You are reading

Required Reading: Bringing Nature Home

Search

Required Reading: Bringing Nature Home

April 9, 2012

In her new book, Bringing Nature Home, photographer Ngoc Minh Ngo reminds us of the transformative power of a single draped vine or a bucket of spring flowers next to the kitchen sink.

Other, more public rooms have no trouble getting their fair share of floral arrangements (gracing a mantelpiece, for example, or scenting an entryway); the kitchen, however, has been overlooked. This beautifully photographed book, filled with lush arrangements by Brooklyn floral designer Nicolette Owen of the Little Flower School, shares ideas for enlivening every room in the house with botanical accents and includes useful practical tips ("Add wispy elements, such as feathery flowers… give the arrangement a sense of movement, spontaneity, and flourish").

N.B.: To celebrate, West Elm is hosting a pop-up flower shop from 10 am to 3 pm Saturday, April 14, in its lower Manhattan store at 1870 Broadway; go to West Elm for information.

Photography by Ngoc Minh Ngo.

Required Reading Bringing Nature Home portrait 3

Above: A passionflower vine caresses a faucet.

Required Reading Bringing Nature Home portrait 4

Above: Ngoc offers a few simple rules for caring for cut flowers. In your garden, cut flowers early in the morning or in the evening. Cut stems on the diagonal to allow maximum exposure to water. And condition flowers to drink more by standing them in lukewarm water for a few hours before arranging them.

Required Reading Bringing Nature Home portrait 5

Above: Mix daffodils with Solomon's seal, mint, pansies, and bleeding heart foliage to make what Ngoc calls "a sweet and cheery bouquet."

Required Reading Bringing Nature Home portrait 6

Above: Gather a couple of different varieties of daffodils—there are, after all, more than 25,000 cultivars—and arrange them simply in juice glasses on the breakfast table.

Required Reading Bringing Nature Home portrait 7

Above: Bringing Nature Home is $29.70 at Amazon.

(Visited 272 times, 1 visits today)
You need to login or register to view and manage your bookmarks.

Have a Question or Comment About This Post?

Join the conversation

v5.0