When he began documenting plant specimens, Karl Blossfeldt (1865-1932) did not consider himself a photographer, nor an expert in the natural world. The German sculpture instructor was compiling a teaching tool: a survey of natural forms that would serve as inspiration and reference for his students.
What happens when interior decorators let loose their considerable talents on the natural world? Check out the photographs from "Landscape Pleasures," an event held at the Parish Art Museum, in Southhampton, New York, this year, which showcased the gardens of celebrated interior designers.
London-based artist Zadok Ben-David makes flowers and trees out of cut metal, including his best-known pieces, which feature intricate flowers, modeled after Victorian illustrations.
Print-on-demand digital fabric is the newest frontier is custom fabrics and now design-your-own textiles are affordable and easy with Spoonflower.com. Spoonflower's fabric can be created and bought by anyone in small or big lengths (the opposite of "to the trade"-only designs), making a bespoke DIY project easier than ever.
At age 72, 18th-century British artist Mary Delany began her floral collages. In an age of decoupage and floral paintings, her intricate paper art was a nod to both, and a new style of botanic art.
Petunia is the new black! Our columnist Anna Laurent investigates the "Black Velvet" petunia and its specially bred dark hues. Adored by designers and admired by breeders, the flower is the most recent addition to a trend for black-flowered plants.
Amy Merrick's tablescape is inspired by the Dutch Master painting Still Life with Gilt Cup—she writes about how to put together a similar flower arrangement and where to find vessels, serving pieces, and flatware for your holiday table.
