May/June 2022

FLOWER MAY•JUNE 2022

HOUSE l GARDEN l LIFESTYLE

Seaside Sanctuary STROLL THROUGH AN

Irish Garden GET TO KNOW DESIGNER

SUMMER THORNTON

S ape lo SKIN CARE

Time changes your skin.

Sapelo naturally restores without harming your complexion, imparting a more youthful, beautiful appearance.

Saks.com | Waldorf Astoria Buckhead Atlanta Spa at Sea Island | SapeloSkinCare.com/Flower

PHOTOS: KINDRA CLINEFF (RIGHT) AND MICHAEL BLEVINS (TOP RIGHT)

MAY• JUNE 2022

Contents 66

With a Thick Irish Brogue Boasting prolific gardens with deep green roots, Rowallane speaks to the beauty of the Emerald Isle.

58 FEATURES

48

By the Sea

For a South Florida couple, Keith Williams designed a diverse, oceanfront ecosystem that combines beauty with resiliency.

56

A Place of Peace

Long walks through the gardens of England soothed the soul of a young widow while inspiring her to begin again.

PHOTOS: KINDRA CLINEFF (RIGHT) AND MICHAEL BLEVINS (TOP RIGHT)

74

Southern Comfort

After nearly a decade in L.A., Justin Anderson and Austin Rhodes head to Nashville to design a new home that blends the glamour of Old Hollywood with the charm of the New South.

ON THE COVER: Designed

by Keith Williams, the entry garden of this South Florida home extends a tropical welcome. Photographed by Michael Stavaridis.

“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

|

7

|

Contents DEPARTMENTS

30

SCENE

15

We’ve got our eyes on...

A colorful collection from Kit Kemp and Annie Selke, peony-themed plates from John Derian, floral wedding paper suites from Dogwood Hill, and more.

IN BLOOM

23

Designer Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic pulled out all the stops when creating a lively outdoor area for endless fun at her Houston Home.

23

30

Decorate: Flowers

A former archaeologist dug deep into her soul to unearth a floral style that is both gathered and tailored.

34

Decorate: Mood

Feathering your nest with a flock of these graceful aviary creatures creates timeless appeal.

36

Decorate: Q&A

Chicago designer Summer Thornton is coming on strong in 2022 with a new book, a collaboration with de Gournay, and a boutique hotel in her hometown.

44

IN EVERY ISSUE Watering Can Sources At the Table

10 84 88

Garden

Garden expert Madeline de Vries Hooper and fitness trainer Jeff Hughes are on a mission to help others take care of their most important garden tool—their bodies.

|

8

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

36

PHOTOS: (TOP TO BOTTOM): SARA ESSEX BRADLEY, CLAUDIA CASBARIAN FOR JULIE SOEFER PHOTOGRAPHY, AND THOMAS LOOF

Entertain

PHOTOS: (TOP TO BOTTOM): SARA ESSEX BRADLEY, CLAUDIA CASBARIAN FOR JULIE SOEFER PHOTOGRAPHY, AND THOMAS LOOF

Now is the month of maying, When merry lads are playing, Fa la la la la la la la la, fa la la la la la la.

Each with his bonny lass, Upon the greeny grass, Fa la la la la la la la la, fa la la la la la la.

The Spring, clad all in gladness, Doth laugh at Winter’s sadness, Fa la la la la la la la la, fa la la la la la la.

Fie then! Why sit we musing, Youth’s sweet delight refusing?

Fa la la la la la la la la, fa la la la la la la.

Say, dainty nymphs, and speak, Shall we play barley break?

Fa la la la la la la la la, fa la la la la la la la.

THINKING ABOUT AND ALLOWING MYSELF to soak in the idea of May, I unconsciously began to hum “Now is the Month of Maying.” The 16th-century Thomas Morley ballett was one I learned in the fifth grade at Brooke Hill School for Girls to be performed at our May Day celebration. Though I later learned of the bawdy double entendres of some of the lyrics, as I sing the song today, I find myself transported to that innocent, magical, sunny day. On cue, my friends and I each grasped our assigned glossy pastel ribbon to commence our Maypole dance. Dancing and weaving our ribbons in and out as we’d practiced to perfection, we reveled in the sheer joy of skipping and watching as our efforts contributed to an increasingly beautiful, ordered pattern around the Maypole.

All this was on the heels of my being grounded the night before, for the entire weekend, after having talked back to my mother. I was devastated and angry, as only a 10-year-old girl can be when denied her cherished spend-the-night plans. Yet I all but forgot my misery for a little while, singing and gleefully skipping on that bright green May Day.

Recently, I’ve been hearing people (artists, musicians, designers, influencers, etc.) apologize and confess feelings of guilt for posting, embracing, creating beautiful things while the war rages in Ukraine. They voice concerns of being/seeming superficial in the midst of tragedy and trauma. But I believe beauty is life-giving and creativity is our birthright—and we need these things now more than ever. They stir our souls and transport us to a place where we, if only for an hour or even a moment, transcend the mire and muck of this fallen world.

Whether experiencing something as enormous as the heartbreaking reality of the ravages of war or as small as the disappointment in the deprivation of spend-the-night company, there is a balm—and it is beauty in all its forms. I hope this issue, with its many expressions of beauty, offers you a bit of a reprieve in these days.

Love and 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

|

10

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

PORTRAIT BY BETH HONTZAS; ILLUSTRATION BY OLESHKO GANNA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Watering can

A Note from the Editor

PORTRAIT BY BETH HONTZAS; ILLUSTRATION BY OLESHKO GANNA/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

VOLUME 16, ISSUE 3

Margot Shaw FOUNDER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jason Burnett DIGITAL GENERAL MANAGER Julie Gillis MANAGING EDITOR Nicole Gerrity Haas ART DIRECTOR Maren Edwards EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT EDITOR-AT-LARGE

Karen Carroll CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

Alice Welsh Doyle James Farmer Kirk Reed Forrester Amanda Smith Fowler 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 SIMON BROWN

What We’ve Got Our Eyes On

Scene

PHOTO BY SIMON BROWN

“In the Caribbean, where the sunshine pours in, I go wild with color,” says Kit Kemp. Here, she poses in Barbados with her “Always Greener” indoor/outdoor rug in cobalt/green.

The Luxe Lifestyle KIT KEMP AND ANNIE SELKE JOIN FORCES

By Julie Gillis

W

hen you combine the creative talents of two design powerhouses such as Kit Kemp and Annie Selke, you are sure to hit the jackpot. As founder and creative director of Firmdale Hotels and the Kit Kemp Design Studio, Kit has a passion for both travel and textiles. So it seemed only fitting that she would partner with textile designer Annie Selke to produce a lifestyle collection f l o w e r m a g .c o m

|

15

|

Scene WHAT WE’VE GOT OUR EYES ON ...

inspired by her favorite destinations—New York, London, and Barbados. The Kit Kemp Collection for Annie Selke offers a beautiful assortment of 50 storied rugs, dozens of color-infused pillows, and a handful of vibrantly patterned bedding pieces, many with dreamy botanical accents. “We’ve had a year where

everything has seemed grey, so I feel we’re ready to just open our minds to color, to joy, and to comfort,” Kit says. “This collection celebrates the love of art, craft, and the artisan at work.” annieselke.com

Inviting Options

When it comes to making sure the first impression is memorable for your wedding guests, Dogwood Hill has you covered with an array of floral-themed wedding paper suites created through the company’s collective of artists. Each suite includes save-the-date cards, detail cards, invitations, reply cards, place cards, menus, and more to carry you from the proposal and parties to the service and celebration. dogwood-hill.com

Pretty and Practical

Who says you have to sacrifice beauty for durability when dining outdoors? These plates from John Derian perfectly capture the splendor of peony blooms on one of the most indestructible of materials—melamine. No more worries of damaging your fine china when entertaining in the elements. And as a bonus, they are dishwasher-safe. johnderian.com

|

16

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) BY SIMON BROWN; COURTESY OF ANNIE SELKE; COURTESY OF DOGWOOD HILL; COURTESY OF JOHN DERIAN

Like many of the pieces in the collection, the “Dew Pond” pattern can be ordered as a microhooked wool rug (left) or as a pillow (below).

