THE TWIGERY-FLORAL ART BY MICHAEL MERRITT-AIFD

I arrive in Carmel and find the sweetest “thank you” gift from my niece and her husband. A tin watering can shaped like a fairy tale cottage is sitting on my mantle.

It is from The Twigery- a shop I am not yet familiar with. I set out to track it down and find it in a wonderful spot in the historic Felice Building next to the Cypress Inn.

I have admired the shop’s courtyard many times and pressed my nose to the window when they have been closed. But today the shop is open. Hooray!

After I explore the courtyard ,

I enter the shop.

To my left a woman is engaged in the business end of the shop.

In front of me a gentleman is enthusiastically creating a floral arrangement.

As we chat, I find this is the husband and wife team of Michael and Cheryl Merritt. Michael retired once from his career as a master in the world of floral art. But retirement did not “take”. So he and Cheryl opened The Twigery and now live right down the street in Carmel.

I describe my watering can and go to the table where they are displayed.

I pick another to add to my collection and then ask if I might take some photos of the shop to  post on my blog.  I am given permission.

The Merritt’s son, a landscape architect, has taken some wonderful photos for them to put on their website.

Michael has just returned from teaching a class at Filoli Garden – one of my all time favorite spots. He teaches at museums, does design seminars and private group classes as well as designing his works of art for events and weddings.

My watering can is now festively packaged up and ready to take home. Michael suggests filling it with cut flowers and setting it out on my patio table.

Back in my garden , I take his advice and this is the result.

Later that evening Bill and I meet them out taking an evening walk and we chat some more. They just finished watching “Super Size Me” after eating dinner and are feeling guilty about the calories they just consumed. We laugh and go on our ways. When I look back, they are strolling along hand in hand. Look them up when you are in Carmel the next time. The shop is charming as is the couple who own it.

Website

2N on Seventh Avenue between Lincoln and Dolores P.O. Box 1003 Carmel-by-the-Sea, California 93921 Phone/Fax 831.626.TWIG (8944) info@twigery.com