A BOX arrives from
Oklahoma, and she is
thrilled.

By Tina Gilbertson
Contributing Writer

Watching Beverly Collyer open
a container of merchandise she
ordered is like witnessing a child’s
first Christmas; her delight is just
as palpable, just as infectious.

Collyer is a North Vancouver
florat designer with a flair for the
unique and elegant.

Much of her stock is ordered
from the United States, from
smal! suppliers who don’t service
more than one or two other de-
signers in Vancouver, so that her
designs are original and different.

Collyer describes her style as
“airy,’’ and because of the variety
in her designs, that may be about
the only adjective one could use to
describe the body of her work.

Freeze-dried fruits, vegetables
and flowers are combined with all
manner of objects and substances
to create whimsical and beautiful
works of wildly divergent sizes,
shapes and moods.

The Pan Pacific Hotel, Beniall
Properties, Umbertino’s and B.C.
Tel’s executive boardroom have
all been graced by her designs.

“Il am frequently asked to go in
and do entire homes and offices,”’
she says, “‘which is very rewar-
ding. Then again, I will go and do
the single arrangement, specific
requests, One thing often leads to
another.”’

Over 75% of Collyer’s business,
which she runs from home, is
through interior designers. The
balance is client referrals. Who
are her individual clients?

“I generally have a_ high-end
user,"’ she explains, adding that
her clients ‘‘get good value for the
money they spend. Most of the
work is custom orders, so they
won't find the same piece in
someone else’s home.’’

Much of Collyer’s work is
characterized by a lively sense of
humor.

A traditional wreath is whim-
sically bedecked with lemons, and
an apple in another arrangement

Wednesday, Cecember 16, 1992 - North Shore News — 57

NEWS photo Mike Wakefield

SANTA'S WORKSHOP has nothing on Beverly Coliyer’s fcr activity. Collyer has many projects on the go all year reund, but Christmas
can be especially hectic for the busy North Vancouver designer.

has a bite taken out of it.

“T love surprises,”’ she explains.

In general, she says, ‘‘people
think I'm nuts. It’s true, | am.
My kids’ll tell you that. Bet it
makes life so much more fun, and
it takes you through the rough
times. And it makes people
smite."’

Other designs exhibit simple el-
egance. This year Collyer has im-
ported brocade tapestry ribbon
which lends a richness especially
to her Christmas arrangements.

The mother of two children,
Collyer has also creaied colorful,

simple designs to please
youngsters and adults alike.

in order to determine a client’s
requirements, Collyer will often
visit the person’s home to get a
sense of the decor, so that her ar-
rangement will harmonize with the
rest of the recom.

Collyer has been in’ business
since 1987, when she made her
first wreath.

‘I saw a hydrangea wreath in a
store and fell in love with it, but it
was too expensive. But looking at

See Established page 65

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