Special family events—consider weddings, birthdays, funerals and other occasions—are often surrounded by flowers. The Christmas season also ushers in botanical traditions: selecting and decorating an evergreen tree (or two), hanging fresh garland and wreaths and arranging seasonal centerpieces. Flowers make family gatherings feel even more meaningful—and for all of it, Kathy Brown turns to Genea Vallion and Trochta’s Flowers and Garden Center. In fact, Brown and Vallion have been collaborating for decades to make life’s various seasons a little more beautiful.
“My mother uses her as well, so she’s kind of a generational icon in our family,” Brown said. “For most special events, Genea gets the first call. Whether it’s my mother’s 80th birthday, a holiday, a wedding, my grandkids’ birthdays, she gets the call.”
Kathy and Hal Brown enlisted Vallion to coordinate flowers for each of their three daughters’ weddings. They also depend on her design skills during the holidays. For Vallion, each year’s design theme for the Brown home is new and different—often inspired by their latest family milestones. When the Browns celebrated their first granddaughter, pink florals and decorations were applied abundantly throughout the home. After their first grandson was born, blues and tans were the chosen colors.
Last year, the design was more streamlined. The Browns had just purchased CK and Company, and Vallion wanted their home to provide a peaceful retreat after such busy days. (Vallion also provided flowers for the store’s grand opening, of course.) The Browns’ front porch was decorated with fresh evergreen sprigs. Inside, a locally sourced amaryllis is the star of the breakfast table and hot pink miniature poinsettias decorate a living room console. Vallion pointed out that poinsettias come in different colors beyond red and white; she loves the various pinks and lime green varieties, and there are also pure white and golden white options. The azaleas on the Browns’ coffee table are “a winter staple flower,” according to Vallion.
In addition to bringing in new plants and floral arrangements, Vallion enjoys mixing up the Browns’ holiday collections in different ways.
“I drag out the same Christmas decorations year over year,” Brown said. “Some are traditional family things, and then some I’ve acquired along the way, but Genea moves them throughout the house, and each year, she makes them look so different and magical.”
Last year’s design featured plenty of playful elements as well: Colorful glass ornaments were suspended from the dining room chandelier, and a primary-color-themed office created the perfect “landing spot” for grandkids to gather, open presents and savor Santa’s generous delivery. Matching PJs on Christmas morning and a multi-generational family breakfast are just a few favorite Brown family traditions, and the home’s festive decor provides the perfect backdrop for all of the activity and gatherings. The Brown family loves to celebrate the seasons with beautiful botanicals—at Christmas time, throughout the year and throughout their lives.
