When I first met Kelly Sullivan (owner of Botanique Flowers) and saw her floral designs at a wedding I was second shooting, I was blown away – by her creativity and the beauty of her work, and also by how her business focuses on using local and seasonal flora. A few months after, she approached me about working together on a styled shoot so that we could both showcase our talents and push our innovative envelope. Over a fun dinner at Café Presse, we got to know each other a bit and brainstorm about working together. It was nearly fall, so we knew we’d have to get our act together if we wanted to do anything while the flowers Kelly had in mind were still in season.
I had recently celebrated my 30th birthday at Utina Wardroom (part of City Catering Company) in South Lake Union, and thought it would be the perfect place to hold our first styled photo shoot, with beautiful natural light, a cool industrial, polished metal door, and concrete floor. Essentially a blank canvas for Kelly to transform. And boy, did she. Utina was quick to agree to collaborate with us and allow us the space for a Saturday back in November. We had such a blast. I am amazed by Kelly’s vision and how she pulled everything together. Huge thanks to Vintage Ambiance and Belltown Bridal for their contributions.
We are both equally thrilled to have been featured on 100 Layer Cake yesterday! Our first styled shoot AND my first blog feature. (Kelly’s already had some amazing publicity – check out this article about her in The New York Times!) I’m on total cloud nine and excited to share these images with you! Here are some of my favorites.
I love the rich blue tablecloth and unique design on the runner from Creative Coverings.
My jaw dropped when I saw what Kelly did with this amazing cubby from Vintage Ambiance. And her leaf curtain – are you kidding me?! Those are real leaves from her yard, people, which she dried and strung on fishing wire. This woman knows details!
I wanted to take this Vintage Ambiance chair home with me! Très chic.
Jesi was a stunner in this lovely gown from Belltown Bride.
Here’s what Kelly had to say about the design inspiration:
Utina is a very modern venue, and we wanted to merge the open, clean lines of the space with a vibrant color palette filled with palpable textures. We combined botanicals in shades of earthy browns, punchy oranges, and lush pinks with modern metals, teal velvet and glass accents, and vintage crates and trunks to create a rich, worldly feel. We hope you enjoy the cubby drawer cake table with seed pods, nuts, roses and marigolds spilling out its drawers; the oak leaf curtain; the tablescape featuring bold linens, persimmon branches, amaryllis, and unique trunk seating; the beautiful gown by Amy Kuschel; the open, clean lines of Utina, featuring a gorgeous wall of windows; and the overall aesthetic of this vibrant and earthy design concept.
Vendors
Photography: Tara Brown Photography
Flowers and styling: Botanique
Venue: Utina Wardroom
Furniture and props: Vintage Ambiance
Dress: Amy Kuschel from Belltown Bride
Linens: Creative Coverings
Cake: Purchased from Whole Foods (decorated by Kelly and Jesi)
Model: Jesi Clark
