Stop & Look

Market Must-Haves

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Wed, 15 Aug 2018 17:51:00 +0000

Our must-have items from our summer markets...

The Biltmore stand adds showstopping height and drama to every event. Fit two standard oasis blocks for stunning floral styling, or pair it with the new glass plate planter designed to fit perfectly.

Add drama with a statement arrangement over a table at your next event. The Showtime hanger features a modern metal frame that fits standard oasis block foam, with an open middle for a modern minimalist approach to the cascading floral arrangement.

These stunning ceramics get cast in a mold before being glazed in a bubble bath. Each resulting piece of the Ellory collection is unique, hand-crafted into one-of-a-kind works of art.

Eco-friendly stonecast planter in subtle textures and silhouette that makes a statement all year long. Perfect for outdoor use, the Tahiti bowl is water-tight and can be cleaned easily by wiping with a damp cloth.

Simple and modern, the Editor pot is crafted from iron and features a geometric silhouette and rich gold finish.

The ceramic Nox pot adds edgy modern style to all your designs with a gold glaze and a knobby textured finish.

The versatile Unica vase features a painted gold band above a false bottom, making it perfect for use with a pillar candle or as a modern twist on a classic vase.

The Cosmo collection offers the perfect pot: a rich blush palette and textural ceramic that marries glamour and simplicity.

The Keller votive features a classic silhouette with a handmade mouth-blown finish. Clear bubbled glass and gold accents combine for a whimsical yet sophisticated design.

2nd Annual "A Day in the Life"

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 14:36:00 +0000

Accent Decor is a proud Platinum Sponsor of Blueprint58's 2nd annual "A Day in the Life" fundraiser at Monday Night Brewing. Sunday September 15th.

Head over to Blueprint58's site to purchase tickets and to learn more about the organization, here.

Reminder: Upcoming Showroom Closings

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Mon, 06 Aug 2018 13:42:00 +0000

Now that our summer shows have come to an end our visual merchandising team is back to work making changes, improvements and modifications to our showrooms for the upcoming seasons. Be aware of the below closure dates as we strive to make our showrooms even better than before!

Atlanta
AmericasMart
August 6th - November 19th

Dallas
Dallas Market Center
November 12th - December 10th

Norcross
Accent Decor Headquarters
February 18th - March 5th

The Artist Behind Eric & Eloise

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Wed, 25 Jul 2018 19:07:00 +0000

Accent Decor’s beloved artist, Jessica Hiemstra, worked with us to bring the joy of the holidays to life through an exclusive line of products based on her storybook, Eric and Eloise, the tale of an unlikely friendship between a fox and a hare.

We asked Jessica a few questions about the creation of Eric and Eloise, and here’s what she had to say.

Can you tell us a little bit about creating Eric and Eloise?
When I make things, what I’m trying to do is make a kinder, more habitable world. To me, that’s who Eric and Eloise and their friends are – this gaggle of totally different animals that can sit down at a table together and be different and be friends. I think, in our world, we sure need that. We need to be able to sit down at a table together with people who are different from us and laugh, listen, be kind and play. I hope the world of Eric and Eloise encourages us to imagine together, laugh together, respect each other, and honor friendship and all our differences.
In all my work for Accent Decor I try to imagine the world I think we all want to live in, and I see my job as doing my small part in imagining it and bringing it to life for us. When I make things for Accent Decor (from showrooms to product development) I begin with wonder and love - and I try to end with wonder and love too! In between, of course, there are logistical details and sometimes some hair pulling. Sometimes even a LOT of hair pulling :)

Share how you go about coming up with ideas for products?
First, I brainstorm. I just let whatever pops into my head land on the page. Then I present rough concepts to our design team. They start to cull. I ask them what they like, what stands out. Sarah (our creative director) is amazing at seeing diamonds in the rough – edging me in one direction or another, articulating what she likes, being both creative and pragmatic. It’s wonderful to work with someone who gives me creative liberty and direction at the same time.

