SHARLA FLOCK DESIGNS

CHEERS TO THE NEW YEAR

2012-01-10T15:38:00.000-08:00

As we ease ourselves from 2011 we find ourselves entering a brand-spankin'new year filled with endless possibilities for happiness, success, and love.

I'm going to begin this new year by sharing with you what makes this girl from Washington State and the owner of Sharla Flock Designs so happy about life.

If you know me, you know I'm loud. I'm about as excitable as a lab puppy and I adore playing with flowers! I might have to leash my enthusiasm a wee bit when we meet, but know that I am jumping up and down on the inside when I hear you describe the vision for your wedding.

I love color. I love the subtle differences that only nature can create. I find myself spending endless hours at the flower market laying out possible complimenting tones, textures, and the best part of all, the fragrance.

I am mother to an amazing two year old boy who makes everything in my world brighter. Which is also the reason I might not get my blog page updated as often as I would like. I have taught him to take time to smell the flowers, whether it's in our garden or at the flower market where I push him around in his red bike. He's kinda famous there. I love the flower market and the feeling of family that lives there. Lots of laughter, coffee, and amazingly beautiful blooms always await us!

My design team is the best in the business because most of them come from art backgrounds. This is not the industry to become rich & famous. But, it is a world rich with a lot of heart & soul for the craft of floral design. We have fun! We have nicknames for each other like Glitter Girl, Mother Bubbles & Lady Bug and we find ourselves laughing...a lot! We eat a lot of chocolate and listen to Madonna's Immaculate Collection....a lot!

I'm entering my 10th year in business and my eighteenth year of working with my medium of choice. FLOWERS! And you might be surprised to know that after all of these years I still have nervousness bubbling up every morning before I deliver each wedding. I still fuss over my bridal bouquets a little too much. Mostly, I really care. I sincerely care about what my hands create for your very special day and am honored to play a small part in your wedding.

Here's to Love and all good things to come in 2012.

* Creativity is Blooming *

FOR THE LOVE OF VINTAGE

2011-09-12T15:07:00.000-07:00

Oh how I love & adore old things. Old cars, old clothes, anything that has lived a long life should be celebrated!

I had the joy of working with Victoria this summer to capture HER love of old. A truly beautiful vintage inspired wedding at Beaulieu Gardens.

The talented ladies at MAP Events choreographed a flawless event and it was all captured perfectly with the amazing Gia Canali with her dreamy images. The food was impeccable as usual when working with Paula LeDuc Fine Catering. Perfection!

Victoria wanted to translate organic, relaxed, and elegance....all with touches from the past. I was able to use mercury glass vessels and candle holders to set the backdrop for her floral palette. Delicious, textural arrangements consisting of peonies, garden roses, stock, millet, fuzzy quince fruits, orchids, dusty miller foliage, pierus, with hints of fresh mint and scabiosa pods. What a gift to work with such scrumptious flowers!

My goal is always to compliment the surroundings, not compete with it. Victoria chose the ideal space for her wedding and the decor was paired perfectly with the gorgeous estate.

Looking back on this whirlwind wedding season, I feel honored to have played a small part in her wedding, as I do with all of my lovely brides.

Here's looking forward to many more beautiful wedding and remembering the past....and our love of the old while celebrating new marriages in bloom!

Creativity is Blooming!

CALYPSO CAVALLO

2011-03-30T22:13:00.000-07:00

There is no better way to celebrate a wedding on a rainy day than by filling the space with a Calypso color palette to chase the rain clouds away!

I had the pleasure of working at Cavallo Point this past Sunday for Laura & Joel wedding ceremony and cocktail reception.

The color palette was reflective of "International Orange," the color of the Golden Gate Bridge, which stands tall and proud as the perfect backdrop for their wedding celebration. With pops of blues and green for just the right amount of whimsy!

Such a playful, vibrant color palette for a fun & vibrant couple.

Here's to many more fun filled, vibrant weddings to come in 2011. Weddings filled with love, beauty, and color!

* Creativity continues to bloom *

LOVE IN BLOOM

2011-02-03T14:39:00.000-08:00

January has blown by in a flash and as we transition into February we are greeted with bursts of pink cherry blossoms lighting up the winter sky.

This past Summer I had the pleasure of working with Suji & Eric at the Annadel Estate where I created dense, lush arrangements consisting of a bountiful collection of peonies, garden roses, hydrangea, sweet peas, lilac, with hints of dusty miller and mint in the color palette ranging from soft whites, blush to rich jewel tones.

