Wreaths: With How-to Tutorials

Laura Dowling creates beauty and poetry with her signature wreaths, weaving an enticing floral fairy tale of colour and inspiration, timeless style and fanciful details that are evocative of secret, wild gardens, meadows and forests brimming with enchantment and delight. With layer upon layer of lush blooms and fruits, entwining vines, and surprising combinations of colours, textures and both every day and extraordinary materials, her wreaths make unique design statements that inspire the imagination with a forward-looking, trend-setting approach. Here in this lavishly illustrated book, Laura shares her inspiration, creative process, and step-by-step tips and techniques for creating 75 beautiful and innovative seasonal wreaths for all occasions. From simple and elegant evergreen wreaths to intricate and elaborate fruit and vegetable designs, Laura provides expert insights and detailed guidelines for replicating her fabulously festive wreaths at home. As Chief Floral Designer at the White House from 2009-2015, Laura Dowling was responsible for the dazzling floral pieces that stunned visitors, welcomed politicians and diplomats and were the shining stars of many White House holiday seasons and official events. With Wreaths, she launches a new series of floral art design how-to books that are enriched with her unique flair for story-telling and mastery of a broad range of floristry techniques. Laura Dowling - TED talk speaker, floral designer and flower ambassador - is the author of Floral Diplomacy at the White House (2016) and A White House Christmas (2017) and currently travels the world presenting design workshops and organising inspirational floral installations and special events.

Laura Dowling is an award-winning florist and designer. She is the recipient of the American Horticultural Society's 'Great American Gardener Award' for achievements and contributions in floristry and is a featured speaker at leading flower shows, museums and cultural institutions across the USA. In 2016, she received the 'Distinguished Flower Ambassador' award from the Royal Horticultural Society of Belgium at a ceremony honoring international floral diplomacy in Ghent, Belgium. A native of Chehalis, Washington, Laura received her B.A. degree in political science and Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Washington in Seattle. Fifteen years ago, Laura was inspired to change careers (from strategic communications to flowers) after travelling to Paris and becoming intrigued with French flower design. She studied French floral art under the direction of leading Parisian designers and operated a small studio out of her basement kitchen. From this position, Laura competed in the nation-wide search for White House Chief Floral Designer and won, proof that identifying and following a passion can lead to extraordinary things. By expanding her floral design and consulting platform to include writing books and teaching, Laura's goal is to continue to share a unique vision for creative floristry in the garden style and to inspire others with her story.