NFS: Relationships

Back in February, a dear friend introduced me to one of her professional contacts via email. It wasn’t until I looked at the linked website that it clicked: I had done work for this event designer as a freelancer for another wonderfully talented florist. In my response back, I shared with him the connected dots and figured his Rolodex was healthily filled being in biz for so long.

Lo and behold, many months later, I got a call from him on a Monday for a job on that Wednesday. A seemingly straightforward gig: a small dinner party using the clients’ 16” wide glass vase— to be built onsite. “Simple enough,” I thought.

Silly me showed up five minutes early, ready to design in the vase with tape and a smile. “Absolutely not. It’s Murano glass. Vintage!” the client stated as clear as the one mechanic I brought with. “No problem, I am going to step away and will be right back”, I calmly replied.

The ingredients

“FLORIST NEAR ME NOW OPEN”, I searched in Google Maps. The nearest life raft ended up being a mirage, making sure I knew, “we aren’t a vase store, we are a flower shop!” Um…. yes…but….. whatever, noted.

After several alternate attempts and overridding Maps’s intelligence with my gut’s, I made my way to the new home of Jean-Pascal in Beverly Hills. His shop at the ROW DTLA has been in my heart and on my mind since I visited in 2021. Still covered in butcher paper with a lock box on the door, the store has yet to be revealed to the public. In an act of nearly defeated desperation, I hopefully pulled on the handle and it opened to a few construction workers and an employee — all of us wide-eyed, surprised to see the other. “Hi! Is Jean-Pascal here? I am also a florist and I need help out of a jam”, I showed all my cards. Jean-Pascal sweetly and swiftly sent me on my way with two vase options and the gift of encouragement. He saved the day.

Upon return to the client site, I arranged a large cloud of white and peach hydrangea with accents of Pastelegance peony. I love how it turned out! The centerpiece brought life to the grand dining room and perfecrly played off the colors in the drapery, seat cushions, and mural.

Up close shot of the arrangement

White hydrangea mimic the clouds in the mural

One of the evening’s servers indulged me on my photo request to demonstrate scale and aliveness!

After a few days, I looked back at the above photo and thought: omg, this is a very NFS shot! Which brings me to my next relationship highlight—

Vintage art dealer and collector, Jonathan Pessin, invited me to his gallery show: You Can’t Park There. An enticing title that spoke directly to me and intrigued my undying curiosity of testing the (meter) limits. ***For anyone who knows me, they understand that I routinely struggle to figure out where my car can and cannot be left….I am LADOT’s top target, their favorite cu$tomer.

You’ll see the invitation does not include the event address. iOS 15 can’t see Partiful details, Yona!

After arriving at the wrong location and changing course, I made it to the FOR LEASE building on Western at the 11th hour. Guests were greeted by his lovingly restored Porsche, whose commandeering presence demanded admiration and reverance. “Should I genuflect?” I thought.

Dotted with traffic cones, the show continued up the stairs to a colorful world of thoughtfully selected and carefully arranged objects, art, and furniture. Nods to the show’s title were scattered among the many vignettes including: repurposed road signs, patinated speed limit notices, and even a trucker meet-up.

With its distinct personality, each piece had plenty of space to speak to the others, I was thrilled to hear the animated conversations happening among this subset of Jonathan’s collection. Well done, friend! I am so proud of you.

While the show has concluded, the artist remains. For those in the Los Angeles area in need of storied homewares, consider a trip to his Frogtown studio… just make sure he is actually there before going.

Image borrowed from Theories of Time Yancey Strickler

Finally, with all of that, I’d like to take a moment to appreciate all the amazing people in my little corner of the world. I am constantly in awe of the web woven over my lifetime, by God, mainly, and me a little bit. It is often unclear if or when seeds will sprout, but leading with pure intentions of connection and authenticity tend to bring forth nourishing, long-lasting relationships that rear their heads exactly when they need to! Time really does move in a spiral, eh!