Where did the idea for Eric & Eloise come from?
I grew up in the forest with foxes and hares and snow in winter. You know that moon in the book, and those stars flung across the sky? That’s the view from my little bedroom window as a wonder-filled kid. I’m also a cross country skier. I brought my childhood winters to life through drawings and then Accent Decor brought that little story to life for our customers. And now our customers can bring it to life for their customers!

Did the concept of characters come first or the story? (The chicken or the egg?)
Eric and Eloise as characters arrived fully formed! I started with the forest of my childhood and then thought about who lived there - and I made a story for them… a totally impossible story – because, uh, we know what would happen in the real world with a fox and a hare :) Another little secret is that, if you look at the dedication in the book you’ll see it says “for Sarah, of course.” Sarah is the Eloise to my Eric. I’m the awkward Eric. Sarah is the graceful Eloise. It really is all about friendship, isn’t it? Yes! Everything I make for Accent Décor is improved through friendships – friendships with our factories and friendships with each other. Friendship, in all its forms, makes life sweet and our designs strong. I like thinking of what we do at Accent Decor as acts of friendship. In my mind that’s what it is to be a responsible company – we don’t use each other, instead, trade is a kind of friendly collaboration. When it's good, it’s good for everyone!

Can you share a bit more about collaboration?
I love thinking about all the hands that touch what we make along the way. It’s my hope that in some way Eric & Eloise bring each person who touches them delight. They aren’t mine - they belong to each person who is part of making them come to life – from our customers who sell them to our customers’ customers, to the craftspeople in Nepal and China and India who make them.

Concept comes to life

So, there’s more to the story than just Eric & Eloise. Can you tell us a bit more about the “framily”
Well! There are eight other characters, as you know, who join Eric and Eloise at their dinner parties. They are a fun, motley crew, including a porcupine from Zambia, a divorced puffin, a pretentious photographer mouse and a Marten (who everyone thinks is a cat!) If our customers love our crew, we’ll keep putting love and energy into new designs.

The Framily Dinner

Well, that begs the question: will there be another book / story?
I’ve already written the next story! It’s pretty fun! We’re waiting to see how much our customers like the "framily", and if they love them, we’ve got a fun sequel to be printed in Nepal! I would be ecstatic to be able to bring this sequel to life for us :) So stay tuned!

Jess + Frankie Candleholder

In Our Community: Camp Grace 2018

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Fri, 13 Jul 2018 16:28:00 +0000

This year, Accent Decor sponsored 55 kids from the heart of Atlanta to spend a week at Camp Grace with Blueprint 58. According to Becca Stanley, Executive Director at Blueprint 58, Camp Grace offers an opportunity for kids to expand their horizons and try new things. Conquering fears on the high ropes course, learning to swim in the pool and lake, competing in dodgeball tournaments, and performing the new songs and skills they have learned throughout the week are just a few of the memories the kids get to take home with them. I have learned from ten years of experience that getting kids out of their environment helps open up new opportunities for growth and learning.

For those students involved in Blueprint 58 who are ready to take the next steps of leadership development and spiritual growth beyond camp, 8 high school boys got the opportunity to spend a week at the beach. They kayaked and swam in the ocean, many of them for the first time. They spent time building community and setting goals for the year ahead. The beach trip offers even more chances to experience new things while digging deeper into what it means to live with integrity and courage in a neighborhood where opportunities aren't always readily available.

Our Newly Expanded Atlanta Showroom!

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Fri, 06 Jul 2018 16:53:00 +0000

Over the spring, our visual merchandising team took a plunge into a larger than life task - expanding our Atlanta showroom by fifty percent. That's right! Our AmericasMart location is now an extensive 12,000 square feet. "AmericasMart continues to be the go-to destination for trend-inspiration, and Accent Decor's growth means we are a vital part of that," says Sarah Bagle our Creative Director.

The added square footage will allow more fluidity between products and trends as well as increased mobility while shopping the space. "I know from experience how important some breathing room and space can be when making important buying decisions. We wanted to provide our customers with the most inspiring space possible, and that means room to think, imagine and explore possibilities."