It was a breathtaking wedding that was choreographed flawlessly by Stacy McCain Event Planning and captured beautifully by the talented Gia Canali.

And as a special treat we have the pleasure of having this gorgeous wedding featured in the current issue of C weddings!

As we move through the beginning of 2011 I look forward to Spring and a wedding season to bloom like the cherry blossoms in February.

Creativity is Blooming at Sharla Flock Designs.

THE FABULOUS FAIRMONT

2010-12-16T12:49:00.000-08:00

There is no greater joy than to have a bride who hands over her wedding with full trust, knowing that she is in capable hands. Top it off with a bride who loves the drama of black ostrich feathers and a little "bling" and you're looking at one happy floral designer!

Jessica & Marc were married this September at the Fairmont in San Francisco. The wedding was decked out in glitz, a dramatic floral palette, and an overall smoldering sexiness that oozed from the combination of all three. With use of black baccara roses, flame calla lilies, dahlias, orchids, fiddle heads, and lots of crystals, candles and feathers it was H.O.T. Hot!
These are the clients who make my job so incredibly satisfying and rewarding.

I have an ongoing feeling of appreciation to be able to do the work that I do and feel honored that I am able to help create the mood for the once in a lifetime moments in their lives.

Once again Sharla Flock Designs is Blooming.... and baby, we're just getting warmed up! * 2011 is going to going to sizzle! *

* Wishing you and yours an incredibly beautiful holiday season spent with the people who warm your hearts.

Special thanks to Robert Hatch Photography for these stunning images

In the Name of Love : Pride & Prejudice

2010-07-06T11:01:00.000-07:00

Now that I am a new Mama my blogs have been a little further and far between. But know that I am working towards sharing SO many incredibly lovely nuggets of beauty throughout the rest of my wedding season with you.

I had the pleasure of working with some amazing industry talent this Summer to create a dreamy, romantic floral palette based on the theme, Pride & Prejudice for the launch of Nonpariel Magazine.

The lovely and talented Lisa Lekfowitz and Anne Sage teamed up to capture and style the essence of Pride & Prejudice.

Ah, the love affair I have for garden roses and peonies is like no other! Seriously. Mother Nature knocks it out of the ballpark with these beauties.

I am once again reminded of how fortunate I am to do what I love, surrounded by the most beautiful things on earth....my new son and yummy peonies & garden roses! Life is perfect!

Here's to continuing to share what is blooming at Sharla Flock Designs and to a Summer filled with Love for Nature.

Well, HELLO Lucky!

2010-02-25T20:55:00.000-08:00

What happens when Girl Genius, Eunice from Hello Lucky gets hitched?
She pulls out all of her best tricks, bring on board the most fabulously creative photographers, caterer, dress designer, and last but not least...florist, and asks her dynamic sister Sabrina to pull out all the stops.
With the wedding being featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and MY arrangement on the Cover, you can imagine how truly excited we all are!
Each and every detail was beautifully captured by the lovely & talented photographers Gia Canali & Sara Remington. The food was flawlessly presented and deliciously created by the amazing staff of Fork & Spoon Productions and I was able to play with flowers to my hearts content!
I was absolutely giddy with excitement as I took in the abundance of lilac, hydrangea, garden roses, peonies, fresh mint, grasses, and of course, sweet peas. I felt like a kid in a candy store, except I got to eat ALL of natures candy.
I combined vintage velvet foliage, rusted metal leaves, and created hand made ribbon florals for the bride's bouquet to create something a little old....and a little new to go with her over-the-top gown.
I am once again reminded of how truly lucky I am to do what I love.
Working with such amazingly talented people who share a like-minded approach, all with an abundance of laughter and smiles along the way.
Creativity continues to bloom and I am taking in every ounce of it!

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AUBERGE

2009-12-03T19:34:00.000-08:00

What could be more breathtaking that a wedding at Auberge in October, overlooking the Napa Valley in all it's autumnal glory! Vines are just beginning to become dusted with golden hues, a picturesque time of year.
I had the pleasure to create the floral arrangements for Dana & Harris' wedding this October at Auberge. The bride wore a custom gown created by a designer in her hometown of Dallas and was simply glowing in it. I loved creating the dramatic, cascading all white bouquet to accompany her dress. Drama on top of Drama. What more could a bride ask for?
Overall, it was a truly wonderful experience working not only with both Dana & Harris, but with the fragrant garden roses, the fresh oregano, plum calla lilies, lush hydrangea, chartreuse cymbidium orchids, and the always playful monkey tail for a little whimsy!
The entire wedding went off without a hitch due to the exceptional organization of Jenne Hohn of Hohn Events. I knew when Jenne brought me on board this wedding would be amazing.
As wedding season begins it's hibernation during the crispness of winter, I am as excited as a kid on Christmas morning in anticipation of what the 2010 wedding season will bring. More amazing couples, coming together to celebrate love as I am honored to weave my florals throughout these special moments.
Here's looking forward to Creativity Blooming abundantly in the coming year.
May the spirit of the holiday season fill you with happiness & joy!

