Of all the seasonal and holiday collections we release each year, the Mother’s Day collection is undoubtedly one of my favorites. Why? It really is a day that asks people to stop and say thank you. (Read more about the history of the holiday here.) Plus, I’m a mother of two! Enough said, right?
Wishing you a wonderful Mother’s Day!
-Sandra de Ovando
As a buyer or renter, most of us are all too familiar with the woes and the joys of New York real estate. It’s perhaps less frequent that we approach the real estate market from the perspective of the seller.
Well, never say never: the day might come when you are placed in the position of preparing your home for market-readiness. And this week, the wise voices of The New York Times beg the question, “Is it worth spending money on flower arrangements for an open house?”
We were happy to oblige with some expert advice on how flowers can bring a space to life and help close the deal. But, as Sandra de Ovando cautions, be careful. “The flowers should enhance the surroundings, not steal the show.” Read the full feature in The New York Times digital edition. And please do let us know what you think…we’d love to hear your thoughts!
What do you get when “flower-power-meets-hipster-glamour?” Sunglasses by Kerin Rose, of course. These A-Morir frames show off Ms. Rose’s less-frequently revealed feminine aptitudes whilst still appealing to an audience of the most discerning tastemakers and rock-and-roll icons to the likes of Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Tyra Banks, Mariah Carey, and more.
We have only four words for you, Kerin…
We. Love. Your. Style.
Photos courtesy of The New York Times
It was an absolute treat to visit Washington DC for the annual cherry blossom festival. Even while I work with flowers on a daily basis, the sheer abundance and the saturation of color throughout the city is just something else. I was bright eyed with with a wide smile for a full 24 hours! I couldn’t have been happier…that is until I discovered that the US Botanic Gardens is currently exhibiting an Orchids Mystique showcase of exotic orchids from around the globe! I was flabbergasted by my good fortune and wanted to share these beautiful creatures with you.
pink cymbidium orchids
pink cattleya orchids
orange cymbidium orchids
pink and white phaleonopsis orchids
thyrsiflorum dendrobium
brassia orchids
I hope you enjoy the eye candy!
-Sandra de Ovando
In our humble opinion, there are only a few floral design publications that capture the crucial inside scoop on the industry: in other words, the point of intersection between the designer’s art and business. Behold Floral Design Magazine, the New Zealand publication that speaks to floral design enthusiasts and industry veterans alike, covering an array of topics including everything from do-it-yourself to marketing strategies to seasonal trends.
The publication has always been a go-to source for industry insights and inspiration for Ovando, hence why we were so honored to be profiled in the March 2012 issue.
The in-depth feature explores Ovando’s design philosophy as well as some of our many other focus areas, including installations, artist partnerships, and a few fun step-by-step flower recipes!
The March issue also highlights select international designers and dives into the ways in which the industry has begun to harness technology and media. (Case in point, the fantastic ebook by Sarah Wilkinson of Sinikka Floral Design. We admit: the thought has crossed our minds. You’ll just have to stay tuned and see…)
And, in the interim, you can download the March issue of Floral Design Magazine right here. It’s a great read and a fun, dynamic industry to follow!
New York Fashion Week is always such a captivating experience: the adrenaline in the styling room; the new breakthrough designer sends his models down the catwalk for the first time; the chic after-party is ignited with conversation of Ms. Wintour’s favorite look. If fashion week shows us anything, it’s certainly the fact that fashion is just as purposeful as it is ephemeral. Indeed, there is “An Ever Changing Face of Beauty.”
Such is the premise of fashion photographer Sølve Sundsbø’s video installation which premiered at the Park Avenue Armory on February 14th, organized by W Magazine and P&G Prestige.
Sundsbø aims not only to capture still images of the beauties beyond the lens, but to also bring them to life and imbue them with story and character. Some might even argue that beauty and inspiration are easy to find, but it’s the process of translating this into a living piece of work that presents the challenge, be it a clothing collection, an art installation, or even a floral composition.
Ovando was honored to be a part of the evening and to have an opportunity to showcase the fruits of our inspiration-to-creation process. Working off of the psychedelic blend of male and female body parts accented with blooming flowers, tree branches and fire, we aimed for something that spoke both to the femininity and masculinity of Sundsbø’s work as well as the fervor of his images.
We decided to pair a brawny aubergine against fuchsia and violet highlights to convey the interdependent yet juxtaposed relations of male and female. Highlighting these compositions with the seductive hue of candlelight made for a truly enchanting evening.
