What's In style? Tips and tricks

May 28, 2017 Erin

Garden Roses and Peonies... Spring is in the air and I’ve been getting a lot of questions about my favorite flower for spring and what’s trending.

I’d have to say garden roses are my favorite in all seasons, they smell absolutely divine. But if I had to choose for this time of spring, I think I would say Peonies and Lilacs. They are soft and feminine, layered with hundreds of petals and beautiful colors—they just feel like an embodiment of the season.

This season there are a few things that are really “in,” the first of which being loose garden style arrangements. To build on that, think about adding unusual elements like fruits and vegetables to an arrangement. This is a very effective way to achieve the garden look that is so popular right now. In terms of color, the “Pantone” color of the season is green. Finding a way to incorporate a little extra greenery will give any arrangement that added element of chic.

With spring in the air there are a lot of people who are getting ready to start their very first garden or refresh the one they’ve had for 20 years. As your garden starts to bloom, consider creating your own arrangements–it's not only a great way to introduce the new season by bringing life into your space, such as refreshing a kitchen or bathroom, but it can be a super fun DIY project.

Anyone can create a beautiful spring bouquet at home. Picking colors within the same color palette is always a good place to start. As you build out the arrangement, creating a grid with clear tape on a large mouth vessel helps to keep the flowers in place and creates a structure for them to be built upon.

It is also worth noting that the vessel is a huge part of an arrangement and any vessel can be a vase—a pitcher or piece of pottery, whatever you find inspiring in the moment. Just go forth and create. With that being said, have some fun this spring, plant a new garden or put together a whimsical bouquet with flowers from your own backyard or anywhere else you find them. But if you just can’t shake that brown thumb we are here at White Fig Designs to help bring your idea to life.

All photos by Zan Passante.

Where it Began

April 11, 2013 Erin

Recently I had the opportunity to work with an exciting new magazine, Souvenir. The magazine is a lifestyle publication that features independent artisans, and unique styles. So when they asked if they could do a feature about me I was not only thrilled but honored.

As part of the article the editors asked me a few questions that have got me thinking about my background and why I got started. I realized it is difficult to pinpoint the exact moment when I started as a flower designer—it was a process. Since I was a little girl working in my parent’s garden, I have been surrounded by plants. I remember some of the weeds had the prettiest flowers and sometimes I would get confused and pull up the flowers while leaving the weeds to grow uninhabited. Reflecting on that moment, I realize how much it influenced the wild garden style I like to create today.

Growing up there were always flower arrangements in our home and at our table, so as I began to create my own home naturally I did the same. My children will tell you our home has always been abundant with flowers inside and out. Over time, people began to notice the way I styled my garden or entryway and would ask me to give them guidance—I guess that is where it started.

I'm glad I did that feature and it forced me to think about how I got started and where I draw my inspiration. It has really given my time to reflect and realize how lucky I am that each day I get to wake up and do what I love.

It may sound cheesy, but my inspiration comes from the entire world around me—colors, trees, everything I see.

Everyday Tools

The location of my studio is a great example. Every day I smile, looking at this scraggly nest hanging out of an old tree in front of the church across the street. I love that nest and the angel in the window of that church. The old power lines and the wildflowers sprouting out of the dirt lot outside my studio gives me inspiration each and every day— to me this place is picturesque.

That little barefoot girl in her parent’s yard, mud squishing between her toes, pulling up flowers instead of weeds tends to peek her head out when I’m working. I am passionate about what I create, and although it sounds corny,

I draw my inspiration from each unexpected piece of the world around me.

Harvest BBQ

October 2, 2012 Erin

As summer is coming to an end it's time to savor those final few warm weekends and enjoy BBQ's with friends and family. It’s also the time of year when you can enjoy some to the best produce your local farmer's market has to offer. Harvest time is in full swing.

Our good friends at Pulchella Winery know all about that. Right now they are up in Paso Robles harvesting grapes for their next delicious batch of wine. Before they started all the hard work they had a great party, to celebrate their cult members and the end of the summer. I was lucky enough to help stage and do flowers for.

It was a fun rustic backyard event - wine and a pizza oven, what more could you want? Oh yes, good company, and that was abounding.

Grilled artichokes grilled figs and lemons and of course a glass of Pulchella wine.

Cheers to a Fall Harvest!

Inaugural Post

June 18, 2012 Erin

Tulips, Ranunculus and Eucalyptus

For years people have been asking me to start my own blog, so finally I broke down this is the first post of the White Fig Designs blog.

I am excited to start on this new endeavor. It is something completely new to me, so I'm sure there will be a few bumps in the road as a start off. White Fig Designs has grown so much since it started, and I am so grateful for the success. This blog just feels like a natural next step. It will be a lifestyle, design, home and garden, and anything else it naturally evolves into blog. It will simply be another creative outlet.

I'm so excited to get started on this project and can't wait to share it with you! Please enjoy...