This fall, our team will take the project one step further as they reconfigure the bar / café area in time for the January shows. In the meantime, "Our customers can expect to see a wider range of Accent Decor's product line, work areas to spread out in and develop next season's lines with their team, and a larger sales team ready to take orders!"

Showroom Details: Fall / Winter 2018

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 15:14:00 +0000

Our showrooms are newly filled with our Fall / Winter 2018 Collection! We took a walk around our headquarters' showroom in Norcross, Georgia with our Visual Merchandising Director, Becky, to learn more about the merchandising components featured throughout our showrooms.

Our Voltage trend is filled with our large glass event pieces along with a vast majority of our gold products. This area of the showroom is flanked with aquamarine and electric orange brushstrokes glistening on plexiglass - this detail is easy to emulate with various colors of acrylic paint. Hanging from the ceiling are our Global Wire Spheres which are available for purchase on our website and are easy to assemble! We added the element of light into this section by welding steel rods and mounting Edison lightbulbs on the ends to create the ultimate industrial effect.

Walking through the showroom into our Ombra series, customers will experience many of our handmade pieces, ceramics, pottery, and woven baskets -- earthier elements. Our visuals team created different hanging aspects throughout the trend story with an assortment of baskets [Simona, Yaya, Pintado] from our collection. Some baskets are merely laced and draped among an array of nautical ropes while others have been hung with a light kit allowing for them to become light fixtures! An extra layer of art was added by creating two types of artwork: hand-painted rope art in various shades as well as broken pot art [Hammond, Demi, Whisker, London] allowing for additional texture. Shoppers will be excited to see installations constructed with cedar shims - over 3,000 per showroom! - designed to mimic brushstrokes.

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Further exploring the showroom - our Musée AD story is filled with our extensive garden and outdoor pieces peeking between foliage art and playful museum sketches. All of the plants and 'statues' are original watercolors by our concept artist Jessica Hiemstra. These designs were then hi-res scanned and printed onto ultraboard which allowed them to stand up among the showroom.

Sarah's Favorites: Fall / Winter 2018

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Tue, 12 Jun 2018 19:49:00 +0000

As we launch new collections, we always like to take a moment to pick our Creative Director, Sarah's, brain to find out which items are among her favorites. She is one of the few who sees the product development process from start to finish. She is also among the team of individuals who handpicks what makes it into our catalogs / showrooms / website and ultimately into our customer's hands!

Unicorn: That iridescent finish is so on-trend right now. The Unicorn vase would add just the right amount of sheen as an unexpected compliment to a textured floral arrangement.

Biltmore: The Biltmore Stand provides the structure for an elevated table runner, a statement piece at any wedding.

Cheyenne: Plant stands are everywhere as we all strive to bring the outdoors in. I love the handmade terracotta pots that sit in these stylish stands.

Grand Vela: These stonecast planters are lightweight but do heavy-lifting on design. The textured finish and muted white color would sit as the perfect addition to an outdoor living space.

Tasse: The pattern on the Tasse bowl is added by the hands of potters in Portugal. That added detail brings texture and leaves me with a craving to plant a succulent garden for my coffee table.

Shop all of our 2018 Fall / Winter new arrivals online now.

Meet Our New Visual Merchandising Director: Becky Hillis

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 16:24:00 +0000

Tell us a little bit about your role at AD.
I help create immersive experiences in each of our showrooms through visual displays and merchandising. Storytelling plays a big part in our seasonal concepts – as a creative team, we strive for each concept to have a clear point of view told through our merchandising and artful displays.

Where do you look for inspiration?
Nature – whether it is a walk through the woods or going to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, I always leave feeling inspired and energized. I also love the High Museum; it’s hard to not be inspired when you’re surrounded by priceless works of art. If I’m looking for a more instant source of inspiration, Instagram is my go-to. Some of my favorite pages are @savoygardens, @ebth, @landofbelle, @irisvanherpen, and @abstractsunday – all for very different reasons!

