Katie Davis of Ponderosa & Thyme (right) with one of her hand-tied, seasonal bouquets. Portrait of Katie (left): Ivy and Gold Photography
I'm delighted to introduce you to Katie Davis of Ponderosa & Thyme.
Katie and I first met in the spring of 2014 while attending a Little Flower School workshop at Schreiner's Iris Gardens in Salem, Oregon. I was there to produce an article about the class for Country Gardens magazine and Katie, a hometown gal, was one of the many talented designers who attended.
Katie and I joined up about 3 years ago this month -- at Mayesh Wholesale Florist in Portland.
A few years later, when Mayesh Wholesale Florist planned its Portland, Oregon-branch's grand re-opening, Katie and I were invited to present design demonstrations at the party (above). It was such a thrill to share that experience with her -- and it certainly gave me a new appreciation for Katie's artistry and affinity for designing with color, texture and nature as her muse.
Ponderosa & Thyme joined Slow Flowers as a member in 2018 and I've been wanting to interview Katie and share her amazing story with you ever since. As I say in our conversation, it's silly that Katie and I live in adjacent states and yet have waited this long to record this episode.
Let's blame this lapse in part to our
mutual busy travel schedules. Katie has been a nomadic floral design educator
for the past several years and well, you know I'm always on the road myself.
Flowers and Fruit, designed by Katie Davis (c) Kim Branagan Photography
To be fair, though, she is not a
nomad, but an artist whose desire is to develop and lead experiences and opportunities centered
around creativity, authenticity, and personal growth. Floristry is
the artistic medium Katie uses to facilitate these experiences.
Katie is known for nurturing supportive and inspiring
learning environments that are immersive, intimate, beautiful, and warm. She
values environments where people can be truly present and connect honestly with
themselves and others, in their pursuit of artistic expression and a
sustainable life.
Left: Seasonal and foraged elements (c) Orange Photographie from a Ponderosa & Thyme Workshop; Right: Katie (c) Kim Branagan Photography
Katie Davis is an internationally
acclaimed florist based in Salem, Oregon, the heart of the
Willamette Valley. Since founding Ponderosa & Thyme in 2011, Katie has
become known for her textural designs inspired by nature. Her floral
designs use the most luxurious and beautiful flowers available while
incorporating locally foraged, unique, and sensory plants into each arrangement.
The result is a visually breathtaking experience.
An installation made in Portland, Oregon by Ponderosa & Thyme (c) Maria Lamb Photography; Model: Muse Management
Katie's design aesthetic could be best described as
playful, romantic, herb-y, and fragrant. In addition to creating florals
for intimate weddings, Katie and her team host incredible workshops worldwide
for florists and other creatives to explore the art of floral design. Ponderosa
& Thyme continues to offer wedding and event services, specializing in
intimate and heartfelt experiences.
With a heart for education, Katie has been teaching
floral design since 2014, serving clients across the globe. Flowers are a
language of their own, and while teaching in English, Katie is able to cross
cultures with her thoughtful and emotional approach. Just as comfortable
teaching the basics as she is pushing experienced professionals to expand their
creative boundaries, Katie loves to help people grow, discover, and connect.
Left: Cool-toned and ephemeral florals by Katie Davis for a Ponderosa & Thyme photo shoot (c) Sierra Ashleigh Photography; Right: Katie Davis in her new Salem, Ore., workshop space (c) Ivy and Gold Photography
The PONDEROSA WORKSHOP RETREATS have taken Katie to Italy, Scotland, France, Australia and New York.