Other pillows on the sofa include the “Always Greener” indoor/outdoor pillow in pink/orange and the “Boogie Board” pink embroidered decorative pillow.

PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) BY SIMON BROWN; COURTESY OF ANNIE SELKE; COURTESY OF DOGWOOD HILL; COURTESY OF JOHN DERIAN

Scene WHAT WE’VE GOT OUR EYES ON ...

READING LIST

Vibrant Interiors: Living Large at Home

by Andrea Monath Schumacher (Gibbs Smith, May 2022), $45

In her first book, Andrea Monath Schumacher takes a unique approach to decorating with a more is more philosophy. Known for her fearless design sensibility, Andrea demonstrates how to mazimize your life in every room. She also reveals her secrets to blending genres for the right amount of contrast, ultimately creating interest in each space and encouraging lively conversation among family and friends. The book includes more than 200 images, including some of Andrea’s best projects to date.

Lilacs: Beautiful Varieties for Home and Garden

by Naomi Slade (Gibbs Smith, April 2022), $23

What better way to celebrate the change of seasons than with the flower that seems to announce this transition from spring to summer? Lilacs have long been

a beloved flower and a source of inspiration for artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet. In this seventh book in the Gibbs Smith flower series, Naomi Slade offers no-fuss gardening tips to demonstrate that anyone can grow these vibrant blooms. Exquisite photos by Georgianna Lane add plenty of visual inspiration as well.

At Home on the Water

by Jaci Conry (Gibbs Smith, April 2022), $35

Summer is almost here, which means many of us are eager for a seaside getaway. Jaci Conry offers inspiration for your next coastal escape by featuring 12 remarkable waterfront houses on both coasts and the Gulf. She not only focuses on the design of the homes, but also on the way the owners live in them. Whether you already have a home on the water or are dreaming of one day residing by the sea, you’ll find plenty of ideas for creating your own maritime retreat.

PHOTO (BOTTOM RIGHT) COURTESY OF GIBBS SMITH BOOKS

LILACS: BEAUTIFUL VARIETIES FOR HOME AND GARDEN

|

18

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

PHOTO (BOTTOM RIGHT) COURTESY OF GIBBS SMITH BOOKS

Scene WHAT WE’VE GOT OUR EYES ON ...

Artist Happy Menocal has designed a line with Schumacher that includes a “Cardiogram” print (in pillow above) and a floral “Calico” print (left and below).

Schumacher’s latest collaboration is with New York-based painter/illustrator Happy Menocal. The duo has launched a collection of fabrics and wallcoverings in an array of patterns, including a floral-themed take on the traditional calico print and an exotic tree motif inspired by Valletta, the ancient capital of Malta. Each design also comes in a variety of colorways. fschumacher.com

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SCHUMACHER

SO HAPPY TOGETHER

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SCHUMACHER

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

in Bloom

Courtyard Cool DESIGNER COURTNAY TARTT ELIAS OF CREATIVE TONIC PULLED OUT ALL THE STOPS WHEN CREATING A LIVELY OUTDOOR AREA FOR ENDLESS FUN AT HER HOUSTON HOME.

By Alice Welsh Doyle Photography by Claudia Casbarian for Julie Soefer Photography

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

|

23

|

in Bloom ENTERTAIN

PREVIOUS PAGE:

Courtnay carefully considered how she and husband Mark wanted to use the space, so they included a cigarsmoking nook and a boccie ball court in the design. THIS PAGE, RIGHT: In the covered space, the designer transformed traditional Frenchstyle indoor furniture using a fabric combination of jaunty stars and stripes. BELOW: Courtnay welcomes guests to her front courtyard entertaining space at her Houston home.

S

ometimes the best ideas spring from a frustrating situation, as designer Courtnay Tartt Elias of Creative Tonic discovered at her home in the Tanglewood neighborhood of Houston.

“The houses on my street are set way back from the curb with huge lawns, which was perfect for my three boys to play all their games when they were growing up,” she says. But when Courtnay’s next-door neighbors tore down their existing house and sited their new home closer to the street, it changed everything. “The house effectively blocks the gate that leads to our backyard and pool.”

When Courtnay and husband Mark became “free birds” (her charming phrase for empty nesters) with more time to relax and entertain, they came up with a way to solve the issue. “Instead of reworking the backyard, we decided to create a courtyard on the front of the house,” says the designer. “The front yard is so big that we don’t miss the 20 feet used for the courtyard.”

As Courtnay explains, the design for the space was a bit of a struggle.

“Our 1980s stucco house is contemporary in spirit, so at first, I was thinking of a mid-century cantilevered treatment,” she says. “When that didn’t feel right, I decided to call Michael Landrum, a favorite Houston architect. He came up with the most elegant plan.” Michael took his inspiration from the old Hollywood Regency style used in the Trousdale Estates of Los Angeles—a masterful collection of modern homes built in the 1950s to 1970s by some of California’s most sought-after architects and a favorite of celebrities. (Elvis Presley and Groucho Marx lived there.)

“Michael designed an engaging integration with the house,” says Courtnay. “The wall connects the new terrace to the existing garage

|

24

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

in Bloom ENTERTAIN

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Indoor accents such as blue-and-white porcelain give the space the feeling of a true living room. • A built-in stucco bench provides seating on one side, with additional chairs pulled up for alfresco meals. • Courtnay loves mixing colors and patterns in her settings.

|

26

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

in Bloom ENTERTAIN

GET CREATIVE WITH COURTNAY The designer shares ideas sure to result in dreamy but practical outdoor spaces.

THINK ABOUT HOW YOU WANT TO USE THE SPACE, AND PLAN ACCORDINGLY. For example, we wanted a cigar-smoking area, but we knew it needed to be placed where the smoke would blow away from the main action.

PLAN AHEAD FOR POTENTIAL USES. We went ahead and had a tent company install in-ground stakes so we could have larger covered events. And since we love to play games, we poured a concrete base for an outdoor pool table that I plan to buy.

CONSIDER USING ARTIFICIAL TURF. I would never recommend this for the front yard, but we’ve loved it in this space.

It dries out fast after a rain.

They even make pet-friendly versions now.

“Except for the hottest weeks of summer, my husband and I basically live out here.

The versatility makes it ideal for a couple or a crowd.”

INCLUDE FURNITURE THAT CAN BE MOVED AROUND DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF GUESTS. For example, I have two tables that can be pulled together for larger gatherings. Also, make sure to have plenty of spots to perch. We placed a stucco bench along the wall, and we often pull a table up to it and add chairs on the other side.

ADD SPEAKERS IN A COVERED SPACE. Music is an important component of any party.

—COURTNAY TARTT ELIAS

structure. It’s slightly curved and is pierced with metal trellis inserts. We live on a friendly cul-de-sac, so we didn’t want a solid wall that would completely block out neighbors.”

