Screen Gems Mixing fresh and painted flowers to great effect.

Apainted backdrop of luscious, super-sized hydrangeas, lupins and foliage trailing over a navy background was the glorious sight that greeted visitors to the Australian

House & Garden stand at this year’s Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show. In a case of art imitating life, vases of the same blooms and leaves were displayed on the counter in front of the backdrop, creating an immersive, 3D floral installation.

The painted design and jewel-like floral arrangements were the handiwork of creative duo Bonnie Ashley and Neil Downie, from Melbourne design studio Bonnie and Neil. The backdrop was an adaptation of the Painted Hydrangea pattern from the company’s new Forest collection; Bonnie opted to add a dark blue background for heightened drama. A scan of the design was printed onto plywood boards, which Neil then crafted into the stand’s back wall and counter display.

In the vases, Bonnie mixed fresh hydrangeas with Phalaenopsis orchids, striped Calathea zebrina foliage and sprigs from a maple tree. A former florist, Bonnie nominates hydrangeas as her all-time favourite blooms. “They’re classic but also very modern,” she says. “The flowers are abundant and gorgeous, and available in a whole range of colours. I wanted this display to reflect all that.” Bonnie and Neil; bonnieandneil.com.au.