Beauty in the Time of Quarantine
April 02, 2020During this unprecedented time of social distancing, we are finding it more important than ever to have beauty and comfort surrounding us at home. As we often quote from poet John O'Donohue, "Beauty is that in the presence of which we feel more alive." Never has this felt more true than now, watching Spring arrive outside our windows while we protect ourselves and others from an unforeseen threat.
When we decided to expand the flora and henri vision beyond children's clothing, our owner, Jane Hedreen's, natural inclination was to turn toward the unique and artisanal objects that she lives with everyday - a lifetime of curation through travel - which inspire her and bring her joy. They are the objects which color the living and loving within her family and home. Thus, 'Live and Love', our full concept shop curation was born.
I asked her to share her thoughts and some photos of her current favorite pieces 'in situ' from her gorgeous Capitol Hill home.
One of the first items of porcelain I ever purchased was a robin's egg blue Nymphenburg egg by artist Ted Muehling at his other-worldly shop in lower Manhattan (52 White Street, New York, NY). If you haven't been, add it to your list!
It's become a bit of a problem....
Nymphenburg Egg Vases Small and Large, Nymphenburg Egg Lantern
I love the places reading takes me. It is always my indulgence of choice when I get the chance to sit down. Every season a new curation of books makes it to the top of our coffee table ... and the bookshelves at flora and henri.
Coffee Table Books: The Octopus Eats It's Own Legs Takasha Murakami,
and
Linda McCartney's, A Life In Photographs
I like to acknowledge and engage every sense at home. Like my grandmother, who always smelled of Shalimar and who's home had a mix of scents I will never forget, fragrance is so important to me. Between the Santa Maria Novella altar candle in the Melagrano fragrance or the gorgeous cameo diffuser by Cire Trudon, I have, over the years, bestowed my own signature fragrance to our home.
Jonathan Adler Muse Dora Candle
Cire Trudon La Promeneuse Diffuser
I was very excited to find the organic Haeckles products from England on my last trip to Antwerp. Their new take on a diffuser, using a graffiti carved chalk block that naturally absorbs and diffuses the stunning green fragrance of lavender and cliff grasses, has added to my 'still life in front of still life' in my breakfast room. Each morning I like to drop some fragrance on the cube and take time to breath it in and start my day.
Nymphenburg Chinoiserie (available for special order, please call if interested: 1-888-749-9698)
Everyone collects too much of something, and for me that is houseplants. I can hear them crying out to me with their needs, and its like having a school room of children to contend with. Leaving town is putting their life in jeopardy, but some have been with me for over 15 years. Finding the right pots and a match between the plant and vessel is given far too much consideration.
Planter by Mt. Washington Pottery
Everywhere, I like to have something to intrigue and something useful.
Small Pleasures Book by School of Life
Image D'Orient's Gold Box of Coasters
This painted Nymphenburg stag never ceases to delight me. It is a precious art object which has watched over every Christmas and Birthday for a generation and connects with friends who come to visit. I love his ease, confidence and happiness in our home.
Nymphenburg Stag (available for special order, please call if interested: 1-888-749-9698)
The kitchen is the place where I try to live by the idea that useful things can be beautiful. Often I am reminded, by their artistry and craftsmanship, to slow down, enjoy that beautiful cup of tea or slice of cheese, trying to not rush through it, but to set a beautiful table and enjoy it. Now more than ever.
Canard Cups by Lenneke Wispelwey
The Mariage Freres hammered tea pot has seen us through so many cups of tea shared with friends. It's probably 10 or more years old now and only gets better with time and memories. The Lobmeyr carafe is on the table every night. I love the way your hand fits perfectly around the neck to pour. Subtle perfection.
Love Pot by Mariage Freres (available in store or call to order: 1-888-749-9698)
I gifted the Edward Wohl cutting boards and rack to my exceptional cook/husband this Christmas. Who knew we needed a cutting board rack? But we are both delighted by it and the beautiful upgrade to our boards.
Cutting Boards and Rack by Edward Wohl
When we bought our new home a few years ago, I had just met Dechem and the beautiful glass designs they were making. I decided to use their lights throughout our hallway spaces. I love the subtle but elegant treatment of light.
For this Spring in the shop, in anticipation of a very different time than where we find ourselves, we purchased a lovely group of vibrant green glass from Nason Moretti, a traditional Murano glass creator. As Italy has faced such horror, I see this glass and offer up a heartfelt thought for the recovery and solace of that nation which has given us so much beauty and craftsmanship.
Anatares Miniature Murano Glass Vase
For now, this is my office, my home, my safe place. Thank goodness we live in a time where we can still connect and share our love with each other in a moment from afar.
I wish everyone safety, health and a chance to hold your loved ones close; slow down and find beauty in your haven. I appreciate our relationship with each and every one of you.
XO Jane
Paola Paronetto
March 24, 2020
PAPER / CLAY
The size and shape of each piece evolves during the process of forming and firing. The artist has control over some of the elements while others are subject to the nature of the paper and clay materials. The inevitable differences are to be seen as individual, unique beauty and value. There are no two sculptures exactly the same!
SHOP ALL PAOLA'S WORK NOW!
