VaHi Business Owner Helps Decorate White House for Christmas
One of Virginia-Highland’s local business owners had the great honor of being selected as part of the team that decorated the White House for Christmas this year.
Laura Iarocci, owner of Faith Flowers on N. Virginia Avenue, was part of a team of 75 volunteers from all over the United Statues who arrived in the nation’s capital on Thanksgiving Day to begin their daunting task. The group spent the first two days sorting through and repacking ornaments and decorations from prior White House Christmases (many of the decorations are recycled and reused each year). The volunteers arrived on Sunday with truckloads of boxes and spent the next three days decorating every room in the White House. Mrs. Obama hosted a reception at the end to thank all the volunteers who participated.
Faith Flowers will hold an open studio day on Saturday December 15 featuring two local artists working in the studio. Photos from Holiday 2012 at the White House will be on display throughout the day.
Scroll down to view images from Iarocci’s trip.
Laura (right) and her daughter Allison at the White House visitor’s entrance. Laura created the wreaths on the windows.
Bauble Archway in the Lower Cross Hall connecting the East Room. Over 6000 ornaments were strung on these arches, all recycled from previous years.
The Armed Forces tree in the Blue Room.
The White House gingerbread house with pictures of the First Family and staff affixed to sugar glass windows. And yes, that's First Dog “Bo” front and center.
The Red Room Tree and mantel filled with fruit, all recycled from prior Christmases.
Michelle Obama’s vegetable garden recreated next to the gingerbread house.
Many of the ornaments were created by military families.
Hanging terrariums on the Green Room tree. Check out similar ones at the Faith Flowers studio.
Hanging terrariums on the Green Room tree. Check out similar ones at the Faith Flowers studio.
Laura’s favorite tree with hand blown glass ornaments in color bands around the tree.
Laura (left) and Chief White House Florist Laura Dowling