“A keen eye for design runs in my blood. I am fortunate enough to have learned everything from the best: my grandparents. Their suburban flower shop, family owned and operated for 35 years, seemed like the perfect place for a creative teenager needing a job. At their shop, I designed for nearly a decade, through high school and college until their retirement.
Avant Gardenia just sort of happened. I started by doing the floral for a few friends’ weddings simply because I knew how. It was so enjoyable to be able to share my natural abilities in order to bring a décor vision to life for such an important and meaningful day. It was then that I realized the niche of wedding & event floral design and how I was able to create a unique experience that is different from a retail florist.
Avant Gardenia is a play on words. The term ‘avant garde’ means original, innovative, inventive. ‘Gardenia’ came to mind because they were my grandma’s favorite flower. I remember her always making a gardenia corsage for Easter and Mother’s Day; she loved the smell. So the name “Avant Gardenia” has special meaning as it bridges past and present: who I learned from and what my company strives for.”