Designer Spotlight On… Bastille Flowers
“Growing up in New England’s countryside, surrounded by fragrant lilac, lush peonies, and delicate lily of the valley, I developed a love for flowers and design at a very early age,” says Emily Pinon, owner and creative director of New York City’s Bastille Flowers & Events.
Jamali Garden: What inspired you to start your own studio?
Bastile Flowers: While growing up, my parents owned a traditional flower shop in New Hampshire where I learned the foundation of the industry and where it became a part of my DNA. Ever since I can remember my dream was to move to NYC and open my own flower and event design studio! When I lived in Paris, I worked alongside some of the city’s most renowned designers. Immersed in a world of luxury and fashion, I couldn’t wait to start my own floral design firm in New York City. Bastille Flowers & Events is a culmination of over 20 years in the flower industry. With this experience, I have grown to love what I do more and more with each day!
JG: We like seeing all these different elements together, and love the grand scale. What were you working on?
BF: This was taken in our design studio where we have consultations with clients. This particular table was a mock-up for a social gala. It included flowering quince branches, camellia branches, a variety of roses such as camel, Charming Unique, & Sandy Femma, white lilac, and viburnum. We also incorporated flowering orchid plants to add a little variety to the display.
JG: We love this Spring, flowering tabletop garden.
BF: This tabletop garden was created for the book launch party of Aiden Donnelley Rowley’s The Ramblers, at a private residence on the Upper East Side. The table was the first thing that greeted guests as they entered the apartment. Here we combined camellia branches, poppies, parrot tulips, mood moss, and fern plants. We accented the tree with hanging glass tea light holders to create this enchanted garden tablescape that brought Central Park to life inside.
JG: This table mixes gold, copper, and platinum beautifully.
BF: This was the table at the same book launch party. The tabletop was adorned with a series of elements incorporating footed gold bowls, small Antique Gold Bud Vases, Platinum Grey Ribbed Votive Holders, along with ribbed green candles in Antique Brown Glass Candlesticks. The flowers were a whimsical mix of gloriosa lilies, lady slipper orchids, poppies, sweet pea, jasmine vine, and geranium and seasonal foliage.
JG: We love the colors and the pretty mix of flowers in this table centerpiece. What celebration was this created for?
BF: This event was a Grecian inspired bridal shower at The Water Club in NYC. A coral pin cushion protea greeted each guest at their seat. A mix of vases, including a Braid Cement Vase, held green hydrangea, white and coral sweet pea, silver Dusty Miller, white lisianthus, silver thistle, and white peonies.
JG: You seem to effortlessly mix different flowers and elements and make them look beautiful together? Is that part of your style?
BF: We love pairing the unexpected together. Texture and color are very important in our design process. Since this was a Grecian inspired event we loved the detail in the braided stone vase and how beautifully it paired with the pleated bowls, tinted blue bud vases, manzanita, red coral, and gold accents.
JG: We definitely believe in finishing strong, and this dessert table puts very nice and sweet point at the end of a celebration.
BF: The inspiration for this dessert table was color. We combined tones of coral, ice blue, peach, turquoise, gold, and white, to create a divine mix of bite size desserts that everyone could try.
JG: What advice would you give to brides, grooms, or anyone planning an event?
BF: Tell a story and personalize your wedding day in subtle ways. In our industry anything and everything is possible and at Bastille Flowers & Events it is our passion to inspire each client throughout the design process, making the end result unique to them.