Jan/Feb 2022 by FLOWER magazine

FLOWER JAN• FEB 2022

HOUSE l GARDEN l LIFESTYLE

India Hicks INSIDE THE WEDDING OF A STYLE ICON

PHOTO: DAVID LOFTUS

JANUARY• FEBRUARY 2022

Contents 36

Always & Forever

After 26 years and five children together, India Hicks and her partner, David Flint Wood, were married in a storybook setting surrounded by friends and family.

FEATURES

Stylish Sophisticate

With a tight deadline, Atlanta designers Don Easterling and Nina Long took a historic home from dated to dazzling while highlighting its innate architectural beauty.

Celebrating Camellias

Designer James Farmer hosts a luncheon every year to honor the women who raised him. Their favorite flower, the camellia, is the featured guest.

Perfectly Paired

PHOTO: DAVID LOFTUS

What began as a renovation of a top-floor game room evolved into a full-blown makeover that brought this 1860s brownstone back to life.

ON THE COVER: Style icon India Hicks before her wedding in a gown by designer Naeem

Khan. The esteemed London floral design firm of Pulbrook & Gould created the bridal bouquet. Photographed by David Loftus

“Just living isn’t enough,” said the butterfly. “One must also have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” –HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN

f l o w e r m a g .c o m

Contents

DEPARTMENTS

SCENE

We’ve got our eyes on...

Custom, hand-painted wallpaper; the new Meg Braff collection for Wildwood; one-of-a-kind, handcrafted textile flowers; and more

IN EVERY ISSUE Watering Can What’s Coming Up Sources At the Table

IN BLOOM

Garden

6 34 68 72

Sisters Venise Cunningham and Belinda Kelly stir up some old-fashioned fun on their “cocktail” farm in Washington

Aerin Lauder discusses her latest endeavor—a line of luxury beauty bags and travel accessories in conjunction with Colefax and Fowler

Decorate: Mood

Find the perfect balance of serenity and drama with the color of the moment—teal

Decorate: Flowers

Miami-based floral designer Veronica Cicero finds inspiration from her ancestry as she creates her whimsical, colorful arrangements

Entertain

MA Allen leaves her artful touch on every aspect of a table setting for a celebratory Sunday lunch

FLOWER

PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT) ANAGRAM PHOTO, RYLEA FOEHL, COURTESY OF ALCHEMEDIA STUDIOS, AND MARK LUND

Decorate: Q&A

January•February 2022

Flowe

By appointment to Her Majesty The Queen Suppliers of Objets d’Art Halcyon Days Ltd. London

By appointment to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh Suppliers of Objets d’Art Halcyon Days Ltd. London

By appointment to HRH The Prince of Wales Suppliers of Objets d’Art Halcyon Days Ltd. London

EST. 1950

PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP RIGHT) ANAGRAM PHOTO, RYLEA FOEHL, COURTESY OF ALCHEMEDIA STUDIOS, AND MARK LUND

Traditional Brand, Contemporary Thinking

Kitchen Garden - Artichoke www.halcyondaysusa.com halcyondaysusa.com

Flower Magazine PrintJANFEB2020.indd 1

22/11/2021 10:04

“Tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the preservation of fire.” – Gustav Mahler SOME TRADITIONS CAN ENSHRINE terrible habits and ideals while others “preserve the fire.” I spend a good bit of mental, emotional, and creative energy in framing and highlighting those elements of our design and lifestyle culture that are, in my opinion, worthy of preservation. (Not to say that they cannot be leavened with fresh ingredients.) So imagine my glee when we learned of the opportunity to feature India Hicks’s wedding, with her bouquet and those of the bridesmaids created by the same floral firm that had fashioned her mother’s bridal bouquet. India’s regard for family history and tradition, mixed with her eco-friendly decor decisions and a return to “local” artisans, ticks all our boxes.

On top of this delightful development, I had the pleasure of interviewing MA Allen, an interior designer whose Sunday luncheon tableau draws inspiration from family heirlooms, modern design, and wildly colorful blooms—both fresh and graphic. And MA includes her own children in the process, not only on Sundays but also as she creates her everyday table settings. A girl after my own heart . . . As long as we’re on the subject of traditions, I must mention James Farmer, the Georgia design renaissance man. In this issue, he honors his mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother—all of whom shared a February 24th birthday and a love of camellias—by blanketing his house with fresh, homegrown camellias every year on their special day. As we move into this new year, let’s each resolve to revive traditions, however humble, that recall and celebrate the “fire”—and maybe even launch some new ones. SDG,

Margot Shaw EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Please send your comments, triumphs, challenges & questions to: wateringcan@flowermag.com OR: Letters to the Editor Flower magazine I P.O. Box 530645 I Birmingham, AL 35253 Get the Flower email newsletter! Sign up at flowermag.com/news

FLOWER

January•February 2022

PORTRAIT BY BETH HONTZAS

Watering can

A Note from the Editor

PORTRAIT BY BETH HONTZAS

VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1

Margot Shaw FOUNDER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Julie Gillis MANAGING EDITOR Nicole Gerrity Haas ART DIRECTOR Terri Robertson DIGITAL MEDIA MANAGER Amanda Smith Fowler STYLE EDITOR Kate Johnson PRODUCTION/COPY EDITOR Maren Edwards EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Karen Carroll CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Alice Welsh Doyle James Farmer Kirk Reed Forrester Marion Laffey Fox Elaine Griffin Tara Guérard Sallie Lewis Frances MacDougall Robert Martin

Tovah Martin Cathy Still McGowin Charlotte Moss Matthew Robbins Margaret Zainey Roux Frances Schultz Lydia Somerville Sybil Sylvester

For editorial inquiries: editorial@flowermag.com

Julie Durkee PUBLISHER Jennel O’Brien DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Susan Sutton SENIOR MARKETING MANAGER Suzanne Cooper NATIONAL DIRECTOR, HOME FURNISHINGS REGIONAL ACCOUNT DIRECTORS

Wendy Ellis Sara D. Taylor For sales inquiries: sales@flowermag.com BUSINESS OFFICE

Silvia Rider GENERAL MANAGER Patrick Toomey ACCOUNTANT Lisa Mitchell SENIOR MANAGER CUSTOMER SERVICE

For change of address and subscription inquiries: 877.400.3074 or CustomerService@FlowerMag.info ADVISORY BOARD

Paula Crockard Winn Crockard Gavin Duke Gay Estes Katie Baker Lasker Mary Evelyn McKee Michael Mundy Ben Page

Angèle Parlange Renny Reynolds Scott Shepherd Remco van Vliet Evie Vare Carleton Varney Louise Wrinkle

PHOTO BY JUDITH MARILYN

What We’ve Got Our Eyes On

Scene HOME DÉCOR

Minds in Balance THE DYNAMIC DUO BEHIND SHE SHE By Julie Gillis

PHOTO BY JUDITH MARILYN

She She co-founders Kate Worum (left) and Jennifer Jorgensen hand-painted this In Bloom wallpaper installation at the Mall of America in Minneapolis.

ometimes the best ideas come from the most unexpected places. Jennifer Jorgensen and Kate Worum, founders of She She, can attest to that. Both women were on the back ends of bad breakups when they decided to work through their emotions with a little art therapy. They combined their talents—Jenny is an architect/ interior designer, and Kate is an illustrator—to create a handpainted design on a wallpaper. That initial design garnered a lot of attention, so the duo decided to take their artistic endeavor one step further by launching She She, f l o w e r m a g .c o m

Scene WHAT WE’VE GOT OUR EYES ON ...

CREATIVE COLLABORATIONS

BEACHY KEEN

a Minneapolis-based print and pattern studio specializing in handpainted wallpaper and fabric. Working in both the commercial and residential markets, Jenny and Kate enjoy the process of meeting with each customer to brainstorm and visualize the perfect custom design to fit a space. With a definite penchant for botanicals, the women have also painted birds, fruit, geometrics, toile patterns, and even family pets—the only limits are the imaginations of the creators and the customers. And with the popularity of the hand-painted wallpapers, She She has recently expanded its offerings to include custom-printed wallpaper collections, as well as wrapping paper and art prints. bysheshe.com

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January•February 2022

The Royal Palm chandelier from the Meg Braff Collection for Wildwood brings a modern perspective to a traditional design. BELOW: Artist Elizabeth Hayt takes a maximalist approach when handcrafting her unique floral designs.

