With the exciting news that the Apple series Palm Royale has been renewed for a second season, we talk to the show’s florist, Ines Garstecki from Flowermaid, about how to create the retro Palm Beach look.
Starring Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, Ricky Martin and Carole Burnett, it has proved to be a huge hit with audiences looking for a touch of drama, colorful nostalgia and beautiful blooms.
While the Palm Royale’s glamorous socialites live in beachside mansions, wear made-to-measure couture and enjoy long lunches at the members-only club, LA-based Ines says that anyone can use flowers at home to evoke a similar style.
When she was hired to be the production’s florist, one of the first thing she did was study flower books from that era, some of which can be scouted for online or in vintage book stores.
Ines says: “I had to do some research before we started to work on the show on what kind of flowers were used and were available in 1969. I ordered some flower books that were published during that time. It was before next-day air travel was affordable and more local and seasonal flowers were used.”
So if you’re looking to host a retro cocktail party, or simply want to brighten up a dull room with a sprinkling of fabulous florals, here’s Ines’ guide to evoking the spirit of the Palm Royale era…
Create a classy cocktail hour centerpiece
The Washington Post called ‘cocktail dinner’ the biggest trend of 1970, so your cocktail hour should be accompanied by a lavish buffet and an array of beautiful florals.
Create a multi-tiered centerpiece by placing vibrant flowers on the top tier and an array of shrimp and seafood on the lower tiers, similar to Maxine’s (played by Kristen Wiig), in Palm Royale.
Use bright colors like orange, peach, and hot pink for an eye-catching display. Up the elegance factor with fuchsia dendrobium orchids sprinkled artfully over the buffet.
Brighten up your bar with blooms
Even if you don’t live in a sprawling mansion with glorious Palm Beach views, you can easily elevate your house bar, or even your bar cart, with an array of stylish floral arrangements.
If you lack mid-century-shaped vases, opt for timeless crystal vases, brass, or silver bowls. These classic containers not only hold beautiful blooms but also exude an air of sophistication, suggesting a background of old money. This subtle yet classy addition will enhance the overall ambiance of your bar area.
Space out with NASA-inspired displays
Celebrate the spirit of the 1960s space race by commemorating the Apollo 12 moon landing. Use silver containers or creatively cut-in-half disco balls to hold an arrangement of blue, red, and white flowers.
Incorporate starburst-like flowers such as blue echinops thistle and nerine, arranging them in geometric patterns for a visually stunning tribute to the era’s fascination with space travel. For foliage use era-appropriate leather leaves, plumosa, tree fern and lemon leaves.
Go blooming wild with abundant displays
In true Palm Royale fashion, you should adopt a ‘more is more’ philosophy, which means that all available surfaces should feature a floral arrangement.
In a socialite’s mansion, every table would be laden with blooms, just like the show’s matriarch character Norma, played by Carol Burnett.
Traditional flowers such as carnations, gladiolas, and baby’s breath were a staple – and the kind that Linda (played by Laura Dern) would use in her book club – but channel your inner socialite by mixing in unusual options such as peonies, garden roses, irises, and Helleborus.
Embrace the Tiki and Ikebana trends with exotic varieties like anthuriums, proteas, heliconias, and orchids for a touch of tropical flair.
Lean into geometrics
Reflect the geometric design trends of the Sixties – think London fashion designer Mary Quant – by incorporating A-line, L-line, and clean round shapes into your floral arrangements.
For a rectangular table, consider a centerpiece with a structured A-line shape. For your bar, a cone-shaped arrangement adds a stylish and retro touch.
Mixing and matching these geometric designs with bright, sunset-inspired colors will perfectly capture the vibrant and dynamic aesthetic of the late sixties.
Ines Garstecki is the founder of Flowermaid, an LA-based floral design studio.