With the architecture settled, Courtnay took the reins to create her specialty—

|

28

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

HANG COLORED TAPE LIGHTS. They create a disco ball effect, which is great for after-dinner dancing.

happy, colorful rooms with personality and practicality. For the banquette built-in, she was inspired by the stucco designs of the Greek Islands and the haciendas of Mexico. “I chose faded blue zellige tile for the wall and white oak for the cabinetry,” she says. “The white oak is

DECORATE THE SPACE WITH INTERIOR ACCENTS. I especially love including mirrors because they reflect the candlelight, creating an enchanting atmosphere.

ABOVE: An artificial turf lawn looks beautiful year-round with little maintenance. OPPOSITE, TOP TO BOTTOM: Courtnay’s family

loves to play games, so the space includes cornhole and a boccie ball court. • A graceful curved wall with metal trellis inserts offers the right amount of privacy.

repeated on the ceiling to tie everything together.” Then she added a periwinkle blue, white, and green palette with her favorite cheerful stripe accented with a star fabric and lots of dressmaker details—pom-poms, fringe, and tape trims. “In a covered area, you can treat the outdoor space just like you would an interior room, so I like to have fun and be creative,” Courtnay says.

For the furniture, the designer went in a fresh direction by reworking some old wood pieces. She had them stripped down and restuffed to bring them back to life. She completed the décor with blue-and-white porcelain, a wicker pagoda, mirrors, fabric poufs, and garden stools.

Outside the covered area, an artificial turf lawn is ready for boccie ball, Ping-Pong, cornhole, and picnics any time of year. String lights glow after dark, and a cigar-smoking area is ready for after-dinner gatherings full of lively conversation. As Courtnay says. “It’s always a party in the courtyard!”

For more information, see Sources, page 84

in Bloom DECORATE: FLOWERS

Emily Eberwine of Pick-a-Petal Floral Design THE FORMER ARCHAEOLOGIST DUG DEEP INTO HER SOUL TO UNEARTH A FLORAL STYLE THAT IS BOTH GATHERED AND TAILORED. Produced by Margaret Zainey Roux • Photography by Sara Essex Bradley

Inspiration:

Emily created this arrangement to express the change in season and temperature. Yellows and pinks represent the warm, soft shades of spring, while deep reds announce that summer (and its notorious New Orleans heat) is just around the corner.

The Dirt on Emily Eberwine “I’ve always loved getting my hands dirty,” says the Pick-a-Petal founder. “The smell of marigolds immediately transports me back to my Mississippi childhood and hours spent tending to the garden with my mama. Our backyard would become almost overgrown with flowers until we brought the bounty inside and filled our home with color and fragrance.”

Although it seemed like a natural fit for Emily, a career in floral design wasn’t an idea that she initially entertained. In fact, that seed wasn’t planted until after she obtained undergraduate and graduate degrees in archaeology and moved to New Orleans to pursue her profession. A few years in, Emily found herself daydreaming about a life focused on flowers. After earning acclaim for wedding arrangements she did for a friend, she decided it was time to permanently dig into floral design.

“So much of floral arranging just came to me, and a lot of it I can’t explain,” Emily says. “But I believe that my professional experience with the dirt, along with growing up in the garden, helped me cultivate an enduring appreciation and fascination for the elemental shapes, colors, and textures that occur in nature.

There’s a beautiful and amazing world that lies beneath the surface, with stories of what once was and what is yet to be born. The past and the future are rooted in those seeds.”

|

30

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

Turn to page 32 for step-by-step instructions.

in Bloom DECORATE: FLOWERS

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS STEP 1 Create a mound of coated chicken wire, and mold it to shape inside the bowl of a compote.

Fasten the mound to the rim of the compote using waterproof floral tape to keep the chicken wire in place, making an “X” shape. Add water to the bowl of the compote until half full.

MATERIALS Geranium foliage Gardenia foliage Star jasmine vine Eucalyptus stuartiana, grey Feverfew flowers

STEP 2 Build a base layer of greens by inserting individual stems of foliage diagonally into the mound of chicken wire. Begin with the geranium foliage, followed by gardenia foliage, star jasmine, and eucalyptus stuartiana.

Add in the filler flowers, starting with the feverfew and followed by the spray roses to soften up the shape the foliage has created. Add in the medium-size focal flowers, starting with the sweet peas and followed by the Ranunculus Butterfly Helios, lisianthus, and ranunculus. Add in the larger blooms, starting with the darker hued “Darcey” garden roses. Fill in any empty spots with the blush “Princess Hitomi” garden roses. Add the strawberry stems intermittently with some bunches spilling over the vessel.

Bombastic garden spray roses in light pink Sweet Pea Brownies

Ranunculus Butterfly Helios in light yellow Lisianthus in apricot Ranunculus in peach and pink David Austin “Darcey” garden roses “Princess Hitomi” garden roses in blush Strawberries on the stem

STEP 3

STEP 4 Turn the arrangement 360 degrees to make sure the flowers are evenly distributed.

Gently spritz the arrangement with clean water to hydrate.

|

32

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

1

2

3

4

For more information, see Sources, page 84

in Bloom DECORATE: MOOD

Take Flight FEATHERING YOUR NEST WITH A FLOCK OF THESE GRACEFUL AVIARY CREATURES CREATES TIMELESS APPEAL. Produced by Amanda Smith Fowler

1

2

4 3

6 5

1 Annie Sloan with the Royal Horticultural Society Songbirds Decoupage Paper ($16 per sheet) by Annie Sloan, anniesloan.com 2 Peacock Block Print Wallpaper in Navy ($130 for double roll) by York Wallcoverings, yorkwallcoverings.com 3 Gracie Notecard by Vaughan Spanjer ($45.78 for 15 cards) from Dogwood Hill, dogwood-hill.com 4 Diego Petite Classical Perching Bird Lantern ($1,049) by Circa Lighting, circalighting.com 5 Paradis Turquoise Bread and Butter Plate ($90) by Raynaud, raynaud-shop.com 6 David Phoenix Collection DP-21-0058 Made-to-Order Framed Print ($420) for Soicher Marin, soicher-marin.com

|

34

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

in Bloom DECORATE: Q&A

Summer in Season CHICAGO DESIGNER SUMMER THORNTON IS COMING ON STRONG IN 2022 WITH A NEW BOOK FEATURING HER HIGH-OCTANE INTERIORS, A COLLABORATION WITH DE GOURNAY, AND A BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN HER HOMETOWN.

ABOVE, LEFT TO RIGHT:

Flower: You’ve had a big year, including the release of your new book. I love the title, Wonderland. What aspects of your work were you exploring in it?

Summer Thornton: I’ve had that title in my head for many years. In fact, one of the very first showhouses I did in Chicago was based on the dreamworld that Alice escapes to in Alice in Wonderland. Design is all about escape, and that means different things to different people. For me, it is about creating a story and driving the design to elicit a powerful mood and feel. The book is

|

36

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

separated into five chapters that explore different moods. My own home is the first chapter, which is all about romance. Building my home was like writing a love letter to my family. It was a sentimental, creatively freeing process that tells the story of the people I love.

You seem to have a visually graphic approach to design. Who has influenced you?

It’s no secret that I love contrast. I like things that jump off a page, whether in color or form. I have been inspired by many people, but some of my

Summer stands in the entry hall of her Chicago home. Pale blue lacquered walls lend a watery, transportive vibe. • For a Florida retreat, she gave the outdoor dining area a sunny palette, accented with vivid arrangements of fuchsia bougainvillea, parrot tulips, yellow orchids, roses, and ranunculus.

PHOTOS (LEFT) BY MELANIE ACEVEDO; (RIGHT) BY THOMAS LOOF

By Lydia Somerville

PHOTOS (LEFT) BY MELANIE ACEVEDO; (RIGHT) BY THOMAS LOOF

in Bloom DECORATE: Q&A

RIGHT: The foyer of a Chicago project with its daring color combinations is

Summer’s tribute to the legendary French designer Madeleine Castaing.

