Flores Cosmos creates flower arrangements that are beautifully Mexican in the best way – dramatic, unexpected, and even a bit strange.
While researching Carla Fernández for my previous post, I made a fascinating discovery. Alberto Arango and Ramiro Guerrero live and love flowers which led them to create their business, Flores Cosmos. They live next door to their workspace where they create the most incredible arrangements. They say they live on the ugliest nosiest street in México City. Avenida Revolución is indeed a bustling vehicle-packed street full of noise and pollution. To combat the atmosphere of the street they created a green oasis behind closed gates where they can renew themselves with quiet and beauty.
As with many things Mexican, beauty can be strange and bold rather than sweet and pretty. The former description is how I would describe the work of Flores Cosmos. Their wonderful creations feature spiky agave, white birds of paradise, cacti, dead branches and wood fungi. ¡Que fantástico!
The green behind the gates. (Photo: Pia Riverola for Freunde von Freunden)
A variety of plants growing in mismatched pots bid the couple a good day as they head out to the wild city beyond those gates.
Inside the lair of Alberto and Ramiro. (Photo: Pia Riverola for Freunde von Freunden)
A colorful fountain tries to contain a flowering plant. On either side sit a pair of white plaster pots with inlaid mirror. I have unsuccessfully been searching for pots such as these for some time now. These pots are an example of Mexican folk art that walks a thin line between fabulous and tacky.
Quirky pots for quirky plants. (Photo: Pia Riverola for Freunde von Freunden)
A superbly stark tablescape inside their home. (Photo: Pia Riverola for Freunde von Freunden)
Some of my favorite Flores Cosmos work are pictured below.
(Photo: David Franco for Trece/13)
I have no idea what lies beneath the banana, but I love this arrangement for its individuality, color, and texture.
(Photo: Fernando Marroquín)
Colorful dahlias seem to be sprouting to life from the fungi column.
(Photo: Cosmos Flores)
If I were creating wedding ideas, this would be the first picture included. The agave and the hanging green flower (that I cannot remember the name of) make this common wedding decoration innovative.
Detail (Photo: Cosmos Flores)
A close up detail shows the contrast between spiky and soft.
(Photo: Cosmos Flores)
The use of baskets in this backdrop makes me think of the masses of calla lilies in Diego Rivera’s murals.
Alberto Arango and Ramiro Guerrero. (Photo: Pia Riverola for Fruende von Freunden)
In addition to being passionate about flowers they are also passionate about the city’s stray dogs. Here they relax at the end of the day with their two rescue dogs.
To view more of this couple’s work see their blog.
Contact Casa V Interiors to add a little (or a lot) Mexican beauty to your home.