CATCHING UP AT ACCENT DECOR

Every time I go to market to find the latest trends in home decor and floral function, I always have Accent Decor on my list! Their showroom is always set with the most up-to-date products available. Last week, I escaped from the studio to go and visit the Accent Decor warehouse - which includes a beautiful showroom of products as well as a warehouse full that I can load up and take with me - well, whatever will fit in my Commander - always limited..I must quit shopping when either the space or the money runs out - whichever comes first!

On this trip there was an added bonus! J Schwanke (JTV/uBloom) was in the showroom taping an webisode. Dodie Sy, the uBloom contest winner was also there to tape his webisode featuring his award winning design Sophie!

Among the other surprises...I was able to share a few stories with Els Teunissen and chat with Margaret, owner of Accent Decor.

Other than visiting and enjoying my afternoon, I was there to shop afterall! As I perused around the showroom, I stopped and admired the "rocks" that were blinding me...well, there is a size for everyone.

After that I rolled my cart around the "sale" part of the warehouse and found a few great prizes! Have you ever seen a girl who can turn down a bargain?

Els loaded me up with plenty of flowers for my ride home...of cour

se floral designers LOVE to get flowers too!

Here I am watching as the boys load me up....we made it fit - I can pack that Commander down - I've had plenty of experience! ;)

Of course a trip to Atlanta is not complete without a visit to IKEA. Here I was trying out a desk for my loft. I settled on an all metal to sit in front of my chalkboard wall.

It was nice to have a day away from the studio to visit with friends, old and new!

FROM BIRDS OF A FEATHER TO FEATHERED MASKS...

It was one of the most anticipated weddings of the year for several Birmingham movers and shakers. Heidi Elnora (Standridge) of Heidi Elnora, wedding gown designer and Project Runway contestant and Jeff Baker said "I do" October 17 at Mtn. Brook Community Church and then threw a Masquerade Ball Reception at the historic Showplace of the South, the Alabama Theatre. The entrance of the church was adorned with handtieds of 4 foot calla lilies with babies breath collars and guests signed in at a table supporting an oversized bird cage accented with clusters of florals and with two lovely doves inside.

Babies breath halos highlighted all of the flower girls and bridesmaids had simple hydrangeas and feathers nestled in their hair to coordinate with their beautiful Heidi-handmade attire. The most eye-catching floral display of the wedding was what accented Mrs. Heidi Baker herself.

Heidi carried a 5 foot cascading bouquet of cotton, dendrobium orchids, Patience Garden roses, spray roses, freesia, Queen Anne's lace and white mini calla lilies.

Heidi, Jeff and their family all enjoyed a quiet, simple ceremony and then left to prepare for the fun night ahead!

Once at the Alabama Theatre, guests were greeted by masked waiters with champagne and took a seat in the Theatre to watch Heidi and Jeff have their first dance accompanied by an orchestra on stage. In the Grand Foyer, Hothouse was able to show a beautiful display of a purple dendrobium orchid chandelier that stood high above the guests and anchored the main food display.

Throughout the Theatre food stations were located and a fun and festive "Trick or Treat" room was designed by us with a display of several different glass containers all labeled and napkins that read "til death do us part." The evening wrapped up with rock band taking the stage and everyone enjoying a piece of a 6 layer wedding cake designed by Barb Cakes.

Look for Heidi and Jeff's wedding to be featured in several magazines and blogs including Alabama Weddings coming out in January! Heidi had a wonderful team of floral professionals that worked together to produce this amazing event - Confero Productions, Angela Karen Photography, Kathy G. and Company, Lance Holloway Videography and Barb's Cakes.

One of my favorite things of the day was the display that greeted guests in the street window box of the Alabama Theatre. If you look to the left you will see me making sure that all the details are taken care of - everything from displaying the dress and bouquet to sprinkling over 200 pink roses in the window. So much fun!!!

Of course, I had to go enjoy the party, but I couldn't leave without my mask - a Mandy Majerik original with fresh florals and feathers

OCTOBER HIGHLIGHTS

It has been a whirlwind since I have last blogged about all of the cool weddings and events Hothouse has been a part of! I am going to hit the highlights of my favorite things from my October weddings and events so far!

From the Birmingham Museum of Art to B&A's Open House - Hothouse creativity was evident to all!

Here are a few pictures from the beginning. I think part of the fun of a blog is to let all of you know the process that the final presentation goes through to look that good!

With an Asian-ethnic theme, I began in the woods cutting down a bit of bamboo. (Don't try this at home ;) A little overloaded?

St. Paul's Cathedral was decorated in the most tasteful fashion, of course with a bit of Hothouse twist.

