Photo by Jenn Verrier
The arch above the front door is composed of evergreens, holly, English ivy, pine cones, and birch. The wreath showcases pepperberry, roses, and hypericum berry. The spruce “trees” are actually cut limbs anchored in the large containers.
Life as an event planner means late nights, weekends, and multitasking in a million different directions. But it’s the thrill of those creative aha moments that drives Rick Davis and Christopher Vazquez to spend their hours sketching, planning, and ultimately creating the backdrop for some of the most important events of our lives. Rick, a floral designer, and Christopher, a set designer, combine their talents, along with a team of artists, seamstresses, carpenters, and upholsterers, to reimage everyday spaces into the stuff of fantasy.
They turn drab conference rooms into lush, candlelit gardens brimming with walls of fresh greenery and blankets of moss. They finesse bland ballrooms with bursts of color and whimsical, storybook-inspired wonders. They bring art masterpieces to life with dramatic palettes, swaths of silk, and sweeping floral arrangements. Whatever the occasion, it becomes a little more meaningful thanks to their ability to strike a mood and set a scene. When it comes to their own life, however, it’s all about finding comfort in familiarity at their farmhouse in Maryland’s historic St. Mary’s County.
Photo by Jenn Verrier
The boxwood reindeer with moss antlers is right at home on the wooded farm.
Photo by Jenn Verrier
The banister is draped with a garland of spruce, cedar, and fir. Vintage shutters and antique pitchforks hang on the walls.
“We moved to the country 17 years ago so we could try it out,” says Rick. “We wanted to buy something old, but all of the houses looked like money pits.” Frustrated with the area’s housing stock but inspired by its Colonial-era charms, the duo set out to do what they do best; they decided to build a new farmhouse and fill it with all the best parts of a historic home.
“We’ve learned a lot of tricks in this business,” Rick says. “We do complete build-outs for parties, so we knew we could do the same with a home. And if you build something new that looks old, you know that everything will work.”
Photo by Jenn Verrier
Tole candle holders mix with vintage holiday finds.
Photo by Jenn Verrier
Vintage ornaments decorate the living room coffee table.
To that end, Rick and Christopher set their sights on a small farm with all the requisite makings of their dream. “We saw it on a blue-sky October day when the leaves were falling,” Rick says. “We were just standing there when it hit us and we thought, ‘This is it.’ ”
The 27 acres were mostly wooded with a pond and stream. There were pastures for growing dahlias and a barn that could shelter their rare birds and heritage farm animals. The little house that came with the property would suffice until the couple could build. The country life agreed with Rick and Christopher, and now their new old house is at the center of it all. “We put together four binders with pictures from magazines to find the look we wanted,” Rick says. “If we didn’t have that collection of ideas, it wouldn’t have worked.
Photo by Jenn Verrier
An arrangement of amaryllis, pine cones, holly, and evergreens sits atop a circa 1800s trunk found at an antiques store.
Playing to historical notions, their design included retrofitting architectural salvage and replicating period designs. “We are always creating something new for our clients, but at home we don’t change much,” says Rick. “Occasionally we may work in a few new pieces here and there, but when we buy something we like, we keep it.”
When Christmas comes, the house gets even cozier thanks to a traditional red-and-green scheme and collected ornaments. Heirlooms come to the forefront, and with them, cherished memories. Years ago, Rick crafted an angel tree-topper by upcycling two different ornaments. “I made it when we first moved out of the city when I didn’t have much money,” he says. “It has so much sentimental value. Why would I ever get rid of that?” Clip-on mushrooms are reminders of a trip to Amsterdam, and the gold tassels belonged to Rick’s grandmother.
Photo by Jenn Verrier
The centerpiece is an arrangement of lady’s slipper orchids, hydrangeas, hypericum berry, pine cones, and evergreens.
Photo by Jenn Verrier | Floral design and interiors by Rick Davis and Christopher Vazquez, Amaryllis Floral & Event Design
Paying homage to farm life, glass chicken ornaments fill the Norway spruce in the kitchen.
Traditions are equally important to the couple. “Every year, we host two big Christmas parties—one for city friends and country friends and another for family,” Rick says. “This house has brought us all together.”
FARM-FRESH HOLIDAY DECORATING TIPS
Photo by Jenn Verrier | Floral design and interiors by Rick Davis and Christopher Vazquez, Amaryllis Floral & Event Design
The living room’s blue spruce was chosen for its strong limbs that can support lots of ornaments. The tree-topper, crafted by Davis, is a sentimental favorite.
Photo by Jenn Verrier | Floral design and interiors by Rick Davis and Christopher Vazquez, Amaryllis Floral & Event Design
The spruce in the master bedroom is filled with vintage glass balls in shades of blue.
Photo by Jenn Verrier
An antique beam in the foyer holds an assembly of found objects.
CONTINUE THE TOUR
Click to enlarge images.
Photo by Jenn Verrier
Vintage Audubon prints decorate the walls throughout the house.
Photo by Jenn Verrier
Red cyclamens are a favorite potted flower for Christmas. “They last longer than cut flowers,” Davis says.
Photo by Jenn Verrier
An arrangement of roses and evergreens complements the floral paintings in the powder room.
Photo by Jenn Verrier
A few well-placed holiday accents jolly-up a guest bedroom.
Photo by Jenn Verrier
An antique mirror and salvaged iron fence hang on the living room’s Pennsylvania fieldstone fireplace surround. Shelves are lined with amaryllis, cyclamen, and a large tree fern.
Photo by Jenn Verrier
Rick Davis (standing) and Christopher Vazquez enjoy decorating with collections old and new during the holidays.
By Cathy Still McGowin | Photographed by Jenn Verrier | Floral design and interiors by Rick Davis and Christopher Vazquez, Amaryllis Floral & Event Design
