floral | Maui Made

News and reviews of made on Maui products and Maui-based companies and success stories. Also featuring island shopping guides

Posts tagged ‘floral’

Wedding Trends for 2015 – Mandy Grace Designs

Part 2 of our 2015 Wedding Trend Series features an interview with Mandy, floral and event designer with Mandy Grace Designs! Living walls, mixed metals and dreamy, lacy white weddings are just a few of the trends she is seeing and loving for the fall and coming up in 2015!

“In Hawaii, we really celebrate nature– most of our events are outside whether its a party on an oceanfront lawn or barefoot on the beach by the ocean. That whole idea of bringing the outdoors in when it comes to event decor is kind of flipped on its head here. We like to bring the indoors out (think chandeliers over wooden farm tables and cool furnishings you’d find in some grand hotel lobby). I tend to shy away from “wedding trends” in an effort to be more natural and timeless so I like to look beyond the wedding world. But there are definitely some key floral and wedding design elements that are on my radar for 2015!

Bouquet by Mandy Grace Designs, Photo by Rebecca Arthurs

1. Living Walls + Lush Greenery

We have some really interesting ferns here in the islands that add dimension and shape to an arrangement. Whether it’s a “living wall” made up of succulents that is the focal point of the ceremony site or a more simple and sparse installation of greenery on a white canvas backdrop, I love the idea of incorporating greens into the wedding setting. I wouldn’t encourage my brides to eliminate all flowers;) but the possibilities of working with lush greenery are endless.

photo by Picotte Photography

Arch by Mandy Grace Designs – Photography by Anna Kim Photography

2. Mixed Metals

Last year we saw the copper craze take off and I’m still feeling it. You could add more interest with various mixed metals (rose gold, tarnished silver, galvanized tin, brass) to house flower vessels on a table top or lining the ceremony aisle. I love the idea of using copper piping for an arch or overhead lighting. Soften up the look with a monochromatic white color story and you’ve got that mix of feminine and masculine going on– perfect for a wedding!

White Wedding Bouquet Trend 2015 - Wedding White Flowers Ideas Trends

Mandy Grace Designs All White Bouquet – Photography by Rebecca Arthurs

3. All White

Am I the only designer feeling a pull back to the traditional white wedding? Don’t get me wrong, I’m far from traditional but the look of a line-up of bridesmaids in white floor-length dresses holding super romantic white peonies gets me every time. And when I think of white, I think of lace— always gorgeous. White can be sleek and modern or soft and romantic or vintage and age-old.”

white lace dresses wedding inspiration 2015 wedding trends

White Lace Dresses by Stone Cold Fox

Mahalo to Mandy for sharing your beautiful designs and your insight on wedding trends with us!

PC for top collage: Lauren Scotti (Rose Gold Arch), Rebecca Arthurs (green bouquet), Anna Kim ( arch white flowers)

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Padilla Designs- Masters at Work

The fun thing about having this ‘made on maui’ blog is I get to profile everyone from artists just starting out, to masters of craft. Larry Padilla, along with his four sons, are true Masters. Padilla Designs was started by Larry in the late 70’s when he moved to Maui as a metal sculptor. He started doing functional artwork in the early 80’s in the form of gates and railings. After having four boys, Padilla Designs evolved into a family business, as they were able to create larger and more elaborate functional metal sculpture. Padilla Designs now specializes in custom functional and decorative artwork, using a variety of materials including copper, brass, bronze, stainless steel and numerous hardwoods. You’ve probably seen their gates and other metal creations around the island, and if you attended TEDxMaui 2013, you saw their Mountain Backdrop on the MACC stage, as well as their eye-catching displays in the MACC amphitheater (more TEDxMaui photos at bottom).

The stunning backdrop for the TEDxMaui stage

I checked in with Kaleo Padilla, one of the sons and the company’s RME, to talk story about Padilla Designs:

Maui Made: This is a true family business- how do you all get along working together?

KP: My brothers and I have a very close family bond. We grew up fishing, diving and surfing together. Having that in common has helped us work together for common goals for the business. Working in a family business has its real perks. You can’t get fired but at the same time you can’t quit! We really have the flexibility to work hard and play hard while raising our families on Maui. I work with people I love and get to create pieces of art that will last for ever.

Lots of welding…

custom wall sconces metal decorative tropical

Inspecting the new sconces

Working on a large gate

MM: You were featured on HGTV- How did that happen?

KP: HGTV contacted the family when we started doing our unique fire sculptures. I was in college at the time but they did a episode on our beautiful hawaiian flower tiki torches. It was cool to see us on national TV. I think everyone was a bit nervous for the whole production. Island boys with cameras in their face tend to be quite shy!

MM: What’s the biggest project you’ve ever done?

KP: Our larger projects we call Estate Metal Design. This is when we are hired to work with the designer, architect and owner to incorporate metal sculpture into the architecture of the property. For one property we did over one million dollars in metal sculpture in the form of railings, gates, fire, water and decorative sculpture.

MM: What’s the key to a successful business on Maui?

KP: Maui is a very small community and work of mouth is the best form of advertising. We have built our business on reputation and satisfied clients. If you do great work, have a great, honest attitude and do what you say, Maui will welcome you.

MM: What’s the best part about working on Maui?

KP: Working on Maui has so much to offer. Working in such a beautiful environment lowers the stress level. It’s hard not to take for granted but when I get stressed a quick dip in the ocean, trip to the river or run on the beach and i’m back to new.

MM: Do you have designs on each island now? Where is the furthest Padilla Design?

KP: Besides Maui, we have done work on Oahu and Kauai. We’ve designed for clients all over California, and even as far as New York. We currently have some interest from a client in Japan.

MM: What’s next for Padilla Designs?

KP: Padilla Designs is growing really fast. This year will be a record year for us. There are more mouths to feed as the boys have children of their own so it’s going to be demanding but Maui is such a unique place and I really feel our small family business will thrive for many years to come. You may even see us as a reality TV show some day. 🙂

More Photos of some of my personal favorite Padilla designs :