LOS ANGELES TIMES: The Empty Vase: the story behind the topiary

LOS ANGELES TIMES: The Empty Vase: the story behind the topiary

 

I shift to a crawl when I’m driving past the Empty Vase on Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood. I can’t resist owner Saeed Babaeean’s take on topiary animals -- a brontosaur (sans tail), mom and daughter giraffes, a large rabbit and more. Topiary, the art of clipping live shrubs or trees into decorative shapes, has been around for centuries. Think Louis XIV’s gardens at Versailles in France. But growing a hedge and shaping it into balls, cones and spirals -- let along a life-size horse -- can take years. Babaeean has sped up the process, fashioning metal forms in the shape of animals, then stuffing them with moss and planting them with ivy. Depending on the climate, a piece will be covered in three to six months.

 

Prices for the whimsical creatures range from $8,900 for a 14-foot-long dinosaur to $129 for 12-inch pigs, birds and dogs. The Empty Vase also will make custom designs. Just bring in a picture of what you want, in the position you want it. Orders take about two weeks to fill, depending on the size. Then all you have to do is soak the sculpture with water every two weeks and give it a shot of fertilizer once a month.

 

Babaeean says he can do anything, citing one of his most unusual commissions to date: a life-size Porsche convertible.

 

Although the large, expensive topiaries aren’t selling like they did a couple of years ago -- the dino hasn’t moved from his parking space for two years -- customers are still buying the small and medium ones, saleswoman Brenda Hwang said, adding, ‘People still want something fun in these bad times.’

 

Read the original article on Los Angeles Times | By Barbara Thornburg

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A Florist in Santa Monica That Redefines Beauty and Intent

Santa Monica has always been a place where light, movement, and ease blend together. The waves. The breeze. The unmistakable sense of California luxury. At The Empty Vase, we see flowers through the same lens. We believe arrangements should feel effortless but intentional—like they belong exactly where they are, even if only for a moment.

For over 35 years, The Empty Vase has become a destination for those who appreciate more than just petals and stems. Our clients come to us because they want something beautiful and lasting, even if the bloom itself is fleeting. And while our West Hollywood flagship serves as our creative home, our reach—and reputation—extends strongly into Santa Monica.

Floral Design That Moves with the City

Santa Monica is full of contrasts: seaside calm meets high-end style, earthy tones meet polished lines. That balance is something we reflect in our floral work. Whether it’s a small arrangement heading to a Pacific Palisades apartment, or a full installation for a wedding at Shutters on the Beach, we approach each piece with precision, creativity, and emotional depth.

Every arrangement starts with the question: What feeling are we trying to create? Then comes the selection. A blend of seasonal florals, imported rarities, and sculptural greens form the palette. The final product? A piece of living art, unique to the person receiving it.

Serving Santa Monica with More than Just Flowers

Being a florist in Santa Monica means understanding how the space will hold the flowers. A beachside home flooded with light calls for something airy and architectural. A private dinner party in the hills may need something low, romantic, and rich in color. A corporate event downtown could require a striking piece with movement and structure.

Our designers don’t just create arrangements. They create moods. And they do it with the same attention to detail whether it’s one bouquet or a room full of florals.

Rooted in the Westside’s Creative Culture

Though our flagship boutique is in West Hollywood, The Empty Vase is deeply connected to the spirit of Santa Monica. We’ve been trusted by coastal clients for everything from intimate floral gestures to large-scale design moments. Our presence in the area is shaped by years of collaboration with local planners, stylists, and homeowners who know that details matter.

Whether it’s a garden arrangement headed to a beachside loft or floral styling for a Brentwood estate, each piece is delivered by hand with the utmost care—ensuring it arrives as beautiful as intended.

Weddings and Events Near the Coast

Santa Monica’s event venues offer some of the most breathtaking backdrops in California. And The Empty Vase has worked with nearly all of them. Whether it’s a luxury wedding overlooking the cliffs or a corporate celebration steps from the sand, our team provides full floral styling—from concept to installation to final touch.

What sets us apart? We treat each event like a creative collaboration. You bring the vision. We bring the florals that speak it into being.

Florals That Live Beyond the Moment

We know flowers don’t last forever. But the impression they make can. That’s why every arrangement from The Empty Vase is designed to do more than decorate. It’s meant to shift the room. To say something specific. To celebrate, soothe, honor, or surprise.

In Santa Monica, where every corner carries a certain elegance, we believe flowers should rise to meet that standard—and push it even further.

Why Santa Monica Continues to Inspire Our Floral Design

If you’re looking for a florist in Santa Monica that values beauty, balance, and meaning in every arrangement, The Empty Vase is ready to bring something unforgettable to your space. From the first stem to the final placement, we treat every creation like a signature. Because that’s what it is.