Local Florist Helps Decorate White House for Holidays

Local floral designer and co-owner of The Flower Pot, Mary Beth Reagan, was selected as one of 80 volunteers from across the country to assist in decorating the White House for the Holidays. This season more than 90,000 visitors are expected to pass through the White House.

Mary Beth Reagan helps decorate the Diplomatic Room at the White House for Christmas. Image by Mary Beth Reagan.

Mary Beth Reagan helps decorate the Lower Cross Hall at the White House for Christmas. Image by Mary Beth Reagan.

After sending a letter of interest and portfolio to Chief White House Florist Laura Dowling, Mary Beth received notification in September that she would travel to Washington, DC on Thanksgiving day and stay for a week to help White House staff deck the halls. She worked with Designer David Beahm on the palm room, diplomatic room, & lower cross hall and assisted Chief Florist Laura Dowling with centerpieces for the Volunteer reception.

Mary Beth commented, "I learned some really great new skills and tricks at The White House and it was an amazing experience. It was really an honor to be invited and I am excited to be back in Knoxville and to have the opportunity to share what I learned for a good cause."

The Flower Pot plans to help spread Christmas cheer and goodwill this year by hosting a Holiday Centerpiece workshop to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Mary Beth will share tips and tricks she used at the White House with participants and each participant will leave with a fresh Christmas centerpiece for use in their own home.

The Workshop will be held Thursday, December 13th at 6:00pm at The Flower Pot at 700 S. Gay St. Space is limited. Please call 523.5121 or email info@knoxvilleflowerpot.com to register. Cost is $35 to go to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Mary Beth co-owns The Flower Pot with Gina McMurray. She is a Certified Interior Decorator and lives in Maryville, TN with her husband Dusty and their dog, Boomer.

Published December 9, 2012