Flowers for Spring

Audra: We know that April showers bring May flowers so now we want to know
how do we pick the right flowers. You like that little rhyme and then turn
them into beautiful arrangements for your own home. Well Michael
Gaffney is here, he’s a founder of the New York School of Flower Design
and he’s got some quick and easy tips and tricks to help you create those
gorgeous bouquets just like a pro. Good to have you here Michael.

Michael: Hi good morning.

Audra: I love a man with flowers.

Michael: Thank you. All of us love the flower man.

Audra: We always talk about trends all the time on this show but when it comes to
flowers are there really trends for the spring.

Michael: Always trends, always something new, the trend peonies, hydrangeas, and
roses.

Audra: Really.

Michael: That’s all we’re going to request for yes. It’s on the editorial magazines
you know brides pick it up, customers pick it up and that’s what they
want, yeah.

Audra: That’s what they’re seeing, that’s what they want.

Michael: Spring colors maybe a little more green.

Audra: Okay. Now you guys always make it look so easy when you do this but
we’re at home we’re trying to make a beautiful arrangement, do you have
some tips for us.

Michael: It is easy at the New York School of Flower Design that’s what it’s all
about. Professional designer’s we know the formulas. We know the math,
the science, a little bit of architecture from behind and that as much
creativity as you think. Here’s it is are you ready.

Audra: I’m ready.

Michael: 2 minutes, I was out reading all the magazines today in the lobby and this
was in every magazine so I thought how perfect. It’s called basing and it’s
basically just we’re setting with a foam base and piling in our hydrangeas.
It’s in every magazine these days.

Audra: And I notice Michael you are starting from the outside, is that the proper
way to do this.

Michael: Yes it’s called the lower deck, the upper deck and then we have the
penthouse. It’s a copyright that I have of teaching.

Audra: Now let’s say that you’re at the grocery store and you see flowers. While
you’re doing this I want to ask you a question like how do you know
what’s the best flower to pick, what’s the best area see that’s gorgeous you
made that look fantastic but how do you know when you are in the stores.

Michael: A couple of things, number one look at the foliage you can always tell for
as far as by looking at the foliage sometimes their heads will be nice but
this is will be sort wrinkling brown and sort of faded. You can tell that
when you feel them.

Audra: Okay.

Michael: I’m like Mr. Ripple in the grocery store. I always squeeze the flowers. But
this is a pretty good idea if you have like 3 of those going on in your
dining room table and this one is a traditional center, please it’s a beautiful
look.

Audra: Got you.

Michael: But feel I mean it should be flushed with water and feel almost plastic.

Audra: Really.

Michael: Yeah, okay bounce back that means flowers are all water with a little color
on top.

Audra: Interesting and you also mix these with roses too that’s combination I
wouldn’t have thought off.

Michael: A hot trend is this kind of look over here, remember how you’ve been to
weddings, I’m sure everything was up in the air.

Audra: Yes, yes.

Michael: On the towers out.

Audra: Really.

Michael: Out, in is either vintage or reproductions of collections of containers on
top of the tables.

Audra: These are some pretty famous flowers here right and in the film right.

Michael: Yes it’s similar to what we did on a movie for Philips Seimore Hopkins a
center piece for a wedding.

Audra: Got you.

Michael: So again we start with just a simple bouquet, how hard is that, right.

Audra: Very easy.

Michael: That’s easy and if you want to assist and have me do roses.

Audra: Okay.

Michael: One at a time and we’re going to use the hydrangeas and very carefully so
not to break them, feed them in.

Audra: Oh I like that. Are there rules Michael as far as like what flowers can
really go with what. I mean you don’t have to tell me what they are but are
there some kind of rule to this.

Michael: It’s funny as far as magazines always say as for seasonal flowers to save
money and we kind of laughed New York School of Flower Design
because what would a bride carry in spring but spring flowers.

Audra: Exactly before we go we have a tip or to.

Michael: Look.

Audra: Oh my God that’s beautiful.

Michael: It’s a bouquet already.

Audra: How do you keep this alive for a little bit longer?

Michael: 3 quick tips any flowers here’s a good one, whenever you have flowers
that last longer put the whole bouquet upside down in water for about ½
hour drowned it. Water will enter through the surface instead of having to
go. It will penetrate the entire thing and flowers will last 3 times longer.

Audra: Unfortunately we have to go but you got to stick around and show me a
few more tricks this is beautiful, thank you so much. Stay with us guys
we’ll be right back.