ARTISANS

Whimsical Works Using luxury materials such as metallic brocade, glittery tulle, and Swarovski crystals, New York City artist Elizabeth Hayt handcrafts her signature, one-of-a-kind textile flowers using a “more-is-more” philosophy. She finds inspiration in nature, fashion, and art movements as she creates hyper-embellished pieces that also include pillows, wreaths, and table accents. elizabethhayt.net

PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) MARTA GALAZ, ARTURO ALCALÁ, AND COURTESY OF BRUNSCHWIG & FILS

LEFT: A hand-painted floral design by She She wraps the stairwell in the Treasure Island Center, a mixed-use facility in Saint Paul, Minnesota. ABOVE:

PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT) JOSH OLSON, COURTESY OF WILDWOOD, AND COURTESY OF ALCHEMEDIA STUDIOS

Designer Meg Braff pays homage to mid-century Palm Beach chic in a collaboration with Wildwood, the North Carolina–based design brand. The Meg Braff Collection is inspired by her love for the tropical vibe of Palm Beach, where she has recently opened a new interior design studio and shop. The collection includes lighting, furniture, and accessories in beachy hues of green, white, and sky blue. Sculpted details of palm fronds, bamboo, oak leaves, and banyan leaves enhance the oceanfront theme and add a bit of playful glamour—a Meg Braff trademark. wildwoodhome.com

ENTERTAINING ESSENTIALS

Open Invitation Casa Felix’s botanical-themed patterns include Flower Power (above) and Mediterráneo (right). TOP RIGHT: Veronica Torres (left) and Marta Galaz co-founded Casa Felix. PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) MARTA GALAZ, ARTURO ALCALÁ, AND COURTESY OF BRUNSCHWIG & FILS

PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT) JOSH OLSON, COURTESY OF WILDWOOD, AND COURTESY OF ALCHEMEDIA STUDIOS

ABOVE AND RIGHT:

Veronica Torres and Marta Galaz founded their company, Casa Felix, in 2020 with the idea of spreading happiness through floral-themed craft paper goods. It all began when Marta, who had always been involved in design, started experimenting with botanical illustrations. Veronica soon entered the picture, bringing her background in hospitality. Together, the two created a line of beautifully detailed invitations, menus, place cards, and coasters. The name of their Miami-based design studio translates to “happy house” and pays homage to their Latino roots, as well as to the company’s mission. casafelix.com

DECORATING

Merci Beaucoup

Unleash your inner Francophile with Louverné, the latest collection from Brunschwig & Fils. Featuring nine bold, colorful designs, the collection reflects the beauty and history of France’s captivating city of Louverné in the Pays de la Loire region. Fabrics and wallcoverings feature charming motifs such as flowering vines, dramatic ikats, and geometric patterns. Vibrant colors of fuchsia, bright blue, and citrine complement classic whites, powder blues, and sophisticated neutrals. And much to the delight of longtime Brunschwig & Fils fans, the collection reintroduces the iconic Le Bambou Print for a new generation to enjoy. kravet.com

ABOVE: Pillows covered in Louverné Collection fabrics from Brunschwig & Fils line a cozy

breakfast room banquette. Patterns (left to right): Pave II Print in Petal, Pave II Print in Canary, and Mayenne Print in Cerise. The bench cushion is upholstered in Veronique Print in Jewel.

f l o w e r m a g .c o m

Garden • Decorate: Q&A, Mood & Flowers • Entertain

COCKTAIL FARM

A Family Affair

in Bloom

AT THEIR “COCKTAIL” FARM IN RURAL WASHINGTON, SISTERS VENISE CUNNINGHAM AND BELINDA KELLY GROW SIMPLE GOODNESS AND STIR UP OLD-FASHIONED FUN By Margaret Zainey Roux • Photography by Rylea Foehl

f l o w e r m a g .c o m

in Bloom GARDEN

TOP: It takes every member of the family to keep Simple Goodness Farm running. ABOVE: The sisters grow and harvest a variety of herbs, edible flowers, fruits, and vegetables to ensure every drink they prepare is “farm fresh, garden to glass.”

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January•February 2022

orn and raised in suburban Seattle, sisters Venise Cunningham and Belinda Kelly were both working in the fastpaced tech industry when they decided to say goodbye to corporate life in search of greener pastures. Venise and husband Ross made the leap first by purchasing Simple Goodness Farm in Pierce County, Washington, where they began growing varieties of heirloom garlic. Soon after, Belinda left the working world as she knew it to focus on her new role as a mom, as well as on the birth of her other “baby,” a mobile bar called The Happy Camper Cocktail Company that was housed in a refurbished 1950s Aladdin camper. She asked Venise and Ross to add in some fruit to their farm production so she could use it to create a signature cocktail featuring an original syrup recipe, Rhubarb Vanilla Bean. The drink garnered rave reviews and became the catalyst for Belinda and Venise’s newest venture, Simple Goodness Sisters, a collection of vegan, small-batch syrups, sugars, and salts made from all-natural fruits, herbs, and edible flowers. “Our flavors are inspired by whatever is in season,” Venise says. “We only use what we grow or can buy from our local farmer friends. Over the years, we’ve experimented with ingredients and developed our palates, but basically our syrups pair well with anything and everything that syrups can go in or on—from cocktails and mocktails to coffees and teas to waffles and pies.” Since the debut of Rhubarb Vanilla Bean, the

in Bloom GARDEN

SIMPLE GOODNESS JACK ROSE Makes 1 cocktail

¾ ounce Simple Goodness Rhubarb Vanilla Bean syrup ½ ounce lemon juice (fresh squeezed) 1 big dash citrus bitters or aromatic bitters 1 lemon twist Edible flower sugar or fresh edible flowers (optional)

Add whiskey, Rhubarb Vanilla Bean syrup, fresh lemon juice, and citrus or aromatic bitters to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake

ABOVE: All of the syrups from Simple Goodness Sisters are vegan and made from scratch using organic sugar. RIGHT: The sisters’ soda shop serves as their production headquarters, with a tasting room, a farm-to-table café, and a store.

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January•February 2022

until the outside of the shaker is very cold, and strain the cocktail into a chilled glass. Finish by twisting a lemon peel over the glass to release citrus oils into the cocktail. Garnish with an edible flower sugar rim or fresh edible flowers, if available. Nonalcoholic version: Follow the same directions, but substitute fresh green apple juice for the liquor and add another dash of aromatic bitters. We like Granny Smith apple juice the best for this recipe so that the drink does not get too sweet.