Roaming around the Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Current favorite design trends?
Bringing the outdoors in! Plants have so many benefits when used indoors. Not only do they make spaces more beautiful, but they have an incredible number of health benefits, purify the air, and are proven to increase productivity. Bonus points when they’re potted in one of AD’s containers!

Current favorite AD product?
I love the Domino Vase for multiple reasons: it is clean, modern, and slightly playful with its' asymmetrical gold leafing. This vase would be a great accent piece for any home and can stand alone without needing a floral arrangement.

What are you the most excited for customers to see in our summer showrooms?
Everything! I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished – I believe our customers will be incredibly inspired and delighted with what they see and experience. I’m especially excited for our customers to see our expanded Atlanta showroom – it is gorgeous!

What are your hobbies / things you enjoy outside of work?
I love spending time outdoors; I am attempting my hand at gardening – both the floral kind and the vegetable kind. It’s incredibly rewarding to see hours of hard work pay off in the form of baby tomatoes or a weed-less flower bed (although it doesn’t last long…) I also enjoy antique shopping and am a regular at Scott Antique Market – so many treasures, so little time!

Snapshot from one of Becky's Italian travel adventures

Where is your favorite place you’ve ever traveled to?
This is a tough one! I love to travel – I don’t think I’ve met a place I haven’t liked. However, if I have to choose one favorite, it would be Italy. I studied in Tuscany in college and now my brother and his family live outside of Venice, so Italy will always hold a special place in my heart. The plethora of art, architecture, history, food, wine…what more could you ask for?

What’s the first thing you do in the mornings?
Hit snooze. Make coffee.

What’s your favorite part about working at AD, so far?
Again, tough question! Can I say my two favorite parts? The first would be the people: Accent Decor truly does feel like a family. Everyone is kind, supportive, and I’m constantly inspired and motivated by my team. We spend a lot of time together in the set-up process, and I can honestly say we have fun together every single day. Secondly, I love my actual job! Being able to work with beautiful product and create displays that make it even more beautiful…what a dream. I can’t help but think how lucky I am to be a part of the AD family.

Event Designer Focus: Amy Osaba

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Thu, 24 May 2018 23:39:00 +0000

Last week we had the pleasure to have a little one-on-one with the lovely Amy Osaba from Amy Osaba Design to gain perspective on the current trends and elements she’s seeing in the floral and wedding industries. Thinking professional ballet would be her long-lasting career, Amy felt she had brought her dream to fruition after a ten year tenure and decided to move back home to Georgia. She met her husband and started having babies, and was lucky to stay home with them for five years. When her then-husband lost his job, Amy decided to take her side hobby of playing with flowers for small events for friends to a local bridal show. It was there that a few leads came about as her non-traditional take on flower arrangements was among the first in the Southeast. She then curated arrangements for an event at AmericasMart where an interior decorator noticed her designs and asked her to create some florals for a client’s party at their home. This event created quite a buzz for Amy and was a great foundation for her business to start branching out. A means to support her family, something she is proud to have accomplished through her work, Amy Osaba Design came to life.

One of Amy's designs in our Chelsea Vase ; Photography by Wesley & Emma Photography

AD: There are so many wedding trends. Which one is currently your favorite?
AO: I am absolutely thrilled that color is back! People are newly not afraid to push the envelope. We are getting a chance to explore more with designs, create interesting installation and add some fun touches to each event. I have noticed, since Kate Middleton’s wedding, that brides are leaning towards smaller, more natural bouquets. Which is more feminine in my opinion – textural yet dainty. Pinterest is obviously very popular. I don’t really look at it – not intentionally – I just don’t have the time! However, I do look at Instagram. I just think that the client and the venue lend themselves to certain things. I feel like Pinterest creates a lot of copying one another versus reimagining in the design process. When it comes to our design process we very much allow the room to dictate the flow of arrangements. We typically do three different designs within a room – something low and low, a little three-piece vignette – possibly mixing candlelight and florals, and then something taller, making more of a statement – branching blossoms that lifts your eyes up in the room. As far as vessels go, we are seeing a modern twist on pieces whether it’s glass or acrylic. Lots of taper candleholders but going away from brass vintage look that has been so popular. A lot more industrial clean lines and lots of gold! A trend that’s been a big game changer for vendors is the concept of a 'first look'. It mixes up the flow of the day but I actually like it because it’s so intimate and really allows for the couple to have a privative moment together.

