The Women Behind the Most Fabulous Faux Flowers

One doesn't usually picture Mother Nature as an elegant woman who shuttles between a garden-ringed home in East Hampton, New York, a Manhattan pied-à-terre and an 11th-century manse in the Belgian countryside. But once you see the sumptuous decorative florals created by Diane James of DIANE JAMES DESIGNS, you might wonder.

Inspired by her mother's lush plantings, and studies with Lady Pulbrook, the doyenne of English flower composition, James began with her own gardens, then went on to create beautiful faux decorative florals bouquets, orchids and flowering plants that are as rich in color and refined in line as anything found in nature. Now joined by twin daughters Cynthia James Matrullo and Carolyn James McDonough, who serve as Co-owners, mothers themselves and as passionate about flowers as she is, James concentrates on "the fun part, designing and meeting with clients, leaving the business side to my daughters."