Gorgeousness Going Forward!
March 17, 2020
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Healthy And Safe Community
March 16, 2020Being headquartered in Seattle, we are feeling the profound effects of the crisis. Our hearts go out to all those affected by this pandemic, as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is impacting all of us in different ways. We plan to continue our very specific role of inspiring thoughtfulness and beauty, while taking every precaution to keep you, our employees and our communities safe and healthy. We truly appreciate your continued support during this time. We couldn’t do what we do without you!
Rest assured that as circumstances continue to change, safety and health remain our highest priority for you, our employees and our community!
- the flora and henri team
A beautiful profile on Jane Hedreen
March 09, 2020SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 - Original Post Date
International Women's Day
March 08, 2020
International Women’s Day
starts at home!
Thank you with all my heart! - jane ❤️
team here at flora and henri!
Each has shared a bit of wisdom,
to take with you on this day.
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“It can feel a little strange to still care about beauty while the world is burning. It can feel a little unseemly still to turn toward harmony and light, while cruelty rages all around you. But beauty does, in the end, still belong to you. You don’t have to turn from art and from love; you don’t have to harden your heart against everything good and sweet. Your job isn’t to turn cruel and unfeeling to match the world around you. Rather, it’s to do your best to create a world still worth living in.” Kurt Vonnegut |
 amy |
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"I must be a mermaid. I have no fear of depths and a great fear of shallow living." Anias Nin |
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"Prosperity tries the fortunate, adversity the great." Rose Kennedy |
shawn |
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"I was the revolution I was waiting for." Lena Waithe. |
christopher|
"I shudder to think what my life would be like without the powerful influences from all the strong, creative women who have guided me, from my nomad of a Mother, to all the artists, knitters, gardeners and entrepreneurs I have the joy to work with and live with everyday. I could name names but the list would be endless." Gregory Reyes-Herbold |
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gregory |
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"Cry in the beginning so you can smile in the end." Marta Vieira |
alyson|
"Never let success go to your head and never let failure get to your heart." |
chynna |
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"The strength of a women is not measured by the impact that all her hardships in life have had on her; but the strength of a women is measured by the extent of her refusal to allow those hardships to dictate her and who she becomes." C. JoyBell C. |
minie|
"We need women who are so strong they can be gentle, so educated they can be humble, so fierce they can be compassionate, so passionate they can be rational, and so disciplined they can be free." |
 cynthia
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"Feminism isn’t about making women stronger. Women are already strong, it’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength." G.D. Anderson |
charlotte|
"For 22 years I have been blessed to have worked alonside a group of people who are eternally curious, who question, and who are not afraid to love deeply and live large. Together we have created a family alonside our own, and I am so much better for knowing you and walking (and often running!) our path together. You are all magnificent!" |
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jane
Wishing you a happy
international women's day!
Inner-View with Tanya Hughes of Amulette Studios
May 18, 2018We first met Tanya of Amulet Studios while organizing our spring event 'Earth and Heavens'. It was pure joy to have Tanya attend the event to introduce and educate us on her amazing, hand made, plant based body products. Tanya immediately impressed us with her alacrity and dedication to essential oils, their therapeutic qualities, and the adventure of spiritual awakening. Coming from a tradition of massage and aroma therapy she brings a well of knowledge and experience to our bath and beauty products (not to mention our heart and souls)!
We couldn't wait for a chance to get to know her even better...
Use 3 words to describe yourself
WILLING, EXPERIENTIAL, BECOMING
Who or what inspires you or where do you find inspiration?
My first and favorite muses are nature, music and poetry. Nature is ever-changing, unpredictable and both restorative and decimating. She is all the senses, she is endless possibility. Music because I can’t help, but be moved by it. Sound is a powerful mood and heart shifter for me. And poetry because sometimes there are too many words and finding just the right string of them is so satisfying. 
What can you not live without?
Haha - I immediately go to food, water and sleep - but his not really what you are asking. Let’s just say that my life would be significantly diminished if I could not access my above muses. If we finally did destroy the Earth so much that is was uninhabitable or that we became so shut down as a society that the arts were obscured…that would be pretty brutal existence. 
When are you most happy and in balance?
When I am in flow — I am moving my body daily, eating nourishing foods, getting good sleep and getting uninterrupted time in the studio to explore new ideas and move current projects forward. This is when my purpose is being met by my attention and my body and mind feel strong and clear enough to support it!
If you could travel anywhere, where are you going?
Ooo - so many places on the list. I have family in Greece that I have never met, so they are on the list. I also fantasize about poetry walks through the hills of Ireland and Wales and of course New Zealand just sounds so epic.
What is your favorite item in our store right now?
Those EPIC gold Veja Esplar sneakers!
Years from now you will …
Be living on small patch of land, growing and distilling the plants that I currently work with. This land will also host healing retreats, plant ecology/education and serve as a space for experiential artists and makers to explore their as an artist in residence. Wish me luck! ;)
Amulette Studios is a plant based, alchemical exploration birthed by Tanya Hughes in 2016. With a 20 year background in massage therapy, multi-media arts, hermetic alchemy and plant studies – Amulette Studios is more of a creative love letter to the soul than a brand or business. Amulette hand crafts small batch anointing and body oils, elementally rich scrubs, magical room sprays and the occasional jewelry artifact all with the intent to assist you in celebrating your Being, awakening your Muse and beholding the Beauty of Oneself and our natural World. AMULETTE is a sacred, personal object that brings protection to the wearer.
