{"id":187,"date":"2016-08-14T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-08-14T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pagodared.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/14\/natural-beauty-fleurs-kelly-marie-thompson-on-unexpected-floral-arrangements\/"},"modified":"2021-06-25T20:22:48","modified_gmt":"2021-06-25T20:22:48","slug":"natural-beauty-fleurs-kelly-marie-thompson-on-unexpected-floral-arrangements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pagodared.com\/blog\/2016\/08\/14\/natural-beauty-fleurs-kelly-marie-thompson-on-unexpected-floral-arrangements\/","title":{"rendered":"Kelly Marie Thompson: Fleur\u2019s Natural Beauty"},"content":{"rendered":"
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I start with something classic and take it further to surprise the viewer.\u00a0I love\u00a0anything that makes my guests pause and lose themselves in an object.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cI love contrast in flower arrangements.\u201d Kelly Marie Thompson, floral designer and\u00a0owner of Logan Square\u2019s Fleur, is known\u00a0for unexpected pairings. In a custom\u00a0arrangement for\u00a0PAGODA RED, she forgoes a traditional vase in favor of a circa 1900s\u00a0cast iron vessel<\/a> from the collection. Originally a mortar and pestle<\/a>, it would\u00a0have\u00a0been used by a Chinese doctor to grind medicinal\u00a0herbs for curing any number of\u00a0maladies.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI love the shape,\u201d she says. \u201cThe feet lift up the arrangement, so it doesn\u2019t\u00a0feel heavy, even though the container is solid and monochromatic.\u201dThe finished creation blends creams, ivories and bright greens as a fresh\u00a0counterpoint to the sculptured form. Thompson chose blooms that appear \u201clush and\u00a0full, so as they grow, they become airier.\u201d Clients (and devoted Instagram fans) look\u00a0to Fleur for natural displays that feel a little wild and wispy. \u201cI start with something\u00a0classic and take it further to surprise the viewer,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

At home, Thompson is all for mixing antiques and contemporary pieces<\/a>. \u201cI love\u00a0anything that makes my guests pause and lose themselves in an object.\u201d Flowers are\u00a0the ultimate conversation piece. \u201cPeonies work so well with Asian art, but I wouldn\u2019t\u00a0want that to be the only focal point. I\u2019d choose something native to this area, too.\u201d\u00a0It\u2019s the signature behind Fleur\u2019s style\u2014tradition with a twist.<\/p>\n

Takeaways from Kelly Marie Thompson\u2019s Artful Arrangements<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Think outside the vase.<\/strong>
    \nAnything that holds water can work as a container.\u00a0Pitchers, cups, glasses, bowls\u2014even stone or iron mortars.<\/li>\n
  2. Make it mean something.<\/strong>
    \nIn China, both peonies and metal bowls symbolize\u00a0abundance, so they pair perfectly together.<\/li>\n
  3. Go (a little) wild.<\/strong>
    \nOne unexpected element\u2014like herbs, branches or\u00a0sculptural greenery\u2014can completely transform an arrangement.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Portrait courtesy of TRU STUDIO<\/em><\/p>\n

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    Shop the Story<\/h2>\n

    Vases & Jars<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t