New York's premier fashion industry florist, Michael George is known for his signature graphic, modern arrangements that are as popular in Manhattan hotels and storefronts as they are on the pages of Vogue and on the set of Good Morning America. In Simply Elegant Flowers, George shares his secrets for creating these beautiful arrangements as he guides you, season by season, through a year of flowers.

George's philosophy of living and creating with flowers is contagious, and soon you'll agree that fresh, seasonal arrangements can enhance your life every day, not just on special occasions. His compositions recreate flowers as they are in nature—which, as he reminds us, is already perfect. Typically overlooked blooms, like carnations, take on a stunning new character when arranged en masse in a perfect dome, while more exotic stems, like dendrobium orchids, are at their most elegant when allowed to stand alone in a simple vase.

Easy to follow, step-by-step instructions and photographs show you how to master George's techniques for building clean, contemporary floral compositions with his trademark architectural precision. Along the way, George shares helpful insights from a lifetime of working with flowers, and his recommendations of choice blooms for every season give you the confidence you need to begin creating your own unique arrangements, regardless of your budget. Beautiful photography brings the flowers to life on every page as he shows you how simple it is to apply these basic techniques to virtually any bloom. With Simply Elegant Flowers as your guide, you'll be arranging flowers like a professional—and displaying them like a celebrity.

"Michael George always does the most perfect flowers." —Calvin Klein

"I have been working with Michael George for many years. He is one of the most talented, original and chic floral designers that I have come in contact with." —Ian Schrager

"I love beautiful fresh and fragrant flowers, and Michael George's arrangements are always the most fantastic." —Oscar de la Renta

"Michael George is unique in his understanding of sophistication, whimsy, elegance and modernity. He is a true artist." —Vera Wang

About the Author

Michael George is the owner of Hybrid and the artistic director of Flower School New York. He is a second-generation florist who specializes in monochromatic, monofloral arrangements that are disciplined and modern. Michael has appeared on television numerous times and is considered New York's leading fashion florist.

At Flower School New York, Michael oversees and puts his stamp of approval on each and every florist who instructs at the school. He teaches his minimalist style—a style that demands architectural precision in design and a keen eye for color. His school attracts professional from around the world.

Michael's clients include Giorgio Armani, Atlantic Records, Hugo Boss, Columbia Records, Oscar de la Renta, Christian Dior, Tom Ford, Gucci, Jive Records, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Modern Bride, New York Magazine, The Rainbow Room, Sony, Ian Schrager Hotels, Yves Saint Laurent and Vera Wang. His arrangements have been displayed or profiled in Allure, Cosmopolitan, GQ, Details, ELLE, Harper's Bazaar, InStyle, Marie Claire, Martha Stewart Living magazines and Vogue. Michael and his flowers have appeared on Martha Stewart, and his arrangements are regularly featured on Good Morning America.