Crazy Busy.

Sorry for my lack of posts lately. Had a major computer issue that is finally being resolved. Do not let your virus definitions go out of date! The big day finally came for my best friend, and I was terribly busy trying to make her dream a reality. I have tons of pictures to post but just wanted to give you a preview!

Her bouquet was so amazing. It combines yellow spray roses, jade green roses, white eskimo roses, golden yellow celosia, antique green miniature hydrangeas, yellow freesia, green hypericum berries and curly willow tips. Wrapped with a silk chiffon grey ribbon. It was seriously one of the prettiest garden bouquets I have ever done!

Modern Floral.

I got very inspired at the vineyard the other day. We have a five leaf akebia vine growing up the back stairs and second story balcony. The vine blooms and then produces these huge, alienesque blue/grey seed pods. I really wanted to create a floral arrangement with these pods, they scream modern, haute couture floral design.

I took the seed pods and long curving pieces of the vine, and combined them with lambs ear and a pink succulent blooms I found on the property. I put the modern arrangement in a very traditional urn. The combination is so strange and unique, it really works to create a beautiful

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Modern Vintage in Pink, White and Green.

My most recent wedding took place last weekend. I do not have all of the pictures sorted through, but I wanted to get something put up. More pictures will be added soon. The wedding was a modern, vintage pairing. We decided to use pinks, greens, whites and dashes of black. We then paired all of the flowers on tables with black lanterns, crystal taper candle holders and mixed in drop crystal candelabras. All of the various vignettes were placed on modern black and white print fabric table toppers. The mix of the modern color palette and fabrics with contrast of crystal and vintage lanterns and candle holders was truly Lavish.

The hand tied bouquet was created from white dahlias, pink mini calla lillies, hot pink roses, green hypericum berries and fiddle head ferns. It was wrapped in black silk ribbon and a crystal brooch was added for a little sparkle.

The main table arrangements were in glass bubble bowls. They were created from white dahlias, cream roses, hot pink roses, green hypericum berries, green kermit pom mums, green and pink dendrobium orchids and white dendrobium orchids.

Several large arrangements were made for the food tables. This was one of three various looks. This look includes green fuji giant mums, green hypericum berries, green kermit pom mums and cream roses.

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Tiny arrangements were created to mix and match on tables to create unique vignettes. They were made from green kermit pom mums in square glass vases and were done in the pave style, and the vases were wrapped in hosta leaves to cover the stems.

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Combinations of three separate arrangements were paired on some tables. The bubble bowls were combined with monochromatic green arrangements to really create a dramatic affect.

Room Redesign.

I decided to redecorate my bedroom at my parents house in Hayesville, North Carolina. I have been staying there a lot lately and decided it needed refreshing. I did not even think to take before pictures,I was just so ready to get started on the project! I had Chinese red lacquered walls that took days to sand down. Then I added several coats of primer and three coats of Sherwin Williams Aloof Gray. The bedding is from the Martha Stewart Trousseau Collection. Next I got out to hit the local consignment, thrift and antique stores. Here are the results so far.


I found a great yellow ceramic lamp at a thrift store and added a black fabric shade from Wal-Mart. The commode came from the Reach thrift store in Hayesville. All it needed was a coat of paint. Sherwin Williams Caviar.

I found this great frame also at the Reach thrift store. It got a quick coat of white gloss spray paint. I loved my apple and rose arrangement so much, I created one for my bedroom.

I found this awesome chandelier at a consignment furniture store in Young Harris, Georgia. Third Time Around. I left the shade distressed and yellow, but painted the lighting portion a matte black.

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I got this great little black table at Wal-Mart as well. The concrete planter came from the Antique Tobacco Barn in Asheville, North Carolina. The topiary was a great find at the local Ingles Supermarket. The floor to ceiling gauzy white curtain panels came from Ikea and the simple black rods were also from Wal-Mart.

My room was starting to have a very Parisian feel. I really love the herringbone pattern hardwood floors, famous in so many french apartments. I decided to recreate this effect in some art. I hand painted the pattern in yellow and dark grey, then added a crest and monogram to add some personalization. I think the result was very Lavish.

I found this great mirror at an estate sale. It only needed a new mirror insert, the frame was in amazing condition. The candle sconces were another thrift store find. I purchased a white crocodile tray to keep all of my objects in, and a bowl from my great-grandmothers Chinese porcelain collection serves as a catch-all. I added a simple table lamp, from Wal-Mart. It is set off by a carved gazelle my grandparents brought back from Africa, and my childhood silver piggy bank. The prints, by Gustav Klimt, were just brought back to me from my parents trip to Austria.

