Hi I'm MARY, a floral designer, gardener and interior stylist based in Winter Park, Florida. My husband Tim (the city's Sustainability Officer) and I are currently working on our first major home renovation to our 1970's cottage in the heart of Winter Park. Sustainable living and simplicity are the driving forces behind our passions and design philosophies.
You can see my flower work at marymaslow.com and follow my renovation and gardening adventures on instagram, @marystonecypher.
February 5, 2010 
Maps can make for the best wall art. They're colorful without being overbearing, they're interesting by nature and best of all they're super affordable. I really like this map/flag set from Crate & Barrel. It's less than $20 and it lets you pinpoint all of the neat or maybe not so neat places you've been. Definitely a great conversation piece.
February 3, 2010 
Now more than ever, party throwers have a wide variety of rentable seating options. Rental chairs and benches come in several different designs, finishes and colors. This guide defines the most commonly rented/used options and will hopefully give you a bit of insight in choosing the right seating for your party!
February 1, 2010 
There are lots of great DIY Valentine articles over at Martha (as usual!). I'm really going to miss being at the pre-school this year. It was so much fun coming up with little crafts and projects for them to do and exchange.
January 31, 2010 January 31, 2010 
John Robshaw Textiles has the best selection of bedding I've seen. Anthropologie even started selling a few of the Robshaw sheet sets (including the red stripped arrow sheets) this winter.
January 30, 2010 
For me, large party tents can sometimes drown out the beauty of an outdoor venue. They often seem blank or overly industrial. But that doesn't have to be the case, choosing the right tent and adding a few simple details can really help you style your event and enhance your venue. Here are a few tips to get you going:
1. Choose your Tent Wisely: Pay attention to the littlest details when selecting your party tent. For example, try selecting tents with wooden poles, rather than metal. The wood rods supporting this 32' round tent add a bit of extra character to the look of the party and really tie in the environment.
2. Walls and Lining: Both walls and (ceiling) lining can enhance your tent, pick one, the other or both depending on the look you are trying to achieve. Walls will help you define your tent's entrance and exit. Remeber to think of different materials when adding your walls. You can go with canvas or standard tent walls or add whimsy white fabric for a beachy affair. As for the lining, I like the affordable idea of filling a few balloons with helium and letting them float to the top. But if you have the budget, printed fabrics work just as well (think Raj).
3. Swags, Garlands and Pennants: A simple garland and swag can do wonders for the entrance of a rental tent (as pictured!). Identical topiaries positioned on either side of the entrance help to tie in the garland and swag hanging above (designed by Livia Cetti). Pennants are another simple detail that will add loads of character to your rental tent. Most tent companies will give you or allow you to rent pennants when you rent your tent.
image via Martha Stewart Weddings
January 28, 2010 
I'd love to spruce up my wardrobe with these simple looks from the Designers Remix S/S collection.
