PULASKI, NY – Robin Philips, long time florist and owner of Pulaski’s Designs of Elegance, has been honored with the opportunity to decorate our nation’s most famous and newsworthy residence for the 2022 holiday season.
Describing the opportunity as a “bucket list” accomplishment, Philips will be spending seven days in the nation’s capital working long hours along with a host of talented decorators to create a holiday wonderland at the first residence.
Philips made the decision to apply for the opportunity while on vacation in Daytona, Florida, sending an application to the White House, hoping to be selected as one of 100 florists from across the U.S. to be honored.
Philips heard from the White House in August, with a request for her floral resume. In September, she was asked to offer information to assist in the completion of security credentials, and on November forth, the invitation arrived.
“I got chills when I opened the invitation,” Philips said, “I was on the phone with a friend as I was opening my emails, and I said ‘I am going to the White House.’”
Philips is expecting to work ten hour days during her tenure in Washington, and she is looking forward to experiencing a “learn as you go” atmosphere as she creates floral masterpieces to grace the home of most of our presidents and their families.
Philips will be away from her family for Thanksgiving, but she has been offered a place at a table in the Washington region through a wedding client that has family in the capitol area.
Philips will be bringing with her a festive ornament that celebrates the Pulaski area to hang on the White House Christmas tree. The decoration is made of wood and bears the image of a Salmon, sharing a significant part of the culture of Northern Oswego County with the nation.
Philips will also be bringing with her a Gold Star pin that belonged to her grandparents, signifying the death in combat of her uncle, a Pulaski native who was tragically killed in the Vietnam conflict.
Philips and her family have visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to rub the name of her lost family member, and she is hoping to have the opportunity to keep his memory alive by being part of the team that decorates the Gold Star tree.
“I was raised in a very patriotic family,” Philips said.
Noting the fact that politics could cast a shadow over anything or any activity that involves the White House, Philips said that her focus is to create something special for all Americans, regardless of political affiliation or opinion.
“It means a lot to me to be able to go to Washington and decorate the house of the people,” Philips said, “It’s not a red house or a blue house, it’s our house.”
When the job is done and Robin Philips returns to the North Country, she will bring back with her the memories of working with many other outstanding florists to help present a beautiful image of a residence on the world stage, a fitting tribute to her dedication to her craft and her hometown community.
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