Consider the Lilies

I love doing flowers, and I credit my grandfather Eddie, a landscape designer who continues to work even to this day, for inspiring me at a young age. As a boy growing up in Greenwich, I'd often tag along with him to the estate he designed and maintained, which included a greenhouse, formal plantings and (a favorite of both of ours), a beautiful Lily cutting garden. To me, he knew so much about them—their names, their history, when to plant them and how. Everything he knew I wanted to know too. And due in part to a book called Consider the Lilies, my grandfather's own that he has since passed on to me, now I do.

   

Old books are such a source of inspiration for everything I do. I love going to flea markets and digging through dusty stacks of books on cooking, entertaining, decorating and gardening. So often they spark an idea for how I might reimagine something from the past but in a unique, fun and modern way. My grandfather's book is from 1927, published right here in New York City.

   

This is one of many beautiful illustrations.

 

In addition to the artwork and explanations of species, there's a poem from Bayard Taylor, an American poet from the 19th century, that my grandfather loved, as do I.

But who will watch my Lilies
When their blossoms open white?
By day the sun shall sentry,
And the moon and the stars by night!

The flower arrangements that I love, the kind I create time and again because I adore what they do to a room, are often single-color or monochromatic. When you work with a limited color palette—say, warm reds and oranges or pretty shades of lilac—your eye can really focus on the shapes of the flowers themselves without being distracted by harsh contrasts. I think monochromatic arrangements bring a sophistication to a room that's subtle and beautiful.

   

In a 1920s Italian urn I found at a flea market upstate, I did a simple arrangement of three white Casablanca Lily stems. I love their sweet fragrance and their full, exuberant blossoms. And for $15 from the corner deli, who says flowers have to be expensive to be beautiful?

Comments

[Tamara]

Love the monochromatic style! Very chic!

[Margie]

Your flower arrangement is beautiful! I love old books as well, there's nothing like them. Old gardening books and cookbooks are just wonderful with their charming illustrations that just can't be matched today. Your book "Consider the Lilies" the title captured my attention as it is taken from a Bible verse - Matthew 6:28.

[Marie]

Wow, no kidding about lillies. They are quite possibly the most magical flowers out there IMO. I was lucky enough to date someone years ago who owned a flower shop. To my unfailing delight and pleasure every time I saw him he presented me with a new bouquet of lillies. To this day I can't see or smell a lilly without being transported back. A lovely way to remember someone I think.

Thanks for sharing your memories.

[Judy]

What a beautiful post and beautiful book. I love your arrangements. Why can't I do that?

[HollowSquirrel]

That's a lovely arrangement and an even lovelier post brimming with love and pride of your grandfather.

[beachbungalow8]

what a beautiful post. I love lilies they fill any room with a heady, old fashioned aroma.

[Meridith Moore]

Have you read any of Beverly Nichols books? You would love them

[Visual Vamp]

PS I'm adding you to my blog roll...
Valorie xo xo

[Valorie Hart]

As a former floral designer by trade, and a flower lover forever, I have used thousands of dollars worth of thousands of blossoms, but when it gets down to it, a simple bouquet such as this is always the most sublime.
xo xo

[Keri]

Your lily arrangement is just stunning, especially against that beautiful grey wall. Thank you for sharing about your grandfather...you two obviously have a very special bond...you must be so, so busy these days, but do you still get the chance to visit his grounds with him?

[niki]

you are fabulous! not to mention brilliant. i found your blog from this girl: http://archives-lives.blogspot.com/
she featured you on her tues. sept. 23rd post.
she's really funny. and she told all of her blogging buddies just how awesome you are. i say you become friends. but don't tell her i told you about her.

[style*court]

I completely forgot to write how much I appreciated the meaningful mention of your grandfather, and of course old books. What would we do without them?

Continued good luck!

[andi]

Beautiful post.

Now to the nitty-gritty:

Shhhh!! shhhhhh..... if you listen very closely, you can hear the sound of panties dropping....

Seriously, I almost fell off the couch when you said you were going for "panty-dropping chic"!

I guess it's a good thing that the judges weren't totally convinced. Margaret Russell is fabulous, but I still don't want to see her without any undies.

BTW - your floral arrangment rocked!

[ijudclr]

I agree that your arrangement was by far the best. Can't believe they did not choose it. Your choice of a container and the flowers were perfect together.

[katiedid]

Beautiful arrangement. Lilies are a favorite of mine as well. Speaking of flowers....your arrangement for Top Design with the lilacs should have been the winner! It was perfect. Perhaps the judges thought you had an overwhelming advantage here, so were trying to even the playing field.

[Jen]

What a fabulous blog!

[DecorPad]

Gorgeous arrangement! You've got skillz!

[seleta]

Thank you for sharing this lovely and meaningful piece of your past. What a treasure your grandfather must have been to you. How delightful that he shared his passion; it must have been an intergral part of discovering your natural talents. A priceless gift!

It's so nice to meet someone who takes the time to stop and smell the roses, or in this case, Casablanca Lillies.

[Kimberly]

Wow, I can only imagine growing up with the influence of your Grandfather. No wonder you're so successful.

[LayersofMeaning]

hi eddie!
i was wondering if you can tell me the name of the paint you used in your apartment(living room)
thanks!

[Holly]

You are precious..i love you in that vest and bowtie.. very www.billyreid.com I love his showroom...looks like you did it..are you familiar??

and WOW i did not even know black jasperware existed..it is great..

cant wait to see you in Domino..

GOOD LUCK EDDIE!

Love, Holly in texas

[Content in a Cottage]

Eddie...lovely post today. We must be on the same wave length...I posted about my collection of antiquarian books and a bookcase today. ~ Rosemary
http://contentinacottage.blogspot.com

[Camille]

So pretty, and such a sweet memoir of your grandfather.

[Renovation Therapy]

I love lilies, the scent just envelopes a room but it doesn't seem to overwhelm.

Your Grandfather sounds like a total gem.

[pigtown-design]

If you love old books, you would LOVE LOVE LOVE Book Thing, the free bookstore in Baltimore. I have gotten the most incredible books there. It's only open on weekends and is just a huge treasure chest!

[barbara]

You are so blessed to have had such a wonderfully talented grandfather. And it seems that he passed the baton to you. And we reap the dividends.

[architectdesign]

You are named after your grandfather and you share the love of flowers. I'm named after MY grandfather: He was an architect and now I am as well! Grandparents have more of an impact on a child's interests, I think, than parents ever will!!

[Carrie]

I love lilies, their beauty and their fragrance, my fave! I also liked your post on the candlesticks. I have 2 wood colored ones that I loathe - inherited them through my husband. I now have a new weekend project, thank you!

[style*court]

Some people pass over lilies these days, but your arrangement proves how fresh and chic they can be. I also like them in low decanters or glasses -- a group on a table.