Meet our Floral, Designer, and Culinary Stars at the “Back in Bloom” 2023 Garden Tour!

Prepare to be dazzled at this year’s Garden Tour as top Los Angeles florists and designers use their abounding talent to inspire guests with creative interpretations of the theme “Back in Bloom” at the famed Virginia Robinson Gardens Showcase Estate on Saturday, May 20, 2023.

Each Garden Tour Star is listed alphabetically along with the room/area they are decorating or located so that you will know where to find them when you visit the Showcase Estate at Robinson Gardens.

The Art of Living is indeed an Art. Inventing a universe, taking pleasure in decorating a house, setting a table, sharing the good and the beautiful, cultivating the happiness of each moment. Since 1830, Christofle creates with elegance and know-how, an exceptional table art, refined jewelry and home accessories.

Maison Christofle uses entirely handmade manufacturing. The precious trades of spinning, embossing, carving, engraving, perpetuated by its craftsmen immortalize the qualities of elegance and excellence. It is this irreplaceable know-how perpetuated by highly qualified craftsmen transmitted from teacher to student that constitutes the living heritage of Christofle. True “Living Treasures”, the Master Goldsmiths are the guardians of the sustainability and quality of Christofle know-how. 310-858-8058. www.christofle.com. Christofle will be located in the Loggia of the VRG home.

Florals by Amanda states, “I’m not a professional florist, but flower arranging has become a real passion of mine lately. I love to walk around the flower market to draw inspiration from the flowers that are in season to create beautiful arrangements for friends and family.” Florals by Amanda will be located on the Silent Auction table near the Vendor Boutique on the Tennis Court of the VRG home.

Flowermaid is a floral design boutique that specializes in event flower design. We can focus 100% of our attention on our clients’ event needs and visions without being distracted by the usual retail store business. We love to fine-tune flower colors for any given occasion and create arrangements with a very natural feel, free-flowing and romantic. (310) 305-8992. www.flowermaid.com. Flowermaid will be located in the Galleria Bar of the VRG home.

Since 1860, Frette has endeavored to produce linens and home furnishings of unparalleled quality. From its bases in Monza and Milan, Frette employs only the finest fibers and most skilled artisans to craft a range of products that have come to embody luxury, comfort, and creativity across the globe. Known for its chic, original design, and inimitable finish and feel, Frette bed linens can be found in many of the world’s most prestigious hotels, from Claridge’s to The Peninsula, as well as in the most discerning private homes, yachts and aircraft. (310) 273-8540. www.frette.com. Frette will be located in the Guest Bedroom and Bath of the VRG home.

George’s Garden | Los Angeles, is a full-service Event & Floral Design company and serves as the current in-house florist for a prestigious country club in the Los Angeles area, various Douglas Emmett offices in Beverly Hills, All Saint’s Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills, St. James Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, St. John Cathedral, and Aviron Pictures. George draws inspiration from old-world and new-world styles of floral arranging. He picks unique, fun, and “romantic” flowers for each of his clients, making sure that each time they’re not just satisfied, but in complete awe of what they’re presented with. (310) 384-0409. www.georgesgardenla.com. George’s Garden will be located in the Dining Room of the VRG home.

At Ivory Floral Events, we pair stunning creations with exceptional service from our hearts, by putting your needs and your special event first. We proudly serve corporate clients, private event planners, and couples across California,  Arizona, and Nevada. At Ivory Floral Events, you can experience heartfelt customer service and celebrate elegance in full bloom. (310) 321-2222. www.ivoryfloralevents.com. www.ivoryflorist.com. Ivory Floral Events will be located in the Great Hall of the VRG home.

The 1,200 square foot Kitchen Vegetable Garden at the Virginia Robinson Gardens is 100% organic. We plant seasonally appropriate vegetables, provide plenty of flowers that attract pollinators, and grow fruits like blueberries, strawberries, and Kumquats. There is an orchid greenhouse and a chicken coop with hens that provide fresh eggs daily.

Josh Johnston works alongside Lucia Burke in the Kitchen Garden and tends to the chickens & parakeets at the Virginia Robinson Gardens. He has worked for over 20 years in landscaping and provides gardening and property care services in Beverly Hills, Bel Air, and Brentwood. Josh Johnston. (424) 202-4271. [email protected].

Lucia Burke is a UC-certified Master Gardener who has been designing, installing, and maintaining organic vegetable gardens in private homes for over 10 years. She served as the School Garden Coordinator for SMMUSD from 2010 to 2020. Lucia was delighted to be invited last year to revive the Kitchen Garden at VRG. With the help of Josh Johnston, they keep the garden welcoming, fun, and special for the kids in the Children’s Program. Lucia Burke Garden Design & Maintenance. (310) 922-0644. [email protected].