Flora and Henri Turns 20 Years Old!
March 20, 2018What a journey from then to NOW! Look how we've all grown up!
Inner-View with Dorothee Brand of Belathee Photography
February 16, 2018If you were one of the lucky people to come to our Winter Wonderland Event and be photographed by our dear friend, Dorothee Brand, you will know what we are talking about when we say she is a bright light. We originally had the pleasure of meeting Dorothee when she came to photograph our new store last summer. She walked in full of energy, joy, confidence and perfect insight. Her effusive energy is contagious and we are constantly looking for ways to have lunch with her as often as possible! Kind and passionate, inspired and inspiring, here is Dorothee's inner-view:
Use 3 words to describe yourself
Excitable, loyal, reflective
Who or what inspires you or where do you find inspiration?
Urban walks, nature walks, Travel+ interior + art books, art museum strolls, many many entrepreneurs and creatives, music, humility , old buildings.
What can you not live without?
Friendships and airplanes and music and a camera ( and the list goes on..).
When are you most happy and in balance?
When I am exploring new places , whether urban or in a nature setting and when working on a great collaboration.
If you could travel anywhere, where are you going?
Tough one to narrow down, but Portugal and eastern Europe is high up on my list.
What is your favorite item in our store right now?
I really enjoyed reading Chery's Strayed new book "Tiny, Beautiful Things".
Years from now you will …
I'll still be photographing people and places...
all photos in this blog post are courtesy of Dorothee--except the first one of her- that shot is compliments of Chloe Gilstrap.
Dorothee Brand is one half of the bi-coastal photographer duo that is Belathee Photography. Since 2003 Dorothee and Annabel Braithwaite (her New York based counterpart) have specialized in boutique wedding photography, more recently adding interior and lifestyle photography to their portfolio. Whether shooting together or separately, Dorothee and Annabel create their signature and unique Belathee look (think Anthropologie meets Kate Spade), and their work has been published in Martha Stewart Weddings, Harper's Bazaar, Wall Street Journal, and Town & Country, amongst other publications.
Visit their site at: www.belathee.com
Big Thanks to Seattle Times for the Sweet Mention!
January 31, 2018
Inner-View with Katherine Anderson of London Plane
January 05, 2018One of our favorite aspects of being in Pioneer Square is proximity to London Plane. Yes, because of their exquisite space, breathtaking florals and delicious food, but more so because we get to see our brilliant friend Katherine Anderson with great frequency. It's always restorative to have a chat about what book she is reading, ideas for collaborations, recent adventures or how she is viewing the world on that particular day. Lucky us. Now lucky you--read on!
Patient, optimistic, and unfortunately, with so much technology at hand, easily distracted.
Who or what inspires you or where do you find inspiration?
The natural world. When I go for a walk and find myself under the canopy of a the brilliant red leaves of a Japanese maple; to me, there’s nothing more inspiring or moving than that.
What can you not live without?
Coffee and fiction, and of course my friends and family, and flowers.
When are you most happy and in balance?
When I have time on the weekends to move more slowly and be with my family.
When I get to run as many days a week as I want.
When I take a moment in bed in the morning to think about what I wish for that day, and how I want to be in the world that day.
If you could travel anywhere, where are you going?
Do I have to chose one place? I want to go to the Cardamom fields in Southern India, I want to go to Rajasthan and absorb all the color, I want to go to Sicily, I want to find a desolate lagoon in Greece to swim in, everywhere in Japan, and months exploring Indonesia. Oh, and I want to go to St Petersburg and go to the ballet, and Siberia in the middle of winter, and find myself in a warm cabin in the middle of a huge snowstorm.
What is your favorite item in our store right now?
It’s a tie between the gorgeous pale blue and pink large glass vases (I can’t remember the name!) and the Nymphenburg Bonbonniere with the eye!
Years from now you will …
Sitting in a garden, swimming in a lake, hopefully traveling to every corner of the world with my husband, and still working with people who inspire me.
Celebrate the Wonder with Us!
November 29, 2017
December 6th, 10-7
Custom, complementary, artisanal gift wrapping from Jessica Zen at the Present Perfect, scrumptious seasonal treats, and twenty surprise gifts for lucky customers. Tick off your list early and give gorgeous gifts from our handpicked selection of beautiful treasures for the whole family.
Family Winter Wonderland
December 16, 11-5
Come for treats, cuddle a bunny, or start a new tradition. Join us for our first annual holiday wonderland photos -- shot by nationally recognized photographer Dorothee Brand of Belathée Photography -- hot cocoa, sweet treats and our favorite furry friends in our very own petting zoo. If you would like to reserve a photo session, there are 35 photo spots available for $48 each, so register early by RSVP'ing here and contacting us at info@florahenri.com to reserve a specific time slot.