I found this amazing dresser at Christian Love Ministries thrift store, in Young Harris, Georgia. It was already black and distressed and for thirty dollars, was my favorite find!

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I needed some simple art for the wall opposite my bed. I found these great frames also at Wal-Mart, kept the mats, and then attached sheet music to black poster board to frame inside the mats.

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And lastly, to pay a little respect for the city which I started to draw inspiration, I found these great framed prints of Paris at Molly and Me, one of my favorite stores in Hayesville. They have great ornate frames and the simple greys, greens, browns and brick tones really add a simple touch to finish off my room.

A true Lavish affair.

While working for Dutchmans Designs, I was able to help create many Lavish affairs. One of my absolute favorites that I was able to do a lot of the floral work for, was Joy Duongs' wedding. It took place at The Farm at Old Edwards Inn in Highlands, North Carolina. The wedding was featured in Elegant Bride Magazine. It was a romantic botanical theme in green and yellow. Photography by Lacour.

The center pole in the tent was flanked by two of Stephanie's wrought iron trees. The trees were strung with twinkle lights and, flowers and votives were suspended from the branches. Huge yellow paper lanterns were hung over the dance floor and yellow drum shades provided a modern elegance over the individual tables. The cords of the lighting were wrapped with cream and yellow silk fabric that was easily stapled to create a cord cover.


The problem with a huge tent, is the main pole in the middle, often times, stands out. Our solution was to weave grape vines from the top to the bottom and then weave in dried hops to create a hanging garden effect. It was this day I discovered I was allergic to hops and scared of heights. Hanging from a twenty foot ladder on your tip toes to wrap a pole can really help you learn this very quickly.

The tree was hung with tons of votive candles and white dendrobium orchids. It created a beautiful and enchanting centerpiece for the whole tent.

One of my favorite projects was creating the initials for the barn doors. We took oasis foam and placed in tiny stems of hydrangeas to create a J and C (for the groom Charles). These simple initials had a huge impact on an otherwise looked over area, the barn doors leading out to the tent.

The centerpieces were so stunning. Roses, Phlox, Freesia and Viburnum create a beautiful harmony in yellows and green.

A true Lavish affair.

Flowers and Apples.

I recently had to whip up some quick arrangements for the North Georgia Bridal Show. It was a last minute request, and all I had on hand was some beautiful roses. Roses are fine, but I needed to spice them up. So I took the French pave style of flower arranging, and twisted it with the addition of some fruit.

I had plenty of Granny Smith apples at the house, so i cored them, and sliced them vertically. Then I took the slices and bricked them up the sides of the vase, creating a basket weave pattern. Next I added water and flowers and voila! A Lavish arrangement of roses and apples.

Black Paint is Lavish.

I have been dieing to paint a room black for ages. I think it just envelopes a room, makes it cozy and modern all at the same time. All of your items in a room, really pop right off the black, and the way the light moves on black walls is very Lavish. The following pictures are from House Beautiful Magazine over the past few months, so glad black is finally gaining popularity!

Think about how romantic a candle lit dinner in front of this fireplace could be with all of the flames flickering off the high gloss black paint.

The white chairs and white tile floors look so pristine and classic set against the black lacquered walls. A very dramatic look.

The black carpet against the black walls provide a disappearing background for the great objects to really pop and stand on their own. How Lavish, a room where all objects make their own impact.

Enjoy a Lavish glass of wine.

Working part time as an event planner for Crane Creek Vineyards, I am constantly surrounded by wines. I have always been interested in wine and being around it in the work place has given me a whole new appreciation. My eyes have been opened to all kinds of new wine and I have especially taken to Rose.

A Rose is made from a red grape, however the skins are removed from fermenting fully, as soon as the desired pink-ish color has been achieved. A rose has the partial dryness of a red because of the partial fermentation of the skin, however still has nice fruit hints.

Being a red wine drinker, wine is sometimes ignored during the summer because of how heavy red wines are. A Rose is the perfect compromise, and the most Lavish wine to enjoy in the summer, and through out the year.

The Chapoutier, Belleruche, Cotes du Rhone, Rose, is one of my absolute favorites. This Rose is a nice pink, with hints of raspberries and cherries, and has a nice fresh mint finish. It pairs well with light summer foods, seafood dishes, chicken and anything, creamy or spicy.

