Do you know this charmingly happy woman? It is Mary Carol Garrity, the founder of Nell Hill’s, a legendary home decor shop in Atchison, Kansas.
Mary Carol Garrity
She is a big believer on making the most with what you have.
I adore her tablescapes. She weaves in layers of texture, color and often unexpected elements.
I am headed off to a three day design conference where Mary Carol Garrity is one of the guest speakers. I am very excited! Is it time to go yet?
I am hoping to get my books autographed. I also made her a small present. If you have ever read “The Five Love Languages” by Gary Chapman, I am definitely a “gift” person. I love to give as well as receive, but I probably love to give more. Hopefully she will understand that this token is a form of appreciation for the inspiration she has provided me instead of thinking “crazy stalker lady”. (smile)
There are representations of things she has written about such as “Feather Your Nest” (pink feather) and pink flowers for “Stylish Weddings” among other things.
Laura
The books authored by Ms. Garrity are lovely. I am inspired by her tablescape photos to redecorate my butler’s table with a mix of old and new china and crystal. Wishing you a lovely time at the conference.
Thanks for sharing that, I have not heard of her. Her designs are very beautiful.Have a great time,Bella
I’ll have to check out her books. I need a good C-Mas book. All I have for C-mas decor inspiration is in my scrapbook. Falling apart after years of handling.What a thoughtful gift! I’m sure she will love it.Have fun at the conference. I would love to be there.Brandee 🙂
I have a couple of her books as well! I can look at them over and over. I have also read The Five Love Languages. Also very good! I can’t remember my gift any more though. It must be receiving! : ) LOLI bet she will love the charm bracelet. ~~Liz~~
You are the second blog today that has recommended one of her books. I am definitely going to the book store today! That bracelet is GORGEOUS, I’m sure she will love it. Have fun at you conference. I wish I could tag along.
I Love~~~~Love Your blog.. how refreshing to see such lovely things! I have added you to my favorites… I Adore!!Karen
I have read the 5 love languages book~ I am a gift person too! we do have so much in commom! are you my twin????Those books look very lovely~ I’ll have to check them out!
ooh, I want to go!!! Love the gift you made her. so lovely. 🙂 Have fun!!! don’t think i have read it, but i do love giving gifts… sure, and receiving them, too, but Giving is like two gifts in one-one for the recipient and secondly for me when i see joy, hope, encouragement that may grow in a person’s heart at it… A lot of times a visual reminder that you are thinking of someone lasts longer than just the words themselves. “I have been thinking of you” with a card or mini bouquet of fresh wildflowers wrapped in a little ribbon or piece of raffia, or fresh baked cookies, it all makes the memory of not being forgotten grow into seeds of thankfulness, gratefulness. That is okay with me. 🙂 Happy Giving… and Receiving, if someone gave it to you.:-)
The books look lovely. Thanks for the info. The bracelet is darling.
What a nice blog!Flisan, Sweden
I too love her books. I hope your have a great time at the conference and come back with lots of tips and tricks to share with us! I am quite sure she will be charmed by your special gift for her! Have fun!
i’m a gift person too. hugely! i’ve often been too embarassed to give gifts to people that i don’t know very well, but i think it’s wonderful! 🙂
Isn’t she just so genuine? Every time I go home (Kansas City) I make the trek to Atchison to visit her shop. I haven’t been to her new one yet. They are all about sensory overload, especially at Christmas. Just unbelievable! She is so nice and talks to everyone. She autographed the book I bought one day. I could’ve kicked myself for not taking all the others. That would’ve put some weight in my luggage. Anyway, it looks like you had a wonderful conference. This is my first time visiting, but I think you’ve stopped by one of my blogs recently. Thanks so much. Comments are always appreciated. Blessing,Karen B.
Hi Laura, thanks for stopping by. I can’t get enough of Tord Boontje’s work, looks like we have something in common.The picture of the door with topiaries trees on either side, is that a wreath, I’ll click on the picture to see if it gets bigger.
It looks like clock, if so it’s fun.
Hi Laura –
Mary Carol Garrity is the best! As you know, she invited The Society of Decorating Professionals to have their conference in Kansas City, MO this year! I hope that you are planning on joining us again. It fun to meet you and see your cool chair skirt — you have such style!
We are excited that Mary Carol will be the speaker for our opening dinner on Tuesday, October 13, 2009. We are even more excited about our Wednesday “Day with Mary Carol”! We will be taking a field trip to Atchison to shop at Nell Hills, Garrity's Encore as well as have a private tour of Mary Carol's home! I can't wait to buy and have her autograph a copy of “O, Christmas Tree,” her new Christmas book! It should be a great “girls day out” for shopping and inspiration!
Thursday and Friday, we have a great line up of speakers including Matt Fox and Shari Hiller from HGTV's Room by Room, as well as one of the floral designers who did work for some of Mary Carol's books!
If your readers are interested, the conference is open to all who love to decorate — more information can be found at http://www.thesdp.com.
Happy Decorating,
Denise Montgomery
Just wanted to stop by and let your readers know that The SDP's conference in Kansas City, MO was rescheduled from October '09 until March 10-12, 2010.
We have the same line up of speakers and topics and would love to have folks who have a passion for decorating to join us. More information is available at http://www.thesdp.com