Striped wallpaper of aqua and teal meets a floral ceiling, while flowering cherry blossom branches add a bit of drama. BELOW: Hand-painted koi swim on the de Gournay wallpaper in the entry of this Florida retreat. The opulent mirror reflects an arrangement of objects and fan palms on the entry table.

Wonderland: Adventures in Decorating

|

38

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

PHOTO BY ANNIE SCHLECHTER

Designer Summer Thornton shares her expert advice for creating interiors that are the ultimate in escapism. Appropriately, a quotation from Alice in Wonderland opens every chapter.

PHOTOS BY THOMAS LOOF

by Summer Thornton (Rizzoli, 2022), $45, barnesandnoble.com

In a Chicago apartment, Summer painted the architectural details white to set off a play of pop art, bold shapes, and adventurous colors. Blue delphiniums, yellow ranunculus, and red and purple anemones contribute more bursts of color.

PHOTO BY ANNIE SCHLECHTER

PHOTOS BY THOMAS LOOF

favorite decorators are Madeleine Castaing, Nicky Haslam, Jacques Grange, Dorothy Draper, and David Hicks. I’m also heavily influenced by different time periods. My house has a Victorian theme (one of my favorite time periods), but another home in the book embraces my love of the 1970s.

Movies also serve as a huge source of inspiration for me.

Directors like Wes Anderson, Baz Luhrmann, and Sofia Coppola top my list.

I see you use a lot of de Gournay papers in your work.

How did the collaboration happen? And will you include floral motifs in the collection?

I’m crazy for de Gournay, and I love their team. Their papers are the ultimate in fantasy, which is why I use them whenever possible. There is no better way to transform ordinary architecture into something fantastical than with one of their exquisite hand-painted papers. I started working with them on a custom design for the Kips Bay, New York, showhouse, and then we did one for my office. The whole collection, inspired by candy-colored palettes of the past, is something that has been in my head for a while now. And yes, there will be flowers, as well as a pretty graphic frieze and some border motifs.

What is the boutique hotel project?

It is in Old Town Chicago and is going to be an all-out design

in Bloom DECORATE: Q&A

large combination living room and dining area, Summer layered a plush rug over a flat-weave carpet to distinguish the two spaces. An oversize globe lantern draws the eye upward in the lofty space.

Peonies and gladioli grace the coffee table, adding a punch of color to the seating area. • In a bathroom, Summer had a bit of fun papering the small space with a Gucci design of oversize cranes.

“The birds are way too big for the space,” she says. “And that’s why they are perfect here.” An arrangement of peonies and white phlox with a single, errant orange poppy adorns the marble sink. • In a large dining room, Summer turned an empty corner into an intimate dining area with a tufted banquette. Shaded swing-arm lamps and a vase full of anemones pull out the red tones in the Schumacher wallpaper.

|

40

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

PHOTOS BY THOMAS LOOF

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: In a

PHOTOS BY THOMAS LOOF

in Bloom DECORATE: Q&A

ABOVE: Wallpaper featuring a dreamy landscape of mountains scattered with cherry

blossoms establishes the palette of jade, aqua, teal, cinnamon, and ocher. Purple lilacs on the coffee table, along with yellow and orange poppies on the game table, add sparks of color in the sophisticated scheme. BELOW: In a Florida kitchen, Summer used a tropical botanical wallpaper by de Gournay as a backsplash, made possible by a protective sheet of glass. “This was no easy feat, but it was worth it,” she says.

experience. Let’s just say there will be canopy beds in your hotel room. Finally! And it will be loaded with color and bold pattern. It hearkens back to the time period when the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition made Chicago the great city it is today.

What is no home complete without?

A good sofa in an amazing fabric. No white or gray sofas please!

What’s your least favorite design trend?

Restraint.

|

42

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

For more information, see Sources, page 84

PHOTOS BY THOMAS LOOF

What are your favorite cities for design inspiration?

I often look to Latin cities for inspiration. I’m crazy for Mexico, especially San Miguel and Mérida for their colonial architecture and bold colors. I’m going on a major Mexico tour this year because we are building a house there. I also love Buenos Aires for that Paris-in-SouthAmerica vibe. And I’m dying to get to Japan for a full design immersion.

PHOTOS BY THOMAS LOOF

in Bloom

Gardening for Life GARDEN EXPERT MADELINE DE VRIES HOOPER AND FITNESS TRAINER JEFF HUGHES ARE ON A MISSION TO HELP OTHERS TAKE CARE OF THEIR MOST IMPORTANT GARDEN TOOL—THEIR BODIES.

By Marion Laffey Fox

“W TOP: (From left to right) Jeff and Madeline visit with gardener and antiquarian George Schoellkopf while touring his West Coast garden. ABOVE: In his East Coast garden, George listens to Jeff’s fitness advice.

|

44

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

e are not teaching people how to garden,” says personal trainer Jeff Hughes. “We are starting a movement that integrates gardening and fitness to prevent aches and pains.” As part of that movement, Jeff and garden expert Madeline de Vries Hooper have launched a new PBS series, GardenFit, that debuted this spring.

It all started with Madeline’s own aches and pains. “I gardened every day

for over 20 years and suffered with neck and shoulder pain for a long time,” she says. “A fellow gardener heard me complaining about it and suggested I consult Jeff.”

After her initial meeting, Madeline knew there was hope that she could continue her favorite activity more comfortably. “Jeff discovered that I was slumping into whatever task I was doing instead of maintaining correct open posture,” she says. “He taught me how to correct that, and within a

PHOTOS: (TOP) COURTESY OF GARDENFIT PRODUCTIONS, LLC; (BOTTOM) BY RICH POMERANTZ

GARDEN

PHOTOS: (TOP) COURTESY OF GARDENFIT PRODUCTIONS, LLC; (BOTTOM) BY RICH POMERANTZ

in Bloom GARDEN

A walk-through of each garden helps Jeff understand how he can help his clients. Here, he and Madeline explore the grounds of Hortulus Farm with owner Renny Reynolds.

|

46

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

GARDENFIT TIPS As the GardenFit movement gains traction, gardeners seeking solutions to problems are finding answers. Here, personal trainer Jeff Hughes shares advice to get you started.

DON’T NEGLECT THE STRETCH. Limber up first before launching into chores.

CHANGE IT UP. Plan days around a rotation of tasks that alternate muscle groups.

BUY THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT. Invest in ergonomic tools, such as a multifunctional kneeler seat with a tool-storage pouch. Use gloves with digging claws, latex-coated palms, and breathable nylon backs for reduced sweating.

EXTEND THE HEIGHT. Consider raised beds to avoid back pain. Long periods of crouching and bending can cause hip flexor pain, as well as spine pressure.

EASE UP ON YOUR KNEES. Use your hip area (not your knees) as a focal power point when pulling weeds. Spread your feet wider than your hips, and when bending, hinge your hips backward and tilt your body forward.

Knee aches can also result from weakness in the calves, which can be remedied with five or ten calf-raise exercises per day.

For more information, see Sources, page 84

PHOTO BY RICH POMERANTZ

month, I could feel a difference. After gardens and the physical issues they three months, my new habits were so often face while working. The duo even ingrained that I was able to work in my added visits with gardeners at four farms garden without any pain at all. That that produce everything from Native continues to this day.”

American farm-to-table food to an With a practice based in the foothills of African-focused bounty.