It is a perfect wine to sit and drink with some cheesecake while watching the Perseid Meteor Shower tonight. The showers are supposed to be absolutely stunning and just think about how many wishes you can make with a shower full of falling stars. What a Lavish night.

A Lavish wedding at Biltmore Lake.

One of my best friends from college, Rebecca Redwine, was married on June 27, 2009, at Biltmore Lake Club in Asheville, North Carolina. Having worked with me at Dutchmans Designs in Highlands, North Carolina, Rebecca new right away that she wanted a very natural, and almost rustic design for her wedding. She wanted to incorporate a lot of ferns and greenery into her designs, and to really create a Lavish, simple effect.

The wedding took place right on the lake, and these shepard hooks with hanging flower arrangements, perfectly framed the ceremony. The arrangements are made from white and blue larkspur, purple stock, green hydrangeas, queen anne's lace, and plenty of ferns.

The tall vases were placed on the food tables, elevated above the buffet. The arrangements are made from cream roses, white fuji giant mums, green fuji giant mums, white alstroemeria, baby's breath and ferns.

The small bubble bowls were placed on the bars and on the high-boy tables. Hosta leaves wrap the inside of the bowls and the arrangements include white fuji giant mums, cream roses, and white alstroemeria. Very Lavish.

The Lavish table arrangements were created in a custom-made twig vase. We took PVC pipe, capped it off and sealed it to make it waterproof. Twigs were then hot glued to the PVC and saw to correct height. A simple white shear ribbon tied into a bow added a look of elegance to the rustic vase. The arrangements were made with blue hydrangea, cream roses, white fuji giant mums, green fuji giant mums, white alstroemeria, and baby's breath. The arrangements also included plenty of ferns.

Several large, Lavish arrangements, like this one on the guestbook table, were scattered. The arrangements included large numbers of cream roses and white alstroemeria.

We created initials for Rebecca and Clint out of oasis floral foam. We then wired on moss create the perfect Lavish effect in a rustic elegance. The initials hung from sheer ribbon of lanterns in the clubhouse. Many of the above photo's came from Terrie Gerolimatos of Callia Photography. Her skills are amazing and she was kind enough to send me pictures of my work to add to my portfolio. Overall it was an amazing event. A beautiful wedding on the shores of the lake and an excellent reception divided between a romantically lit tent, an amazing stone terrace, and the beautiful interiors of the clubhouse. Rebecca's wedding was a true example of how simplicity and rustic can translate into elegance. How Lavish.

Lavish Lamps.

I love to get out and go to antique, thrift, and consignment stores. You would be surprised at all the Lavish things you can find for great prices. One of my favorite stores to frequent is Molly and Me, on the square in Hayesville, North Carolina. They have an excellent selection of antiques, inexpensive home accessories, as well as a wide variety of consignment objects ranging from old and quirky to modern. Recently, while shopping, I stumbled across a great pair of antique table lamps. The lamps are a sculpted metal in a perfect green. They have superb carved details and even came with the original matching finials. No clue on the age or make, however, they scream Parisian to me.

The lamps, including the harp, stand over three feet tall.

The carved detailing is absolutely amazing and continues all the way up the lamps.

I think the natural fibers of these black, linen lamp shades will contrast well with the carved, metal posts of the lamps. All it takes is a little digging around and some creative contrast and you can have an excellent set of lamps, for an amazing price. Lavish Lamps. Sante.

Lavish College Room.

My sister just moved into her first house as a sophomore at Clemson. She is living in a great home in Chimney Ridge. It is a two story home with an open living, dining, cooking concept, and four bedrooms. The walls are painted an excellent oatmeal color and the glossy white, super bulky moldings and baseboards are perfect. We have been working on creating the perfect room for her at school. She is a pre-med major and really needs a nice soothing, yet fun retreat, to really get away from the stress of class. We have dubbed the room a Garden Tea Party room. It is really starting to come together very Lavishly. These are just some of the before pictures, the room will be finished in a few days. The after pictures will follow.

This is the wall where her bed is going. The headboard is being creating out of three garden trellis from Big Lots. The side table was a great TJ Maxx HomeGoods purchase. The Lavish yellow lamp was a great find at a local thrift store.

This corner is the future home of a great workspace.

This is the closet wall. The closet boasts a large walk in area with built in shelving. This wall is going to be an excellent spot for a chest of drawers.

Her room and home are going to be a great place for socializing, entertaining and relaxing. What a Lavish life a college student lives. Check back for pictures of the finished transformation. Sante.