Flower July/August 2023

“Summertime, and the livin’ is easy…”—Lyrics by Ira Gershwin and DuBose Heyward; Song by George Gershwin THERE’S A ROMANCE IN THE WORD “SUMMER” that doesn’t surface in any other word or season. It’s like magic as it conjures up a mystical brew of childhood memories: camps full of arts and crafts, canoes on the lake, and fun-filled skits; beach trips with a thousand “are we there yets,” along with sunburns, oversized hats, and gritty sandy sheets; and time spent at the neighborhood pool, at the movies, or in front of cartoons eating cereal with no place to be—pure bliss. As grownups, many of us work throughout the year and no longer experience the release and exquisite ecstasy of hearing, in the immortal words of Alice Cooper, “School’s out for summer!”…

Traditional Homecoming After globetrotting and living in the Bahamas for some time, interior designer Kelley Proxmire’s client was ready to return to the D.C. area. Finding a lot that backs up to her daughter’s home—convenient for visiting grandkids—she and GTM Architects created a new home that looks like it was sitting on its site for generations. Kelley then helped her fill it with tailored sophistication, plenty of color, and treasures that reflect the owner’s travels. See more of the home at flowermag.com/traditionalhomecoming COOL SUMMER SIPS Whether hosting a backyard cookout or weekend brunch, welcome guests with refreshing summer drinks. Stir up a batch of James Farmer’s Lavender Limeade or Katherine Cobbs’ Dreamsicle Cocktails. We’ve gathered recipes for alcohol-free sippers, spirited concoctions, and fun floral ice cubes to dress up your…

A FLORAL PAIRING York Wallcoverings debuts the second edition of its Blooms collection and engages Atlanta floral designer Canaan Marshall to choose a favorite print as inspiration for his exuberant displays. Whether you want bold florals on your walls or more demure ones, York Wallcoverings has you covered with the second edition of their popular Blooms collection—14 fresh designs in multiple colorways for a total of 72 different styles. This new rendition of Blooms expands into fauna with the inclusion of butterflies, tree frogs, and other small inhabitants of plants and trees. “Our Blooms collection harnesses the natural healing power of different florals,” says Carol Miller, trend and color expert for York Wallcoverings. To celebrate the new collection, York reached out to Atlanta floral talent Canaan Marshall to create designs…

For Bruce Lockhart, the second time was the charm. When a realtor first brought him on a site visit to Swift River Farm as a prospective buyer, he immediately said, “Forget it.” The house was badly built from scrap lumber, and the land was stripped. Any natural resource that the previous owner could possibly exploit was lumbered, dismantled, and sold, including the pine forest and stone walls. But somehow, Bruce ended up touring the downtrodden property a second time to find struggling spring wildflowers studding the fields—and that’s when his perspective changed. He became determined to rescue the seemingly hopeless Massachusetts property. Together with his partner Gus Block, he decided to adopt the lost cause and turn its life around—you might even say he helped the land find its soul.…

Behind the Scenes As a young boy growing up in Columbus, Georgia, Bob Vardaman had two passions: theater and gardening. When he wasn’t performing for an audience at the local community theater, he was in the kitchen gabbing with his aunts as they arranged foraged flowers and cooked fresh vegetables harvested from the backyard. After Bob graduated from high school, his craving for culture took him to New York to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He then held various posts in theater management until returning to the South to take the role of company manager for the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery. There, the success of his on-stage productions placed him in the spotlight, and he quickly became the go-to guy for innovative, extravagant private events for…

With a lifelong love of gardening, designer Charlotte Moss has long been intrigued with what draws people—especially women—into the world of horticulture. Some have made it their professions, while others have become enthusiasts, patrons, philanthropists, or simply weekend hobbyists. And then there are those who write about all things gardening. In her new column for FLOWER, Charlotte explores some of these women and the journeys that led to their passions for plants and flowers. She also has a forthcoming book with Rizzoli on the subject of gardening women set to release spring 2025. Not everyone can move seamlessly from one successful career to another, especially when you are just shy of your 70th birthday—but Nicole de Vésian did just that. As a consultant and textile specialist in the early years,…