The Flower Chef: A Modern Guide to Do-It-Yourself Floral Arrangements

Carly Cylinder shared the secret sauce to floral design! You can be her sous chef! I recently started a studio floral business for small weddings and events called Flori in the Seattle area. I had worked for a couple of florists years ago, but I needed a refresh. The way I learn is by reading. I have way too many floral design and gardening books already but wanted something updated and to learn what was happening in the floral industry. After searching online, I found The Flower Chef and ordered it because I was intrigued by the recipe format. I wanted to be inspired and I wanted a reference guide. I didn't need a coffee table art/flower book. Carly Cylinder's book fit the bill because it is both visually beautiful and packed full of great information that I can access easily. I love books and love to read but I have a busy life and not a lot of time. I even like the size of the book because it is just the right size. I made one arrangement this week as a donation for a breast cancer gala but before I decided what I wanted to do, I was flipping through the The Flower Chef for some inspiration. Hollywood Glam on page 199 was perfect because of the feather boa that is incorporated. I switched it up a bit with a pink palette instead of white as a nod to The Pink Boat Regatta theme of the event and used a pink-hued hydrangea from my garden and added some waterlily dahlias too. I am not the best iPhone photographer of florals but you can see my arrangement attached here that I modeled after the Hollywood Glam. Other recipes I am excited to try are Graffiti Leaves and the Garland Flowers that incorporates wood flowers! I think Carly has done a great service to flower lovers because whether you are a novice or experienced, she demystifies the art of floral design with concrete steps including stem length, type of container, how to prep/condition flowers etc. I love it for inspiration and information! The recipes run the gamut of sophisticated and modern to fun and funky to sweet and English Garden style. Thanks for sharing the secret sauce! This book is delicious! #theflowerchef @theflowerchef @flori.flowers #flori.flowers

Great book full of pictures and easy to understand instruction.

This wonderful book arrived a few days ago and I’ve been devouring it. I recently opened my own floral arrangement biz and I’m eager to learn from those who have years of experience under their belts. This book offers so many tips, tricks, lessons and informative knowledge that I can use to enhance my floral creations and, really, just improve on caring for the stems I use in my arrangements. I’m self taught, so I’m eager for all of this knowledge. The Flower Chef has me attempting techniques I haven’t really done before - like wrapped bouquets. I need to know the best techniques for these various arrangements and I’m loving this book for showing me the way in simple, easy, interesting steps. I hear Ms. Cylinder is currently working on her second book. Sign me up!

One of the nicest floral books I've ever seen. Very nicely done.

This is a great book to have

I initially bought this as a gift for my girlfriend who is passionate about flowers. My girlfriend lit up when she saw the endless creative and diverse floral arrangement examples within the book. After going through the book with her, I got super excited with ideas and arranging my own designs. Its the perfect book for beginners to professionals. I love it's simple and perfect layout accompanied with beautiful photography. It's got everything you need from the fundamental how-to's, the tools you need, to much more. Definitely a great gift for friends and family but more importantly a great book for your own collection.

Such a unique, thoughtful and well-written book with amazing ideas for floral designs and beautiful photographs. I'm a florist and I even learned some new things in this book that I've never thought of or heard before that will really help my work. Carly is really one of the top floral designers, as her work in this book shows and I am so grateful she was kind enough to share her insights and creativity! Looking forward to coming back to this book over again through the years as I know it has the kind of ideas that will never get old. Whether you are a florist or want to become one, or even just if you want to make something beautiful for your home, as a gift, or holiday centerpiece then you will be very pleased with this purchase.

I was a little disappointed in this book after all of the rave reviews. There weren't as many designs as I had hoped, and they're just not my style somehow. I don't know, maybe this is just because I had purchased the book Modern Flower Arranging by Florists Review with so many unique and inspirational ideas and step by step photographs that this one seemed a little bland in comparison. But the tips and explanations here are good for beginners.