Carolyne Roehm's Spring Notebook [Spiral-bound]

CarolyneRoehm,notedauthorandlifestylecontributortoGoodMorningAmerica,bringshergardeningexpertisetoviewersweeklyasthehostofCountryHomes,CountryGardens.In1991,Roehm,whohadalwaystakengreatpleasureinindulgingandsurroundingherselfwiththingssheloved,decidedtoturnherpersonalpassionforbeautyandcomfortintoafulfillingcareer.Alongtimeassociate(andneighbor)offamedcouturier,OscardelaRenta,Roehmbeganherownfashionbusiness,settingherdesignsapartfrommanyothersintheindustrywithherunflagginginsistenceononlythefinestqualitymaterials.Herdesignsquicklyfoundahomewithdiscriminatingconsumers,asherfirstyearalonesawrevenuesexceeding$3million.ButRoehm'spassionforbeautyextendedbeyondtheworldoffashion,andshebecamedeterminedtobroadenherhorizonsaccordingly.FollowingastintatthefamedParisflowershop,MoulieSavart,Roehmtooktheknowledgeshegainedthereandputitintopracticalusefortheeverydaygardener.Resultingfromherconsiderableexperience,shetakesgreatjoyinrevealingthemanysecretsshelearnedtohelpeveryoneachieveabountifulandbeautifulgarden.In1997,Roehmpublishedherfirstbook,APassionforFlowers(September1997,HarperCollinsPublishers)inwhichshedetailedtheexperts'trickstoperfectgardening.Afirmbelieverinluxuryforeveryone,Roehmfeelsthatluxurydoesn'tnecessarilymeanexpensive.Herbreathtakingfloralarrangements,forexample,traditionallycontainmanycommonflowerssuchascarnations,marigolds,bleedinghearts,andQueenAnne'slace,whichshecollectsfromherowngardenatherConnecticuthome.Roehmappliesthefashionlessonsshelearnedtoherflowers.Thefamiliarcryof"accessorize"isasimportanttoarrangingbloomsasitistoone'sownappearance."Ican'ttellyouhowoftenI'veseenadressruinedwiththewrongaccessories,"Roehmexplains."It'sthesamewithflowers.Eventhemostbeautifulflowersdon'tworkifthey'reinthewrongvaseorplacedagainstthewrongbackground."