In With the New

You know me, I’m always open about what’s going on at the shop. Everywhere I look another business is closing its doors – from nationwide franchises to locally owned small shops. It’s hard not to feel despair. I feel as if I’m standing on the dock, waiting for the rescue ferry to come and it just hasn’t gotten to me yet. I’m still here and as of this moment I’m still in business. I hear from my clients that they don’t want me to go and believe me, I don’t want to go either! I’ll keep trying to find miracles under my couch cushions and I’ll keep trying to invent new ways to keep afloat but along with that I depend on your good wishes, positive energy and word of mouth.

December was a crazy time! My best friend Wendy got married and it could not have been a more gorgeous day. Despite the time of year, the sun was shining and the sky was clear. In an homage to Wendy’s Asian heritage, I crafted her bouquet from large, bright pink peonies as the star flower. Roses, Ranunculus, Jasmine, and Paperwhites finished it off. Around the beach house we scattered mismatched vases full of complimentary bouquets. We used Gardenias in her hair, for her mother’s corsage and her father’s boutinnere. It was a fantastic day and as always, I feel deeply honored when I am chosen to provide the blooms (and in this case hair and makeup!) for such a special occasion.

I overhauled a center courtyard for a client looking to create a space she would enjoy year-round and after a day of heavy lifting and hard labor, the space was transformed! I am waiting for the plants to settle in before doing the “after” shots so that the garden can have a chance to breathe and expand.

I was also able to design several very cool centerpieces for various holiday gatherings and took the opportunity to make use of the organic fig branches growing in my garden. For those of you who have never gotten flowers here, I create unique arrangements using vintage containers and choosing colors and flowers that are not overly obvious companions. Always, I strive to make something that will surprise you every time you see it.

We are currently having a storewide sale with discounts ranging from 10-50% off depending on the items. While I don’t typically prescribe to sale prices if the every day price is reasonable, I am hoping to do my part during these uncertain times to continue to provide beautiful art, objects and furniture within reach of any budget.

Some of my favorite new things here in the shop are the amazing terrariums by Oakland artist Kat Geiger. Kat’s imagination and dedication to using unique materials and containers was a wonderful fit for the shop’s aesthetic. Each one-of-a-kind piece captures the feeling of being in another world – albeit a teeny, tiny one! I am loving the assortment I chose for the store and am positive you will too!

I have also added jewelry to Apartment 46! I know, I said I’d never do it but the more I was here the more I felt it integrated so well with the energy of the shop. I’m picky, and I won’t be carrying the normal assortment of stuff (of course!) Right now I have handmade fused glass necklaces and vintage pieces from my adventures, my favorite being a silver dime charm bracelet from the 1960’s. I love vintage coin bracelets. I have always thought them lucky!