Upstate New York, Jeff sees clients from The general formula for the series every walk of life, including farmers who, involves an initial visit from Jeff and as he explains, do much of their heavy Madeline where they tour the garden, lifting the wrong way. “We saw the need learn what inspires each gardener, and to introduce, and then solidify, different find out about their design approaches. habits so that the body feels good all the The owners discuss the techniques time, no matter how they use and what strenuous or physical problems challenging the they are experienc“When your task,” he says. “After ing with their work. body issues are years of experience, I After Jeff analyzes found that replacing the issues, which solved, your hurtful practices can range from garden will with good ones is lifting heavy fruit look even more very rewarding.” baskets out of a With Madeline’s low-slung vehicle to amazing.” newfound gardening painstakingly —MADELINE DE VRIES HOOPER, habits, along with clipping a topiary, GARDEN EXPERT her background in he figures out PR, it seemed only exactly how the natural that she and activity is affecting Jeff should partner and share the the individual and what he can do to methods with even more people. The address the aggravating task. “Once GardenFit television series involves we agree on a better way, we set the 13 episodes that take viewers to unique stage for habit replacement with the gardens from New England to California, new solution,” he says. “And then we as well as many stops in between. And return for a visit a month later to while the show features design concepts follow up.” As Madeline adds, “When and color palettes that range from your body issues are solved, your English to Japanese and vivacious to garden will look even more amazing. It monochromatic, it also digs deeper is our hope that the show will benefit into the people behind these amazing thousands of gardeners.”

PHOTO BY RICH POMERANTZ

A wood platform with tension wire railings meanders through sea lavender, sea grapes, and sea oats before disappearing into the dunes.

|

48

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

By the Sea For a South Florida couple, Keith Williams designed a diverse, oceanfront ecosystem that combines beauty with resiliency.

By TOVAH MARTIN Photography by MICHAEL STAVARIDIS

Jeffrey and Suzanne Citron had long dreamed

of living in an oceanfront house. Previous riverfront and beachside townhomes came close to that goal but never quite reached it. Finally, the couple’s dream was realized in 2015 when they found a property in need of loving care on Jupiter Island in Florida. The 4-acre oceanfront parcel had everything they wanted and more, and the couple was eager to get the project started.

Their first step was hiring Thomas Kirchhoff, principal of Kirchhoff & Associates Architects, to design a house that would incorporate building materials to echo the local geology. Thomas immediately suggested bringing in internationally renowned landscape designer Keith Williams of Nievera Williams to simultaneously draft a landscape plan. With this forward-thinking duo on board, the Citrons knew the f l o w e r m a g .c o m

|

49

|

A rim of sea grapes creates a boundary between the lawn and the dunes without interfering with the magnificent views. OPPOSITE: The front entrance to the house is framed in palm trees and surrounded by lush vegetation. Containers filled with gardenias and Calamondin orange trees dot the garden design.

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

|

51

|

ABOVE: The

free-form, zeroedge pool provides a calming moment compared to the densely planted areas along the sides and front of the house. LEFT: The architect built a loggia to create one of many outdoor dining/ lounging areas.

Sun-filtering curtains keep the space comfortable throughout the day. OPPOSITE: Star jasmine trained on stainless steel wire runs alongside the stucco wall of the bath pavilion.

|

52

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

entire project would be ultra-respectful of the environment.

For Keith, the design process always starts by balancing three critical components—site, architecture, and client.

Thankfully, the architect held the same sensibilities. For example, when Keith requested niches for his plantings that would be snuggled close to the house’s foundation, Thomas created alcoves for pocket gardens. Other tweaks readily came from both sides throughout the process.

For the house, the Citrons strived to capture a very specific mood—one that combined a traditional Caribbean feeling with a brave Bohemian accent.

“We also wanted it to seem as if it evolved with time,” says Jeffrey. “For example, the dining room feels early 18th century, but the bedrooms are more contemporary.” Using a mixture of cedar, pine, and stone, Thomas designed a structure that waltzes back and forth between formal and informal spaces, all filled with light from broad windows throughout.

Like the house, the landscape appears to have matured over the years. The scenic driveway welcomes visitors through long-established wetlands populated by mangroves and sabal palms. Masses of Alocasias line the entry path, while pothos and bougainvillea cascade over the retaining walls. Wind-sculpted trees cradle orchids in their boughs, and a knot garden is tucked

away and appears along the journey to the front door. “The element of surprise is critical to this garden,” says Keith. “It’s all carefully choreographed to entertain while also feeling elegant.”

A rooftop garden camouflaging the garage offers another unexpected feature.

The west side of the landscape spills down to the ocean. Built into a hill, the house originally kept company with a series of dunes nearby. Those dunes played a big part in the Citrons’ initial attraction to the site, inspiring them to celebrate their ecosystem and render it rich in plant material. Since the dunes were choked by invasives and in total disrepair, Keith secured approval for replanting, which presented a rare artistic and f l o w e r m a g .c o m

|

53

|

THIS PAGE, ABOVE AND LEFT: Surrounded by an undulating border, a trio of stone troughs planted with herbs anchors a stone pathway. • A boardwalk explores the mangrove wetlands on the west side of the house, navigating above ferns and grasses.

OPPOSITE: A walled water feature of split-face coral and a comfy lounge chair create an outdoor extension of the master bath.

eco-conscious opportunity for the designer. He applied broad brushstrokes and mass plantings in an expression of the “New Wave” movement with its naturalistic design. The designer also plugged in wind-tolerant plants with swales of sea grapes, seagrass, and sea lavender threaded in between.

An Ipe board walkway descends into the massed plants, allowing accessibility from a zoysia lawn surrounding the pool. From a distance, it’s a harmonious Impressionistic statement. Close up, it’s like wading through living theater.

The gardens continue to evolve as the Citrons find themselves outdoors almost year-round. The most recent project includes an orchard of fruits such as mangoes, peaches, bananas, and plums mixed with almonds, pecans, and even honeybee hives, all in a protected pocket of the property. And according to Jeffrey, more is to come. “We’re always gaining something,” he says. And each addition contributes to the harmony and diversity in a landscape where creativity and stewardship are the only constants.

|

54

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

Mass Appeal The living artwork that Keith Williams creates with his mass plantings is by no means an easy juggling act. In addition to the challenges of matching plant needs when placed cheek-to-jowl in his swaths of different species, he also factors in a particularly challenging climate. Wind and salt spray are continual adversaries, and any plant he selects must be impervious to both. It’s no wonder the designer relies heavily on plants with “sea” in their common names, such as sea grapes, seagrass, and sea lavender.

All are survivors that can fend for themselves and hold their ground. Started as plugs, the plants were originally spaced 12-18 inches apart. Within a year, they filled in to assume their current shoulder-toshoulder stance. Keith consistently urges maintenance crews to simply let the mass plantings do their own thing. As he explains, “They are meant to be seen from a distance as a composition.”

For more information, see Sources, page 84

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

|

55

|

The sweeping staircase and antique Oushak set a grand tone in the entry, where Pam embraced the existing wallpaper. OPPOSITE: The light and airy breakfast room doubles as an art studio for Pam’s hobbies. “I especially love needlepoint,” she says. “It’s so English!”

A Place of Peace Long walks through the gardens of England soothed the soul of a young widow while inspiring her to begin again.

By CATHY STILL MCGOWIN Photography by MICHAEL BLEVINS f l o w e r m a g .c o m

|

57

|

A

A change of scenery will do you good. Pam Gillette took that advice to heart when she lost her husband several years ago and decided to make a pilgrimage to the gardens of England. The fresh air, manicured lawns, and endless views to the horizon were balm for her heartache. They were also the catalysts of a new start.

