6. Madonna and Child
Flowers at 38
Karen Mix-Schnell
2026 installation
First Floor - Great Stair Hall
The Inspiration
This thirteenth-century European sculpture of a crowned Madonna holding the Christ Child in her left arm was carved from walnut and originally was painted and gilded.
The Flowers
Recipe: Rounded arch with all white floral, dried hanging amaranthus, painted palms
Florist’s inspiration: We’ve created a halo around the statue to show the light and grace surrounding the holiness of the statue on display.
THE DESIGNER
Karen Mix-Schnell
Flowers at 38
Karen Mix-Schnell is the co-owner and managing partner of Flowers at 38. Karen has been designing for over 20+ years. A New York Native, Karen has worked and lived in New York City and Dubai, before settling down in the Washington DC region. Karen has been with Flowers at 38 since 2016, working with the best caterers, hoteliers, corporate clients and couples; planning and designing custom events and weddings.
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.