The colors of the exotic arrangement were so bright and vibrant inside as well as the Holy Water ring of rich, fall hues.

Then it was on to the Birmingham Museum of Art to install a fabric ceiling treatment with a fresh orchid chandelier hovering high above the beautiful butter cream wedding cake.

This display of tropical florals was a perfect match for the artful environment. Vanessa & Antonio thank you for letting me be such a special part of your wedding!

Abby Dupuy was probably the most organized bride I have ever had! I enjoyed every minute of the planning process and I loved that she was ready to use magenta and lime green mixed with black for her wedding! The front doors of the church were adorned with luscious fresh floral wreaths.

Her reception was highlighted with a magenta ribbon ring accented with green cymbidium orchids.

Centerpieces were collections of glass cubes with a fresh floral mix and floating candles. I have found that "collection" centerpieces are some of my bride's favorites!

Katie and Vincent were up for fun floral rooted in tradition. For Katie's bridesmaids we made all monobotanical bouquets like this one made of cymbidium orchids.

Our noted hydrangea squares adorned the exterior lanterns to welcome guests.

Susan Mason of B&A Warehouse knows how to throw a party! She invited me to display a bit of Hothouse creativity inside her crossing room for her annual Open House. Of course, I welcomed the opportunity and used it to introduce a new rental item from Hothouse. We now have these eye catching settees. Call me to rent them for your next event!

I enjoy every minute of what I do - if I didn't I would have gotten out of the wedding industry a long time ago! From cutting bamboo to placing the flowers on the cake, I am there for every bride and make sure that her day is just what she pictured!

I have lots and lots more to blog, but it is my bedtime! I am going to catch you up on the latest tomorrow! You never know where I might show up - with powertools ;)

SAF - FRIENDS IN PHOENIX

Recently I jumped on a plane to leave rainy Birmingham only to land in the middle of the Phoenix desert - where no rain or water was to be found! It was amazing to me that the terrain was so different as I flew over the sandy hills.

I have never seen as many cacti in one place...from short squatty ones to the tallest in the desert...

After I arrived I was greeted by all of the talented and devoted SAF staff.  They planned and executed a wonderful, educational weeks worth of activities.  Kate Penn, editor of Floral Management, and I had a few minutes to catch up at SAF 125th Party!

The SAF convention is focused on presenting programs on marketing, trends, new products and the Outstanding Varieties in flowers.Here are some beautiful award winning Anthuriums and Garden Roses.

 

Another attraction was the live, commentated design competition, The Sylvia Cup.  I participated in the event with some of the best designers from around the country. Here is an example of my work - my sympathy presentation for a rose lover!

At the Awards dinner, I was inducted into PFCI - Professional Floral Communicators International. There are only approx 80 in the country and I am proud to say, I am the first from Alabama! Here is Ross Railey and myself at dinner enjoying ourselves amongst our floral friends!

Of course you all know that lately in my travels, I have had to fit in a little bit of fun! On my last trip to Memphis, I got an Elvis tattoo, of course my SAF trip couldn't be any different...so - to commemorate SAF 125th Anniversary - we all got tattoos! 

Among my friends at SAF, I caught up with Amy from Amy's Orchids in Thailand and Ian Prosser who designed this beautiful arch using Amy's Orchids! 

I enjoyed my trip and I look forward to catching up with everyone again real soon! Oh, and I 

 forget one of my favorite parts of my vacation! Ross and I found ourselves under the outdoor Oasis by the pool drinking these....mmm....

WHIRLWIND OF A WEEk

Usually I just blog about one event and all the details...but this one is going to be different! I am going to go through the last few days and hit all of the highlights! Its been a Whirlwind of a Week!

Thursday 11:00am 

Christopher (Confero Productions) and I headed up to visit with Michelle of Alabama Weddings to preview photos from our Signature Style Series coming out in the new magazine January 2010.

  After lunch, we headed out to Michelle's new office to sit down and view over 800 photos! It is almost impossible to choose among those and condense them down to the few that will grace the pages of the wedding magazine. 

Here are a couple of sneak peak photos from the shoot...

Tera and Wes (Armosa Studios) did a wonderful and amazing job capturing my florals at my shoot from historic Sloss Furnace. The color of the day was definitely orange and a butterfly frenzy! This is just a teaser....look for the rest in January!

Mark Broadway (Mark Broadway Photography) captured the mood and feel from Confero Productions shoot at Workplay.  The photos from this shoot were an excellent example of how photographers use lighting in their work. I did the flowers - very luscious!

Friday 10:00pm

Friday night I went to see Janeane Garofalo at Bottletree in downtown Birmingham. Earlier in the day, I sent over a small arrangement to welcome her to the "Magic City".  Later that night, she had a great show and everyone enjoyed a night on the town!

