Tuesday, February 4, 2014
I walked into Twelve in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta and was blown away. The florist’s website had pictures of gorgeous arrangements and bouquets but the space itself was completely awesome. Flower arrangements were intermingled with local artists’ work displayed on walls and shelves. The lighting was just right and big windows on the store front let in a lot of natural light. This is much different than some of the other florists I have photographed throughout my years as a photojournalist. So already I’m excited. Then I hear a jingle as Wishbone comes out to say hi. Wishbone is kind of like Twelve’s mascot. A few years ago the dog hopped into John McDonald’s car, the owner and creative visionary of the florist shop, and he had been a permanent fixture ever since. I meet John and instantly like him. Funny and considerate with a great knowledge and passion for design. His medium is flowers and he does not disappoint. Again with Valentine’s Day being yesterday Twelve was a perfect fit for a photo feature I was working on for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. If you’re looking for flowers, whatever the occasion, I would say stop in and see what Twelve can do. You will probably be amazed.
The inside of Twelve, one of the florist and local artist boutiques, in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.
Flowers sit on display at Twelve in the Virginia Highland neighborhood of Atlanta on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.
John McDonald picks out some greenery as he prepares to arrange a vase of flowers at Twelve in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.
John McDonald arranges a vase of flowers at Twelve in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.
The inside of Twelve, one of the florist and local artist boutiques, in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.
John McDonald arranges a vase of flowers at Twelve in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.
John McDonald arranges a vase of flowers at Twelve in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.
Wishbone, the unofficial mascot at Twelve, chomps on a bone as he sits in his chair at the Virginia Highlands florist on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.
Louise Elliott trims flowers at Twelve in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.
Dried roses hang from a stand at Twelve in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.
A bouquet of orchids sit inside Twelve in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.
Louise Elliott trims and arranges a bunch of roses at Twelve in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.
Flowers sit on display at Twelve in the Virginia Highland neighborhood of Atlanta on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.
Louise Elliott trims flowers at Twelve in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.