Saturday, December 24, 2011

Good Tidings To You & Yours…

Happy Holidays 2011 

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday!

We’ll be enjoying time with family & friends this holiday and through some of next week as well, but will resume regular operations after the New Year.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Ideas in Bloom Concierge – Holiday Decor Made Easy!

This season we had a new offering to roll out – full service concierge holiday decor on any scale.  There is enough to accomplish around the holidays and those without the extra time or inspiration took advantage of our completely customizable service.  We offered a brief and complimentary consultation, proposal, then a speedy installation.  Quick, easy, beautiful!

One client had a great neutral canvas to work with.  For a family with two young kids we wanted to keep the design somewhat traditional and practical with a touch of whimsy.  The classic combination of red and green with sparkles of gold and touches of white seemed a perfect fit.

Holiday Concierge

We concentrated on areas of the house that the family spent the most time in (living room and kitchen), as well as a festive entrance to welcome them home.

Ideas in Bloom Holiday Concierge 2011

L to R: Large Evergreen arrangement in a white ceramic dish with red wire baubles, gold ting-ting & cinnamon sticks; Large all-weather bow atop a shrub strung with white lights (oh so pretty at night!); Mixed greens wreath with red berry & dogwood accents; Small live cedar tree in a metallic red ceramic planter & Spanish moss (two of these created a “forest” effect when set behind the family made gingerbread house in the kitchen’s picture window); Red baubles and sparkling white snowflakes hung from red, green & gold ribbon in the large window of the living room (out of reach of little hands!)

Our Concierge Decor Service isn’t limited to just the major holidays.  Let us set the stage for any event you may have!  Open house, business launch, or a gathering in your home…we have custom floral arrangements, specialty planters & unique event rentals for every occasion of any size.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

More Holiday Arrangements – available at bowerbird & friends

Holiday 2011 3

Check out these arrangements that will be available at bowerbird & friends antiques - garden – gifts, right in the heart of downtown Peterborough, NH.  The shop features an impressive mix of antiques and must have gifts.  Last minute holiday shopping anyone??? 

The unique containers were brought to the studio and we filled them with all sorts of distinctive holiday greens and botanical accents (fiddleheads, cones, eucalyptus pods, feathers, berries & more).  They are one-of-a-kind, so hurry over if you like something you see!

Holiday 2011 2The cedar tree will sport festive red candles that spiral around the arrangement!

Look, But Don’t Eat – common holiday botanicals to be cautious of

There is always an abundance of beautiful centerpieces and festive plants decorating everyone’s homes and businesses this time of year.  Though they add to that magical aura of merriment and wonder, it is easy to forget that some of these beauties could really ruin your holiday if ingested by a little one (human or furry).  I hope that we adults know better than to nibble on the decor, but it’s especially important that we keep these common botanicals away from children and pets…

r

 

Amaryllis
Boxwood
Holly
Juniper
Mistletoe
Poinsettia

 

This is just a short list of some of the more prominent seasonal items to avoid. Should any of these be consumed, call your local poison control office (or veterinarian)

American Association of Poison Control Centers
1.800.222.1222

 

Photo from one of our 2010 Holiday Designs

Friday, December 16, 2011

‘Tis the Season…for Engagements!

The holidays are such a special time of year; full of festivities and family.  No wonder so many couples get engaged!  You’ve probably noticed your Facebook newsfeed filling up with announcements, congratulations, and pictures of those new sparklers.  I’ve seen more than a few friends and acquaintances post the happy news in the past two weeks alone and we haven’t even hit the landmark dates of Christmas and the New Year yet.

Every year we prepare for the after holiday rush of consultation requests.  Newly engaged couples, still shining with that holiday glow, who are excited to plan their big day.  This year there will be two very familiar faces at the table – My not-so-little-brother, John, and his FIANCE, Lisa!  Lisa’s been a part of the family for years now, but we are so happy that they are making it official.  (Adorable couple below – a few hours after the proposal)

JohnLisa

Brother John made my Christmas by tricking me into going to the locally owned and operated jewelry store with him to check out the custom ring.  He had been in the day before, seen the ring, and decided to bring big sister in for a second opinion.  Of course it was perfect.  As a craftsman (amazing woodworker & furniture maker – and I’m not just saying that because he’s family) it was important to him to buy an original piece by a fellow craftsman.

Luckily he didn’t make me keep the secret long at all and proposed the very next morning while on one of their favorite hikes.  We were all able to celebrate with them just hours after while on our annual Condon Family Christmas Tree outing.  Quite the hunt this year, considering the big news and our fancy new hats Pam brought back from her recent trip the Calgary.

HatsThe love birds got surprisingly tame bear toppers, while Chris and I received Sasquatch and a Yeti respectively.  We may have looked ridiculous, but those handmade hats are warm!  Check out all the kooky creatures from KnitWits

So, as this year draws quickly to a close, the Condon family has much to look forward to and celebrate in 2012

Happy holidays from our entire family!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Pantone Reveals Color of the Year for 2012

It’s that time of year again. Pantone has decreed that the color of the year - Tangerine Tango.  It’s a vibrant red-orange that prominent fashion designers are integrating into their Spring 2012 lines.  Will we see it spread like wildfire through the wedding industry?

It is an alluring and versatile shade that could go the way of modern, whimsical, or even classic.  I’ve always been a fan of the color combo orange & purple, and this is no exception.  It would pare well with hues on the fuchsia side of the spectrum, as well as the ever so trendy aubergine (or eggplant, as we traditionalists prefer to call it).  Take a look at a few images I found while trolling the web for tangerine tinted inspiration…

Ideas in Bloom Pantone Tangerine Tango

Flowers – Calie Rose Floral & Event Design, Invitation – Wedding Paper Divas, Cake – Mark Joseph Cakes, Favors – Martha Stewart

Haven’t read enough about this new “it” color? Click here for the full release from Pantone.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Deck the Halls!

Holiday 2011 Footer

It’s already December 1st and the Holidays will be upon us in no time. 'Tis the season for festive decor!

In need of a wreath for the front door, roping for the front porch, or a centerpiece for a gathering of friends & family?

This year we are offering custom designs for your every need

Wreaths

Roping

Arrangements

And new this season... Concierge Decorating Services!

(for those who need to deck their halls but don't have the inspiration or time)

Something for everyone and every budget!

Contact us early to place your custom order or take advantage of our new design services
designs@ideas-in-bloom.com
603.620.2973 or 603.620.8743