Style experts and Teleflora florists recently lent their creativity to a prestigious project for the U.S. Department of State.
The State Department teamed up with the Magazine Publishers of America to decorate the historic rooms of Blair House, the guest house for heads of state visiting the White House. Built in 1824, Blair House, along with three other townhouses, has served this important function since 1942.
Together, the complex is larger than the White House, with 119 rooms and total area of 70,000 square feet, according to www.blairhouse.org. There are 14 guest bedrooms, eight staff bedrooms, 35 bathrooms, four dining rooms, kitchen facilities, laundry and dry cleaning facilities, an exercise room, a flower shop, and a fully equipped hair salon.
Teleflora and sister brand POM Wonderful pomegranates worked with decorators at This Old House and Better Homes and Gardens magazines to provide décor. The holiday-themed Blair House was unveiled for public viewing on December 7.
Stacie Lee Banks (above) and her sister Kristie Lee Tyler of Lee’s Flower & Card Shop helped decorate the Lincoln Room.
For Teleflora’s part, Carol Caggiano, freelance floral designer, AIFD, PFCI, designed a traditional garland of pomegranates, magnolia leaves, pinecones and feathers. Stacie Lee Banks and her sister Kristie Lee Tyler of Lee’s Flower & Card Shop, were on hand to help This Old House magazine decorate the Lincoln Room’s mantel.
“It was a fantastic experience,” says Stacie, whose family-run floral shop has been in business since 1945. “My sister and I did it together, and it was a great experience to work with the magazine and see everything that happens behind the scenes. There were six different magazines there so it was interesting to see all the different styles, from glitzy to natural to traditional.”
Any surprises along the way? “I was surprised at the amount of security. To go from room to room, you had to have an escort.”
Additionally, Stacie and Kristie made wreaths from fresh bay leaves and cranberries, and put bows on a Christmas tree in another room. “To us, the bows were just an everyday thing, but they were really excited about them. We also made a kissing ball, which is similar to mistletoe, but more traditional. We helped with anything they needed.”
To see photos, visit the following links:
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20325468,00.html
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20325468_20712912,00.html
For ideas on how to decorate your home for the holidays visit our Holiday Home Décor page.