BOTTOM PHOTOS BY TYLER PANAGIOTU

2 ounces applejack whiskey (such as Laird’s)

BOTTOM PHOTOS BY TYLER PANAGIOTU

sisters’ offerings have blossomed to include artisanal blends such as Blueberry Lavender, Berry Sage, Marionberry Mint, Huckleberry Spruce Tip, Lemon Herb, and Apple Pie. Also stirring up interest are their floral-infused salt and sugar rimmers made from bachelor’s buttons, chamomile, and other edible flowers picked fresh then dehydrated. As business began to bloom, so did the need for a commercial test kitchen. With a loan from their grandmother, the sisters purchased a historic building in downtown Wilkeson and opened up the Simple Goodness Soda Shop. The shop includes not only a test kitchen but also a tasting room, a retail space, and a family-friendly café. “While the building has housed many businesses over the years, it was the home of Wilkeson’s first soda fountain back in the 1920s,” Belinda says. “It’s as though it was meant to be.” Restoring the building became a labor of love for the sisters and their families, as well as for the entire community. “Most of the building, as well as the furniture, is made of salvaged materials and parts,” says Belinda. A bench in front of the shop was crafted from fragments of sandstone that Ross discovered under the building during construction. Inside, the flooring consists of 2-foot-wide floorboards recovered from a nearby elementary school. The tables are made from scraps and hardware found at a dilapidated coal mill. But, for the sisters, the most special piece is the checkout counter, taken from their father’s old mill shop. It’s the very same counter where they spent many afternoons and summer days working the register for extra spending money. “This place doesn’t just belong to my sister and me; it belongs to the three generations who worked so hard under this roof to get the doors open and keep them open,” Venise says. “We’re not just creating products; we’re creating memories. And we’re not just selling syrups and salts; we’re telling stories.” For more information, see Sources, page 68

in Bloom DECORATE: Q&A

Jet-Setter Style TASTEMAKER AERIN LAUDER AND THE ICONIC ENGLISH BRAND COLEFAX AND FOWLER CELEBRATE THE RETURN OF TRAVEL WITH A COLLABORATIVE COLLECTION OF BESPOKE BEAUTY BAGS AND LUXURY TRAVEL ACCESSORIES Interview by Margaret Zainey Roux

Flower: Prior to this collaboration, did you have a relationship with Colefax and Fowler? Aerin Lauder: No, but I have admired their timeless designs for as long as I can remember. As a child, I recall visiting their shop in London with my parents and my grandparents. Today, I live among their floral prints in my own home, so I am thrilled to have one of my favorites, Eloise, translate into travel accessories and beauty bags. The fabric features a delicate hydrangea spray motif on pure linen that was originally hand-painted in the Colefax and Fowler studio. The classic design is the epitome of elegance and femininity, so it works seamlessly with my other collections.

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January•February 2022

How did the idea for the collaboration originate, and why did you choose to design travel accessories? I was in Colefax and Fowler’s New York showroom when I got the idea. The AERIN brand is all about effortless beauty, and Colefax and Fowler supports that with their classic designs and English refinement. I knew that we could create something truly special together. I chose travel accessories and beauty bags because, at the time of the launch, the world was slowly returning to travel after the shutdown brought about by the global pandemic. I love experiencing new cultures and discovering new destinations and have found

hues of the Eloise print make this round cosmetic bag a beautiful addition to any vanity. Its small size also makes it ideal for travel. ABOVE LEFT:

Aerin Lauder is the founder of the luxury lifestyle brand AERIN.

PHOTOS BY MARK LUND. PORTRAIT BY DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN

ABOVE: The soft

RIGHT: The Eloise Beauty Set includes a small linen cosmetic bag, a Rose Lip Conditioner, and a Rose Hand & Body Cream. BELOW: Crafted in wood and wrapped in linen, the luggage rack can be closed for easy storage. NEXT PAGE, TOP TO BOTTOM:

PHOTOS BY MARK LUND. PORTRAIT BY DOUGLAS FRIEDMAN

This set of lined cosmetic bags covers all your organizing needs when packing for a trip. The silk eye mask takes quality sleep to the next level with a ruched band for added comfort.

so much design inspiration in doing so. The collection is a way to celebrate travel by adding a touch of pretty to your suitcase. We offer linen beauty bags in several shapes and sizes and a silk eye mask with a matching drawstring pouch. Our fabric-wrapped collapsible luggage rack is a must-have for the well-appointed guest suite. It turns something utilitarian into something fun and unique for your guests. After all, hospitality goes hand-in-hand with living beautifully. Aside from your partnership with Colefax and Fowler, you have a number of collaborative collections with designers all over the world. Do any of these include products that might speak to design enthusiasts with a penchant for florals? Currently, we have a collaboration with artist Diane James, who makes impeccably detailed faux florals. We also have a partnership with The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach; I designed Villa Jasmine, a luxurious ground-floor villa, and many varieties of florals are represented throughout the décor, from the draperies to the bedding. It has been wonderful to work with like-minded creators in these joint efforts. Sharing ideas, exploring options, and working together toward a single goal have proven to be both enjoyable and invaluable learning experiences for me. f l o w e r m a g .c o m

What about AERIN? Any floral-inspired exclusives? Every season, we introduce a new hand-sculpted and handpainted porcelain flower. In seasons past, we’ve had a peony, a dogwood, a dahlia, and a hibiscus, to name a few. We have also offered some that are hand-sculpted from brass and adorned with semiprecious stones. They are perennial stunners on your vanity or bedside table. Aside from our décor, there are floral fashions, including tops, dresses, and accessories, as well as floral fragrances inspired by or made with botanical ingredients. In fact, the new Eloise Beauty Set contains two AERIN exclusives: our Rose Lip Conditioner scented with rose and magnolia and our Rose Hand & Body Cream with a floral infusion of magnolia and peony. Floral lovers definitely have plenty of choices!

For more information, see Sources, page 68

in Bloom DECORATE: MOOD

4 5

1 2

Teal Appeal NOT MANY COLORS HAVE SPLIT PERSONALITIES, BUT THIS SHADE OF GREENISH BLUE COMBINES A SENSE OF SERENITY WITH A DOSE OF DRAMA Produced and styled by Amanda Smith Fowler Photography by David Hillegas

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January•February 2022

1 Zahara fabric (to the trade) from the Stroheim Color Embroideries Collection, stroheim.com 2 Magnolia Wild fabric ($98/yard) by Malmberg Studio, robertmalmberg.com 3 & 4 Livia dinner plate

($205) by Herend and Nymphea Olivier Green dinner plate ($115) by Royal Limoges, both from Table Matters, table-matters.com 5 Ardisia fabric (to the trade) by Harlequin, harlequin.sanderson designgroup.com 6 Tranquility Exhale swivel chair (price upon request), available fall 2022, by Universal Furniture, universal furniture.com 7 Paint color, Dollar Bill Green (2050-20) by

14 12 11

Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore.com 8 McCoy polished-brass and amazonite custom pull ($120) by Modern Matter, modern-matter.com 9 Lagoon tumblers ($65 each) from Reed Smythe & Company, reedsmythe.com 10 Kissimmee hand-hooked rug (price upon request) by Patterson Flynn, pattersonflynn.com 11 Ramayana wallpaper (to the trade) by GP&J Baker through Kravet, kravet.com 12 Il Seguace Forest porcelain candleholder with Purple Hill candle ($350) by Ginori 1735, ginori1735.com 13 & 14 Jonathan Cohen Love Letters from NYC note cards ($60/set of 10) and Esterbrook Estie fountain pen ($195), both from Dempsey & Carroll, dempseyandcarroll.com 15 Indore Crewel fabric in Bluebell (to the trade) by Stroheim, stroheim.com 16 Paint colors (from top to bottom): Waterbury Green (HC-136), Oasis Blue (2049-20), Azure Water (677), and Hazy Blue (2040-50) by Benjamin Moore, benjaminmoore.com 17 Redford ottoman (price upon request) by Century Furniture, centuryfurniture.com 18 Harlequin fabric (see 5, opposite page) 19 Colony embroidered border (to the trade) by Samuel & Sons, samuelandsons.com f l o w e r m a g .c o m

in Bloom DECORATE: FLOWERS

Veronica Cicero of Anthology Co. MIXING A VARIETY OF FORAGED MATERIALS, THE MIAMI-BASED FLORAL DESIGNER CREATES A LIVELY, FANCIFUL ARRANGEMENT WITH SHOTS OF COLOR THROUGHOUT By Alice Welsh Doyle • Photography by Monica Buck

MATERIALS

Olive branches Bay laurel Eriostemon branches Lilac branches Salvia × sylvestris

Coreopsis leavenworthii Foxgloves Oregano Cosmos

My Inspiration:

I am Venezuelan with Sicilian and Canary Islands DNA, so I am always looking to my roots when creating arrangements. For this one, I also used some fun materials that are native to Florida. I wanted it to be whimsical and playful—very full and laced with a mix of colors.