Accompanied by her college roommate, Kathy Lummus Smith, Pam traveled to the verdant getaway for two consecutive summers.

The friends walked 8 to 10 miles a day, traversing historic public grounds such as Hidcote Manor Garden with its hedges and garden rooms; Montacute, featured in Ang Lee’s Sense and Sensibility; Kelmscott Manor, with its ancient trees and abundance of roses; and Greenway House, the summer home of Agatha Christie. They passed windswept fields of purple flax, peered through secret garden gates, and enjoyed tea at a summer cottage. “We were awestruck at so much of what we saw,” says Pam. “We felt like we were walking through the pages of a storybook.”

Inspired by the vibrancy of those landscapes, Pam enlisted interior designer Kara Cox to help her bring that same feeling home. Relocating with her two daughters from Florida to Greensboro, North Carolina, Pam settled on a 1930s Georgian that would serve as the framework

|

58

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

OPPOSITE, TOP TO BOTTOM:

The fixture in the breakfast room, specified in a custom color, is by Coleen & Company.

The table is an English antique.

• In the dining room, Pam’s grandmother’s dining table and chairs take center stage.

“As a child, I learned how to set this table with her beautiful heirlooms,” Pam says. LEFT: A pair of antique “Tree of Life” panels hangs on either side of the opening to the dining room. “I found these at Carriage House in Greensboro,” Pam says. A brass-andfaux-bamboo tray serves entertaining needs and grounds the panel.

for her garden-inspired rooms. “The English countryside definitely influenced the design of the home,” she says. Almost every room bursts with color, floral patterns, antiques, and whimsy—all the elements of a proper English garden.

“Pam truly loves color,” says Kara. “Nothing was offlimits.” Greens, corals, purples, yellows, and hot pinks show up in floral prints, stripes, solids, and accessories. Fabrics and wallpaper showcase both traditional and playful

patterns. “When using a lot of different colors, it’s important to pull them through the rooms in varying strengths and patterns,” the designer says.

Kara also worked with Pam to integrate her collection of antiques, refreshing them with new upholstery and setting them against the backdrop of prints and color. Her grandmother’s dining set gleams against walls clad in a Phillip Jeffries silk. During the daytime, the room evokes the color f l o w e r m a g .c o m

|

59

|

MEET KARA COX Interior designer Kara Cox grew up in the design world.

A North Carolina native, she was exposed to the industry at a young age through her father, an in-house physician with Klaussner Home Furnishings. Later, she spent summers working in the finishing line of a furniture factory, an experience that Kara says taught her about quality in design. After receiving a journalism degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she

|

60

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

returned to the interiors world as an editor for the trade publication Home Accents Today. This position allowed her to report on a wide variety of vendors, prompting her interest to return to design school. Now, 12 years into her own practice, Kara says she fully appreciates all aspects of the industry, and she has honed her own style. As she describes it, “My specialty is tailored interiors with classically based ideas in updated finishes and colors.”

of a peony. In the early evening, it takes on the hues of the sunset.

In the library, Kara lacquered the trim and bookshelves in a custom shamrock green and introduced drapery printed with falling leaves. “It’s reminiscent of all of the greens we saw in the English forests and gardens,” Pam says. The breakfast room features a pattern by Osborne & Little that frames a bank of windows overlooking the front lawn.

Chairs from Alexa Hampton by Hickory Chair are covered in a robin’s-egg blue vinyl from Kravet. “When you use fabrics and colors inspired by nature, it takes away the stark line between indoors and out,” Kara says.

In the family room, a playful set of vintage chairs scored on Chairish became even more animated with a coat of green paint and sunshine yellow upholstery.

“We call them the Dr. Seuss chairs,” the designer says. A swath of pink covers the

FAR LEFT AND LEFT: Green lacquered trim,

doors, and bookcases set the scene for bold color and pattern in the library. A faux panel of books on the shelves opens to reveal a TV. ABOVE: Kara brightened up the dark wood fox-head console with a lighter finish. “The whitewash really helped pull out the details,” she says. Hot pink orchids underscore the whimsy of the cornice.

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

|

61

|

|

62

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

“When using a lot of different colors, it’s important to pull them through the rooms in varying strengths and patterns.”

—DESIGNER KARA COX

THESE PAGES: The quirky shape and bold color of the game table chairs (opposite) add character to the vibrant family room, where Pam displays her eclectic collection of art (above). A vintage 3D paper piece mingles with folk art, a Spanish mirror, and an abstract face by Windy O’Connor. On the coffee table, Pam proudly displays her ceramic folk art pigs.

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

|

63

|

sofa, while a spirited Schumacher chinoiserie print blankets a pair of club chairs.

The living room took its color cues from a pair of vintage armchairs Pam brought with her from Florida. Their bold, poppy florals gave rise to Kara’s choices for accent colors and artwork. An abstract watercolor by Windy O’Connor was commissioned to take in all the hues. For the drapery, Kara took inspiration from designer Miles Redd’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House creation to fashion a fanciful window treatment in yellow and hot pink. Beneath, a new console featuring a fox’s head recalls the intricately carved furnishings in the grand estates of England. “The table was dark wood when we bought it, so we painted it,” Kara says.

“Pam didn’t need a heavy finish since she was wanting to lighten up her life.”

A longtime collector of folk, Impressionist, and abstract art, Pam says, “My style of painting is a conglomeration of my imagination and the style of different artists that I admire. It’s expressive and full of fun and imagination.” Much like her gardeninspired home.

|

64

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

“I wanted to bring home the sublime feeling of magic awaiting every turn of a corner, the peace of being in a centuries-old forest, and the wonder of flowers.”

—PAM GILLETTE

ABOVE AND OPPOSITE: Romantic and

classically English, “The Rose Sepia” wallpaper by John Derian envelopes the room in abundant blooms. RIGHT: The cutting garden was established by a previous owner. “She planted roses, hydrangeas, peonies, purple irises, daffodils, and azaleas,” Pam says. “I love to create bouquets and place them throughout the house.”

For more information, see Sources, page 84

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

|

65

|

With a Thick Irish Brogue

Boasting prolific gardens with deep green roots, Rowallane speaks to the beauty of the Emerald Isle.

By TOVAH MARTIN Photography by KINDRA CLINEFF

|

66

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

Long before

PREVIOUS PAGE: A Gothic bell tower, archway, and series of clipped sentinel yews mark the lane to the stable yard just past the house. THIS PAGE, ABOVE: Layers of

agapanthus, Kniphofia, phlox, and roses soften the hydrangea-covered walled garden in a display that remains strong throughout the growing season.

|

68

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

you arrive at Rowallane, the multilayering of greens upon greens begins. The quintessential scenic countryside of Northern Ireland’s County Down, with its lush rolling hills and farmlands dotted by an occasional ancestral manor, seems to properly prepare you for the glorious vegetation to come. But what garden visitors find as a delightful surprise is the diversity behind the walls of Rowallane. First created in the mid1800s, this horticultural hotbed is populated by an expansive array of plants, from perennials to shrubs to trees, that are given permission to play happily together. Formality is all but tossed to the wind—and that’s what makes it all the more beautiful.

Rowallane serves up 50-plus acres of exhilarating experiences. Most impressive are the massive, mature rhododendrons that stretch tall and wide. It was due to the strength of these immense shrubs that the National Trust chose to step in and take Rowallane under its wing. A 2-acre walled garden coddles a happy array of perennials and shrubs collected from hither and yon, many rubbing shoulders with a few comely vegetables. Only footsteps away, woodland paths send visitors journeying through seemingly wild plantings of English bluebells, primroses, ‘Pheasant’s Eye’ daffodils, and wood anemones that scamper through shady dells. The stony terrain nurtures rock garden plants that dote on superb drainage. In addition, there are numerous water features and pieces of statuary. And it’s all lovingly maintained with special attention given to the health and preferences of each green inhabitant. As Claire McNally, Rowallane’s head gardener, says, “Plants love it here. This is their perfect haven.”