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
Photos by Billy Farrell Agency
It’s been some time since we’ve entertained you with some DIY delight. But Spring is soon upon us and so too is the swell of that adventurous DIY spirit. And so without further ado, our miniature Opposites Attract.
Ingredients:
2 stems of dogwood
6 heads of purple vanda orchids
1 succulent
1 vase 9 x 1.5 x 6
Bindwire
Clippers
Instructions:
1. Fill your vase with water.
2. Measure your dogwood against the length of the vase and trim to fit. Each trimmed segment must maintain enough friction against the sides of the vase so as to be suspended within the vase. Then, gently push your dogwood down into vase, leaving enough space in between each piece so that there is a feeling of space and weightlessness within the vase.
3. Attach your succulent using bind-wire.
4. Cut the vanda orchid heads off the stem, being sure to leave at least 2 inches of stem remaining. The orchid stems should be able reach down into the vase to drink water.
5. Place the vanda orchids lying along the top of the vase. Primp as necessary so that the mouths of each orchid head are facing in the proper direction.
And alas, enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Of course we know that the piece may only have taken you twenty minutes to compose, but we know nothing of the limitations on bragging rights 
Photos by Matthew Hanlon Photography
In all of the Valentine’s Day hustle and bustle, we nearly missed the opportunity to pause and say thank you to the fabulous editorial staff over at W Magazine for the recent gift guide feature! So, before the clock strikes midnight, a very wholehearted “thank you!” for including our new candle collection in this year’s Valentine’s Day Editor’s picks gift guide.
Hoping cupid treats you well on this lovely day.
Year after year, there is joyful anticipation amongst design industry moguls and New Yorkers alike as they await the release of Valentine’s Day window displays amongst Madison Avenue’s luxury boutiques. Whimsical one moment, heartfelt the next, these brilliant installations are sure to spark a twinkle as shoppers eagerly search for the perfect gifts for their sweethearts. It’s no secret that Ovando’s window installations are included in this mix. And this year, Ovando’s Valentine’s Day installation is especially exciting…
If you peeked at the photo above, your eye was surely caught by those modern canvases featuring dazzlingly stylish women. (No, our floral & event designers did not suddenly take up painting!) Behold: the work of New York-based artist extraordinaire, Manuel Pardo. Perhaps now you understand why we’re so shamelessly gloating about this year’s astounding installation!
As luck should have it, founder Sandra de Ovando and artist Manuel Pardo have long been mutual admirers of one another’s work. In light of the approach of such an impassioned holiday, the artists opted to embrace the occasion and put forth a stunning design which pays homage to a love of art as well as an appreciation of both artists’ Latin roots, as seen through the use of bold colors and a stylized take on Mexican terra cotta tiling.
The window installation also features a living-room type set-up including Ovando’s Valentine’s Day floral arrangements, furniture props, and select paintings from two of Manuel Pardo’s series, Mother & I and Tecnicolor, as also recently seen at the New Museum in New York and the Griffin-Linton Gallery in Venice, California. For now, Ovando is also one of a handful of vendors carrying Manuel Pardo’s two-hundred and thirty page art book, Un Universo Soñado en Tecnicolor (A Universe Dreamed in Technicolor), released in June 2011 and being released to Barnes & Nobles come September 2012. The retrospective on Manuel’s thirty-year career also includes essays by former Artforum editor and current MOMA publications coordinator, David Frankel, as well as Mike McGee, Gallery Director at Cal State’s Fullerton Begovich’s Gallery.
So, while we hope you enjoy this two-dimensional rendition of the window (and lovely photos they are!), we would oh-so-much rather you see it in person… It’s the perfect opportunity to get within 3 feet of the modernist works one of this century’s most pivotal artists!
Pictured: Ovando’s Upper East Side boutique located at 19 E65th Street near the corner of Madison Avenue.
Photos by Matthew Hanlon Photography
“It’s that feeling when you know you’ve stumbled upon something extraordinary, “ says Daun Curry, founder of Modern Declaration, as she describes her first encounter with Ovando. Oh yes, we know the feeling. It was indeed love at first sight on our end as well when we uncovered the work coming out of the a New York-based interior design firm, celebrated for its love of light and texture. Recently honored with her 3rd Andrew Martin “Designer of the Year” Award, we were undeniably curious to learn more of the method behind the magnificence. And, upon a recent collaboration with Modern Declaration, we were indeed able to dig a little deeper into Daun’s creative genius…
Ovando: Tell us the story of Modern Declaration. (How is your background, how did you grow the business, etc?)