Owner Cecile T’ang and Chef de Cuisine Golo Kwokson Yu’s traditional and refined Cantonese cuisine is showcased at Joss Cuisine in Beverly Hills, a smaller and exclusive version of the original restaurant on Sunset Boulevard in West Hollywood. Style is still de rigueur, and traditional Chinese fare remains infused with Joss’ signature sophistication. “Quality is our purpose and graceful hospitality is our passion.” (310) 277-3888. www.josscuisine.com. Joss Cuisine will be located in the Kitchen of the VRG home.

Superintendent Emeritus of the VRG and exterior designer Timothy Lindsay designs to serve the space and provide function, while embracing the client’s aesthetic taste. (626) 808-6670. [email protected]. Timothy Lindsay will be located in the Front Entrance of the VRG home.

At Pretend Plants and Flowers, each one of our bouquets is one of a kind, using the most exquisite materials available to us on that given day. (310) 699-9763. www.pretendplantsandflowers.com. Pretend Plants and Flowers will be located in the Great Hall of the VRG home.

Lynne Vinkovic of Rose Lane Farms says, “My business is unique because I am a farmer/florist.  I grow my own product and have done so since 1995.  I have always believed that using local seasonal products is always the best, even before it was trendy.  I like to think of myself as the Julia Child of garden roses, I like to go into my fields to see what looks good each day.  ‘Know what is in season and know what to do with it’ — Julia Child.” (323) 791-1367. www.roselanefarms.org.  Rose Lane Farms will be located in the Great Hall of the VRG Home.

Sean Murphy, owner of Sean Murphy Catering & Events is the son of the famed restaurateur Jimmy Murphy who owned the iconic and elegant Jimmy’s in Beverly Hills that was frequented by many celebrities, such as Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and Ronald and Nancy Reagan. Sean caters superb lunches and dinners for VRG, including past Garden Tours, the Farewell Luncheon for Superintendent Emeritus Timothy Lindsay, and the Fellows Thank You Dinner Party. (310) 922-4209. www.seanmurphycatering.com. Sean Murphy Catering & Events will be located on the Great Lawn of the VRG estate.

The founder of the Friends of Robinson Gardens Joan Selwyn shares, “My interest in flower arranging comes from my deep love of nature. I design my flower arrangements with the same approach. I used to do graphic design and paint. I have taken very few flower arranging classes.” Joan Selwyn will be located in the Pool Pavilion of the VRG home.

Mary Lu Tuthill representing the Brentwood Garden Club shares, “Generally I have an idea in mind for an arrangement for a particular place in my home.  Then I go to the flower source and see what is available in the colors that I want.  Sometimes, I go to the flower source with nothing in particular in mind and see what is available and let the current inventory of flowers inspire me. Mary Lu Tuthill will be located in the Pool Pavilion of the VRG home.

Viola Floral is a premium floral design and teaching studio in Los Angeles that creates and spreads joy through flowers! We specialize in flower subscriptions, floral design workshops, and events of all types and sizes. We believe that flowers are wellness, and we love to inspire others to “live in full bloom!” (310) 425-2422. www.violafloral.com. Viola Floral will be located in the Morning Room of the VRG home.

Jamie Wolf shares, “In my own designs I tend to pay particular attention to the relationship between the flowers and their container. In my designs for the Garden Tour, I try to take maximum advantage of the wonderful legacy contained in Mrs. Robinson’s pantry. At home, I like to utilize what’s seasonably available in the garden… tulips, roses and dahlias are the foundational elements as they come into and out of bloom… and I tend towards billowiness and abundance.” Jamie Wolf will be located in the Guest Room and Bath of the VRG home.

“Yamaguchi Nursery is a second-generation and family-owned business specializing in bonsai, but we stand out for so much more,” states Marianne. “We seek out the best quality plant material for every garden style—from classic to contemporary—as well as an extensive selection of new and unusual plant introductions. You’ll find drought-tolerant plants from Mediterranean regions around the world, fabulous succulents, pottery, statuary and so much more. And our friendly and knowledgeable staff will help guide your selection of the perfect items for your garden.” (310) 473-5444. www.yamaguchinersery.com. Yamaguchi Bonsai Nursery will be located in the Back Patio of the VRG Home.

Born in Uzbekistan in Central Asia, Andrey Yun of Return to Eden traveled and worked around the world before settling down in America. Yearning to pursue his passion in horticulture and landscape design, Andrey worked at The Virginia Robinson Gardens from 2017-2020. An excellent pruner and plantsman, Andrey thoughtfully detailed the garden by pruning, dividing, and transplanting specimen plants. He created beautiful floral designs for events. [email protected]. Return to Eden will be located in the Yellow Salon of the VRG home.

Post by Linda Meadows
Friends of Robinson Gardens Board Member
Editor of the Happenings