The “Living” Dining Room – High Point Market

Celebrating furnishings and design, High Point Market Authority along with RetailerNOW, Emissary and Lazy Susan (both divisions of J Douglas), Wesley Hall, Boda, and Gypsy Faire presented The ‘Living’ Dining Room. It is a full-scale room designed and created entirely of flowers and plants. The room is on display at the Fall 2012 High Point Market on the corner of Commerce Avenue and Main Street in the pedestrian walkway in High Point, NC.

This creation was designed by famed floral designer Randy McManus of Randy McManus Designs, Inc., a master at combining the enchantment of southern charm with modern-day design.

I had to get behind the creative mind that constructed this masterpiece so I looked him up and asked the question – “What were you thinking?” A handsome Southern gentleman, Randy promptly replied –

“My inspiration always comes from nature! The Market Authority proposed this project asking if I could make a topiary that looks like a piece of furniture? I replied – Why make a piece of furniture out of a topiary, like one over-sized chair or something, when you can make an entire vignette and create not just a feeling of living, but living with nature!”

“I think it’s amazing how different colors in plants and nature can be matched with fabrics. I like the light green in the succulents that I used to façade the chairs – it has some blue in the green and this green works very well with the draperies. I painted the chairs hot pink to match the little bit of hot pink trim on the tent. I like that pop of bright color outside, especially using greens and natural colors where things can become dull without it. Of course the vignette is not realistic to sit in, but it makes you think about how important furniture is to each individual, and how we use it in our homes.”

(Photo: Lauren Carroll)

Randy McManus is a Greensboro native and owner-operator of Randy McManus Designs, Inc., located at 18 Battleground Court in Greensboro, NC.  He is also the founder of Friends With Flowers, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing light and kindness to local hospice patients. The foundation, started in 2004, gives back to the community weekly with volunteers making and delivering fresh-cut bouquets to local Hospice patients.  Friends With Flowers is nationally recognized and is modeled across the country with Randy’s mission of sharing the beauty of nature, even at the most difficult times.