Lasting Florals

The act of giving flowers to express emotions dates back to ancient times, so it’s no wonder, millennia on, that certain manifestations of this tradition feel far removed from authentic expression.

Take the brimming bouquet of red roses, Cupid’s ubiquitous cue for Valentine’s Day. As part of our ongoing effort to empower meaningful rituals, we offer alternative gestures of abundant amour, still rooted in botanical beauty, but less contingent on disposable depictions.

Reminiscent wicks

As nightly candle lighters, we gravitate toward scents that conjure magical memories; a nuanced floral blend transports us to early summer hikes in the Tetons, when riotous wildflowers fill the high-altitude air with earthy yet ethereal aromas. Austin Press channels such outdoor moments into their “Ladies Cabin,” a small-batch blend of essential oils recalling honeysuckles, wild bluebells, chopped logs, and summer herbs. Similarly oriented, Trudon’s classic Josephine channels an evocative narrative of tiptoeing through beds of roses, jasmine, camellias and irises in the early morning hours. Such layered fragrances extend the experience of flowers into the realm of memory and meaning.

Botanical bijou

Jewelry artist Lisa Ziff funnels her lifelong fascination with organic forms into wearable sculptures, each piece recalling a moment she spent in awe of nature. By distilling natural beauty into simple silhouettes suited to everyday wear, Ziff encourages people to feel special in their skin, easily elegant and quietly whimsical. Her Akebia Ring celebrates an open bloom with a delightful lattice of satin-finished 10K gold, scattered with burnished diamonds. With charming subtlety, her Bitty Chain Earrings and companion Bitty Pendant evoke a tiny bloom with 18K gold dancing around a diamond pistil. As fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg once said, “Jewelry is like the perfect spice—it always complements what’s already there.” Ziff’s pieces complement those already attuned to nature.

Beloved vessels

Extend the life of a bouquet by gifting flowers within a heirloom vessel by Astier de Villatte. The historic Bastille workshop specializes in ceramics rich with character and tradition: founder Benoit Astier has mastered the artisanal technique he learned from his father of coating black terracotta in a milky glaze. The result: a surface at once layered and lush, each classic silhouette rooted in resolved refinement. Two pieces, in particular, feel suited to an amorous gesture: the Blue Iris Vase, with its graceful, hand-painted bloom; and the Fleur Vase, an elegant pot blooming with lilies of the valley, carved in relief. Transcend the evanescence of flowers by presenting a floral vase as an enduring reminder of such effusive emotion.