This is my feature in the latest issue of Gatherings Magazine. The winter and Christmas issue is always called The White Issue and the theme this year is Celebrate Scandinavia.
I'm the floral stylist on the magazine and a contributing editor.
I'm also very happy to tell you that the above image was the cover of the magazine.
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black + white florals
black + white florals
Eucalyptus berries have a wonderful texture and colour and works brilliantly in a white setting. I have continued with more texture and used an interesting ceramic vase designed by the Swedish artist Bertil Vallien in the 1960's.
The votive candle holder is from the Finnish company Iittala. It'is called Kastehelmi, the Finnish for 'dewdrops' and refers to the bubbles in the glass.
The cushion in the background is made from vintage French linen and has a beautifully monogrammed 'E' on the front panel. A seasonal little parcel and bauble complete the picture.
The Viburnum tinus has small round almost black berries and the Symporcarpus or Snowberries has bigger plump round white berries or fruits. With the stems cut very short i have used little white vases with black drawings called Caramba, designed by the Swedish glass artist Ulrica Hydman Vallien for the glass factory Kosta Boda in the 1980's.
Snowberries are very versatile and can be used with their stems cut short and used in small vases or left long and used in large arrangements. I have also seen them used stripped of all their leaves giving them a dramatic look with pure white berries on dark stems. Combine them as here with a votive candle and a little wrapped present.
Ribbon is from Jane Means collection.
"Five Gold Rings" just like the words in the Christmas song 12 Days of Christmas - the five gold rings in this case are two kinds of Swedish brass curtain rings; I have added some extra seasonal sparkle with gold glitter twine and a vintage Christmas bauble.
Candles and candle holders are very much part of Swedish interiors adding a sense of warmth during the long, dark, cold winters. Here are four black wrought iron candle holders with tall, slim white candles. For the holiday season I have mixed them with vases of seasonal berries, vintage Christmas tree baubles and a little Christmas present wrapped with white tissue paper and bakers's twine.
Scandinavians often combine the modern with antiques in unusual and clever ways and they take pride in their heritage and traditions. Here are some antique cups with gold decorations and some vintage Christmas tree baubles on a pile of antique psalm books. Both the cups and the psalm books are heirlooms passed down through several generations.
A white on white theme - white Gypsophila or Baby's Breath in a white vase with ridges, five silver coloured baubles on a white fabric and a white painted wooden background - simple and effective.
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Gatherings Magazine is available in both printed and digital versions from here.
[Styling and photography: © Ingrid Henningsson for Gatherings Magazine.]
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Have a Lovely Floral Day!
Back soon!
xoxo Ingrid