Daun Curry of Modern Declaration: Ever since high school English class, I have been deeply and personally moved by the poetry of Edna St Vincent Millay. In particular, her poem “Modern Declaration.” It is a manifesto of courageous, unwavering LOVE – a desire and a belief that no one can take what you love away from you. I thought Modern Declaration was the perfect vision for the company. Declaring my love for all things design. When I design, it makes me feel alive. A bit dramatic perhaps, but then, what else would you expect from a designer??
Ovando: What is it that most inspires your work?
Daun: People, art, fashion, nature, my daughter’s eyes…inspiration is everywhere. I was in a taxi today and I took a picture of the fender of city bus with my iphone. The patina of the metal made these amazing organic shapes and gradated hues! I was like “I want to make that into a patterned silk fabric!”
Ovando: Do you have a trademarked design trick or helpful hint? What is it that distinguishes your work today?
Daun: My helpful hint would be to trust your judgment and remember that balance and editing are always your friends. I am known for my layering of lighting and textures. I am not afraid to mix it all up. Whatever feels right, go with it, put it all out there. You can always make edits.
Ovando: What is your process when it comes to bringing to life a client’s vision? And, if your client doesn’t have any preconceived visions, how do you go about creating it for them?
Daun: When I first meet a client and visit a space, I just listen to them and absorb what is going on around me. Inspiration is all about feeling for me. I get a vibe for the energy of the client and the architecture of the space and I start getting visuals in my head. I am a very visual person. I don’t read a lot. I never have. I see all things from a visual point of view, even letters and numbers. As a child I thought there was something wrong with me. It took a long time for me to understand and come to terms with that. It is actually an incredible gift that I now cherish and lends itself very nicely for working in the design world.
Ovando: What is it you most LOVE about your job? Find most challenging?
Daun: I love what I do. I am grateful everyday that I get to design and that my work resonates with people. I also love the relationships I build with my clients. We become part of each other’s lives. When a project dies down and I’m not around as much, we miss each other.
Ovando: We loved collaborating with Modern Declaration on a recent installation. Are flowers always a large component of your work? Tell us a bit more about the project and your vision.
Daun: This project was for Moroccanoil co-founder Carmen Tal’s residence. She grew up on a beautiful estate in Chile and flowers and live plants were discussed from the very beginning as an integral part of the design. I really wanted to collaborate with a floral designer whose work would compliment the design of the space. It was late one evening and I was endlessly searching the web for something inspirational and that’s when I found Ovando. It’s that feeling you have when you know you’ve stumbled upon something extraordinary. Both whimsical and architectural at the same time…an elevated way of looking at flower design.
Ovando: You were recently awarded your 3rd Andrew Martin “Designer of the Year” award. What an honor! It must be so incredible to look back to your days at Parsons when you may have been thinking “One day!” along with many other young aspiring designers. And here it is! Tell us about your first ground-breaking project and any potential “Aha” moments you may have had along the way.
Daun: It is such an honor and I am truly humbled by all the wonderful experiences I’ve had in this industry. My first big break came a few years after I graduated from Parsons. I was hired to decorate a 5,000 square foot loft by real estate developer and entrepreneur Josh Guberman. Josh is a true visionary and his work in the industry is inspirational. I was a no-name at the time and Josh believed in me, something I will never forget. There was a huge press release party for the opening of the building featuring the loft I had designed. The exposure I got was incredible and as they say “the rest is history…..”
Ovando: Work aside, what is your favorite thing to do (or not do) every day? Any favorite activities, sayings, personal quirks that your friends love about you but might chuckle about all the same?
Daun: I love cooking dinner for my daughter every night, giving her a bath, bedtime stories……my softer mommy side…..
Getting dressed up and going on romantic dinner dates with my husband……
Going dancing with my girlfriends…..
Loving, laughing, living life to the fullest…..
Ovando: What is your vision for the future of Modern Declaration?
Daun: I love my staff dearly and we all really enjoy working together. Our common undying love of design always pushes us in new directions . There are no limits. I want to do it all. We are currently working on a fabric line and a home accessories collection.
Thank you for chatting with us, Daun! We can’t wait to see what’s next…
Photos by Emily Gilbert Photography
