A Brief Design History

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In design, I evoke to bring forth feelings of deeply held emotions….comfort, familiarity, warmth...through the use of weathered and distressed finishes, color, texture, sheen. I use, almost exclusively, pine wood for most structures, as pine brings back fondest memories of being taught by my grandfather how to put together small items. Mainly birdhouses! My father was a most talented carpenter and artist, and I learned from him, mostly though observation.

I grew up on a farm, in mid Michigan, one of 7 children. I spent most of my adult years East, and am now back home. The farm house is surrounded by many acres of woodlands, and whenever the opportunity presents itself, walking among the trees makes my heart happy. My earliest memory of feeling joyful satisfaction was at 4 years old, being given a small corner for a garden near the barn. A garden perimeter with rocks pulled from the fields, and filled with rich soil, I was able to grow a beautiful array of brightly colored zinnias. I was hooked!

I studied Commercial Floriculture at Michigan State University, and after receiving an associates degree, I was presented an opportunity to move to Washington, DC. I lived in the DC and Maryland vicinities for nearly 40 years. There I met a talented colleague, and he and I formed a special events decorating company that we held for 25 years. We specialized in creating incredible atmospheres for weddings, mitzvahs, and other of life’s big celebrations. We began the business with creating imaginative and luxurious floral décor, and as our business grew, we added many additional elements. I taught myself how to build and fabricate many items, farm tables and benches, custom bars and wall settings, lots of floor to ceiling fabric wall draperies, gathered and swagged ceiling treatments, lighting, specialty shaped staging, and many chuppahs and arches.

Now I have the time and freedom in my life, and using my learned skills as a carpenter and florist, I love putting together framed “paintings” of natural materials. Mosses of a great variety, branches and twigs and bark, dried roots and pods, dried flower blossoms, and other of natures beautiful materials. I create mirror, bulletin board, and chalk board, frames, as well as one of a kind furniture pieces. All with the thought of bringing the joy that nature has to offer to all whom that wish to see.