Floral Diplomacy: At the White House

by Laura Dowling

Overview

Stunning floral creations from the Chief Floral Designer at The White House Laura Dowling served as Chief Floral Designer at the White House form 2009 until 2015. In this unique position, she managed décor and flowers for thousands of White House events while using flowers as a strategic tool for communicating diplomatic, symbolic and policy messages. She is renowned for creating a new romantic style of flower arranging featuring free-flowing lines of vines and flowers emanating from a classical bouquet. This style is most evocative of nature and the garden, and balances a strong artistic vision with the wildness of nature. Under her leadership, Laura implemented floral artistry at the White House, designing bouquets of seasonal garden flowers in a style that is both modern and refined, yet casually elegant. She often presents her innovative arrangements in hand-made organic containers composed of leaves, branches and berries that are woven into patterns and motifs, creating integrated, cohesive displays that conjure both nature and the garden. Here, she describes her inspiration, provides tips and techniques on flower arranging and entertaining, and offers readers a fascinating behind-the-scenes glimpse into both official and private White House life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789058565587
Publisher:	Stichting Kunstboak
Publication date:	03/15/2017
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

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 country. 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 Masters 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 traveling 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.

Editorial Reviews

05/01/2017
Photographs splash colors and flowers on nearly every page of Dowling’s coverage of floral design at the Obama White House. But for all of Dowling’s descriptive powers—and they are admirable—her words beg for even more photography. Nevertheless, Dowling’s book turns a little-known subject into a tasty peek behind the scenes. Dowling was hired by Michelle Obama as White House chief floral designer in 2009, with the goal of “transforming the traditional White House floral program into a new platform for collaboration and innovation.” Dowling excels delightfully in this mission with an essential cadre of volunteers and a minuscule budget. She describes plans and executions of floral work at official events (state dinners for Germany, India, France, etc.), for holidays, and along themes of White House policy, such as conserving the environment. She even recalls interpreting the Obamas’ dogs in pipe cleaners. Unfortunately, she writes too much about herself and repeats too much (“floral diplomacy,” clever once, fades after the first dozen uses). Color photos. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

Ms. Dowling, 57, was walking around the flower district in New York on the first day of spring, discussing her new book, ‘Floral Diplomacy at the White House,’ which contains a number of juicy details about decorating drama at her former place of employment, along with anecdotes about flower arrangements and craft projects.

The New York Times, April 6, 2017 - Katherine Roseman

Dowling had opened her own flower design studio specializing in French-style bouquets in 2002, after a career in government and public policy. She left the White House job in 2015, setting off a flurry of speculation. ‘I was brought in to make change, and I did,’ Dowling says. ‘It was time to start thinking about what I would do next.’ What that has been is lecturing, teaching classes and writing a book, ‘Floral Diplomacy at the White House.'

Washington Post

Dowling had opened her own flower design studio specializing in French-style bouquets in 2002, after a career in government and public policy. She left the White House job in 2015, setting off a flurry of speculation. ‘I was brought in to make change, and I did,’ Dowling says. ‘It was time to start thinking about what I would do next.’ What that has been is lecturing, teaching classes and writing a book, ‘Floral Diplomacy at the White House.'

Washington Post