AD: What’s a current trend that you’re "over"?
AO: Neutrals. They’re never going to go out of style - it’s safe and clean. I’m just not as excited about it, the whole blush and bashful look. I love to play with color and it can still be just as elegant to use color.

AD: In your professional opinion, what elements are brides not spending enough time / effort?
AO: There are plenty of ways to add a little fun to your wedding day and make it stand out among the rest. For instance, your escort card display – brides try to save money there and don’t realize that there’s a lot of opportunity to do something unique and interesting for your guests. You can create an escort card installation that doubles as a gift for your guests. One time, we proposed to a bride who was having her ceremony at dusk on this little lake peninsula where her guests had to walk down a path to get to and from the ceremony and reception sites to use lanterns as escort cards which would also lend light as they’re walking! It makes for a cool guest experience and was very practical! I also love a conversational piece – possibly artwork or something – that’s a reflection of you and allows your guests to know you better. When it comes to décor, I think it’s worth splurging on linens. If you have bad linens – people notice. Also, I think it’s really important to have a great planner. Someone who has your back and makes sure your vision comes to life!

Stunning floral installation by Amy ; Photography by Natalie Watson Photography

AD: Alternatively, where can a bride get the best bang for her buck?
AO: I do not itemize our proposals or list out specific flowers for that reason. When a bride shows you a $40k wedding but $10k budget – you have use her vision as inspiration knowing, as the professional, that certain flowers / certain seasons really dictate a floral budget. I aim to create quiet and impactful moments using their inspiration. My design process is not throwing a bunch of flowers everywhere. Much like music, you have to have rests to appreciate the moment. Wow factors and big florals are great but it’s nice to have smaller moments with candles, etc. which is a great way to save money and keeps things interesting!

AD: How does having a bride set on an idea affect your process?
AO: One great thing about Instagram is that clients are exposed to our aesthetic and generally like our style - but it’s better for someone to trust me versus being dead set on a certain flower. I aim for the most amount of flowers for least amount of money. I know the look they’re going for and I pay attention to what’s happening in the flower market (like a stock market!) and make sure we aren’t overspending on a certain flower especially if they’ve had a bad growing season or something. I use a tiered system when creating arrangements – filler flowers that are generally less expensive with some greenery, then add in some textural more expensive flowers, and popping in a few showpieces to finish off the look.

Photography by M.K. Sadler

AD: Let’s chat spring weddings. When you think about “spring weddings” what ultimately comes to mind?
AO: Hot. Heat. Just kidding! But you totally have to take that into consideration, especially in Georgia!! Heat plays a huge role with what kind of flowers I can use, etc.

AD: Based off your aesthetic are spring weddings your preferred season?
AO: I actually love fall. I love rich moody tones and darker palettes. I love the overall emotion it evokes. Don’t get me wrong, I love spring. I just feel that you can create something a little more unexpected with fall hues.

Our Antique White Pot ; Photography by Jose Villa

AD: What Accent Decor Pieces do you and your team like to work with?
AO: That’s a tough question to answer! Since I live in Alpharetta we are always ordering Accent Decor – literally almost every week! There's a smoked glass piece, the Embrace Collection, that we use a lot because we can mix candles and flowers together for interesting low centerpieces. Mixing light and florals is key to keeping things interesting. We use a lot of votives [Razoul Votive] and lanterns [Stanley Lantern].We love vessels that have clean straight lines so that your focus is on the flowers. We love how the [Highball Vases] allow for us to create unique and interesting arrangements. As far as ceramics go, we have had great fun with the Newport Collection, especially the bowls, and the Sanctuary Urn when a bride wants a more rustic look.

