Princeton Architectural Press Cultivated: The Elements of Floral Style Hardcover – Illustrated, 24 March 2020

My copy of Cultivated: The Elements of Floral Style just arrived this afternoon. I love it! The book is lovely in so many ways: the photographs are gorgeous, the writing is informative yet intimate and the book itself is beautiful. Christin Geall's book isn't just about flower arranging (though lovers of that craft will be especially well served) it is also about creativity and how to bring beauty and nature into our lives -- told in fascinating short essays inspired by art, history, color theory and even mathematics. And along the way author takes us into her delightful, unpredictable personal journey to becoming an international leader in floral design. I highly recommend this book that is beautiful in many ways.

Ein ungewöhnlich schönes Buch mit traumhaften Fotos von wunderschönen und modernen Blumenarrangements. Außergewöhnlich gut auch durch die behandelten Themen, die alle möglichen Aspekte eines Blumenarrangements ansprechen: u.a. Farbtheorie, verschiedene Farbpaletten, Konstraste, Form, Rhythmus, Wiederholung, Stile verschiedener Epochen, Design, Fotografie, Beschaffung, Pflege ... FAZIT: Ein optischer und intellektueller Genuss!

Pensavo fosse un libro sui fiori con bellissime foto di composizioni. Invece è un interessante racconto su come nasce una composizione raccontato da una fotografa con dettagli e consigli sulla scelta dei colori delle forme delle luci dei fiori... niente, niente è casuale.

This review is from Jane Barber, as she doesn’t have an account.Every so often a book comes along that has a profound impact on my life.Years ago I read “The Colour of Heaven” a novel by James Runcie, in it a painter is searching for the perfect ultramarine blue. The book made me fall in love with Venice, it’s artists and artisans. In 1995 I was given “The New Floral Artist” by Paula Pryke. That book made me want to be a florist. Fast forward 25 years later and “Cultivated” makes me want to be a better florist. One with a conscience, one with a deep connection to the natural landscape and what it gifts us.Reading Christin’s text is like talking to a kindred spirit. She’s an inspiring, generous, knowledgeable and amusing writer. But she’s not just a writer, she’s a storyteller. Like all good storytellers she draws us in so we want to know more. I like how she refers to historical style and design and also tells her own flower story. I like that she is not a ‘flower snob’ , allowing statice, begonia leaves and even thing’s ‘on the turn’ to be noticed alongside their prettier vase mates!The photographs in this book are spectacular and need to be looked at again and again to be fully appreciated.I feel like this is probably the wrong adjective to use, in view of the world’s current events, but this book is simply breathtaking!Jane Barber. Florist.

As so many other reviewers have written, this is a wonderful book. Rarely does a floral-inspired book include outstanding writing, valuable information, interesting musings, and gorgeous photographs. Christin is a gifted writer, a talented floral designer, and an accomplished gardener. This book is a beautiful collection of her talents. She teaches about color theory, art history, photography, floral design, and more. I joined 4 other floral designers in reading this book (re-reading in my case) together for an impromptu book club. It is well-organized with interesting narrative and lessons. We could have spent weeks discussing Part Three, Thinking About Color and we poured over the section on Vessels. Our group enjoyed the book immensely and learned so much. We all have our fingers crossed that Christin will write another book soon!