December 17, 2023

Transforming Your Dinner Party Experience with Florals: Q & A with Floral Artist Kathleen Cecilia Ennis

December 17, 2023/ Sabine Hayes

Flowers, in all their natural beauty, can set the mood and create a welcoming atmosphere. In today’s post, I’m diving into a topic that's close to my heart – the transformative power of flowers in dinner party decor. Whether you're hosting an intimate dinner for friends or a larger gathering, the right floral arrangements can be a game-changer. They add a touch of elegance and a splash of color that captivates your guests as soon as they walk in.

As an interior designer and avid entertainer I've witnessed firsthand the magic flowers can bring to a gathering. And what better way to explore this than by introducing you to a talented local florist who knows all about the language of flowers?

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with my friend Kathleen Cecilia Ennis, owner of Cecilia’s Flowers & a floral artist whose passion for blooms is truly infectious. We delved into the significance of incorporating florals into your dinner party decor and how they can elevate the overall ambiance.

Sabine: How long have you been a florist, and what inspired you to specialize in floral design for events?

Kathleen: I started my floral design business in 2019. I have always loved the event industry and more specifically the wedding industry. I have been in the bridal world since 2015 selling wedding dresses at Kleinfeld Bridal. So when we moved from NYC to the Philly suburbs in 2018 I decided to specialize in floral design and make my dream of owning a business a reality.

I chose floral design because after planning my own wedding in 2018 I loved the flexibility and creativity my own florist had with her life and her business. Making art out of living beautiful flowers was about as great of a dream as I could have imagined.

Sabine: Can you describe your floral style and the types of events you typically work on? In your opinion what makes the perfect dinner party?

Kathleen: My floral style is very natural and wild. I love a table scape that looks like a live garden or a bouquet that has the charm of being “picked off the side of the road”. I love to work on weddings, but I do the occasional shower or small event as well! I think the perfect dinner party includes first and foremost, great company. The rest I would consider luxurious details in comparison to who you share your time with. I love intimate cozy candlelight and definitely fresh colorful arrangement of flowers, good food that can be shared and a playlist everyone can jam to.

“I think the perfect dinner party includes first and foremost, great company. The rest I would consider luxurious details in comparison to who you share your time with. I love intimate cozy candlelight and definitely fresh colorful arrangement of flowers, good food that can be shared and a playlist everyone can jam to. ”

— Kathleen Cecilia Ennis

Sabine: How do you approach creating a custom floral arrangement that complements the theme or style of a dinner party?

Kathleen: When creating an arrangement that compliments a theme or a style of dinner party, I first start with a color scheme and a shape I want to go with. Then I decide on textures and what’s in season and go from there. When creating the arrangement, I use inspiration from my client like a picture and then create in the moment with the products I have.

Sabine: Are you open to incorporating specific colors, themes, or personal preferences into your designs?

Kathleen: I love to incorporate specific colors or themes requested from a client. It helps me go outside of my normal comfort zone to stretch my creativity.

Sabine: Can you provide examples of seasonal flowers that work well for different types of events?

Kathleen: There are different seasonal flowers I love to use. In the spring I have pick of the liter. I have every color and shape and flower I could ever want to work with. Winter I need to be a little more creative, but I have greenery that I don’t get to work with and branches with berries that add beautiful winter touch. Fall is the best time for beautiful Dahlias, Spring I get to use fresh Peonies, Winter I get to use the huge blooms of an Amaryllis.

Sabine: What are your recommendations for creating stunning tablescapes and centerpieces that enhance the dining experience?

Kathleen: My recommendation for creating a beautiful tablescape and enhancing a dining experience would be to add interesting flowers that add texture to an arrangement. Maybe the texture of the flower is something people don’t see all the time so it causes conversation. Another thing to consider is an arrangement that won’t block conversation. The worst thing is sitting at a table and not being able to talk to a friend because there is a huge centerpiece in the way. So as much as I love the tables cape to be aesthetically pleasing, there needs to be functionality as well. People need to be able to see across the table and have a place to put their drink.

Courtesy of Instagram: @cecilias.flowers

Sabine: Outside of the dining table, where are some other area you would suggest having fresh florals for a dinner party?

Kathleen: At a dinner party I love fresh florals not only on the tables, but in spaces that people gather. IT’s all about the experience for me. I like to put fresh florals on a bar area, a fireplace mantle, or in a hanging chandelier.

Sabine: For hosts with budget constraints, what are some cost-effective yet impactful floral options for a dinner party?

Kathleen: If there are budgets to keep in mind I always suggest adding greenery to make an arrangement bigger or using bud vases with florals to cover a bigger space using less flowers.

Sabine: What advice do you have for maintaining the freshness and longevity of floral arrangements throughout the evening and after the dinner party?

Kathleen: To maintain freshness during your dinner party, always be sure the water source is full. Heat of a candle or sunlight can also impact the freshness and longevity of an arrangement. So consider keeping the flowers out of direct sunlight or not lighting candles until the last minute to help this.

Sabine: How do you work with hosts or event planners to understand their vision and preferences for the floral decor?

Kathleen: To work best with hosts and event planners I love to hear about what has and hasn’t worked in past events. I am always learning and wanting to share tips and tricks.

Sabine: Are there current trends in floral design that work particularly well for dinner parties?

Kathleen: The current trend I have been obsessed with is COLOR! I am so happy people are getting away from a neutral palette and going bold with color. I believe a colorful palette works great at a dinner party because it creates interest and conversations, and most importantly… happiness!