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Turn to page 28 for step-by-step instructions

in Bloom DECORATE: FLOWERS

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

“I wanted it to be whimsical and playful— very full and laced with a mix of colors.” —VERONICA CICERO

STEP 1 Use a compote-type container to get the best results with this arrangement. I chose a colorful bowl from Caltagirone, Sicily, that is beautiful—even without flowers! I like to use my mother’s ceramics wheel so I can turn the arrangement to check the design at all angles. STEP 2 Affix a floral frog in the center of

the container with floral adhesive, and add a ball of chicken wire, cut to fit. Secure the mechanics with floral tape in an X pattern; then add water.

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STEP 3 Form the base of the arrangement

using a variety of green materials. I chose olive branches and bay laurel. Cover the entire container, placing pieces at angles and allowing some to droop downward to create movement.

STEP 4 Add the Eriostemon and lilac, cutting a 1- to 2-inch-long slit in the bottom of each branch to allow water to penetrate. Place them throughout. Look for any holes, and fill in as needed.

6 STEP 5 Time for the foraged florals: Salvia

× sylvestris, Coreopsis leavenworthii, foxgloves, oregano, and cosmos. Other materials will work, but they need to be light enough to “float” in the arrangement. As you add the flowers, cut them at different heights to evoke movement.

STEP 6 I like to add pockets of color with

the yellows, pinks, and purples to make sure each hue is very visible in the arrangement. There are no formulas, so you can play around with height and color placement.

For more information, see Sources, page 68

Coming in the March /April Issue Follow Our Progress at Flowermag.com /PalmettoBluff BUILDER: Young & Meathe DEVELOPER: Geofferson & Co. INTERIOR DESIGN: Phoebe Howard and Nellie Jane Howard Ossi of Mrs. Howard

ARCHITECT: Tippett Sease Baker LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: AO Studio

S ape lo SKIN CARE

in Bloom ENTERTAIN

Sunday Best AS SHE SETS A CHEERY AND CHIC TABLE FOR A CELEBRATORY LUNCH, NORTH CAROLINA–BASED INTERIOR DESIGNER MA ALLEN CALLS FOR ALL HANDS ON DECK—EVEN THE SMALLEST ONES By Margot Shaw • Photography by Anagram Photo

Interior designer MA Allen and her three children rejoice in the results of the group table-setting project.

or designer MA Allen, any family meal is a special occasion and therefore warrants a table setting with silver. So you can only imagine that a tablescape collaboration for a celebratory Sunday luncheon would yield an exceptional display. Inspired, gracious living is a family tradition for MA. Her fondest memories are of times spent in New York with her grandmother, a Pratt Institute graduate and talented artist, doing art projects that involved mixing patterns, textures, and materials. MA also gleaned a can-do creativity from her mother,

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whose talents encompassed all the domestic arts, including cooking, flower arranging, and hand-sewing. However, MA found inspiration from more than just the women in her family. The designer’s father collects fine art and has an extensive silver collection. And apparently, that yen for collecting silver is in the family’s DNA, as MA’s 7-year-old daughter, Lil, was bequeathed all her grandmother’s silver. “Lil has more silver than I do,” MA says. “It’s a bit of a rub.” Throughout the designer’s childhood, her parents regularly entertained at home, so you could say MA was weaned on

in Bloom ENTERTAIN

ABOVE: The antique sideboard from MA’s father provides a convenient and beautiful surface for the bar. A cut-glass heirloom

punch bowl serves as a wine cooler. “I love all things Southern, but I will not be serving punch,” MA confesses.

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ABOVE AND TOP: MA collects all different patterns

of James Kent Dubarry chintz plates and mixes them with more formal patterns as she creates settings featuring a wild and wonderful mélange of tableware and glassware.

For more information, see Sources, page 68

setting a pretty table, serving delicious fare, and learning impeccable table manners—all the while surrounded by beautiful antiques. Fast-forward to her present home, where she dwells happily amid her own collections with a personal style that touts a modern spin on the classics and a confident use of color. Her husband and children especially enjoy and appreciate the intriguing environment she shapes for them. “We use the dining room a lot,” says MA. “And that’s really a child-driven decision. My kids know that eating in the dining room signals that thought and love were poured into the effort. They like the idea of ‘making something to show you I love you,’ as they’ve heard Daniel Tiger from Mister Rogers say.” A backdrop of highly saturated teal walls punctuated by goldcolored klismos dining chairs from Maison Jansen sets the stage for bold color choices and fearless pattern mixes in this Sunday celebration dreamed up and implemented by MA and her children. The designer selected

one of her favorite finds, D’Ascoli, an Italian fashion and table linen company, for the place mats and napkins, as well as her outfit for the occasion. The linens’ intricate screen prints in electric hues with spot embroidery keep the visual party going and play well with the mix of color, size, and pattern in MA’s china and glassware. Bowerbird, a local floral design group, was called in to contribute the floral aspects of the table. Using mono-color/mono-bloom arrangements with flowers of varying sizes, shapes, and colors, the florists created enough movement to blend with but not be eclipsed by the kaleidoscope of linens and tableware. From heirloom silver baby cups and an antique sideboard gifted by her father to hot-pink candles and a Kelly Wearstler mid-century- style chandelier, MA leaves her artful touch on every detail of this tableau. She has created not only a fitting homage to those who so powerfully influenced her aesthetic but also an excellent legacy for the next generation. Daniel Tiger would certainly approve. f l o w e r m a g .c o m

What’s coming up HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA

Huntsville Museum of Art Voices of Our Times February 3 hsvmuseum.org SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

Northwest Flower & Garden Festival February 9–13 gardenshow.com NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE

Antiques & Garden Show Nashville February 11–13 antiquesandgardenshow.com MONTEVALLO, ALABAMA

Sixth Annual American Village Festival of Tulips Mid-February through March americanvillage.org HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT

Connecticut Flower & Garden Show February 24–27 ctflowershow.com ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Atlanta Botanical Garden Flower Show February 25–27 abgflowershow.org HOUSTON, TEXAS

86 Annual River Oaks Garden Club Azalea Trail March 4–6 th

riveroaksgc.org Indicates Flower is attending or sponsoring the event. For more events, visit flowermag.com.

FLSOHWER OP •

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8x8 Original Wrapped Canvas Mixed Media, $275 each By Deanna Jaugstetter f l owe r m a g s h o p.co m

A LWAYS &

After 26 years and five children together, India Hicks and her partner, David Flint Wood, were married in a storybook setting surrounded by friends and family By MARGOT SHAW Photography by DAVID LOFTUS

FOR EVER

nown for her work as a lifestyle entrepreneur and philanthropic activist, India Hicks is the granddaughter of Lord Mountbatten; the daughter of the late design icon David Hicks and his bride, Lady Pamela; and the godchild of Prince Charles. In pondering their wedding, India and her partner, David Flint Wood, arrived at a clear and soulful mission statement. “After 15 months of lockdown, with the world upside-down and a future that looks rather turbulent, particularly for my kids who are between the ages of 13 and 24, I wanted to do something very grounding, something very anchoring, something that would feel completely normal and traditional and safe and secure,” she says. “Standing as a family in church and making some lifelong vows seemed the right answer.” India and David envisioned an unfussy affair that would be driven primarily by family considerations. The wedding party included their daughter, Domino, as the chief bridesmaid, along with

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RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM:

Three generations—India’s daughter and chief bridesmaid, Domino; India’s mother, Lady Pamela Hicks; and India—gather before the ceremony for formal portraits. A vintage photo of Lady Pamela’s wedding to interior designer David Hicks includes her bouquet of lilies of the valley from Pulbrook & Gould, the same London floral firm that conceived India’s wedding bouquets. OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: The night before the wedding, India and David welcomed guests for dinner and dancing. One of India’s hosting trademarks is a long, narrow banquet table (which makes for easier conversation) with understated, tailored motifs, such as the hurricane cylinders and candles interspersed among the lush greenery of the table runner. Juliet Bennett of Babylon Flowers, a local and environmentally thoughtful floral designer, foraged greenery and sourced flowers locally for the table and hanging installation. Plant materials for the lush, naturalistic installation included magnolia foliage, hydrangeas, garden roses, and hops. A prenuptial dinner dance in the field adjacent to the couple’s Oxfordshire house, America Farm, set a celebratory tone for the festivities. PREVIOUS SPREAD: India’s wedding bouquet, created by Pulbrook & Gould, included roses (‘Iceberg,’ ‘Winchester Cathedral,’ and ‘Susan’), phlox, Japanese anemones, rosemary, lavender foliage, tuberose, hydrangeas, lisianthus, love-in-a-mist, eucalyptus, abelia, and clematis. Guests celebrated India and David with confetti immediately after the ceremony.