Saturday 5:30pm

Equality Alabama held its annual Gala at the Cahaba Grand. Hothouse was responsible for creating the eye-catching entry piece.  I think that the show stopper speaks for itself - and yes, those cylinders were filled with water - and yes, very, very heavy! I was honored to be a part of such a great event.

Sunday 1:00pm

Everyone needs a day of rest! I spent most of the day in my loft working on my new website and hanging out with my cocker spaniel, Jasper. Who can resist this face? 

Sunday 11:00pm

Working on this blog for all of you! After uploading this I am going to bed in order to spend tomorrow getting prepared for my trip to Phoenix! I know you can't wait for that blog to come!

SNAPSHOTS IN THE CITY

Whenever you get some of the best wedding industry professionals in the city to come together and create their magic for a photo shoot - you know the outcome will be exceptional! The latest photo shoot I participated in showed two different sides of the city!

 

With Christopher (Confero Productions) behind the scenes pulling all of us together, Diane (Olexa's) cooking up the food & cakes and Arden (Arden Photography) capturing the moment from behind the lens, it made my job the most enjoyable!

Our afternoon began at Jones Valley Urban Farms located in the heart of downtown Birmingham. We nestled our farm table in the middle of the field and began to add our layers of tablescape.  

Wooden boxes were filled with white snowball hydrangea and accented with deer antlers and strategically placed fresh picked okra.  

Diane made a beautiful presentation of an heirloom tomato salad and fresh squeezed lime and sweet tea - Southern favorites! 

 The bridal bouquet reinforced the theme of deer antlers and gave an in depth examination of textural contrast. 

Growing up in the country, Christopher and I were used to a little physical labor on a farm. We look so natural tossing the hay around - who knew we still had the touch!

Our second shoot was located in a loft on 2nd Avenue North in downtown Birmingham.  With a beautiful city scene backdrop and a sleek glass table as the foundation we were able to capture some fabulous shots.  I designed the tablescape incorporating aquamarine taper candles and several glass cubes with feather spheres perched on the edge. Phal orchids were definitely the flower selection of the evening and incorporated into all of the designs for this shoot.

 The bouquet was a moss swirl with accents of sunflowers and orchids. Christopher posed for our bout shot to add a little masculine backdrop.

We all had fun and created some beautiful atmospheres! Be sure to keep an eye out for some of these images - you never know where they might be featured! Special thanks to Arden for sharing her professional shots! 

MEET THE NEW "HAPPY" COUPLE!

It is always so much fun when someone in our wedding industry decides to tie the knot themselves! Anyone who has ever met Bill Bouloukos, owner of Happy Catering, knows that he always puts a smile on your face and leaves you in a "Happy" mood. Bill and Lisa tied the knot last Sunday at Matt Jones Gallery. There was no detail left undone and no guests left hungry, for sure! 

I always love when the couple gives me a color scheme and let me "do my thing." Lisa is a bright and blingy kind of bride. She carried an elegant design of calla lilies, green cymbidium orchids and the perfect complement of bling adorned the bouquet. It was long and elegant - perfect to mirror Lisa's beauty!

 Our color scheme was green, orange sherbert and hot, hot pink.  Florals were chosen to compliment the beautiful shantung table linens and to add color and line to accent the Gallery.

The wedding was set in the middle of the round in the center of the Gallery. The couple said I do in front of a draped panel providing the backdrop for the 15 foot urn and pedestal.  Drama was created by suspending glass chandelier dangles from the round and bringing the focal in the middle of the room to a candelier - a ring of candles adorned with glass dangles. The mood was that of love and the room was aglow.

The fruitwood chairs were accented with loden shantung ties and accented with a green cymbidium orchid. Sometimes it is that finishing touch that makes guests feel special!

 Guests also enjoyed watching Bill break the plates! Oh, how I love a Greek wedding!

Table centres were alternating designs of white calla lilies supporting glass chandelier dangles suspended into glass cylinders and the other design was a luscious floral ring with elegant taper candles and tall floral sphere focals.

The cake was accented with Voodoo roses and sat upon a designer cake plateau made of moss seed disc and rose bowls with floating Voodoo rose heads. The orange added that perfect "pop" and personality that represented the couple perfectly.

I had a blast getting to know Lisa and I it is always an adventure when Bill is around! I mean, even on the invitation was a drawing of them - whimsical and fun to the fullest extent!

 Thanks to Jennifer Gowers with GoPro Event Solutions for keeping us all organized! We all enjoyed ourselves and thanks to Bill and Lisa for throwing such a great party!