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Hilary Walker Channels Her Inner Martha Stewart and Plants a Kitchen Herb “Garden”

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: May 15th, 2013 11:03am
Category:: Floral

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If you’re like me, you might think you’re doing a good thing in the kitchen when you purchase a box of fresh herbs over the dried, ground, and bottled versions in the spice section of the grocery. But consider this… For every expensive box of fresh herbs that you purchase, you could have nurtured a live plant and avoided another herb purchase all together! At least that’s what I finally put together.

So, here’s my next tip for feathering your first nest… resurrect your green thumb and invest in a few small containers to create a beautiful and useful fresh herb kitchen garden. It’s so incredibly very easy. I picked up my pots at a local thrift store (figures) and chose some hardy and popular (see: useful) species such as rosemary, sage, and cilantro. I repotted them carefully and placed them next to a sunny window. Not only does my kitchen now smell amazing, but it looks pretty darn good too!

Next up, actually cooking with them… In case you hadn’t noticed, I’m feeling very “Martha Stewart” right about now.

(Ed. note: You can keep up with Hilary on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.)

Pretty Paper Flowers For A Cold, Dreary Day

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: February 15th, 2013 10:34am
Category:: Floral

It’s not so cherry outside, so whattya say we offset the grey with a little flower action? Our lovely D Home blog contributor Hilary Walker has just the thing… Enjoy!

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By Hilary Walker

Is it just me or are you beginning to feel a strange stirring, itching, yearning for the outdoors too? I can’t decided if it’s the tips of green grass and daffodils surfacing around my yard or the occasional unseasonably warm day we seem to be having here and there, but, either way, it’s apparent that Spring is inching closer. And what better time to touch on a favorite subject of mine for today’s blog post — flowers for money-savvy decorating.

I stopped by a floral arranging workshop last week hosted by West Elm and taught by floral wunderkinds Adam and Alicia Rico of Bows and Arrows to pick up a few tips for this season.

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Your Alternative Valentine’s Day Plans

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: February 14th, 2013 1:04pm
Category:: Entertaining

Let’s say, hypothetically of course, that you’re not so much a fan of going out on Valentine’s Day. Suppose you think braving crowded eateries for overpriced, sub-par meals is the least romantic thing you can fathom. Perhaps instead you might consider a little gourmet food action to-go. It’ll be easy; in fact, we have it all mapped out for you, courtesy of the seven local foodies we profiled in our Jan/Feb issue of D Home.

Ready?

1. Hit Bolsa Mercado for ice cream by Lauren Leone. I mean what’s more romantic than kicking the whole thing off with dessert?
2. Grab some bread from Clint Cooper’s Village Baking Co.
3. Oh and some pasta from Julian Barsotti’s Carbone’s…
4. Don’t forget the cheese. We’d highly recommend something from Paula Lambert’s Mozzarella Company. (Bonus: you can grab this while you’re getting the ice cream at Bolsa Mercado.)
5. Pick up some Biscotti from EMA Baking Company to eat with the ice cream.
6. Nab a few bottles of wine from Benjamin Calais’ Calais Winery.
7. And last but not least more ice cream (you really can’t have too much) from Carnival Barker at Jimmy’s Food Store.

Now grab a little clutch of anemones from Central Market, head home, light some candles, and get to the romance/family dinner/girl’s night/however you roll.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Bows and Arrows Valentine’s Day Menu

Author:: By Ryan Conner
Post date:: February 7th, 2013 12:09pm
Category:: Floral

It’s no secret that the D Home girls are a tad menu obsessed. Lunch plans usually warrant an intense analysis of the menu options before heading out. Dinner? We’ve been known to plan our orders days in advance. So, it’s really no surprise we’re crazy for florist Bows and Arrows’ Valentine’s Day menu, complete with happy balloons, pretty flowers, glittery arrows, baked goods, and a cactus in a vintage tin. They’ve teamed up with Cake Walk Bake Shop and Blue Eye/Brown eye to bring a fresh take on the V-Day delivery. The items make us smile and actually appreciate the Hallmark holiday. (Eh, just a little.) The shop will deliver and they’re taking orders now, so study the menu and give them a call or email at hello@bowsandarrowsflowers.com.

Mark Your Calendar: Spring Social at West Elm Featuring The Floral Stylings of Bows + Arrows

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: January 29th, 2013 9:58am
Category:: Floral

Despite the fact that we haven’t yet hit the end of January, this balmy, rainy weather has me feeling all things spring. (What happened to winter??) It appears the folks at West Elm are on the same wavelength, as they’re hosting a “Spring Social” next Wednesday, February 6 from 6-8 p.m. at Mockingbird Station.

During the two hour event, you’ll be able to chat up a cadre of local florists, stylists, and tastemakers (including the immensely creative peeps from Bows + Arrows) as they dispense inspiring floral and gardening advice and ideas… Plus, while you’re there, you can peruse West Elm’s stellar new gardening collection (think brightly-hued water hoses, sculptural containers, heirloom seeds, and handsome garden tools).