AD: Do you have a favorite wedding? Or any great stories from working with a client?
AO: In the last couple of years, we’ve had a few really fun, trusting couples who we’ve actually become friends with! They had the budget, wanted to go all out, and were looking for cool & different elements for their big day. Lauren & Fred got married at the Foundry and really gave us full creative direction for their industrial modern wedding. It was all white on white one white monochromatic with gold accents. It was a really fun one to dream up! Last year, we did a wedding in Nashville for a couple we’ve become quite close with! We created an amazing escort card table for them with this amazing Meredith Mejerle wallpaper and then repurposed the print on the dance floor – that was an awesome concept to create!

One of Amy's creations in our Harlow Stand (spray painted gold)

AD: Any tips / advice for budding new florists?
AO: In our workshops I generally say it’s super important to really understand pricing and your value. This is a big thing for me. I feel like what happens is that they start off in their careers and emotionally price. They low ball some of their prices because they don’t feel like they’re established enough to charge more. It kind of dumbs down the whole industry. I’m a big believer that there’s enough work to go around. Even for those who have worked under me and go do their own thing – I’m excited for them! This leads to young designers being underpriced and overworked. A creative person doesn’t always understand the business principals. I wish that I had understood this earlier in my career: the bottom line and how to run a profitable business. It’s not just the flowers: it’s the gas to get you places, helpers, the van you use to lug everything around, and of course, the time it take- intangibles we forget to put price on.
Last bit would be… Don’t be afraid to reach out to people you admire. We’re all human. We’ve all been at a starting point in our career. The worst thing they can say is, no.

How It's Made: Stemmed Glassware

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Thu, 17 May 2018 23:53:00 +0000

An exclusive behind the scenes look into the art form of glass blowing. Our product development team had the opportunity to witness this art come to life while visiting some of our manufacturing facilities in Poland. Prepare to be blown away...

Shop our stemmed glassware collection online now.

Summer Show Schedule

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Thu, 10 May 2018 12:47:00 +0000

#AD4MS

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Mon, 07 May 2018 14:34:00 +0000

How It's Made: Canvas & Juniper Stands

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Tue, 01 May 2018 14:53:00 +0000

It's not lost on us that a lot of time, effort, energy and attention to detail goes into the making of each one of our products. This past fall, our product development team had the opportunity to witness the creation of a couple of our metal products. Watch as workers compose and construct two of our most popular event pieces: the Canvas and Juniper Stands.

#BTS: AD Educate

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Thu, 26 Apr 2018 13:48:00 +0000

Here at Accent Decor, we believe in sustaining a well-rounded family team, with a continual focus on growth and innovation. We desire each of our team members to fully understand and participate in the work we are doing from start to finish: from factory to customer's doorstep.

To this end, we have created a new internal program at Accent Decor called AD Educate. The goal of AD Educate is to help the whole team come into a fuller understanding of the work we do and the reasons we do it. We are especially passionate about flowers and creating beauty in the world, and we share and extend that passion to everyone who plays a role in the Accent Decor family.

AD Educate series lead by Joyce Mason-Monheim (AIFD, CFD, PFCI, AZMF)

Accent Decor employees using our Norah Bowl to create their own blooming plant gardens

Floral Designer Focus: Joyce Mason-Monheim

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Tue, 17 Apr 2018 13:57:00 +0000

Recently, Joyce Mason-Monheim, (AIFD, CFD, PFCI, AzMF), came to our headquarters to conduct a special learning series for our employees: AD Educate. We'll have more on that later, but in the meantime we had an opportunity to sit down with Monheim and pick her brain relating to plants, flowers and all things pretty.

AD: Tell us a little more about how your relationship with Accent Decor started.
JMM: Accent Decor has always been present in everything that we do and all of the major events that we've been involved with especially AIFD Symposium. However, it wasn't until Sylvia Cup and Margaret [Accent Decor co-founder and Director of Philanthropy] was right there in front of me watching me design, that I got to meet her and get to know her better. That's how it all really started!

