Submitted by Gerard Toh AIFD CFD CCF
A Designer’s point of view.
It’s New Year’s Day 2022. I’m driving down a very dark Highway 61 on the way to Baton Rouge Airport at 4am in the morning. The plane’s taking me to meet with my design team members in Dallas. We were about to take on the over 10k showroom space of the legendary company Accent Decor at the Dallas Market Center and we have only two and a half days to do it!
Team leader Donald Yim AIFD is confident in our achievements as we have been doing this for quite a few years now. Along for the floral art and design fun is his wife Micky, Nona Tai AIFD, Michael Quesada AIFD, June Gayoung Jung. I say fun loosely as this is hard work! Orchestrating this is no small feat. Donald has to make sure the flowers arrive at the right time and this being New Years’ day, we had to wait for the bulk of it to get there on the 3rd, leaving us about 2 days to process the flowers, prep the containers and create the designs. This did not include running out last minute for extra plants and design material. This time there was a shortage of floral foam. Michael Quesada did have a supply handy when I happen to mention it to him so he had that flown to the hotel from California! Good safe! Though we were prepared to hoof it with just poultry wire, there are certain styles that just lends itself to foam.
When we got into the building on the day we arrived, we get the chance to scope out the layout. The showroom has already been organized and merchandised in specific trend and seasonal focused sections. Our job is to create arrangements in well-chosen containers to showcase the containers and not to overshadow them. So the art and style has to take a step back. Donald takes a democratic, collaborative approach to this walk-through. He decides on a particular style and dominant colors for each section and then, we talk about it. After that, a designer or two is designated for that section. Floral and plant material are all laid out and we can go about choosing what is needed for each design. It’s all very efficient. June Gayoung Jung says, for her, “She feels privileged to see the new lines of exquisite products before anyone else. Setting up the trend-setting show side by side with super talented designers, seeing and learning from their work is not only fun but a dream come true”.
Micky’s job, I feel, is the most important. She is in charge of prepping the containers and maintaining the water levels throughout our stay. This takes so much pressure off us as designers and creates a smooth flow without us stopping to prep. She watches intently as we design and she also “feels honored to be part of a great team.”
It is so much a learning experience for all present as our differing styles and subsequent collaborations (yes we talk and gossip and chat away as we work!) evolve and grow each other’s designs. The atmosphere is always light, (we joke a lot, like florists, sometimes in the most irrelevant way!) which I think contributes to the beautiful designs even though there is a lot of work involved.
When all is done, and we can step back to look at it, spread out is a literal gallery of floral art. Better than any show. It fact it is a show. If you have not gone to one of the Accent Decor showrooms, I encourage you to do so. The artistry afforded by this company is invaluable to our industry and design community. Michael Quesada AIFD says of his role on the team “Some of the most artistic inspiration can come from working with eh best floral designers. The concepts that Accent Décor explores give designers unique opportunities to develop and learn from others. It’s like going to a mini AIFD symposium while you’re working with some of the best designers, and, on some of the best lifestyle products available.”
Nona Tai AIFD says, “After years working with the team, she realized how important the “Vessel” is for presenting the flowers in design. Accent Decor elevated the possibility for expressing the overall design. From the simple earth tone pot for house plants to the glamourous look of fancy weddings.
I had experienced the different mood and explored the different designs. As a floral designer, what can be more fun and challenging! Each section of showroom has its own story to tell, the vases design share that same feeling, we used flowers to enhance the “ stage” and share the story they try to say ( or sell!) The vases, inspired the overall design. To me that is. Thus, as I come back to my own studio, I like to share this with my clients either for grandma’s 90th birthday, or a summer garden wedding, or corporate events. The choice of vases become my first design decision. A right container will enhance the flowers tenfold and further express the designer’s thoughts for each event. Most my clients appreciated and noticed the nice containers I used for them, it became a memorable “keepsake“ for them. Most of all, they remember ME! They always call back for more. This is the most valuable lesson I had learned from working at Accent Decor! Besides working with the best designers that always share ideas and teach me new techniques. I feel very blessed to have such an opportunity to work side by side with them in the wonder world of Accent Decor.
Donald Yim AIFD, Team leader, recounts the many hours of work with pride and joy. “I can’t do this without my team”. He felt that the showroom install was a great success. “We always have so much fun. “The success is with the team and we couldn’t have finished without them. AD has great, innovative product and I’m so glad I have the opportunity to work with them.”
Accent Décor has several showrooms. They are currently at the Dallas market center, Americasmart in Atlanta and Las Vegas.
There are two existing design installation teams plus a couple of guest teams that work on these show rooms.
Joyce Mason-Monheim AIFD is the other Design Team Leader for the other two showrooms. She shares with Focal Points her experience of the installations.
Twice a year, every spring and summer, Accent Décor brings their showrooms alive with the newest trends and lots and lots of beautiful fresh flowers and plants. These trends are created by Accent Décor’s Creative Team lead by Becky Hillis and then is turned over to the Floral Install Teams’ interpretation of the chosen trend collections. From Atlanta to Dallas and onto Las Vegas these Floral Install Teams create trending designs with flowers and plants, each location being unique and displaying personal flair.
Choosing flowers that perform well, colors that reflect the interpretation, plants that are trending and all within a set budget and logistics can be challenging, but the finished product is overwhelmingly priceless. To see how flowers bring the showroom containers to life and the reaction of all those that observe and pass by makes all the long hours and heavy lifting worth it. “It is always amazing to me how flowers can draw people in and capture their attention and create joy” says Floral Team Leader Joyce Mason-Monheim AIFD. Joyce has been helping with the Accent Décor showrooms for over 7 years. This year’s trends reflect the popularity of biophilia, loving nature and all of its elements – natural dried flowers, wild flower feel and lots of green plants, incorporating earth tone and neutral color pallets.
Spring 2022 Accent Décor Floral Install Team-Atlanta
- Joyce Mason-Monheim AIFD
- Chris Collum AIFD
- Gail Chronister AIFD
- Jenny Behlings AIFD
- Sharon McGukin AIFD
- Maintenance Team- Laura Larocci CFD and her staff
Spring 2022 Accent Décor Floral Install Team – Las Vegas
- Joyce Mason-Monheim AIFD
- Chris Collum AIFD
- Gail Chronister AIFD
- Brian Vetter AIFD
- Lupita Quintana AIFD
- Carlos Gutierrez
- Donald Yim AIFD
- Micky Yim
- Nona Tai AIFD
- Michael Quesada AIFD
- June Gayoung Jung
- Maintenance Team- Lupita Quintana AIFD, Carlos Gutierrez, Susana Finch, Rolando Romero, Fidel Quintana