Lovely, Abundant, And Affordable Fall Decor (Hint: It’s Right Outside Your Front Door)

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: November 29th, 2012 10:57am
Category:: Floral

I can understand the impulse to get your holiday decor up as soon as possible. It’s festive and fun and just plain pretty… But I don’t do it. No, I’m an advocate for giving Fall its due, so I don’t put up that real tree and fresh garland until, wait for it… after December 1.

I realize I’m in the minority here, but I can’t help feel that November is for reveling in all things autumnal. So Hilary Walker is speaking my language in her latest installment of “Feathering Your First Nest,” as she embraces the simple beauty of fall leaves used as seasonal decor. Enjoy!

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By Hilary Walker

For Thanksgiving, my husband and I made our usual trip home to Tennessee to visit family and friends. Besides catching up with some wonderfully dear people, one of the things I look forward to most when visiting “home” are the vibrant fall leaves.But if you don’t catch them at just the right time, you miss out all together on the colorful quilt that nature sews across Tennessee’s beautiful rolling hills. And, so it was when we finally arrived just before Thanksgiving… mostly bare trees everywhere. I was so disappointed.

On our way back to Texas after the holiday, we stopped off in Hot Springs, Arkansas and, wouldn’t you know, all it took was a few hundred miles in a Southwestern direction and the trees were gorgeous! By the time we reached Dallas, it was obvious the change in season was just now hitting our town. Since settling back in, I’ve become obsessed, much like I did as a young girl growing up in Tennessee, with collecting freshly fallen leaves and keeping them to dry. Several handfuls and rough cuttings of crunchy leaves can now be found placed on most open shelves and surfaces throughout our house. Turns out these gifts of nature make beautiful seasonal decoration and the options are not only inexpensive but incredibly easy to come by… simply take a step out your front door and have your pick. And one of the best things about Fall leaves as decoration? They don’t spoil like fresh flowers. (I know I’m not the only one who appreciates this fact.)

(Ed. note: You can keep up with Hilary on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.)

Holiday Decor: A Story of the Perfect Arrangements

Author:: By Laura Kostelny
Post date:: November 5th, 2012 2:52pm
Category:: Floral

(Photography by Maxine Helfman.)

Our annual holiday issue will be on stands in a few days. I know. It’s really too long to wait. You’re probably incredibly anxious to deck the halls with boughs of holly. Unless you’re anything like me, that is. (I wait until the last possible minute to even decide how and where I’m going to spend the holidays and figure out decor based on that.) Either way, you need to stop what you’re doing and check out these fun and fabulous centerpieces by top talent like Haile Wossen, Bows & Arrows, Grange Hall, and Avant Garden. You might even get so inspired that you avoid procrastination–holiday-related and otherwise—for all your days to come.

Fall Floral DIY (Bonus: It’s Easy to Pull Off)

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: October 31st, 2012 5:20am
Category:: Floral

This week Hilary Walker brings us an easy but (immensely) lovely floral DIY. And when it comes to DIY, easy + lovely is pretty much our favorite combo. Enjoy!

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By Hilary Walker

Inspiration finds itself in a multitude of places, but today’s post comes to you directly from the pages of a new daily read of mine, the online curation of editer.com. (Ed Note: I am obsessed with this site…stunning.) Seeing as how today is Halloween (quick, go buy those candies!!) and you may or may not have a decoration plan in action, this is an easy floral DIY that you can whip together in a flash and on a budget. Bonus, it’s especially good for those of you that want a non-scary take on the evening.

Simply mix 1 part festive gourd, 2 parts dried hydrangeas, a sprinkling of carving knives and scooping utensils, and you have yourself a charming front porch decoration!

I shared the complete tutorial and a few extra tips today on my blog as well. Hop over here to get the scoop.

Nova Collection Presents Sample Saturday on November 3rd

Author:: By Laura Kostelny
Post date:: October 30th, 2012 3:13pm
Category:: Floral

I am going to the Texas Renaissance Festival near Houston this Saturday. (Don’t judge. I do stuff like this from time to time.) But if I weren’t going on an adventure, I think I might pop by the Design District for lunch and beers at the Meddlesome Moth. Then I would mosey over to some shops, including Nova Collection for its very first Saturday Sample Sale. The sale is open to the public and offerings will be up to 25 percent off. Are you also going out of town? No worries. You will have future opportunities to visit the sale: it will go down the first Saturday of each month.

H.Bloom Launches In Dallas

Author:: By Ryan Conner
Post date:: October 10th, 2012 4:00pm
Category:: Floral

Love the post today, Hilary! If you’re digging the fresh flower tips, here’s a helpful new company that just launched in town for those of you who a) don’t have time to go pick out fresh flowers or b) are too overwhelmed by the many choices out there. I fall into both categories at times. Floral delivery service H. Bloom will deliver the flowers to your door. Doesn’t get any easier than that. The company’s head engineer is a former rocket-scientist, and he’s devised a method for delivering the arrangements at an affordable price point. The website offers subscriptions for weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or one-time gift. You can also choose between different price points and aesthetic options such as classic, contemporary, and orchid. I’d have to go with the Arrange Your Own service. A bundle of loose stems shows up on your doorstep, and you can do with them as you please. One bouquet makes two to three arrangements depending on size. I’ll be reading up on Hilary’s tips for how to put them together! Subscriptions start at $29 with free delivery.

