Words and Styling by Libbie Summers
Photography by Chia Chong
I like to squat in lavish lobbies of The Ritz Carlton Hotels, but not for the welcoming TQM employee interaction or the freshly squeezed seasonal beverages. What has me wearing out my Ritz rotunda welcomes are the presence of the always over-the-top floral arrangements. Usually various sized blown glass cylinders garnished with a single stem of some exotic flower –all with a Latin name that leaves me feeling completely ill-educated. Until a few years ago, I’d never been able to see any of these elusive floral designers at work. Somehow, on your way to breakfast, a new one just appeared. But, as luck would have it, I couldn’t sleep one morning while staying at the Sharm El Sheikh Ritz Carlton (the Vegas of Egypt) and got a glimpse at a florist designing probably the most stunning arrangement I had ever seen.
Like a some kind of dessert Santa, he appeared out of nowhere with a bucket filled with flowers, cut crystal vases and big bag of tricks. He went about his work and left in a flash. I’ll never forget the beauty of those fuchsia colored flowers he left behind or the speed in which he did the arranging. Once finished, he wiped off the table’s surface and took two steps back. With a tilt of his neck, he surveyed his work and gave a quick shrug of his shoulders. Observing him, I got the feeling he didn’t care whether anyone else liked his arrangement –because he did. I only wish I had taken the time to let him know how much I did.
