12. Chinese Lacquerware
Catherine Lee Florals
Amy Catherine Cushing
2026 installation
Second Floor - Key Room
The Inspiration
These red (or cinnabar) lacquer boxes were made in China between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries by carving intricate designs into layers of tinted tree resin applied to a wood base.
The Flowers
Recipe: Roses, orchid, amaranth, curly willow, moss
Florist’s inspiration: Inspired by my own "Mother’s Jewelry Box" of Chinese cinnabar lacquerware, this arrangement celebrates the legacy of two women-owned, family-run businesses: Catherine Lee Florals and Metro Flower Market. Every bloom is meticulously placed to mirror the box’s detailed etchings, while bleached craspedia are stranded for grandmother’s cherished pearls. Rooted in the owners' Earth signs—Capricorn and Taurus—the moss and curly willow provide a grounded, organic structure that honors both their shared heritage and connection to the land.
THE DESIGNER
Amy Catherine Cushing
Catherine Lee Florals
Amy Cushing is the owner and lead designer of Catherine Lee Florals, a premier women-owned and family-run studio in Falls Church, Virginia. A former legislative aide for the House Appropriations Committee, Amy transitioned from the intricacies of government to the artistry of floral design, where she now crafts bespoke arrangements for weddings and events. Her work is a vibrant testament to her playful personality, masterfully blending lush colors and textures to infuse every piece with a palpable sense of joy and organic interest.
For Art in Bloom 2026, Catherine Lee Florals is proud to be sponsored by Metro Flower Market, a partnership built on a shared passion for the floral community. What began as a small family shop has grown into a thriving, multi-generational operation based in Chantilly, Virginia. Today, Metro Flower Market carries forward three generations of expertise, sources from trusted global farms and local growers, and provides regional creatives with the freshest product available. Amy frequently draws inspiration from their vast selections, making this collaboration a perfect celebration of two women-owned businesses dedicated to floral excellence.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY
Mary Bell Photography
Mary Bell is a hybrid, documentary wedding and portrait photographer based in Maryland and working throughout the mid-atlantic. Dedicated to ensuring her clients feel like themselves, her work is intuitive, heart-felt and honest. She’s been an artist her entire life and has never wanted to be anything else.
When she isn’t at a wedding or in her studio in Annapolis, Mary can be found hiking and traveling out west, wandering used bookstores, getting inspired by art books and museums and watching her husband race vintage cars.
