Earlier this year Darling was proud to act as media sponsor for Still Life Park City. It was a remarkable weekend spent among talented women, in a serene environment and, of course, with an abundance of beautiful flowers. Below Darling Events Director Chelsea Carter invites you along for the recap of her experience.
Have you ever walked into a space and felt completely overwhelmed by its beauty? That is exactly how I felt when I walked into the Still Life: The Study of Flowers workshop in Park City, UT curated by the incredibly talented and equally as lovely ladies of Ashley Beyer of Tinge Floral and Emmily Jones of Gatherist.
Darling was honored to attend the Still Life Park City workshop as a media sponsor and to experience the lovely week that was in store. Every detail was meticulously curated with intention to create a room full of absolutely stunning details. From the buckets of unique varietals of peonies, garden roses, and ranunculus to the stations set-up for attendees to create their first masterpiece, to even the picturesque Washington Schoolhouse Hotel where the workshop was held, every single detail was spot on throughout the entire week.
The first day consisted of a meet and greet with the attendees followed by a fireside lesson in floral design by Tinge Floral in a cozy room with white brick and farmhouse tables. During this lesson, Ashley presented her design process from start to finish and emphasized building a community with peers in your industry and helping one another, rather than competing and withholding information.
This is something that really stuck with me and I have been thinking about non-stop ever since.
After the lesson, we walked upstairs and began to create centerpieces of our own, intentionally choosing each flower and piece of greenery to create a simple, crisp design with a warm, citrus inspired color palette. The day continued with a lesson on intentional event design by Gatherist, and a large urn demonstration by Nicole Land of Soil and Stem, which lead into the most beautiful welcome dinner party I’ve ever attended.
In true Darling fashion, I led a “Darling Dinner” in which I asked questions such as “Are you living out your passions?” That encouraged the ladies to open up their hearts and to get to know one another on a sincere and deep level.
Day two at the workshop consisted of a bridal bouquet making class with Tinge Floral and a session to photograph our work with the amazing Jill Thomas and a beautiful model in a flowing Leanne Marshall wedding gown. We pursued new techniques that encouraged us to be vulnerable, humble and brave.
We continued the workshop by installing a custom mantle arrangement on the fireplace in the lobby at the Washington Schoolhouse Hotel that was a true team effort. Hues of plum, apricot and greenery provided the perfect backdrop for late night conversations and gatherings after our last dinner together.
Day three of the workshop began with poolside yoga and refreshing fresh juices and ended with one-on-one’s with Tinge Floral throughout the day. We didn’t want to leave, wishing that the week could continue forever. We walked away with full hearts, new techniques, a new community of friends and an imprint of a perfectly curated and inspiring week in our minds.
In this industry it’s so easy to continue your craft, but its not until you take a minute to reflect and be brave that you can truly learn and grow. Keep creating beautiful things, ladies.
Thank you to all who made this incredible week possible:
Workshop Hosts: Tinge Floral, Gatherist | Photography: Jill Thomas assisted by Ciara Richardson | Venue: The Washington Schoolhouse | Paper Goods/Branding: Kaela Rawson | Rentals: Alpine Event Rentals, Decoration Inc. | Dinnerware and white ceramic vases: The Ark | Ribbon sponsors: Frou Frou Chic and Silk and Willow | Cake: Pippa Cakery | Floral Sponsor: Mayesh Wholesale | Dress: Leanne Marshall | Guest Teacher: Soil and Stem | Media Sponsor: Darling Magazine