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CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: India shares a sweet moment with her bridesmaids before the ceremony. Pulbrook & Gould wove together eucalyptus leaves with berries, rosemary, and wild bird feathers for the younger bridesmaids’ circlets. His and hers pens were custom-made by Yard-O-Led for the bride and groom to use when signing the wedding registry. India wore her mother’s brooch that Lady Pamela had inherited from her own mother. To avoid interrupting the neckline of her dress, India opted for the brooch to be pinned to the back of the dress, which she says would have been fine except “my low chignon kept catching on it, and by the time we got into the car to drive away, I looked like I had been dragged through a bush backwards.” The chief bridesmaid, India’s daughter Domino, carried a bouquet with many of the same flowers that were in her mother’s larger one. All bouquets arrived tucked into crisp white boxes that were trimmed in cream-colored velvet ribbon.

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CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE:

All of the wedding party arrangements featured a touch of blue. Juliet framed the entry of the church in locally sourced or foraged flowers and foliage. India’s good friend Zöe de Givenchy, mother of one of the bridesmaids, does a last-minute wardrobe inspection before the ceremony.

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Christian Louboutin’s twin girls and Inès de Givenchy (great-niece of the legendary designer) as bridesmaids. Dressed in gold bloomers, two towheaded young cousins, Fraser Flint Wood and Kit Fraser, served as page boys. Finding a wedding date suitable for all the players proved quite complex. The puzzle involved Lady Pamela being in fine enough form for a sprightly stroll along the stone steps leading to the church,

a COVID-friendly window for David’s brother Fred to cross the pond from New York, and the ability of all other key friends and family members to navigate the restrictions of the day. But the puzzle was solved, and the festivities unfurled. Describing the inherent unconventionality of it all, India says, “We did everything backwards, even hosting a seated dinner party with toasting and dancing the night before the

wedding. It was more like a reception.” The prenuptial fête was set in a clearing surrounded by wild grasses in a field near India and David’s Oxfordshire home, America Farm. Guests were seated at one long table, surrounded by the glow of torches and candles in clear-glass hurricane lanterns. Simple, rustic floral décor included a table runner, hanging installations, and garland along the center of the tent’s f l o w e r m a g .c o m

“Standing as a family in church and making some lifelong vows seemed the right answer.” —INDIA HICKS

The couple were married in the nave of St. Bartholemew’s, the 14th-century church where India had been christened and where her father, famed British designer David Hicks, is buried.

ceiling, all of which were composed of white roses, hydrangeas, and cosmos woven through lush foraged greenery, with some of the blooms coming from her mother’s nearby garden. The bride-to-be asked designer and dear friend Naeem Khan to create a dress for the soirée, and he fashioned an exquisite mermaid-style gown. “There is much history involved in this wedding,”

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says the designer as he reflects on the occasion. “India is the granddaughter of Lord Mountbatten, who at the stroke of midnight on a date in 1947 gave the country of India to its people—a longawaited freedom. Now, years later, India herself wears a dress made in India, by an Indian designer, with an Indian motif.” For the wedding ceremony, the couple chose the local St. Bartholomew’s

in Brightwell Baldwin, a charming 14th-century country church that boasts special bookmarks through the pages of India’s family history. India was christened there, and it is the place where her father is buried. In another homage to family and tradition, Pulbrook & Gould, the legendary London floral and wedding powerhouse that conceived Lady Pamela’s wedding bouquet decades ago,

The family and wedding party assembled for group photos under the church’s arch, which was adorned with a garland of locally sourced greenery and flowers, including roses from Lady Pamela’s own nearby gardens. The informal yet elegant design of the garland was a beautiful embodiment of India’s ethos and style.

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The celebration continued across the lane from the church at the Lord Nelson Pub, where guests congregated before the luncheon. A garden-style arrangement spills over an antique basket weave concrete urn. Luncheon menus were hand-lettered on deckled-edge paper, and place cards were planted in cream-colored, moss-filled pots. OPPOSITE: India cut the wedding cake using a Japanese ceremonial knife given to her as a wedding gift by son Amory, who commented that if he were getting married, it’s what he would want. Juliet echoed the wedding décor in her treatment for the cake by encircling the layers with garland made of the same blooms and leaves as the floral arch of the church. She topped it off with one of the bridesmaids’ posies.

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FLOWER LISTS DINNER PARTY AT AMERICA FARM AND WEDDING LUNCHEON AT LORD NELSON PUB Asparagus ferns Birch Cosmos Eucalyptus Hops ‘Annabelle’ and ‘Limelight’ hydrangeas Ivy Magnolia and oak foliage ‘Margaret Merril’ rose Snowberry Zebra grass CHURCH ARCH Beech, magnolia, and oak foliage Cosmos Dahlias Hydrangeas Miscanthus grass Phlox Roses from Lady Pamela’s rose garden

Sedums Snapdragons Zebra grass WEDDING PARTY FLOWERS Abelia Borage Eryngium Eucalyptus Hebe Hydrangeas Japanese anemones Jasmine Lavender foliage Lisianthus Love-in-a-mist (nigella) Old man’s beard (clematis) Phlox Rosemary ‘Iceberg,’ ‘Winchester Cathedral,’ and ‘Susan’ roses Scabiosa Tuberose

created India’s bridal bouquet, as well as those of the bridesmaids. As her sensibility encompasses a thoughtfully sustainable approach, India made a conscious effort to involve as much local talent as possible, including flower farmer and designer Juliet Bennett of Babylon Flowers, who decorated the church and reception site. For her wedding attire, the bride partnered with famed British fashion designer Emilia Wickstead to bring to life her vision of a dress that would differ from a classical wedding gown. India describes it as “cream French lace, not long, tea length with a slightly high neck—a hint of Grace Kelly.” Her close friend Christian Louboutin provided the perfect cream-colored high heels. “They were so comfortable. I never once wished I’d been in flip-flops,” she quips. f l o w e r m a g .c o m

LEFT: A handsome

hammered-copper urn housed a lush mélange of locally grown flowers and foliage in the marquee at the Lord Nelson Pub. OPPOSITE: The traditional tossing of the bouquet took place just before the newly married couple left in their tobacco-brown, vintage Mercedes convertible.

The service itself was timeless, including Church of England liturgy with lovely personal touches: One of the couple’s sons, Conrad, read the poem “I cannot tell you” by Morgan Harper Nichols; three of the couple’s favorite hymns were sung by the congregation; a version of the 23rd Psalm, handwritten by David, was read by his best friend, Charles Finch; and a soloist sang “Ave Maria” as the newly married couple

added their names to the registry. Rather than throw the expected lavish affair after the ceremony, India and David invited the wedding party and guests to stroll across the lane to the neighborhood public house, the Lord Nelson. Guests enjoyed a luncheon under a marquee filled with antique concrete planters and footed urns spilling over with local blooms and greenery. And in another nod to

responsible, green living, flowers recycled from the night before graced the tables. After the blur of revelry, surrounded by loved ones and the beauty of the familiar landscape, and with all boxes ticked, including the tossing of the bouquet, India and David departed in his vintage tobacco-colored Mercedes convertible to begin their married life and honeymoon weekend with all five of their children in “England’s green and pleasant land.”*

*From “And did those feet in ancient time,” a poem by William Blake sung as a hymn at the wedding ceremony

Stylish Sophisticate

With a tight deadline, Atlanta designers Don Easterling and Nina Long took a historic home from dated to dazzling while highlighting its innate architectural beauty By ALICE WELSH DOYLE Photography by LAUREY W. GLENN Floral Design by KIRK WHITFIELD Styled by ELLEN S. PADGETT

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: The bar opens to the family room.

