Bouquets to Art

Looking for inspiration for your Easter table centerpiece? Head on over to the de Young Museum in San Francisco this weekend and check out the show "Bouquets to Art." Every spring, floral designers from around the region descend on the museum, pick a painting for inspiration, then create wonderful floral arrangements that reflect their interpretation of the work of art they chose. Although many of the bouquets may be too big for the average home, there is no reason you can't get inspired by these fabulous designs and pare them down to fit beautifully in your own home! The design feature I found to be the most successful this year was the use of color and texture in clumps. For example, combining a group of bright pink roses with a group of pale pink tulips creates a visual impact through the concentration of the dark pink and the light pink, while the combination of the roundness and intricacy of the roses with the simplicity of the tulips adds texture to the arrangement. "Bouquets to Art" also has guest lectures you can attend. All of the speakers are world-renowned floral designers who demonstrate their craft and offer tips for us regular folks who are inspired to create bouquets for our own homes. So, head on over to the DeYoung, get inspired, get some flowers on your way home, and give it a try! Just remember, "clumps of color and texture" and you'll have a lovely center piece for your Easter holiday. The shows goes through March 21, 2009. photo courtesy of Alexandra Luhrs Interior Design