TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE SO FAR AS THE MAYESH DESIGN STAR.

It’s been really eye opening and I’ve met a lot of people who I not only teach but been able to learn from as well… which I think is the beauty of floral design! I’ve always said this: My grandmother may be 90.. the lady who started this shop may be 70.. my daughter is 10 – but women from all generations can bond and relate to flower design and a love for flowers and this workshop series reiterates that notion. If you look at the people just in this class for instance: Steve (McKenzie), has been on blogs, in magazines, has his own shop but then the lady next to him had never done much with flowers before. It’s as if flowers are a universal language.

WE KNOW THAT YOU LOVE MAYESH (OBVIOUSLY) BUT IF YOU COULD
PINPOINT WHAT YOU LOVE THE MOST – WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I think that there’s a recipe for the brand that they are committed to helping their florists and I believe that they are kind and have a great understanding for where I come from. The original family who founded Mayesh, much like [Accent Decor] and Margaret – the brands and what they represent aligns with me… it speaks to me because they are able to provide the things that we need. They are very technology driven, very visual: text and pictures that are really modern and I love that they provide workshops. Much like AD, I just think they’re amazing!

PERFECT SEGWAY TO MY NEXT QUESTION! RUMOR HAS IT THAT YOU’RE
A HUGE ACCENT DECOR FAN…

Yes!! I am!! I believe in 3 factors for every arrangement: 1. Meaning 2. Vessel 3. Flower recipe – then to me it doesn’t really matter how people put it together – I think it will be beautiful if you have those 3
things in sync. So, that’s how I’ve always started my process. I look at my container and then sort of match my flowers to it. Accent Decor has kind of a modern and high-end look to their products and most of them have a story. Even the girls in our shop – they’re 19 – you won’t believe this, but they’ll tell the people who walk in our store that the Celfie vase’s eyelashes are hand-painted! They’re proud to tell our customers! Which makes it exciting for me to see them excited about the product.

WHILE WE KNOW IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO CHOOSE JUST ONE. WHAT IS
YOUR FAVORITE AD CONTAINER?

Oh gosh! I have so many! I really like the Benoit that we used out in LA. I also love the Tegan both in gold and white. We can design flowers in them or just drop an orchid in them or even in the smaller ones we
can throw a succulent in them – they’re very versatile! We ship so much Accent Decor! Celfie vases too! They’re so popular!

Hmmm… depends on the season but I love all flowers! I really have to think about this one! Definitely anything that my grandmother sends me. I always love them and I always use them – whether they match or not! I am really drawn to ranunculus. I love things that are unusual. I love a blushing bride… or proteas, those are always really neat. I just love them all! As far as greenery, I like elaeagnus and olive.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR CURRENT FAVORITE FLORAL TREND?

I’ve always designed the same way: I like a lot natural movement and looseness. It looks more realistic and less contrived which allows more people to design flowers and feel confident while doing so. That way it
doesn’t have to be all measured and with triangles and all of that. In return it allows people to have more flowers in their life because they don’t feel like they have to follow any rules! There’s definitely a movement in the industry away from all of the rules which encourages people to come pick something up from our shop and do their own thing or even as a floral designer.

IF WE WERE TO COME INTO YOUR HOME.. WHAT ARRANGEMENT IS
CURRENTLY LIVING ON YOUR COFFEE TABLE?

Well, we had a wedding this past weekend and I had to clean out my car from all of the leftover flowers. I gave my 10 year old daughter the same elevated compote we used today and let her create her own arrangement! It’s filled with David Austin roses and it’s just this beautiful design!

WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST / BEST SURPRISE FROM THIS TOUR?

The one thing about the tour that I’ve really loved is the way that Mayesh has embraced not just me but my entire family. This tour was a big commitment for me for where I am in both my personal life and career. I was a little nervous to share that with them initially but they have completely allowed me to have the best of both worlds. I took my whole little family out to LA: my husband, kids and my sister! I didn’t realize in the beginning that they’re [Mayesh] all related too – a family business! My sister will be my assistant at several workshops, my husband will do some and my children are going to Carlsbad! It’s been a neat way for them to see parts of the country that we may not have seen otherwise! I love to travel so this has been an amazing excuse to do so!