• A bold lantern from Urban Electric brings a modern touch to the antiques-filled foyer. • Don Easterling and Nina Long of Mathews Design Group OPPOSITE: In the bar, Schumacher grass cloth wallpaper offers a textural contrast to the sleek cabinets painted Benjamin Moore’s Newburyport Blue.

Talk about trust. With less than six months

to complete a top-to-bottom makeover of a large historic Atlanta home, these homeowners asked Don Easterling and Nina Long of Mathews Design Group to take the reins, knowing that the pair could pull it off with great aplomb. “They bought this house and wanted to have it ready before the school year started,” says Nina. “That gave Don and me only a short window to make it happen.” Since the designers both had the design prowess to do just that, as well as an existing relationship with the family, they saw the project as an exciting challenge rather than a stressful undertaking. “It was certainly helpful that we had worked with these clients before, so we knew what they liked and how they wanted to live in the house,” says Don. While the homeowners went abroad, the designers rolled up their collective sleeves and got down to business. Fortunately, the house already possessed plenty of character and some f l o w e r m a g .c o m

outstanding architectural details, which helped prime the canvas for an overall cosmetic makeover. “It was in great shape, so structural changes were minimal,” says Don. “An addition had been completed years earlier by the previous owner. The kitchen also was renovated, so it only needed some tweaks here and there. Our primary focus was breathing new life into a dated design scheme.” Enter new paint colors, lots of wall paper, colorful floral and botanical fabrics, luxurious rugs, and updated light fixtures. The team mixed fine antiques with reproductions while using brushes of deep blue, ocher, red, marigold, and green hues to impart liveliness. Every piece pairs perfectly with its partners, and, despite the tight time frame, nothing feels like a placeholder. In the dining room, chinoiserie accents highlight a studied mix of elegant appoint ments. “The space holds one of our favorite French-influenced dining tables from Hickory Chair, and I am obsessed with it,” says Nina. “It looks fabulous in a stained finish, but it’s so pretty painted

ABOVE: The dining room’s dramatic, ornamental Schumacher wallpaper establishes the palette. The curvaceous dining table and the

draped-back chairs add feminine touches to the space, while pagoda-topped étagères and a painted cabinet provide notes of chinoiserie. OPPOSITE, TOP TO BOTTOM: Simple fixes such as fresh paint and new countertops brought the kitchen to life. The ladder is original and adds charm to the space while also making upper cabinets accessible. In the living room, a mix of comfortable upholstered pieces in sophisticated, luxe fabrics invites guests to linger by the fire.

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Respecting Tradition While infusing the house with a fresh attitude, designers Don Easterling and Nina Long made sure the original beauty of the architecture remained intact. Floors throughout were unchanged, including the hardwoods, the brick in the bar area, and a lovely mosaic tile with Greek key detailing in the master bathroom. In the dining room and foyer, bold light fixtures draw the eye up to the intricate ceiling medallions. The living room, once a deep red, was reimagined with a lighter paint color to enhance its innate beauty. In lieu of the fussy window treatments of the past, streamlined panels, classic Roman shades, and even undressed windows in the family room allow light to pour in, making the windows focal points. The old-school paneling in the study was a must-keep for the homeowners. And while some fireplace mantels and surrounds received updates, they remain in keeping with the age of the home. “When given the chance to work on a house like this, Don and I firmly believe in taking cues from the original architecture,” says Nina. Adds Don, “It's a joy to work on historic homes. You are stewards of the past, giving the intrinsic beauty a boost while still allowing it to tell a story.”

“It was certainly helpful that we had worked with these clients before, so we knew what they liked and how they wanted to live in the house.” —DESIGNER NINA LONG

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RIGHT: A Sherrill

sectional and Pearson chairs create a cozy corner in the family room. The multitiered, beaded chandelier adds a dose of wow. OPPOSITE: The breakfast room’s ode to blue-andwhite includes chairs and a table from Hickory Chair, an antique clock, a custom settee with a fringe trim, and a large-scale chandelier from the Ralph Lauren collection for Circa Lighting.

white too.” While Nina and Don decorated with many of the clients’ antiques throughout the house, they chose the reproduction table for its functionality. “Antique dining tables often don’t have the scale for large rooms or the durability needed for livability,” says Don. “Some antiques can be too fragile, and

we like things to work—no shaky legs and no drawers that don’t open properly.” The selection of the dining room chairs was debated among the pair. “I have always admired these chairs but was scared they were too over-the-top,” says Nina. “Don insisted on them, and I’m so happy with the result! They add a

fittingly glamorous note to the room.” The family room, bar, kitchen, and breakfast area showcase the enduring magic of blue-and-white with Chinese export porcelain, a jaunty navy leatherand-brass chandelier from Ralph Lauren, and white Chippendale-style dining chairs with striped cushions. A standout f l o w e r m a g .c o m

ABOVE: The main bedroom is a subtle symphony of icy blues and neutrals. Armchairs

and a bench, all from Hickory Chair, offer space for relaxation after a long day. The bedside tables and bed are by Alfonso Marina. LEFT: Original to the house, the Greek key tile floor in the master bath offers timeless appeal. OPPOSITE: With velvet armchairs and a patterned rug, the paneled study conveys a rich tone. The art over the mantel is by Brian Coleman from Anne Irwin Fine Art.

custom settee with decorative fringe serves as an ideal place to hang out during meal preparations or to linger over morning coffee. For the bar, the designers went bold with glossy blue cabinets and soapstone countertops. “We were channeling a little Miles Redd by infusing this striking color in an unexpected, small space,” says Nina. “It draws people in, which you want when entertaining.” The large living room reveals a more subdued yet still engaging mood, with various seating areas to bring down the scale of the room. “We wanted it to seem cozy but still be usable for a crowd,” says Don. “You can comfortably welcome

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30-plus people in the space and not feel crowded.” The soft green wall color provides a quiet backdrop for the art, along with a bold chandelier and a gold Asian-inspired mirror over the mantel. Hits of blue in pillows, lamps, and cocooning armchairs unite the room with the others on the main floor. The vibe throughout the interiors is thoughtful, stylish, and collected. Only those privy to the process would ever suspect that this well-appointed home was designed, updated, and installed in less than six months, all of which speaks volumes for this dynamic design duo. For more information, see Sources, page 68

Celebrating Camellias Designer James Farmer hosts a luncheon every year to honor the women who raised him on the birthday they all shared. Their favorite flower, the camellia, is the featured guest. By LYDIA SOMERVILLE Photography by EMILY FOLLOWILL

‘Frank Houser’ camellias are one of James Farmer’s favorite varieties and feature prominently in a pair of tulipieres on the chinoiserie sideboard (opposite), as well as in a silver bowl on the living room coffee table.

or James Farmer, camellias are a powerful talisman of his childhood. Growing up in Perry, Georgia, he was raised by Southern women who relished the flowers for their midwinter spark of color. “My great-grandmother, my grandmother, and my mother all shared the same birthday, February 24th,” James says. “That was camellia season, so there were always containers full of blossoms all over the house. As a result, I came to associate camellias with birthdays. Now that these wonderful women are all gone, I like to honor them on their special day with a party that includes as many camellias as I can find.” James grows a few camellias of his own, but he also likes to visit his neighbors and do what he calls “civic pruning” to gather enough blooms for the celebration. “I know who grows which kind,” he says. “I will stop by to catch up and ask if I can gather any blooms that have fallen on the ground, as well as clip a few branches. The bushes need to be pruned after blooming anyway.”

“Only in the South would you dare to take a container designed expressly for tulips and fill it with camellias.” —DESIGNER JAMES FARMER

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CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: In the dining

room, James used an abundance of accents in coral, his mother’s favorite color. The draperies are “Chinese Lantern” by Lee Jofa. Floral designer Mary Pinson made the camellia wreaths hanging on the French doors. • In the hallway, a tall arrangement of camellias and greenery creates an impactful focal point. • James served lemon meringue pie, a Southern classic, for dessert. OPPOSITE, LEFT TO RIGHT: James displays his antique and vintage china alongside camellias in bud vases on the shelves of a wooden hutch. • Individual ‘Frank Houser’ camellia blooms fill a tulipiere.

