Floral highlights from the Country Living Fair, Spring 2011

I had such a lovely day on Wednesday as I went to the Country Living Fair at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.  There was SO much to see and do!

The show is now in its 20^th year and brings together over 400 independent designers and craftspeople from across the UK.

On entering the show, you’re greeted by a stunning garden which is featured above.  This was created by Van Hage, a garden and leisure retailer with stores in Peterborough, Great Amwell and Chenies. 

They were also responsible for the beautiful spring floral decorations at the fair, which are shown above.  (I saw some people touching and smelling the flowers…to make sure that they were actually real!)

As well as free workshops on gift wrapping and decorating cupcakes, there were also presentations in the Country Living Theatre, including flower arranging and wine tasting. 

Below are two pictures of beautiful arrangements made at the flower arranging presentation by Chris Slack from Van Hage. 

The first one is a hand-tied bridal bouquet for a spring wedding, consisting of lilac hyacinths, purple anemones, cream fantasy tulips, white honeymoon tulips, white lilac, guelder rose and white spray roses.

And this is a table arrangement for the same wedding, consisting of purple anemones, grape hyacinths, cream fantasy tulips, white honeymoon tulips, guelder rose, white spray roses, cheerfulness narcissi, rosemary and white cherry blossom.

Wild Paeony, a florist shop owned by Anna Burnett, from Shaftesbury in Dorset were exhibiting at the show with a lovely display of their country-style spring arrangements, shown below, which they’ll deliver throughout the UK.

And here are a selection of images from exhibitors that I’m planning on featuring over the next few weeks, including Beverley Hewitt, Jaci Hogan, Welbeck Tiles and Nicola de Cruz.

I’d thoroughly recommend a visit.  The show is open until this Sunday, 27^th March and tickets can be either booked online or purchased on the door.

It’s such a great day out and an opportunity to see some lovely homewares, including vintage collectables, ceramics and textiles, plus artwork, children’s gifts, stationery, unique clothing and jewellery.

(Images : Rona Wheeldon for Flowerona)