AD: Floral trends are forever changing and evolving. What current floral trends are exciting you these days?
JMM: The one trend that I'm really loving now that it's coming back is all of the heavy foliage - all of the varieties and textures. Green, being my favorite color, makes all of these shades of green that are back in style very exciting.
We are seeing some very unusual flowers coming into the market and being commercialized for consumer use which is really fun. For instance, Butterfly Ranunculus. And lots of different varieties that are changing up which is always fun to see. Growers and breeders have been exploring many different things for a long time and they are just now coming forward with things that are more sustainable for floral design which allows us to switch up varieties. We have had Ranunculus forever but now we have this new species which makes designing exciting! They've been doing this more and more which keeps things new and fresh!

AD: What would you say is a tried and true trend that regardless if it went 'out of style' according to the industry, you would keep going with it because you love it so much?
JMM: So, there are really fifteen to eighteen floral design styles, most of them have been around for hundreds of years. So they never really go 'off trend' it's more the products that we use that's the most trend forward part.
I really love the use of color and it's on the trends that I want to stay so that we can continue to explore new color palettes, etc. Getting away from that neutral / blush palette that has been so dominant for a long while now. While it truly is so pretty, with the use of Pinterest, it's very difficult as a designer and really more of a hindrance because now they see it and that's what they want and it doesn't give us much freedom for exploration as a designer as their mind is already made up. Before, when we had consultations they came into meetings looking for answers as they weren't really exposed to trends the way we all are now. Pinterest I'd be more than happy for that to be a trend that makes its way out!! But we all know it's not going anywhere!

AD: Regarding plants, they've definitely regained their momentum recently and are becoming huge especially in the home decor space. What are your thoughts on that?
JMM: I think they're just being brought to the forefront. There are some interesting touches of pink hues that we're seeing within veins of the leaves -- like what we are seeing in Arrowhead, Dracaena, and Hoya plants. And I can't forget to mention succulents, because they're everywhere!!

AD: When it comes to consumers, how can someone get the best bang for their buck when sprucing up their patio?
JMM: That's a really difficult question to answer in general because planting is so regional. What happens here in Atlanta is going to be different than what's favorable in Dallas and different that's what's going on in Tucson, and everywhere in between. I think the smartest thing you can do is consult with your local garden center / nursery and talk to an expert there because beyond just your local weather and climate is also the positioning of your patio / garden in relation to the sun, etc. They're also more able to tell you about what's sustainable in your area which helps with your ongoing budget in the long run. Heat, humidity, and sunlight are the biggest facets to consider when planting.

AD: In that case, tell us a little bit about what we can find on your patio in Arizona!
JMM: I have a forty foot patio! I have a lot!! The interesting thing with Arizona is that most plants thrive in that climate as long as they're covered - there's a limited amount of plants that can absorb that full sun. So as long as I keep them shaded I can kind of get away with anything! I have so much out there: Stephanotis plants. Kiwi plants, all kinds of vines, a Hawaiian Plumeria plant, succulents, cactus - the list goes on!

Joyce's Patio in Tucson, Arizona

AD: In relation to Accent Decor, what are some of your preferred products from our Garden / Outdoor collection?
JMM: (Without hesitation) The Newport Collection is by far my favorite. They're all so classic and you can put so many different things in them. I also love the Emmerson - I like that shape a lot. You're able to do many different designs with them: low with succulents that you gaze into or something tall with bigger plants.

AD: We realize asking this question is much like asking someone to choose their favorite child, but do you have a favorite flower?
JMM: It varies and changes from time to time but the one that I'm always drawn back to is the Cobra Lily [Sarracenia]. I love the mix of greens, browns and burgundies. They don't last very long but I always find them so unique and cool.

AD: Where do you seek inspiration?
JMM: Lots of places! I reference trade magazines for inspiration. For the most part, I am very inspired by the materials themselves: the actual flowers and branches and how they move and hold and take shape as I'm creating.

AD: Have you always wanted to be a florist?
JMM: Well... no! When I was graduating from high school I knew what college I wanted to go to but not the kind of classes I wanted to take. I knew something in the artistic field but I didn't know what. They [Kirkwood Community College] had just started a floriculture program, so I decided to give it a try. I think it's pretty obvious that I loved it.