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With more than 400 varieties, camellias are as disparate as any plant on Earth. Here are some of James Farmer’s favorites. Learn more from the American Camellia Society (americancamellias.com). BART COLBERT VARIEGATED This one is pink with splashes of white and yellow stamens.

BETTY BY GEORGE The opposite of ‘Bart Colbert Variegated,’ these blush-pink blooms with their splashes of dark pink easily bunch together for a quick yet stunning arrangement.

BETTY SHEFFIELD SUPREME Its pink-edged white petals and Georgia origin make this a Southern favorite.

CHARLEAN AND CHARLEAN VARIEGATED The lush pink blooms are mottled with pale-pink spots.

CORAL DELIGHT

While camellias are ubiquitous in the Southeast, they are not native to the area. Part of the tea family, these blooms originated in eastern and southern Asia. The British East India Company began to import camellias to England during its trading heyday in the late 18th century, and the flowers made their way to the United States by 1797. Americans fell in love with the blooms, as they provided a reminder that spring was on its way, even during the gloom of January and February. For this occasion, James took a moreis-more approach. He filled shelves with single-stemmed camellias in bud vases and then grouped the blooms with mid-century pottery. “Croghan camellia bowls from Charleston make good containers for camellias as well,” says James. “These glass bowls are very shallow and work great if you want to float the blossoms.” But the designer also looks for unique ways to display his

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camellias. “I like to put the flowers in my tulipieres, which feels very Southern,” he says. “Only in the South would you dare to take a container designed expressly for tulips and fill it with camellias.” In addition, James often pairs citrus fruit with camellias. “I associate oranges with winter as well, so in my mind they belong together,” he says. Throughout his home, bowls of the fruit accompany containers of camellias, their pops of color echoing the flowers’ bright stamens. In the dining room, a japanned sideboard holds the towering tulipieres. The room’s sunny palette is another homage to James’s mother. “Her favorite color was coral, so we used it in the fabrics and china,” he says. James also enlisted floral designer Mary Pinson to put her ingenuity to work in decorating the French doors. She made two wreaths by combining a variety of camellias together and adding plenty of their glossy leaves for festive effect.

The semidouble blossoms produce the prettiest coral-pink color.

DEBUTANTE It blooms early with the sweetest pink, peony-like flowers.

FRANK HOUSER This showstopper displays extra-large blooms and intense pink and red colors.

KRAMER’S SUPREME The rose-red color and frilly petals make this one a knockout.

SEA FOAM At its peak blooming cycle, the large white flowers nearly conceal the greenery.

WHITE BY THE GATE This classic white camellia is a sentimental favorite, as Harper Lee used it in To Kill a Mockingbird to symbolize innocence.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: A crystal epergne filled with blooms forms a festive centerpiece. • Cucumber, tomato, and egg salad finger sandwiches were served in honor of the powerhouse ladies who raised James. • ‘Betty by George’ camellias float in a classic Croghan camellia bowl. OPPOSITE: James paired a bowl of citrus fruits with a frothy arrangement of camellias and bamboo on a sleek black console.

The fresh camellias aren’t the only ones in the house, however. James uses textiles that include the flower, such as the Carleton V fabric made into the dining room’s tablecloth and the Lee Jofa curtain fabric. His vintage china pattern includes camellias in the colorful Oriental design. The blooms even appear in an antique panel hanging over the sideboard. The menu for the luncheon also gives a nod to the wonderful women who shaped the designer’s life by featuring food they would certainly have relished. “My grandmother loved shrimp, so I had to include shrimp salad,” says James, who also served finger food, including sandwiches—cucumber and cream cheese, egg salad, and tomato— with the crusts cut off. “When I was growing up, if the crusts were cut off, you knew a minor dignitary was expected.” What better way to remember the special ladies in his life? f l o w e r m a g .c o m

PERFECTLY

PAIRED |

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What began as a renovation of a top-floor game room evolved into a full-blown makeover that brought this 1860s brownstone back to life By ROBERT C. MARTIN Photography by MICHAEL LEE AND ERIC ROTH

s founder and principal of Liz Caan and Co. in Newton, Massachusetts, near Boston, designer Liz Caan is well versed in working with historic homes. So when one of her online followers reached out to her regarding a game room renovation in a classical brownstone in Boston’s South End, Liz was fully onboard. And as things progressed, this timely alliance of designer and project could not have been more appropriate.

ABOVE, LEFT TO RIGHT: When the game

table isn’t being used for a high-spirited round of cards, it often becomes a gathering spot for informal meals. French doors provide access to a Juliet balcony with views of the well-heeled neighborhood beyond. • To accomplish her goal of injecting a “serious dose of happy” into the fourth-four rec room, designer Liz Caan painted the ceiling above the Ping-Pong table hot pink. Whitewashed box beams crisscross the expanse, adding a traditional touch to an otherwise retailored space.

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LEFT: Throughout the home, Liz used

imaginative light fixtures, such as the “Zettel’s 6” chandelier by Ingo Maurer from Casa Design Boston. It features scribbled paper notes cascading from above. BELOW: The owners’ avantgarde furnishings, such as the foyer’s sculptural newel post, provide a welcome contrast to the brownstone’s traditional details. BOTTOM: To the delight of everyone involved, the original staircase and balusters needed only a coat of paint.

Along with design cohort Cooper Herrlinger, Liz went into warp speed while the owners’ college-aged children were off at school. “In the process, what initially started out as a small project quickly grew into a total refreshening and partial renovation of the remaining spaces,” she says. That meant the design team faced the sizable task of maintaining the townhome’s imposing presence while updating it for modern living. From the outset, Liz and Cooper realized that the homeowners and the existing residence were a mismatch. “The clients are a vibrant, upbeat couple who enjoy art and entertaining, but their house displayed none of these qualities,” Liz says. “Instead, it was dark, overly masculine, and dated.” Early on, she enlisted one of her favorite contractors, Sasha Durand, to remodel the bathrooms and kitchen. Then

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COVERING THE SPECTRUM The real showstopper in this brownstone’s transformation is Liz’s masterful use of color and texture to enliven the spaces and form a balance among such wide-ranging styles. For the designer, it’s all about envisioning a certain mood that’s often specific to a room. “We were always conscious of weaving color throughout this residence,” she says. “Starting in the topfloor game room and family rec area, we picked these spaces to be the brightest. From there, we diluted and muted the tones a bit as we moved down the staircase to the first floor.” In the more public spaces, such as the living room, Liz’s team chose a lighter, somewhat less intense range to convey a steadied degree of sophistication. “This color change also gives the homeowners a chance to ‘rest their eyes’ a tad in comparison to the bolder patterns and pigments found elsewhere,” says Liz. And in the more private spaces, such as the master suite, the designer relied on moodier, deeper hues that seem to encourage lingering and relaxation.

ABOVE: Liz points to the refurbished library to best explain her design approach. “We set about infusing color as a primary way to balance out the brownstone’s more historical elements, such as the Victorian mantels and fireplaces,” she says. Vibrant fabric selections and well-chosen accessories also keep the period embellishments from coming across as too dated.

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ABOVE: In the third-floor master suite, Liz and her design team let color take control. Starting with a black-and-white carpet base on the floor (“Shadow Flower” from Stark Carpet), they installed a colorful headboard and then pulled out purple and green hues with chairs and pillows. LEFT: For the daughter’s bathroom, the designers used an accent tile to highlight the gold fixtures. “We had to replace the plumbing components, which destroyed the existing wall, so we decided to create ‘tile artwork’ in the shower,” says Liz.

