surreal serenity

Take a deep breath and step gingerly onto the pebbled steps into the garden. The earth beneath you is covered in moss and dappled with delicate ferns. Palm fronds and giant fern leaves tower overhead, a kaleidoscope of smaller-sized leaves of various shapes and patterns surround you, an array of blooms in shades of purple, magenta, pink and white peeks through, hovers above and lurks beneath the greenery.

Now, release your breath. Inhale and slowly take in the lingering scents of jasmine, tuberose, eucalyptus and pandan. Let the aroma flood your senses. Reach out and touch the velvety rose petals, cymbidiums and hydrangeas. Run your fingers over the delicate lisianthus, matiolas and agapanthus. Rub your palms against the tufts of foxtails and braids of amaranthus. Feel the lilies quiver under your touch. Feel how your pressure points react upon touching the lotus pods. Marvel at the sizes of the brassicas and alocasias. Change your views about the gaudy bougainvilleas and have a heart for the mother-in-law’s tongues.

Hold still and listen. Hear the bubbling water. Let your eyes follow it flowing over the worn-out stone grinder into the moss and lichen-encrusted vessel beneath. See your awestruck face reflected on the surfaces of the water in the earthen jars and ancient urns.

Look up and behold the silver splendour of the royal throne, bejewelled in translucent pink and clear crystals, and crowned by towering curtains of white flowing gauze and drops of pearly white crystals.

Turn around and face an audience of white overlaid tables and transparent crystal chairs. Focus your gaze onto the tiny twinkling spectrums of rainbow colored light escaping through the nooks and crannies of the chairs. Then, look at the floral arrangements on the tables. Notice that there are also juicy aubergines, succulents, plantains and limes bursting amongst the thick foliage. See that each arrangement is unique, disparate from its neighbour, beautiful in its own peculiarity. Thank God for the wholesome experience savoured in solemn tranquillity.

Surreal darling!

jai ho!

bold, beautiful, bollywood! these were the words that described the floral arrangements we created for our equally bold, beautiful & bollywood-worthy client, Shaline. the colors we picked for her flowers were inspired by the brilliance of spices and sarees: reds, magentas and oranges. the fabrics we picked were a balance of demure whites and striking reds, pinks and blues.

the centerpiece of the whole affair was the mandap that we decked with bulbous orbs of roses, orchids and chunky hydrangeas. fine curtains of stringed tuberoses scented the air around the mandap in blissful aroma.

tables were set with patterned overlays of red, cream and soft coral while the rose and orchid center pieces on the tables were accented with resplendent peacock feathers.

we erected two ganeshas and dressed them in red, purple, orange, yellow and green pompoms. we used white ping pongs to add details to the harnesses of the jumbos and hung tassels of purple orchids and yellow pompoms over their enormous green button pompom-encrusted ears.

white giant parasols added a touch of romance and sophistication to the event. to add elegance to these pieces, we dripped pink crystals all around the edges. when lit during the night, these canopies transformed the garden into a mythical playground.

words can't seem to describe the sights to behold. Suffice it to just let your eyes feast on these photos.