Sabine: How can hosts get in touch with you to create a custom arrangement?

Kathleen: Anyone can get in touch with me through email - ceciliasflowers623@gmail.com. Direct message on Instagram @cecilias.flowers

Whether you're someone looking to spruce up their dinner parties or a lover of all things design and decor, consider the transformative power of florals. Stay tuned for more exciting interviews and insights on creating memorable dinner party experiences, and don't forget to check out the amazing work of Kathleen Cecilia Ennis for a dose of floral inspiration!

Join my waitlist for my upcoming FREE Masterclass How to Create a Memorable Dinner Party Without Being Overwhelmed and be the first to secure your spot! https://georgettemarise.com/masterclass-waitlist

April 18, 2017

How Fresh Flowers Can Add a Special POP to your Decor

April 18, 2017/ Sabine Hayes

HOW FRESH FLOWERS ADD A POP TO YOUR DECOR

I am so excited spring is finally here and the weather has been consistent. The best part of spring, in my opinion, are the new flowers blooming, bright colors and a sense of freshness. After being confined indoors from winter, spring allows us to enjoy the outdoors and even bring the outdoors in. Flowers are a great way to add an organic, outdoor element indoors. What I love and enjoy about flowers are the various ways they bring life to a completed space.

As many of you know, I love almost anything Parisian. That is probably something I got from my late grandmother Georgette (hence the name). My family is from the Caribbean and one of the languages I grew up around was French. I have not made it to France yet, but it is on my list! I say that to say, I bumped into this adorable Parisian floral and garden boutique in the Old City neighborhood of Philadelphia. I later found out that this cute floral shop Petit Jardin en Ville, is owned by a husband and wife couple. When I stopped in the store I felt very relaxed and at peace because of my surroundings. The vintage garden decor, with the gray painted brick wall, pails of fresh and colorful flower stems, accompanied with a knowledgeable and friendly store associate made me feel comfortable and inspired to find my own new flower. This experience has inspired me to write about the MANY ways fresh flowers can add a special POP to your home decor.

Adds Color. The beautiful thing about flowers is there are thousands of types that can be mixed and matched to coordinate with your room decor. Even if the design of your space is neutral, a bright floral arrangement can add that je ne sais quoi or that element of surprise.

Adds Height. The secret to arranging accessories is to work in odd numbers. Floral arrangements are a great way to add height to a flat tabletop surface, such as a dining table, kitchen island or a desk. Floral arrangements can vary in height both tall and low. Be sure to choose one that is to scale with your overall design. For example, a low arrangement is perfect for a centerpiece on a dining table during a dinner party. This allows guests to comfortably conversate with one another.

Adds Freshness. Even the most beautiful room can feel stale. Fresh flowers have a way of bringing a fresh, fragrance and life to a space.

Spring Floral Centerpiece with fresh cut limes designed by Georgette Marise Interiors.

Once you've found your perfect selection of fresh cut flowers and add them to your completed space, Mimi Verde, owner and florist of VERDE' EVENTS, says there are key things you can do to extend the longevity of your beautiful arrangement.

Remove all dead foliage from your stems.
Change your water daily to retain freshness.
Use flower food to help the flowers last longer.
Cut the stems at an angle daily.

All flowers are different so Mimi suggests that if you have hydrangeas, keep them away from sunlight. For roses, she suggests using a capful of Coca-Cola in the water. Most floral arrangements should last 7-10 days if maintained properly. To contact VERDE' EVENTS call Mimi at 267.928.5034.

Comment below to share your favorite flowers.

À la prochaine,

April 28, 2016

Gift Guide: Stylish Mother's Day Gift Ideas

April 28, 2016/ Sabine Hayes

"A mother is she who can take the place of all others, but whose place no one else can take." -unknown

There are so many holidays that are celebrated throughout the year, but none of them are as emotional as Mother's Day. A mother's role is to nurture, guide and make sure everyone is united and taken care of in the household. As a mother myself to a 21 month old son and a 5 year old daughter I now appreciate the loving, patient, smart, and beautiful mother I had because it's not an easy role to accomplish. My mother, the late Suzanne Marise, is the reason I am the woman that I am today. Read my bio to find out why.

"There's nothing like showing a token of gratitude and acknowledgement to someone that deserves it."

As we celebrate our mothers, grandmothers, aunts and any other woman that may have filled the shoes of our mothers this Mother's Day lets be grateful for the impact they have been in our lives. There's nothing like showing a token of gratitude and acknowledgement to someone that deserves it.

Take some time and reflect on how you can show the mother in your life that you appreciate her. Your token of appreciation can be words of affirmation, a gift, or quality time. It should be from the heart and whatever you feel would put a smile on her face. If you need some inspiration check out some my Gift Guide for ideas on what to get the mom in your life.

As an extra bonus, here's a gesture that is never under appreciated: breakfast in bed! Dad's...if you have small children you can have them participate or if you're an empty nester this is a small and simple gesture that will let mom know you were thinking of her.

Looking for something to do Mother's Day weekend? Join us Saturday, May 7th at 11am for a Design Workshop on adding Function & Style to your kitchen and dining area. Come with mom, grandmom, auntie, your sister, your daughter or a girl friend. It will be a fun time filled with visual examples, informative tools and lots of design tips from designers! Click here to register today. Hurry, space is limited!

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Have a wonderful and blessed Mother's Day to all the fellow mothers out there!