Liz and her team began assembling plans for decorating and furnishing the entire home to make it more in line with this fun-loving family. “While we did re-cover some of the owners’ existing items, for the most part we designed custom pieces specifically for each room,” Liz says. The team consulted with local furniture and upholstery companies to achieve the right comfort level and scale for the new elements. A major factor in choosing items for the home was the owners’ impressive range of artwork. The pieces ultimately served as striking backdrops in almost every room. In fact, Liz leaned heavily on those works when choosing her palette of paint and fabric colors. “We found the wonderful array of paintings and objects to be very inspirational—even to the point of giving us license to go a little wild,” she says. “Still, we were careful not to compete with the visual impact already established by the homeowners’ collection.”

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For more information, see Sources, page 68

ABOVE: The vibrant orange, pink, and purple

colors in the “Herringbone” rug (from The Rug Company) pair with lime-green accents to make the family room a lively, go-to place in the transformed townhouse. LEFT: The daughter’s first-floor bedroom was inspired by her love of pink-and-red color combinations. “We were spurred on by her youthful spirit, so we really went to town in this room,” Liz says. The bold fabric on the windows (Pierre Frey “Heather” in Tutti Frutti) ties everything together.

For the new lighting fixtures that punctuate each space, Liz and Cooper took an approach that at first might seem odd for a 160-year-old townhouse but in retrospect works perfectly. “We intentionally searched for more contemporary lighting to help balance the home’s mix of old and new,” says Liz. Such an unexpected design decision gave the period residence a renewed charm that only strengthens its traditional elements. Once assembled and arranged, the furnishings, art, and accessories, coupled with personalized touches that Liz and her team oversaw, appear well culled—and that was Liz’s overall goal. “We wanted this brownstone to match the energetic personalities of those who live here,” she says. “The result is a highly customtailored home that’s wonderfully reflective of its engaging occupants.” f l o w e r m a g .c o m

Sources

Who Did It & Where To Get It

Prices are subject to change. Any items not listed are unknown.

IN BLOOM

STYLISH SOPHISTICATE

PAGES 15–19: GARDEN: Simple Goodness Cocktail Farm, simplegoodnesssisters.com.

PAGES 20–23: DECORATE: Q&A: Designer: Aerin Lauder, AERIN x Colefax and Fowler, aerin.com.

PAGES 26–28: DECORATE: FLOWERS: Floral design by Veronica Cicero, Anthology Co., anthologyfloristry.com.

PAGES 30–33: ENTERTAIN: Designer: MA Allen of MA Allen Interiors, maalleninteriors.com

PAGES 48–55: Interior design by Don Easterling and Nina Long of Mathews Design Group, mathewsfurniture.com. PAGE 48: BAR: Faucet and sink: Waterworks, waterworks.com; grass cloth wallpaper: Schumacher, fschumacher. com; Roman shade: Schumacher; pendant: Baker from Mathews Furniture + Design, mathewsfurniture.com; cabinet paint color: Benjamin Moore Newbury Port Blue (HC-155), benjaminmoore.com. PAGE 49: FAMILY ROOM LOOKING INTO BAR AREA: Stools: McGuire from Mathews Furniture + Design; lamp: Arteriors from Mathews Furniture + Design; console: Oly from Mathews Furniture + Design. FOYER: Chest: Alfonso Marina from Mathews Furniture + Design; lamps: Christopher Spitzmiller from Mathews Furniture + Design; hanging lantern: Urban Electric, urbanelectric.com; wall paint color: Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17). PAGE 50: BREAKFAST AREA: Chandelier: Ralph Lauren for Visual Comfort from Mathews Furniture + Design; round table and chairs: Hickory Chair from Mathews Furniture + Design. PAGE 51: FAMILY ROOM: Sectional: Sherrill from Mathews Furniture + Design; chairs: Pearson from Mathews Furniture + Design; cocktail table: Hickory Chair from Mathews Furniture + Design; chandelier: Arteriors from Mathews Furniture + Design; wall paint color: Benjamin Moore Natural Cream (OC-14). PAGE 52: KITCHEN: Stools: Hickory Chair from Mathews Furniture + Design; faucets: Waterworks; cabinet paint color: Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray (HC-173). LIVING ROOM: Sofas: Baker from Mathews Furniture + Design; cocktail table: Alfonso Marina from Mathews Furniture + Design; chairs: Pearson from Mathews Furniture + Design; chandelier and sconces: Ainsworth-Noah, ainsworth-noah.com; wall paint color: Benjamin Moore Soft Fern (2144-40). PAGE 53: DINING ROOM: Dining table and chairs: Hickory Chair from Mathews

Furniture + Design; wallpaper: Iksel from Schumacher. PAGE 54: MASTER BEDROOM: Chairs and bench: Hickory Chair from Mathews Furniture + Design; bed and nightstands: Alfonso Marina from Mathews Furniture + Design; bedding: Gramercy Home, shopgramercy.com; wall paint color: Benjamin Moore Natural Cream (OC-14). MASTER BATH: Chair: Hickory Chair; Tub and faucet: Waterworks.

PERFECTLY PAIRED PAGES 62–67: Interior design by Liz Caan & Co., lizcaan.com. PAGES 62-63: GAME ROOM: Pendant: Urban Electric; dining chairs: Fremarc Designs, fremarc.com; fabric on dining chairs: Watermelon and Basil from Romo, romo.com; banquette: Alistair from City Living Design, citylivingdesign.com. PAGE 64: DINING ROOM: Dining chair seat fabric: Royal Hide from Edelman Leather, edelmanleather.com; Dining chair back fabric: Yana from Manuel Canovas, manuelcanovas.com. STAIRWELL: Carpet runner: Missoni Ruffuno from Stark Carpet. PAGE 65: LIBRARY: Custom ottoman and chairs: Connors Design, connorsdesignltd.com; chandelier: Restoration Hardware; sconces: Urban Electric. PAGE 66: MASTER SUITE: Headboard fabric: Anoki from Pierre Frey, pierrefrey.com; fabric on window treatments: One Way from Christopher Farr Cloth, christopherfarrcloth.com. DAUGHTER’S BATHROOM: Wallcovering: Queen of Spain from Schumacher; shower accent tile: Maven Canyon from Ann Sacks, annsacks.com. PAGE 67: FAMILY ROOM: Coffee table: Page Coffee Table from Made Goods, madegoods.com; sofa: Lee Industries, leeindustries.com. DAUGHTER’S BEDROOM: Rug: Elipse from Stark Carpet; headboard fabric: Vanuata from Pierre Frey; Wallcovering: Persia from Quadrille Fabrics, quadrillefabrics.com

VOLUME 16, ISSUE 1. Flower magazine, ISSN 1941-4714, is a bimonthly publication of Peony Publishing, LLC, located at 3020 Pump House Road, Birmingham, AL 35243. Periodicals postage is paid at Birmingham, AL, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to Flower magazine, P.O. Box 8538, Big Sandy, TX 75755. For subscription inquiries and customer service, please call 877.400.3074. All unsolicited materials will not be returned. Printed in the U.S.A.

FLOWER

January•February 2022

At the Table

Fresh Start CRISP GREENS PAIR BEAUTIFULLY WITH BRIGHT POPS OF PINK TO USHER IN A NEW SEASON Produced and styled by Amanda Smith Fowler • Photography by David Hillegas

Green Leaf bread & butter plate by Anna Weatherley ($160), Constance accent salad plate ($130) and dinner plate ($160) by Bernardaud, Ambassador Gold service plate ($300) by Raynaud, Crown Emerald hock wine glass ($110) by Wedgwood, Cosmos green hock wine glass ($240) by SaintLouis, Castletown water goblet ($120) by Waterford, Strasbourg 4-piece place setting (price upon request) by Gorham. All of the above provided through partnership with Replacements, Ltd., 800.737.5223, replacements.com.

Tablecloth fabric: Manders in Jade by Kravet, kravet.com • Fez Champagne Gold place mat ($68 each) by Kim Seybert and Royal linen napkin with green thread ($24 each) through Table Matters, table-matters.com

FLOWER

January•February 2022

Jan/Feb 2022

Articles inside

Watering Can

What’s Coming Up

Sources