Hilary Walker Talks Fresh Flowers

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: October 10th, 2012 3:15pm
Category:: Floral

It’s time for blogger and design doyenne Hilary Walker’s Wednesday weigh in on “feathering your first nest.” This week she talks a little “flower power.” Enjoy!

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By Hilary Walker

Want in on a little secret? The things that you beautify your home with don’t have to be permanent. One of the most affordable ways to brighten your home and literally bring life to your interior is through a fresh arrangement of flowers. Truly, it does wonders! A dull room can look instantly charming and cheerful with fresh flowers. They offer the ability to decorate for the seasons and live out a variety of styles week by week without the commitment of a major investment. Sure, they don’t last forever. Sure, you may not be able to indulge in the fanciest species every time. Sure, it may feel like an indulgence when you purchase them simply for your own pleasure. But they will make your heart sing!! Besides, how much did you spend on that tasty latte this morning, or those glossy magazines? Ahah! Caught ya!! Some of the nicest things are small and temporary.

If you have a good flower market nearby by, fantastic!! If not, your local grocery may be a great resource for flowers too. Places like Central Market and Whole Foods have wonderful varieties! (more…)

In Search of The Perfect Vase

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: June 26th, 2012 3:09pm
Category:: Design

I’m constantly hunting for simple, artful vases that are as beautiful on their own as they are filled with stems. It seems like an easy feat, but most vessels that are built for flowers (i.e. wide openings, sturdy) are mundane at best, while more interesting containers tend to be more form than function. So I’m pretty intrigued by Artiflor’s weighty, color saturated vases, as they seem to pretty much hit all the marks.

Cibolla Fine Flowers uses the Dutch design company’s vases and pottery in their arrangements and have been hosting an event at their Maple location for Artiflor since last Thursday.

Today is the last day to stop by and meet the designers as they present their latest collection. You can purchase vases and objects off the floor or have larger orders shipped to your home.

I’m feeling closer and closer to vase nirvana by the second.

Baby’s Breath: From Frumpy to Fab

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: May 14th, 2012 10:09am
Category:: Floral

I read recently that Albert Hadley loved carnations and gladiolas. No matter that they weren’t the least bit “fashionable”, they were his go-to stems. But then again, Mr. Hadley transcended fashionable.

Given that we’ve previously established in this space my carnation love and my belief that Albert Hadley was a design God, this bit of news about his fondness for frumpy flowers had me feeling pretty darn good …

That said, despite Hadley’s seal of approval, I still can’t get behind the gladiola. I blame this on a long stint working for a florist as a teenager, during which time I made so many massive, altar-bound gladiola arrangements (complete with white wicker baskets and big chunks of oasis) that I’m fear I might forever be incapable of viewing this particular bloom as chic.

Baby’s breath (or Gypsophila), on the other hand, is another story. The pretty, ethereal stems are rarely seen outside a bunch of red roses and leather leaf greenery in the cooler at Kroger (in fact I may have received this exact bunch of flowers yesterday, but I’m not saying for sure). Its bad rep is decidedly sullied by consistently lackluster execution. But out of context, bunched together in a pretty little container, baby’s breath is an entirely different animal. Chic even. I think Mr. Hadley might even approve.

Flowers + A Pop-Up Shop = Two of My Favorite Things

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: April 23rd, 2012 2:52pm
Category:: Classes

I’m a fan of all manner of the “pop-up”… Art gallery, shop, restaurant, you name it, I’m in. There’s just something incredibly alluring about a temporary place. Blink and it’s gone, forever. I’m a sucker for the urgency.

West Elm (who, I should add, has been killing it lately with their Found Shop and Etsy collaborations) it seems is also a fan of the pop-up, as the retailer kicks-off a series of spring “Pop-Up Flower Shop” events this Saturday, April 28th from 10:00 to 3:00 at Mockingbird Station.

The events, which take place on three consecutive Saturdays (4/28, 5/5, and 5/12), will feature the flower stylings of local florist Branching Out. The Branch florists will be selling single stems as well as full floral arrangements while doling out floral advice and expertise…

Pop-in (sorry, I couldn’t help myself) for all sorts of flower goodness.

It’s Nasty Out There… Time to Look at Some Pretty Flowers

Author:: By Joslyn Taylor
Post date:: April 3rd, 2012 4:25pm
Category:: Floral

The sky is falling out there friends. We’ve made two treks to the basement in the past hour to seek shelter from the impending doom, and after word that a tornado touched down a couple of blocks away (thankfully it was a rumor), we *may* have busted out the beer and Thin Mints in an attempt to tamp down our fear (but I’m not saying for sure).

Suffice to say, it’s a bad scene.

So I’m going to tap my inner zen and just meditate for a bit on the insanely gorgeous creations masterminded by Bows and Arrows for the opening of Elliot Hundley’s exhibit at the Nasher Sculpture Center. Cool?

Ok, I feel better now.

(Photos by Apryl Ann Photography via Hello Love)