Rowallane has always followed the beat of its own drum with a naturalistic intent. When the Reverend John Moore bought the land in 1858, his family and friends were mystified by his attraction to a parcel of famished fields and poor grazing with an appalling quantity of stone underneath. But he had specific plans. Already keen on gardening, the Reverend built a house in 1860, again surprising everyone by going relatively modest with the abode while pouring most of the money into the parkland as he blasted rock to achieve a smooth

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: The walled garden stacks a series of perennials

such as daylilies and gooseneck loosestrife beside shrubs such as lacecap hydrangea and viburnums framing the walkway. • Corralled within a tidy clipped boxwood edging, quadrant beds are replanted annually. • Also replenished annually, rhodochiton drape the stone walls in unique parachute-like flowers.

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

|

69

|

approach to the house. Rather than hauling his boulder harvest away, he used the stone for walls and natural accents, such as whimsical stone chairs. He built a massive walled potager for practical purposes but elsewhere followed the influence of Irish-born journalist/gardener William Robinson by installing naturalistic plantings. And then the Reverend invited the public to come and witness his horticultural playground, specifically providing seats for his visitors’ comfort and viewing pleasure. It’s clear that this garden has a long history of sharing its charm.

Upon the Reverend Moore’s passing in 1903, his nephew, plantsman Hugh Armytage Moore, inherited the estate, adding more exotic plants into the protected microclimate.

The National Trust then took the estate under its care, stewarding the Victorian and Edwardian plantings while encouraging the public to partake in the beauty, which is particularly breathtaking when the rhododendrons are clad in their brilliant flower trusses.

All of the plantings are maintained by a team of five gardeners, plus a small army of volunteers. “They are

LEFT: In the herb

and edible beds, tuteurs support miniature pumpkin ‘Baby Boo’ amid Agastache, perilla, thyme, and other herbs. OPPOSITE: A dated brick arch fronted by Verbena bonariensis and Kirengeshoma provides a window on Eucryphia ‘Nymansay,’ an evergreen with honey-scented flowers.

|

70

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

Paying a Visit No need to master the tricky art of driving on the “wrong side of the street” in order to visit Rowallane.

A bus can easily whisk you to its gates as part of a Belfast run.

And Belfast is less than half an hour away with a variety of places to spend the night. Meanwhile, Rowallane plays the good host when you arrive, offering plenty of treats for the hungry traveler.

The tea room serves sandwiches, as well as pastries and savory pies, to give you plenty of energy to walk the gardens.

Feel the urge to explore further?

The market town of Saintfield is just minutes down the road with an array of antiquing opportunities. And then it’s just a short drive to several ultra-scenic sea towns, including Strangford, Killyleagh, Newcastle, and Portaferry.

Want even more bonding with nature? Pop into the tropical butterfly house at Seaforde Gardens while also taking a few minutes to walk its mature and lush hornbeam maze. For some architectural splendor, pay a call to the majestic Down Cathedral where St. Patrick is believed to lie buried. And throughout your journey, enjoy views of the Mourne Mountains that form a backdrop of breathtaking poetic beauty across the region.

so generous with their time and energy,” says Claire. “They truly love the garden and have an emotional connection with it.” Those team members serve as ready stewards for the Davidia involucrata, magnolias, rhododendrons, stewartias, and quantities of perennials that populate the farmland and former paddock.

Adds Claire, “The views are panoramic. Everything surrounds you and sort of gives you a big hug. It all just feels magical.”

|

72

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

A softly-shaped, mature Magnolia stellata is surrounded by the stones that prevail at Rowallane.

The boxwood-edged parterres have recently been replanted during a redesign.

“Everything surrounds you and sort of gives you a big hug.

It all just feels magical.”

— CLAIRE MCNALLY, HEAD GARDENER

For more information, see Sources, page 84

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

|

73

|

SOUTHERN COMFORT After nearly a decade in L.A., Justin Anderson and Austin Rhodes head to Nashville to design a new life and a new home that blends the glamour of Old Hollywood with the charm of the New South.

By MARGARET ZAINEY ROUX Photograpy by MARY CRAVEN DAWKINS PHOTOGRAPHY f l o w e r m a g .c o m

|

75

|

B

ec Porter laughs as she recalls the early days of working with clients Justin Anderson and Austin “Scoot” Rhodes.

“The three of us would sit on the floor of their empty house for hours talking and getting to know one another so I could gauge their style,” the interior designer says.

“They had just moved to Nashville from L.A. and had that ‘California cool’ vibe, so I assumed they would want clean-lined, contemporary interiors. But as we pored over magazine pages and Pinterest boards, I realized that I’d pegged them completely wrong. They love color, pattern, and antiques!”

Justin, a lifelong Californian, and Scoot, an Ohio native, fell for the Music City and its Southern charm while visiting a friend who had

PREVIOUS SPREAD, LEFT TO RIGHT: The media room’s walls and windows are covered in Cleo Vine by Anna French, inspired by a 1920s botanical print. • Cavachon pup Kevin McCallister strikes a pose. THIS PAGE, RIGHT: Nothing embodies Southern hospitality like traditional floral-bordered china and crystal stemware. BELOW: The round table and klismos-style chairs bring curve appeal to the dining room that is defined by its clean-lined coffered ceiling.

|

76

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: In

the great room, watercolor egrets create a focal point behind the linen-covered sofa. • Natural light floods the study as it filters through matchstick blinds and flax draperies. • In the entry, grass cloth walls, wrought iron railings, and sun-bleached woods read handsome rather than heavy.

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

|

77

|

RIGHT: A built-in banquette serves as a cozy nook in the family room. The fiddle-leaf fig tree creates some separation from the main space. OPPOSITE: Lilly the cat springs off the counter in the lavish laundry room featuring custom mint-colored cabinetry. Padded and upholstered walls with corded edges transform the utilitarian space into a jewel box.

recently relocated there. They were also drawn to the design vernacular of the houses. There was something about the curated feel and refined-yet-relaxed aesthetic that tugged on their heartstrings and made them feel at home.

Packing only the contents of their closets and their year-old Cavachon pup, the men headed South and settled into a newly built, modern farmhouse in the sleepy suburb of Oak Hill. Inside, classic architectural features like coffered ceilings, exposed beams, oak floors, and wainscoting instill character and depth into generously proportioned rooms that feel surprisingly intimate. “They mentioned the word ‘cozy’ over and over,” says Bec. “Both Justin and Scoot work a lot and travel often, so they wanted to come home to a place that would nurture their souls and recharge their spirits.”

And cozy is exactly what they got. Wood tables and case pieces that are natural in finish and substantial in size radiate warmth from their knots, saw marks, and wormholes. Bec offset the hard surfaces, straight lines, and rich patina with upholstery in fuzzy shearling, luxe velvet, and slubby linen. These furniture pieces boast deep seats designed for sinking into—an absolute essential for the couple who lives for stretching out when

|

78

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

staying in. Another must-have for the self-described homebodies was a spacious, clutter-free kitchen anchored by a large island for convivial cooking with guests. “Scoot is a fantastic cook and is always experimenting with new recipes, so function was just as important as form,” Justin says. “We love hosting sit-down meals, so we made sure to have a surplus of comfortable seating that encourages guests to linger after dessert.”

