Such a Vibrant Purple, “Grape” or “Aubergine”?

For those of us obsessed with Steel Magnolias, the title quote of this post should ring a bell from a hilarious scene in the movie.

Clairee Belcher: [trying to do "color commentary" by discussing the color of the football uniforms] ... But I love the top - such a vibrant purple. Bob, would you call this color "grape" or "aubergine'?
Ouiser Boudreaux: SHUT UP!
Clairee Belcher: What?
Ouiser Boudreaux: You're makin' a fool outta yourself, Clairee.
Clairee Belcher: I am not.
Ouiser Boudreaux: This is football. All the people wanna hear about are touchdowns and injuries. They don't give a damn 'bout that grape shit.

In the design world, I’m often confronted with the same dilemma as Clairee. What is that color exactly? When arranging flowers for a client’s soiree or painting the walls of a client’s home, the color scheme will always be most apropos for the rest of the project. Most often taking my inspiration from nature, we designers are quite fortunate to glean from the world around us for our color choices.

Is it more of a blue green or a green blue? Would you say that cream goes taupe or veers towards yellow? There is too much gray in that white – what about a white that leans towards warm rather than cool? That brown definitely goes gold in this light…the sample made it steer towards purple. Too orangey…not salmon enough…coral got into that mix…Just a snippet of the conversations you’ll hear at James Farmer Designs, but they are true wonderings as we wander through the world of color!

While perusing through the cooler at one of my favorite wholesale florists, Cut Flower Wholesale, I came across these Sumatra Lilies and immediately cracked up thinking about the Steel Magnolias conversation between Clairee, Ouiser, and the Bob the football coach. I was literally struck into deep thought as to what color these lilies were? What color they would mature into? What shade they would lean towards once arranged and set? Were they grape or aubergine?

I firmly believe beauty can be held in the eye of the beholder and the adage stands true for color interpretation. An antique floral bucket I found along the way proved to be the vessel of choice for a monochromatic display of the Sumatra Lilies, Northern Red Oak leaves, and Mexican Sage. This bucket, which has hosted bouquets from Maggie’s engagement party to this lily arrangement, falls in that range of purple between grape and aubergine. 

The lily color is not amethyst or lilac but akin to a red grape. In the French and British English languages, the eggplant is referred to as aubergine whereas we use the term to describe the color. Regardless, such a color, such a richness of hues and conglomeration of shades, proves to be a Farmer’s favorite for fall bouquets. Keep your eyes peeled, for you’ll begin to see the color in dogwood leaves, beautyberry, and in the kaleidoscope of fall color that is commencing.

Yet, this color bodes well in a pizzazz filled bouquet of other riotous fall colors such as orange and soft scarlet. Pyracantha or “fire thorn” strikes as a fabulous complement to the rich purple of the lilies and a bit of green from papyrus, silver from artemisia, cinnamon and green from magnolia, blue green from rosemary, and all tints in between from some autumnal dogwood boughs. Dressed up in a white glaze anduze urn, this combo of plants provide a tableau of fall delights, perfectly elegant for any setting.

Taking stems from the florist and mixing them with garden goodies is this Farmer’s favorite. So take some inspiration from nature or your florist’s cooler and pay homage to the grand bounty and fantastic brilliance that is fall. These lilies have perfumed the house for days and I wish each of you could smell them. In the words of Clairee Belcher, “I’m just too colorful for words…” and this Farmer wishes the same for you! Happy fall ya’ll!

Inspiration

A hosta leaf…a hydrangea blossom…a sunset…texture of foliage…a watermelon…Inspiration can sprout from some amazing places.

The sunset the other night, with its peachy gray/lavender/blue/pewter/platinum/periwinkle hues, inspired a series of pots and arrangement at a client’s house. What colors exactly were in the sunset were hard to name yet they created a menagerie composed of the softest hues of the aforementioned colors with metallic threads laced through. Simply stunning sunset and though my camera was not around, I captured it in the plantings, and, thus, will be able to recall the sunset whenever I see the plantings.

Same is true for flower arrangements. A watermelon rind inspired a hosta and fern combo arrangement and the cinnamon, copper tinged pitcher was the perfect vessel to showcase the arrangement… twigs of curly willow merrily springing forth and repeating the copper color as well. when I saw the green on green striations in dark and light forms of the color, I was reminded of the hosta leaves and the new shoots of Kimberly Queen fern were apropos with their own spring green tint and curling fronds.

While on the hosta leaf inspiration, the big leaves of the green and white varieties are one of my favorite types of hosta and foliage for that matter. The creamy to pure white variegation and dark green is just so cool and classic. Much like a white hydrangea, with its cottony mounds of white florets atop dark green leaves. When combined, the two make for a classic and stunning arrangement of the cool palette the hot summer can bring.

