Design, In the Garden


French Blooms

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I first met Sandra Sigman at the Newport Flower Show four years ago. You could not walk by her stunning Paris-comes-to-Newport French market nestled under the majestic beech trees without stopping in awe. Before the Show was over, she and I were sitting in my garden on the Parterre Bench excitedly sharing our passion for all things flower-related and the inspiration we’d both received from Paris visits; although she had first known the City of Love as a professional ice skater with “Holiday on Ice.” How could you not love her?

I salute my friends like Sandra who have given wings to their dreams. Thirty years later, her little French flower shop in Andover, MA “Les Fleurs,” has blossomed into a thriving floral, home and garden concept store with curated antiques, botanicals and French products. Sharing her love of flowers is her calling.

In French Blooms, Sandra introduces us to the magic in the French way of designing floral arrangements, the distinct design principles she learned from her favorite Parisian florist, and tutorials with images and instructions for creating French-inspired arrangements for different areas of the home and during the four seasons…as well as the charms of the correct container.

Another gift in this book is that you’ll find yourself murmuring and drifting off into reverie, remembering your Paris trips (or anticipating one)…the smell of fresh croissants and the architectural beauty of the ever-busy streets. And what I particularly love is her “insider info”…the floral shops bursting at the seams with fresh blooms, the secret spaces she discovered, the gardens you would not otherwise know were “there.” Ask her about her workshops in Andover and in France, too!

And I’m so excited that this year, June 23-25, Sandra will have her beautiful booths at the Newport Flower Show, giving floral demonstrations and signing her book. What a wonderful pairing, the Flower Show and French floral design! Here’s the link to buy your Newport Flower Show tickets.

French Blooms is both inspirational and practical. It’s also a love letter to France, from Parisian sophistication to the simple grace of provincial life, shared with a wider audience of flower lovers. Warmest wishes to you, dear Sandra! Can’t wait to see you at the Flower Show.


All images credit, French Blooms: Floral Arrangements Inspired by Paris and Beyond by Sandra Sigman of Les Fleurs, with Victoria A. Riccardi. Foreword by Sharon Santoni. Photographs by Kindra Clineff

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About Bettie Bearden Pardee

Author of Private Newport and Living Newport, garden furniture designer (The Parterre Bench), national lecturer, and entertaining expert. An honoree for the second year on "The Salonniere 100 America's Best Party Hosts", she was also the host and creative producer of "The Presidential Palate: Entertaining at the White House".

25 thoughts on “French Blooms

  1. Where is the stunning staircase? Hate to keep using the phrase, there are no words for the last photo! I love it!

    1. I agree with you, Tyna!! So excited she’ll be at the Flower Show..xB

  2. Dear Bettie, a marvelous way to wake up to find such beauty in my email box. Thank you for introducing us all to Sandra Sigman – a true artist. Happy to support her recent book which will be welcomed to my library collection. A beautiful springtime awaits. Warm regards, Ellen Easton

    1. She truly is as lovely as her arrangements…a kindred spirit when it comes to flowoers and arranging them.
      Hope you do add hers to your coffee table! Have a glorious weekend, Bettie

  3. “The book” arrived yesterday & is laying in my swing…waiting t/b enjoyed. Reading it w/b my dessert…first, guest rooms fluffed, finish up tablescape for our “family Easter dinner,” Egg hunt chaos, etc. , coconut cake in oven…oh, the “topper” w/b a fabrege’ type egg w/edible flowers inside, hmmm, all our chocolate bunnies are missing ears…franki

    1. Oh Franki, you’re so fast…and what a divine “dessert” it shall be…and speaking of, I’d love to seee an image of your Faberge’s egg filled with edible flowers!!
      Have aglorious Easter, xBettie

  4. I already have my tickets and we’ll be making a beeline to Sandra’s booth as soon as we get there Friday morning. Thank you for yet another inspiring post, Bettie!

    1. OH, so glad you have your tickets!! This will be a true treat to see her, her booths, and her book…and the Newport Flower Show. Enjoy, xBettie

  5. Thank you so much for this feast for the eyes – a dream. Have my ticket to the flower show and appreciate this introduction to an extraordinary talent.

    1. Wonderful that you have your tickets!! She truly is a talent, and as charming as her arrangements. Enjoy!! xBettie

  6. Thanks for mentioning Sandra’s book, French Blooms, it’s a great book. The book is in my Potting Shed surrounded by flowers.

    1. What a wonderful place to keep her book. Isn’t it delicious?! Why don’t you send her a picture of your setting; her contact info is on her website.Les Fleurs.
      Happy Easter, xBettie

  7. TO: ONE & ALL,

    THE QUESTION …

    AFTER VIEWING THIS MOST GLORIOUS OFFERING, BY OUR HOSTESS;

    HOW DOES ONE EXPLAIN … AN ATHEIST?

    1. Aaaaah, that’s a question I can never answer…how much joy they miss in life…xB

  8. I love her softer, more fluid style of arranging. Looking forward to her booth and getting her book.

  9. Bettie…What an absolutely delicious post this is on Sandra !! Makes me want to go to Paris or to this year’s Newport Flower Show to see her demonstration ! Heartfelt THANKS for always being our (curator) eyes to bring magnificent visions to our cell phones and laptops when we need them the most !

    1. Thank you, it was such a treat to write this blog, and lose myself in the memories we have of Paris. Wish you could be here for the Flower Show! xB

    1. Yes, sublime…and you two have so much in common…she paints with floweers and you paint with a brush.
      I’ll be in touch about a Newport visit when I return from England early May. xxB

  10. What a gorgeous book! I wish I lived close enough to get tickets and stop by her booth to have her sign one for me. I’ll have to settle for buying mine in the ordinary way. Thanks so much for the beautiful introduction, and your ever-wonderful descriptions!

    1. Oh, I wish you could meet her in person, too…she’s as lovely as her arrangements. Enjoy the book!! xB

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