Whether they are entertaining neighbors for happy hour or out-of-towners for an extended stay, Justin and Scoot roll out the red carpet for all their guests. But there is one room designed exclusively for two very special visitors— their mothers. Wallpaper and matching draperies in a chintz-inspired motif seamlessly wrap the room, creating a cocoon-like effect. Shades of gray, cream, and taupe update the classic print for a look that is more current than that of its

FRESH FAVORITES

Bec Porter shares her go-to floral wallcoverings.

ELLIE CASHMAN “DARK FLORAL”

CLOTH & PAPER “CAPRI”

A still life painting comes to mind when I think about this floral. It makes a big impact in a small space such as a powder room because you can see it up close and appreciate its intricacies and details.

I love this overscale print for large walls or as an accent behind a tall, upholstered headboard. It’s abstract, but when I see it, I see hibiscus branches.

QUADRILLE “HAPPY GARDEN” This one is simple but makes a statement. Because it only has two colors, it can be worked into a room with other colors and prints without overwhelming it.

|

80

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

WALLQUEST BRITISH HERITAGE “FLORAL PATTERN KT20508” This European floral is calm and has a slight Art Nouveau feel. While this particular pattern is my favorite, I love every pattern in the British Heritage book.

“AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT’S COMFORTING TO COME HOME TO A HOUSE FULL OF BLOOMS—EVEN IF THEY’RE JUST ON THE WALLS.” —JUSTIN ANDERSON

OPPOSITE: On a bedroom wall, Lee Jofa’s Adlington Paper pairs with framed pressed botanicals for a “secret garden” look. ABOVE: Schumacher’s Pyne Hollyhock wallpaper climbs the walls of the “Moms’ Room.” BELOW: In a guest room, blush walls present a neutral canvas for patterns that reference toile, batik, and damask styles.

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

|

81

|

OPPOSITE: Down-filled bedding,

velvet blackout drapes, and a sprawling white shearling rug up the ante on the cozy factor in the master bedroom. A feature wall of fuzzy stripes in rich midnight blue anchors the airy iron-frame canopy bed and makes it a focal point. LEFT: Shiplap in a chevron pattern forms a sophisticated architectural backdrop for the soaking tub. Navy walls and window treatments, an antique Oushak runner, and a shearling chair and ottoman add warm layers to the master bath.

predecessors. Additional guest suites are also well-appointed but express their own unique personalities. Defined by its blush walls, the “pink room” is sweet but far from saccharine thanks to its antique walnut chaise longue and striking blue-and-white floral bedding. In the aptly named “green room,” a Jacobean-inspired floral wallpaper reads more dapper than delicate in earthy shades of moss, olive, and For more information, see Sources, page 84

celery, while a pair of vintage pineapple finial poster beds is refreshed in crisp white linens with scalloped edges embroidered in green.

“Scoot and I both grew up in households where fresh flowers were a part of the everyday décor, which is why we gravitate toward floral prints,” Justin says. “At the end of the day, it’s comforting to come home to a house full of blooms—even if they’re just on the walls! Bec did a great job of integrating floral prints that are neither too feminine and fussy nor too masculine and modern. Just like the real deal, they give off good energy!” f l o w e r m a g .c o m

|

83

|

Sources

Who Did It & Where To Get It

Any items not listed are unknown.

IN BLOOM

PAGES 44–46: GARDEN: GardenFit, pbs.org/show/gardenfit/

WITH A THICK IRISH BROGUE PAGES 66–73: Rowallane Gardens, nationaltrust.org.uk/rowallane-garden

PAGES 23–29: ENTERTAIN: Courtnay Tartt Elias, Creative Tonic Design, creativetonicdesign.com

BY THE SEA PAGES 48–55: Landscape designer: Keith Williams, Nievera Williams, nieverawilliams.com PAGES 30–32: DECORATE: FLOWERS: Floral Designer: Emily Eberwine, Pick-aPetal Floral Design, pickapetalnola.com

A PLACE OF PEACE

PAGES 36–42: DECORATE: Q&A: Designer: Summer Thornton, summerthorntondesign.com

PAGES 56–65: Interior design by Kara Cox, karacoxinteriors.com DINING ROOM: Custom chandelier: Louise Gaskill Company, louisegaskill.com; “Tree of Life” panels: Carriage House, Greensboro, 336.373.6200; OUTDOOR DINING AREA: Table: Restoration Hardware, rh.com; Chairs: Kingsley Bate, kingsleybate.com

SOUTHERN COMFORT PAGES 74–83: Interior design: Bec Porter, 615.584.4255 GREAT ROOM: Sofa: Restoration Hardware; GREEN ROOM: Bedding: Matouk, matouk.com; Comforters and draperies: Ballard Designs; ballarddesigns.com PINK ROOM: Bedside tables: Peacock Alley, peacockalley.com; “Macbeth” bedding: Legacy Home from Fine Linens, finelinens.com MASTER BEDROOM: Wallpaper: Thibaut, thibautdesign.com; Wall color: Sherwin-Williams “Naval” (6244), sherwin-williams.com; Bedside tables and lamps: J.J. Ashley, 615.791.0011; Bedding: Serena & Lilly, serenaandlily.com Draperies: Lisa Liza Lucy Designs, 615.491.6514 MASTER BATHROOM: Chair and ottoman fabric: UGG shearling, ugg.com

VOLUME 16, ISSUE 3. 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.

|

84

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

FLOWER • S H O P •••

••

flowermagshop.com

Apparel | Accessories | Home & Gifts | Jewelry Apparel | Accessories | Home & Gifts | Jewelry jcatma.com jcatma.com

Farm Fresh Peonies Shipping Nationwide redtwigfarms.com

Just Ladies Traveling COMING ATTRACTIONS May 2023

NANCY LANCASTER AND NANCY ASTOR: Southern Belles from Virginia Influence Great Britain

Home Design, Gardens, Fashion, Food and Politics

September 2023

THE BEAUTY OF IRELAND Private Gardens and Exclusive Castles

Send us your email to receive details of these trips!

For more information: Email justladiestraveling@gmail.com OR weezieglascock@gmail.com www.justladiestraveling.com Weezie Glascock and Ginny Mabry 336-275-1010 • Greensboro, NC

At the Table

Nothing But Blue Skies ALFRESCO DINING CALLS FOR A SUMMERTIME SETTING FULL OF BRIGHT COLOR AND PATTERN. Produced and styled by Amanda Smith Fowler • Photography by David Hillegas

1 Yellow Dynasty 10-inch

1 4 2 5

3

6

7

round vegetable bowl ($400)

by Herend 2 Allee Royale dessert luncheon plate (replacements.com for pricing) by Raynaud 3 Poisson bread & butter plate ($160)

by Herend 4 Golden Fire Blue service plate ($200) by Charles Field Haviland 5 Printemps Amber hock wine ($180) by Varga 6 Stieff Rose chased water goblet (replacements.com for pricing) by Kirk Stieff 7 Yellow Dynasty service plate ($240) by Herend 8 Russian Dream service plate ($350)

by Rosenthal 9 Olympian sterling (replacements.com for pricing) by Tiffany & Co. Silver 10 Allee Royale bread & butter plate (replacements. com for pricing) by Raynaud All of the above provided through partnership with Replacements, Ltd., 800.737.5223, replacements.com

11

8

11 Stylist’s own monogrammed

Sferra dinner napkin

12 Varkala Print fabric in

9

10

12

|

88

|

FLOWER

May•June 2022

Teal/Green (to the trade) by Brunschwig & Fils through Kravet, kravet.com