Green, in various and sundry shades are a particular favorite of mine. From the depth of forest greens to yellow or chartreuse and spring green, sometimes just a collection of greens can be just the ticket to a pretty composition full of texture and color richness. Ajuga, moss, ivy, huechera…all plants known for their foliage, are delightful as planting companions and fair well in the same growing mediums and environment. What is so fascinating to me is the base from which all these different tints stem from…green! Now the Ajuga is aubergine eggplant in its color depth but with a green undertone. The moss and huechera are lime yellow green - the very essence of chartreuse. The variegations of greens in the ivy are just perfect in this combo. I relish the opportunity to mix greens in a planting!

Take inspiration from your surroundings and keep your eyes peeled for an awesome texture, a fun combo, a natural juxtaposition, or a simple placement of interesting elements…from this Farmer’s garden, kitchen, and imagination – happy garden living!

What an honor!

So, in the design world, there a rock stars that influence, inspire, and ignite the passions of young designers like me. One of those is the amazingly talented Bobby McAlpine. His architecture firm in Montgomery is a phenomenal group – “an eclectic family of professionals” - formed from talented folks with projects all across the Deep South and international renown. Luckily, there office is across the street from my shop, so I was able to hand deliver the arrangement to their atelier – a treat in and of itself to visit!

One of Bobby’s many talents is furniture design henceforth a line for MacRae Designs... another major sway of fantastic design ideas and products. MacRae asked me if I would construct a Christmas present for Bobby, and an arrangement of Southern classics with a modern twist would be totally apropos! Just what comes to mind when thinking about McAlpine style!

Being two Southern gents from rural backgrounds gives us an affinity; so, I channeled the classic more traditional side of my design thinking (which is usually on the forefront) and harnessed the reverence and awe I have for modernity in Bobby’s design realm. Archetypal greenery, fabulously lush flowers, a modern container, and lots of texture came to mind. My creative juices were flowing and the process was initiated!

I love terrariums…mini-gardens and ecosystems…thus the basis of their appeal. A terrarium base was my foundation and I lined it with Chinese striped river rocks (be sure you have thick glass for this type of arrangement). The rocks gave me a “frog” or underpinning to build my arrangement upon.

A mound of magnolia…the awe I have for simplicity was nearly satisfied with this stage of the game, but I knew I could totally create a forest like arrangement and the magnolia was my green cornerstone. Arborvitae and pine created contrast and texture as well as smell…I think all arrangements should be totally sensual thus engaging each sense with delight.

Amaryllis, hydrangea, and orchids…traditional, luscious, and exotic respectively – what a fun mix! My forest of flowers was taking shape literally with vertical accents, mounds of florets, and sprays of chartreuse that just popped against the deep evergreens beneath. A few sticks to add a nod to winter and a touch of drama were positioned and some pine cones nestled into the pine boughs and magnolia brought out the earth tones and furthered the textural element.

All these components were juxtapositoned with that clear glass and what a complement! Take a few branches and stems, a cool container, and a dose of creativity…combine them all and construct your own “classic meets mod” Christmas arrangement. I had an absolute blast making this arrangement and cannot thank MacRae enough for the opportunity. I took the leftover buds and arranged them in my favorite julep cup – a little memento for JTF III!

Cumberland "When I Survey"

“Were the whole realm of Nature mine, That were a present far too small!”

from the hymn "When I survey the Wondrous Cross"

Some versions of this hymn by Isaac Watts have “offering” in place of “present,” yet both were flowing through my mind this past weekend at Cumberland Island – the last pearl in a string of islands off Georgia’s coast.

Most recently known as the marriage site of the late JFK Jr. and his bride Carolyn, the tiny African church on the island sent my soul into splendor as I entered the church proper and saw the altar…laden with shells, feathers, flowers, and pine cones…part of nature’s realm as a present, an offering back to God.

I loved the simplicity, the beauty of the simplicity, and the heart and soul these offerings allowed. As a designer, new inspiration, mostly from nature, is always craved.

To be engulfed and surrounded by a perfect blend of natural flora and fauna and fine food and lodging was a true delight. "Then sings my soul" (a line from the hymn How Great Thou Art) also kept coming to mind as I surveyed the realm of nature that is the splendid Georgia coast.

Whether designing a new garden or restoring a historic home, getting back to the natural wonder of it all is the best inspiration and rejuvenation for this designer.

Were the whole realm of nature mine

That were a present far too small

Love so amazing, so divine

Demands my soul, my life, my all.