24 minute read
Watering Can
from Jan/Feb 2022
A Note from the Editor
– Gustav Mahler
SOME TRADITIONS CAN ENSHRINE terrible habits and ideals while others “preserve the fi re.” 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 fl oral fi rm 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 “fi re”—and maybe even launch some new ones.
SDG,
Margot Shaw EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Please send your comments, triumphs, challenges & questions to: wateringcan@fl owermag.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 fl owermag.com/news
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 La ey Fox Elaine Gri n 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@fl owermag.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
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BUSINESS OFFICE Silvia Rider GENERAL MANAGER Patrick Toomey ACCOUNTANT Lisa Mitchell SENIOR MANAGER
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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
What We’ve Got Our Eyes On
Scene
She She co-founders Kate Worum (left) and Jennifer Jorgensen hand-painted this In Bloom wallpaper installation at the Mall of America in Minneapolis.
HOME DÉCOR Minds in Balance
THE DYNAMIC DUO BEHIND SHE SHE
By Julie Gillis
Sometimes 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,
WHAT WE’VE GOT OUR EYES ON ...
a Minneapolis-based print and pattern studio specializing in handpainted wall paper 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 fi t a space. With a defi nite 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 o erings to include custom-printed wallpaper collections, as well as wrapping paper and art prints. bysheshe.com
CREATIVE COLLABORATIONS
BEACHY KEEN
Designer Meg Bra pays homage to mid-century Palm Beach chic in a collaboration with Wildwood, the North Carolina–based design brand. The Meg Bra 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 Bra trademark. wildwoodhome.com
LEFT: A hand-painted fl oral design by She She wraps the stairwell in the Treasure Island Center, a mixed-use facility in Saint Paul, Minnesota. ABOVE: The Royal Palm chandelier from the Meg Bra Collection for Wildwood brings a modern perspective to a traditional design. BELOW: Artist Elizabeth Hayt takes a maximalist approach when handcrafting her unique fl oral 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 fl owers using a “more-is-more” philosophy. She fi nds inspiration in nature, fashion, and art movements as she creates hyper-embellished pieces that also include pillows, wreaths, and table accents. elizabethhayt.net
ABOVE AND RIGHT: 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.
ENTERTAINING ESSENTIALS Open Invitation
Veronica Torres and Marta Galaz founded their company, Casa Felix, in 2020 with the idea of spreading happiness through fl oral-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 refl ects 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 fl owering 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.
Garden • Decorate: Q&A, Mood & Flowers • Entertain A Family Affair COCKTAIL FARM 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
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.” Born 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
GARDEN
SIMPLE GOODNESS JACK ROSE
Makes 1 cocktail
2 ounces applejack whiskey (such as Laird’s)
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 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.
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.
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.”
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 fl oral 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.
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 e ortless beauty, and Colefax and Fowler supports that with their classic designs and English refi nement. 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
ABOVE: The soft 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.
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: 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 o er 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 fl orals?
Currently, we have a collaboration with artist Diane James, who makes impeccably detailed faux fl orals. We also have a partnership with The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach; I designed Villa Jasmine, a luxurious ground-fl oor villa, and many varieties of fl orals are represented throughout the décor, from the draperies to the bedding. It has been wonderful to work with like-minded creators in these joint e orts. Sharing ideas, exploring options, and working together toward a single goal have proven to be both enjoyable and invaluable learning experiences for me.
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!
DECORATE: MOOD
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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
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
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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, pattersonfl ynn.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
DECORATE: FLOWERS
MATERIALS
Olive branches Bay laurel
Eriostemon branches Lilac branches
Salvia × sylvestris Coreopsis leavenworthii Foxgloves Oregano Cosmos
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
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.
DECORATE: FLOWERS
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
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“I wanted it to be whimsical and playful— very full and laced with a mix of colors.” —VERONICA CICERO
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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 fl owers! I like to use my mother’s ceramics wheel so I can turn the arrangement to check the design at all angles.
STEP 2 A x a fl oral frog in the center of the container with fl oral adhesive, and add a ball of chicken wire, cut to fi t. Secure the mechanics with fl oral tape in an X pattern; then add water. 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 fi ll in as needed. STEP 5 Time for the foraged fl orals: Salvia × sylvestris, Coreopsis leaven worthii, foxgloves, oregano, and cosmos. Other materials will work, but they need to be light enough to “fl oat” in the arrange ment. As you add the fl owers, cut them at di erent 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.
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.
For 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, whose talents encompassed all the domestic arts, including cooking, fl ower arranging, and hand-sewing. However, MA found inspiration from more than just the women in her family. The designer’s father collects fi ne 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
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.
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. 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-centurystyle 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.
