A Home Composed in Joy
Perched above a broad bend of river in the Ozarks, River House greets its guests with blush clapboard, a gilded lantern, and an open door that hints at the color waiting inside. Baker Design Group furnished this 1920s home with rosy velvet, playful leopard print, and hand-painted chinoiserie. Our team was entrusted with the custom floral design for the home, from the kitchen to the riverside porch. Lisa Floyd, Director of Interior Design at Baker Design Group, summed up the spirit of the house in a single line: “Whimsy has no age, and color has no bounds.” We adopted those words as our guide, and the arrangements they inspired are among the work we’re proudest of this year.
Every Arrangement Began with the Room
Our process starts long before the first stem is cut. We study the fabrics, finishes, artwork, and sight lines of each space until we understand what the room is already saying. River House had no shortage of color. Adding more would have been easy, but our goal was to listen to the palette the interiors had established and carry it further with intention. The result is a home where every arrangement feels as though it has always been there.
The Kitchen and Kitchen Nook
Three pink glass pendants hang above the kitchen island, and they set a cheerful tone we were eager to match. For the centerpiece, we chose a buttercup yellow vessel sculpted to resemble a cluster of lemons. Lavender peonies, garden roses, blue cornflower, and plum allium fill it to the brim, and it remains one of our favorite moments in the entire home. A tall bubbled glass vase of lemon branches stands near the farmhouse sink to continue the citrus story.
The breakfast nook offered a different opportunity. Its scalloped floral shades provided the palette, and we borrowed from them freely. Golden ranunculus, fuchsia hydrangea, and hot pink roses now sit in a blue and white painted cachepot at the center of the table.
The Living Room
Pink bouclé, powder blue upholstery, and a leopard ottoman trimmed in bullion fringe give the living room plenty of personality. We answered with something softer. A green and white striped footed bowl holds blush snapdragons, lilac hydrangea, and pale garden roses, while a pair of gilded cranes adds a touch of wit.
Across the room, the blue grasscloth console needed more energy. We designed a fluted silver vessel overflowing with coral orchids, deep pink dahlias, golden ranunculus, and craspedia. Its colors mirror the striped abstract paintings hanging beside it almost stroke for stroke.
The Sitting Area
Not every space needs abundance. This corner already holds a sculptural lamp, a burl wood side table, and a collection of brass crescent mirrors, so we kept our contribution quiet. A striped pedestal bowl of delicate white waxflower gives the eye a place to rest without dimming the room’s playful spirit.
The Dining Room
A watercolor cheetah lounging on a pink sofa watches over this room, and our centerpiece was designed to keep it company. We began with a sculptural face vase crowned in white blossoms. From the top of that crown, pink and lavender peonies, blush ranunculus, poppies, and plum berries appear to bloom straight from the figure itself. Beside it, a lemon yellow planter of agave offers structure and contrast. With the mauve velvet chairs and gold chandelier, the table now invites guests to stay a little longer.
The Primary Bedroom
Serenity guided every choice in the owner’s suite. Beneath the wavy woven mirror, two cream ceramic vessels hold blush pampas, pink protea, white phalaenopsis orchids, and trailing string of pearls. We arranged the pair to read as one continuous composition rather than two separate pieces. At the foot of the bed, a small blue ikat bud vase of white ranunculus rests on a rattan tray as a final, personal touch.
The Back Porch
How do you design florals for a porch that overlooks a river and its arched bridges? You give them enough confidence to hold their own. Tall green glass cylinders filled with violet orchids and deep plum hydrangea line the stone console. On the coffee table, a low scalloped bowl gathers pink hydrangea, chartreuse orchids, thistle, and moss. Against the bold floral rug, the whole porch feels relaxed, green, and ready for long summer evenings.
Let Us Design for Your Home
River House shows what becomes possible when florals are treated as part of the design rather than a finishing touch. We’re proud to have played a role in a home with so much character. If you’d like arrangements designed around your rooms, your palette, and the way you live, our team would be honored to create them for you. Contact Us: info@curateflorals.com or 972.417.3800