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

by Carly Cylinder

THE FLOWER CHEF is a modern, comprehensive guide to floral design that caters to all readers--from beginners who have never worked with flowers before and are looking for a new creative outlet, to decorators, party planners and photographers looking to liven up their spaces. Even professionals will find ways to update their techniques! This book teaches you everything you need to know about flower arranging including tips on how to buy and care for flowers, how to cut and prepare them, and how to use floral foam, vases, and various other decorative elements in your arrangements. Filled with beautiful photographs and easy-to-follow instructions on how to create over 80 different arrangements, this is the go-to guide to floral design that every flower lover will want to add to their collection.

Genres: Nonfiction, Gardening, Crafts, Reference, Self Help

224 pages, Hardcover

First published April 7, 2015

Reviews

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great! A self-taught floral designer shares her know-how with anyone who enjoys flowers from the novice to the consummate professional. Clearly written with beautiful photography, The Flower Chef radiates Ms. Cylinder's passion for flowers, floral design, and sharing her knowledge of both with everyone. I cannot wait to get back into arranging flowers again. Thank you, Ms. Cylinder!!

[Sarah J. Halstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read! I have always wanted to learn how to arrange flowers and now I know how!

[Leila · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a confession. A huge, secret confession that many people know about me.

I love, love, love to make floral arrangements and make flowers pretty. In fact, I have searched several times for jobs in floral shops so that I could do just that. Alas, you need some type of experience and I have none. (Although I feel like that is about to change with The Flower Chef.)

When I was offered the chance to apply to review the book, I literally jumped at the chance and filled out the application as quick as possible. If I was not chosen, I promise you; I would have cried and then sought out the book myself. Floral arrangements are like my hidden fetish.

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from this book, but let me tell you – it is like a cookbook (which Carly states is how she wanted it.) It covers EVERYTHING.

She covers tools you may want and need, materials you may want and need, the different flowers, the types of flowers, what flowers are good for what, the seasons the flowers are good, color schemes, how to keep flowers alive longer… so much of everything! Each “recipe” tells you how long it will take to prep, “cook” (put together), the experience level, and the price range.

To be honest, I was more concerned about how to make pretty floral arrangements in vases to have around the house or centerpieces for holidays, but The Flower Chef not only covers pretty floral arrangements in different size and shapes vases, but she also shares how to make different types of bouquets.

When I said The Flower Chef covered everything – I meant everything. It really is a comprehensive book on the who, what, where, when, why and most definitely the how!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting ideas, could use more pictures

I like Cylinder's accessible approach to flower arranging and the way she lays out instructions as recipes. It is a familiar format and therefore relaxing.

The bouquet pictures are stunning. Relatively few include in-process photos. Those would have helped show what she meant better than descriptions alone.

[Tracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the Webster's Dictionary of flowers. Easy to read and understand, from the basics, including supplies to the different types of flowers, moss, tape, foam, vases, EVERYTHING. I practiced with her ideas a couple of times and felt good about what I created. I borrowed this from the local library but I will purchase it to add to my permanent bookshelf.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Straightforward and enjoyable book of floral "recipes" with lots of different types of arrangements. I found some of them super-useful (especially how to spiral a bouquet) but found a lot of it was funky and not my style. It's good to see different options but much of it wouldn't be appropriate for a new floral fan like me.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book worth buying if you want to learn floral arrangements!

Great price!
East to follow!
Beautiful picture book!

I recommend anyone to purchase. Great pictures to look at and understand how to create a floral arrangement.

[Anna Konneker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a few things, and was inspired by a few of the designs. Beautiful photos.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A flower arrangement book setup like a cookbook. Excellent ideas and pictures. Just a relaxing read to enjoy on my work breaks.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book - I keep it on my coffee table as I always come back to it. So many floristry books just have nice pictures but little substance of how to achieve the look, however, the recipe styles and annotated notes are very clear as to how to create the look at home. I started doing a floristry course after I read this book and it really helped keep me on the right track as I had already practiced some of the techniques learnt from the book. My one wish would be that there were more sustainable flower arrangements, for example chicken wire or frogs can replace floral foam for an at home display and are better for the environment (however this is probably due to the book being published 2016). Overall, however, I love that the author also provides substitutes where flowers are not available as this is key in creating a similar arrangement when buying from a florists/ wholesalers.

[Tra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. Carly Cylinder has comprised a step by step guide to arranging flowers in most beautiful and modern ways. I will be using this book as a guide to bring beauty into my home. I also appreciate the way in which this book has been formatted similar to a cookbook with ingredients, prep time, etc....what a clever idea!

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book free through the Goodreads giveaway. I am so excited to be able to create some of these arrangements . It is a wonderful book with easy to follow instructions to make my flowers look professional. Thanks.

[JJ | Casa de Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carly graciously shares her wealth of floral arranging knowledge and makes it easy to digest. The designs are beautiful and inspiring. Plenty of brilliant photos, too, so I'm thrilled to have picked this up on a whim. Wonderful book!

[Katy]

I received my copy free from the publisher through Goodreads Firstreads.

[Lamar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun book, very useful on floral arrangements!

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful to look at, practical instructions, easy to follow.

[Mary Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept with realistic "recipes" recommended for beginners.