Sowing Seeds
The mother-daughter duo.
Floral foraging with mother/daughter duo Adrienne and Haley Carerre
Written by Anush J. Benliyan | Photography by Sara Prince
Whimsical. That’s how Haley Carrere describes her childhood in Carpinteria, where she grew up in the Provençal-style home her parents built in 2000. While her father, Leon, acted as the general contractor for the build, her mother, Adrienne, was in her element outside, tapping into her landscape design profession to transform the sprawling estate into a remarkable oasis. She carved out a kitchen garden, a fountain section, a barbecue area with a veranda, and a rose arbor, all of which are surrounded by textured, California-native plantings like citrus and pepper trees, agaves, bay laurels, and nonflowering geraniums. “I planted foliage that I knew I would forage and use in the floral design area of my life,” says Adrienne, who still “floralizes” clients’ homes with lush bouquets. The greenery abounded at home, but for the blooms, “she would take me with her to all the flower fields,” Haley recalls—gerbera daisy fields, dahlia fields, parrot tulip fields. “It’s a lot of what we call ‘roadside-ia, ’” Adrienne notes. “I have clippers in my car at all times.”
“I planted foliage that I knew I would forage and use in the floral design area of my life.”
Fresh-cut blooms sit in the shade of California pepper trees.
When it comes to entertaining, it’s naturally a family affair. Adrienne handles the arrangements, of course; Leon is the cook, whipping up uncomplicated hometown food; and Haley is a master of setting the table. Her preppy, Grandmillennial style is what she calls “a little old fashioned and sweet,” featuring fresh linens in mixed patterns like floral and toile. (Think Ralph Lauren’s café in Paris.) Though the 24-year-old recently moved to Aspen, away from her parents’ Californian Eden, she’s now using her well-trained eye to pursue a career in interior design. “She grew up experiencing, watching, and helping me with these things,” says Adrienne, “and she’s far better than I am.” @adriennecarrere, @haleycarrere.
