The holiday season in Palm Beach is a time of merriment, of parties, celebrations and good cheer. And like the party-goers themselves, the island's homes, restaurants and clubs are dazzlingly dressed, thanks to the magic of holiday decorating. Add the twinkle of holiday lights, and suddenly the island has become a winter wonderland, Palm Beach style.
Few would know more about this transformation each season than the decorating divas at Anything But Ordinary on Georgia Avenue in West Palm Beach. Whether they are adding a splash of holiday cheer inside Taboó or preparing a private residence for a holiday party, Helene Austin, the firm's owner and designer, and her designer and manager, Debora Maale, understand the value of hard work and creative insight in accommodating the discerning tastes and meeting the high expectations of their Palm Beach clients.
Many Palm Beachers have limited time to prepare for the holidays, because they travel extensively or remain up north until the winter season begins, explains Maale, standing with Austin in the middle of their festive showroom and studio, which was formerly in Palm Beach. The pair's goal is to handle all the decorations and installation, allowing their clients to focus on other things during the holiday frenzy. They start the process by meeting and discussing decorating plans with their customers early in the year. By the time Thanksgiving arrives, Austin and Maale are well on their way to bringing their customers' decorating plans to fruition.
"We do everything from traditional to very, very tropical," Maale says of their holiday design themes. For the latter, they'll make use of anything from beach shells to palm fronds. Their magnolia wreaths, meanwhile, are popular year-round.
"We try to think outside the box," Maale adds, adding that clients in Palm Beach love to be amazed and surprised.
Austin and Maale stress how important the holiday wreath is for many island homes. "It makes the statement for what you're going to see when you go through their doors," Maale says, explaining how the right holiday wreath on the front doors of a home serves as a decorative introduction to the theme of the ornaments or party decorations inside.
And bigger is often better, she adds. "The fuller, the brighter, the better," Austin says, describing her recipe for successful wreaths and holiday trees.
Austin is no stranger to Palm Beach. In fact, her family's roots on the island can be traced back to the later half of the 19th century, when her great-great grandfather on her father's side arrived in Palm Beach in 1890. Austin's mother's family came to the area in 1918. Austin's parents, Richard and Pat Johnson, reside in Palm Beach, and her five siblings also live in Palm Beach County. Austin's two sons are seventh-generation Floridians.
Austin's family's commitment to the Palm Beaches has always been an important part of her life. Most recently, Austin's parents have helped preserve the history of the Palm Beaches through their lead gift to the Historical Society of Palm Beach County's capital campaign to build a countywide history museum. The much-anticipated, 8,000-square-foot museum – along with the society's headquarters – is scheduled to open in March within the restored historic 1916 courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach. The museum will be named the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum.
Austin, meanwhile, lives with her husband and two sons in West Palm Beach off scenic Flagler Drive – where, across from Lake Worth, she enjoys the water views and town skyline of Palm Beach. She says she moved Anything But Ordinary from its old location on Worth Avenue to West Palm Beach to better serve its corporate and individual clients.
The inspiration Austin and Maale find for their festive fare begins long before the daytime temperature drops below 80 degrees. Every July, the duo heads to the Atlanta Merchandise Mart's to-the-trade-only gifts-and-decorations show.
"We love to go to Atlanta," Austin says about the show, where they collect ideas and order items from vendors. Following their annual pilgrimage, they return to Palm Beach, excited about incorporating their discoveries into wreaths, garlands and trees.
Color plays a crucial role in their work – and staying ahead of the curve is critical, as well-traveled and well-read Palm Beachers are often aware of trends. Anything But Ordinary, for instance, often uses royal blues and rustic browns in wreaths and trees featuring peacock feathers.
"The colors of the browns and the blues and the golds are just so hot this season," Debra says of hues heavily promoted at the July show in Atlanta.
"And last year, we had already done it," Austin adds with a bit of pride.
Austin describes one of their favorite tree-and-wreath themes: "Southern Comfort." Featuring pineapples, magnolias and hydrangeas, the design reflects the qualities of Southern hospitality, warmth and charm. The Southern Comfort tree, for example, is enlivened with sprays of green hydrangeas. Orange, green, and gold assorted ornaments hint at fruit varieties, while magnolia blossoms and leaves intermingle with the foliage.
Clients can choose real or artificial items for their decorations. For example, real magnolia leaves can be replenished as the season wears on – or, if the clients let them fade, they turn a handsome rusty brown, Maale explains.
Their Southern Comfort wreath, meanwhile, features magnolia blooms and silky green leaves. Accents of gold and bronze are added via swirling ribbon, while faux apricots nestle among the flowers.
Wreaths are one of their specialties. Working with exotic materials, the creations are beautiful enough to leave hanging throughout the year. One of their most striking is the "Peacock Wreath," in which feathers are woven around large golden balls. Leafy accents with details of gold paint dress up the foliage. A shimmer of green translucent ribbon crowns the wreath.
A more traditionally styled wreath – but no less splendid – pairs red and gold ornaments with greens in the form of hardy leaves. Bright red flowers are nestled among large gold beads, and the finished wreath is accented by a bountiful red bow with gold trim.
When they're not adding sparkle to the winter holidays, the pair handles decorations, floral arrangements and event-planning services for weddings and other special events.
But during November and December, you'll likely find them in private homes and commercial venues, creating bright holiday memories for clients and their guests alike.
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source: palmbeachdailynews.com