BEAUTIFUL BEAULIEU GARDENS

2009-09-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

Oh, how incredible weddings are at Beaulieu Gardens!
Somehow when the gardens are filled with wedding guests the space is transformed into a magical destination where everything feels a little richer and more enchanted.
When Brian & Nat exchanged their "I do's " this August, I for one became swept away with the feeling of being in another place....a truly beautiful place where love bloomed and knew no boundaries.
Their color palette echoed the celebratory vibe with use of rich golds, vibrant reds, and summery oranges in the calla lilies, orchids, roses, hypericum berries, and fabulous geranium foliage arrangements.
I am again reminded of how truly fortunate I am to be able to work with such amazing people who come together to celebrate love....and for allowing me to help create the backdrop for their special day.
I look forward to an autumnal melody of colors, textures, and more couples coming together to celebrate love as I represent them through flowers.
* Creativity is Blooming

GREEN WEDDING BLISS

2009-06-11T18:27:00.000-07:00

Meghann & Jeff tied the knot at the picturesque Costanoa in Pescadero, CA this May and despite the rain, their wedding day was like a bright & happy Summer day, just like Meghann's sunny personality!
The tables were clean and fresh, filled with wheat grass boxes, candles, and river rock to echo the natural flow of a river in nature.
The wheat grass boxes were built from reclaimed lumber and the river rocks are now a part of my garden, which makes this wedding truly " green."
Each of the design elements were carefully thought out by Meghann, which made my job a dream! We worked together to get the exact end results we were hoping for. We succeeded!
In the end, we had ourselves a fun, fresh, green wedding!
Here's to a Summer filled with fabulous weddings and bride's who are filled with joy as their dreams become reality.

RETRO RANCH

2009-04-25T19:35:00.000-07:00

Patricia & Ian tied the knot at Durham Ranch and it was Stunning!
The lovely & talented Pamela Cianci of Outlined Productions created an amazing backdrop for the ceremony and reception with help from Hartmann Studios with the perfect linens for dining in the barn.
The tables were gorgeous with the perfect combination of vintage and modern with the arrangements in black urns filled with orchids, lush garden roses, anemones, and my current favorite foliage, dusty miller to reflect the bride & groom's personal style.
It felt as though Audrey Hepburn herself, dressed in her Breakfast at Tiffany's garb, could have stepped through the barn doors, sauntered up to the bar and ordered herself a martini.....dry, not shaken.
The black & white palette is truly striking and I for one am celebrating this current style trend!
Here's to a May filled with more blissful couples celebrating in style!

WEDDING SEASON HAS BLOOMED

2009-03-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

It's official! My wedding season is off to an amazing start. Barbara & Darin tied the knot at The Flood Mansion.... and it was divine!

Myself and the lovely staff of Global Gourmet worked together to make sure the tables were unique and echoing the personality of our client. The oval shaped tables consisted of a beautiful vignette of black urns and silver vases filled with parrot tulips, hydrangea, orchids, and freesia with vintage inspired candle decor for added ambiance.

What an amazing beginning to what will be an incredible wedding season.

Heres is to a spring filled with love for all good things to come!

*Creativity is Blooming at Sharla Flock Designs

WINTER BLOOMS

2009-02-21T10:33:00.000-08:00

Winter in the bay area is filled with an explosion of bountiful plum and cherry trees bursting with life. This is an indicator of wonderful things to come.

Rebecca said YES! Barbara & Darin are about to walk down the aisle, and Nat & Brian are about to embark on an experience they thought would never happen for them....marriage.
Love is in the air!

This time of year I am meeting with so many couples planning their wedding day. Filled with excitement laced with undertones of nervousness of how it will possibly all come together in the end.

What I can tell you is this. Just as winter rains bring to life the vibrant springtime blossoms, your wedding will be filled with so much love you'll feel like a cherry tree in full bloom.

In appreciation for the winter rains and cold nights that are bringing budding tulips, vibrant daffodils, fragrant jasmine vine, and abundant cymbidium orchids.

Winter is in bloom and Creativity is Blooming at Sharla Flock Designs.