Keep In Mind: Showroom Closures

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Fri, 13 Apr 2018 15:29:00 +0000

As summer market dates approach, we are working on reconfiguring (and in one case - expanding!) our showrooms. Please keep these closing dates in mind as you're planning visits to our showrooms. We look forward to seeing you all in June / July and are excited to share a newly expanded AmericasMart showroom in Atlanta -- 50% bigger than before!

Watch: Wynwood Sphere Centerpiece

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Tue, 10 Apr 2018 16:40:00 +0000

Watch as Mandy Majerik (AIFD, PFCI) from Hot House Design Studio brings her concept sketch to life creating a whimsical centerpiece. Pairing an unexpected duo: our Wynwood Sphere and La Moda Compote to complete her design. The versatility of the Wynwood Sphere allows molding to different shapes. While the La Moda Collection supports both floral designs and candlelight. Majerik composes her look using a wide variety of florals: lily grass, mini callas, peonies, kale, astilbe, roses, orchids and allion. The opportunities are endless...

Supporting Our Brave Co-founder

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 16:05:00 +0000

Walk for a world free of MS!

When Multiple Sclerosis affects your family, walking for a cure in a no-brainer.
Multiple Sclerosis is an unpredictable and disabling disease of the central nervous system disrupting the flow of information within the brain and body. Each year, the Accent Decor family rallies behind our founder and philanthropist, Margaret Hofland, honoring her groundbreaking steps with our own. We walk for her, but also for every person who bravely faces a diagnosis.
Together, we can become a powerful force for health and healing. And with every step we take, every dollar we raise, we're that much closer to ending MS forever.

Donate

Join our team

Learn more

Covet this Classic: Chinoiserie

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 14:44:00 +0000

Our Eleanor collection offers a modern take on traditional Chinoiserie. This hand-painted collection makes for a fresh Mother's Day statement.

Available in a variety of patterns, shapes and sizes, allowing for a plethora of pairing options for your personal collection.

To Download: Mother's Day Posters

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Mon, 19 Mar 2018 15:32:00 +0000

Attract, engage and motivate your customers with our playful graphics!

Accent Decor has paired pieces from its 2018 Mother's Day collection with design-worthy and easy-to-emulate arrangements for your point of sale. This Mother's Day, make shopping for extraordinary moms effortless with fun and engaging visual merchandising material.

Download here

Mother's Day 2018 Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 14:40:00 +0000

This Mother's Day (and every Mother's Day) we are celebrating all of the many kinds of moms out there. Holistic moms, inked moms, chic moms, Latina moms, dance moms, fashionista moms, vino moms, biker moms, dog moms, preggo moms, stepmoms... the list goes on. We believe in the power of motherhood and that all mothers should be honored for who they are and everything they do for us. Our collection recognizes that your mom made you - so you can make her day!

An enchanting staircase overflowing with vases of all shapes and sizes with a multitude of options for every mom. Textured glass moments with our Loren Glass collection, purple hues with our Viola and Trudy Vases, and glimpses of milky glass with our Draper collection and Plume Vase.

Statement Pieces for Life's Biggest Moments

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Thu, 08 Mar 2018 15:43:00 +0000

Many pieces in our new collection lend themselves well to event / wedding decor and tablescapes. We've highlighted some of our favorites that are sure to make your client's big day truly magical.

Our 2018 Easter Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Mon, 26 Feb 2018 15:40:00 +0000

A season for celebrating darkness to light, new life, and leaving shadows behind. Transformation and growth unfurl slowly and astonish with their beauty and grace.

Shop our entire 2018 Easter collection now at AccentDecor.com

Mineral Planter + Graphic Egg Cups

Easter Collection + Spring Gift Tags

E + E Eric Candleholder

Grapevine Chandelier + Lullie Bowl + Bunny Ears Napkin Ring

We're Hiring!

noreply@blogger.com (Angelique Witcher) — Wed, 21 Feb 2018 17:35:00 +0000