Twigery in the Garden

Spring has arrived! Thank goodness.

I am so tired of the rain. It is great to have some warm sunshine for a change. I know, I know that we need the rain, but enough already.

Finally, the garden has been changed to depict the beginning which spring reflects.

Classes will be starting in the next month. So if you are so inclined to want to take a class in floral design, send an email to info@twigery.com, and you will be notified when the classes will be held. Also, if you are interested in learning a certain aspect of floral design, let me know.

If nothing else, just stop by to say hello when you are in Carmel.

The Twigery sign arrives!

Well, we are ecstatic that our sign has finally arrived. We have been working on the sign since we opened, so this is a special day.

We feel like we received an early Christmas gift!

HO! HO! HO! Or maybe it should AHA!!

Designing for the Carmel Garden Club

Last Thursday, I made a presentation to the Carmel Garden Club. They are a dedicated group of garden lovers!


I created several designs while I entertained the ladies with floral humor.

Ready for Halloween…an easy design that whips together in minutes!

Here is a leaf cornucopia ready for the bountiful harvest for your Thanksgiving dinner.

After the demonstration they raffled the designs to the enthusiastic winners. Just a great afternoon here in Carmel!

Flood at Twigery!

It's not all roses at Twigery!


Last week was very eventful. All of us in California experienced a massive rain and windstorm that we have not seen since the 1960’s.

At Twigery, there was additional excitement. We had a flood in the studio. While most of the businesses in Carmel-by-the-Sea did not have electricity and were closed, we had light, but wet floors. What a mess, but we prevailed and stayed open through it all.

We are back in full swing, however, and look forward to you stopping by to say hello!

Oasis and the environment

Michael has always been conscious of how creating his designs impacts the world in which we all live. Carmel-by-the-Sea is a special place to all of us, and using environmentally-friendly materials is important to maintaining the pristine nature of the area.

We are often asked about our floral foam, a product known commonly as "oasis" since it is manufactured by the Smithers-Oasis company in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Several of our customers recently inquired as to the environmental viability of the oasis foam.

Michael is a floral designer, not a chemist, but he wanted to give you all a real answer. Where better than the people that make the stuff? We called Smithers-Oasis and they directed us to their website - they have posted an Environmental Statement.

Some of the pertinent facts from that statement:

- "Our floral foam is based on inert phenolic resin technology, the same chemistry that is used for the handles of kitchen cook ware. Our resin, when made into our cellular floral foam, is fully polymerized and reacted, with only small traces of free acid (much lower than that of cola beverage products), which may be neutralized by adding water."

- "In 1981, as part of our commitment to being an accountable, socially and environmentally responsible company, Smithers-Oasis was the first in our industry to eliminate the use of freon from floral foam production. Moreover, we've successfully reduced our volatile organic compound emissions (VOCs) by more than 85 percent over the past 25 years."

- "Our post-harvest products are specially formulated to maintain an optimal environment for cut flowers by adjusting the water pH for maximum uptake, providing a source of energy for the flower, and keeping the flower stems open and free flowing."

Michael is monitoring this closely. If he feels that oasis is harmful, he'll find another product.

Carmel Art and Film Festival

Michael was asked to design a centerpiece for the opening event for the annual Carmel Art and Film Festival. The event is to be held at the Sunset Center.


Michael and Cheryl beginning the design:


Michael adding materials:

The finished design:


Delivery in the Twigery "deux cheveau:"



In place at the Sunset Center:

The party is in a few minutes - ready to go in the "deux cheveau:"

Arriving at the event:

The design at the party!

Fall is Arriving

Fall is arriving at Twigery. We want to share the ambiance that has been created with the straw covered floor and gourds and pumpkins that highlight the studio.

We have our own gigantic green Hungarian gourd weighing in at about 300 pounds!


As we write this, new and wonderful products from around the world are arriving daily. French wire, wine basket bottles from France, Mediterranean olive jugs, Asian baskets, and trellises for planting your sweet peas to name a few intriguing items.

Of course, we will always have the most unusual and unique cut flowers, berries and foliages to accent your home, upcoming party, or just that special thinking of you gift.

So, stop by, when you are in Carmel-by-the-Sea for a little “fall eye candy.”

Concours d'Elegance

Just a quick note to brag a bit.

Michael's arrangement was awarded an Honorable Mention in the local window display contest - of course the theme was automotive in celebration of the annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

The cars and celebrities kept us busy as Carmel was packed.

This was our favorite:

Next year's event is scheduled for August 15 - see you there!

The Web Site is Up!!!

Thanks to our good friends Rick and Emily Francona, we have a web site for Twigery!

Add this to your Favorites or Bookmarks: www.twigery.com.

There is a lot of information already on the site, but we'll be adding more as things progress. We've been generating a lot of interest here in Carmel and having a good time returning to the business.

Drop by the shop, or now - visit us online!!

Mike and Cheryl

Twigery and the Cypress Inn

We have been open just a few weeks and are having a wonderful reception by the local community and the tourists du jour. People stop and look at what has transformed in the former interior design studio.



The general manager of the Cypress Inn, Nancy Slade, stopped in and admired the studio. We chatted and Nancy retained us to do weekly arrangements for the Cypress Inn. Also, she has directed her staff to use us exclusively for the hotel and recommendations for their guests. So, I guess, that makes the exclusive florist for the Cypress Inn.


This photo is from the Cypress Inn patio. Walk out, turn left and you're at Twigery!

We are really enjoying ourselves living and working in beautiful Carmel-by-the-Sea. Just living the dream…………

Twigery - Now Open!

Twigery, Michael Merritt (AIFD) Designs is now open in Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Michael's newest floral design studio in the the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea on 7th Avenue between Dolores and Lincoln - right next to the Cypress Inn patio.


We will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 4:00pm, and other times by appointment.

Cheryl and I want to share some photos of the studio. We have a fabulous space inside...



...and a wonderful Zen garden outside!


We look forward to hosting floral design classes along with creating wonderful floral designs for weddings, parties and "just because."


We invite all of you to stop by to say hello when you are in Carmel.

Our new venture

Cheryl and I are really excited about our new venture and want to share it with you. We have just leased the space next to the famed Cypress Inn in Carmel.

We will be located on 7th Avenue between Dolores and Lincoln. Our studio is located on the left just past the Cypress Inn patio.

We have a wonderful courtyard and retail space.

We are also just half a block from the Church of the Wayfarer, located at Lincoln and 7th Avenue.

Our new name will be Twigery...Michael Merritt Designs.

We had always planned to do flowers in Carmel, but thought we would do freelance. However, this space became available, and we could not pass it up. We are working on the inside and look forward to opening in July. We will let you know the progress and when the opening date will be.

Off to work…hi, ho, hi, ho…………..

Gardens in Carmel

Taking walks throughout the streets of Carmel is like being a kid in a candy store for someone who loves a gorgeous garden. Cheryl and I walk regularly for exercise and are amazed at the incredibly beautiful gardens that we are privileged to stroll by.

I share with you some of the incredible and outstanding gardens we have seen so far. We wonder if the owners of these gardens realize what treasures they actually possess!(Click on the images for larger views.)

Carmel at its finest!

Another view

Just have to take a whiff!

A close-up of what my nose enjoyed!

One more angle

What color!

Angles of perfection

I just love this tree with its great color!

The side street color - what a treat!

How peaceful....

I love this sign....

Each street offers wonderful color and design. There are no two gardens alike, so each walk becomes an adventure and an escapade.