A Passion for Parties
Written by Nancy Atkinson
Urban Home Magazine
Ava Late loves to throw a party. The fact that her husband owns a BMW dealership in Austin and needs to entertain for business gives her a built-in excuse. Ava’s dinner parties are spectacular events, designed to be memorable for her guests from the moment they enter her driveway until the time they leave with party favors in hand. Like every great hostess, Ava has a secret weapon. “I wouldn’t dream of giving a party without Coby,” she says.
Coby Neal and partner Beth O’Reilly, of The Flower Studio, are floral artists and décor specialists making a name for themselves in Austin. Their clients appreciate the quality of their creative flowers, and the style and the style and grace with which their team handles every detail of an event.
Coby and Beth, both with degrees in art and sculpture and many state and national awards to their credit, bring only the best to their clients.
Four years ago when Ava moved to Austin, a caterer recommended Coby to do the flowers for her husband’s grand opening party for over 1,200 people. “It was so fabulous – we had three bands! Coby was very much a collaborative partner,” she says. She’s been using Coby and Beth to plan their parties ever since.
“Coby does a turnkey party,” Ava says. “He is an incredible artist with great ideas. We’ll start with a theme or inspiration – it could be a color, a particular flower, or an invitation. We’ll select the linens, napkins, and china and Coby and Beth handle it all.”
Ava says her most recent dinner party is a perfect example of Coby’s style, creativity and attention to detail. “It was for Halloween, but the theme was really the beauty of fall,” says Ava. “Beth placed floral arrangements in front of my urns and the entryway and added flowers to the plants themselves. She placed votives and other flower arrangements around the house. We used three squared tables with special linens in a pumpkin color with a gold sheer overlay. The place cards were created by carving out small pumpkins and adding flowers; these were so beautiful, the guests took them home. Large glass (35”) cylinders held orchids and other flowers – my home looked warm and magnificent.”
Coby and Beth and The Flower Studio provide flowers for every occasion, from arrangements that meet everyday needs to large, dream weddings, extraordinary parties, and Christmas decorations for major hotels such as the Four Seasons and historic Driskill Hotel.
Ava is one client who appreciates Coby’s style and service. “Flowers are a finishing touch. They show people you’ve gone the extra mile for them,” she says. “Coby and Beth’s flower designs are more unique and contemporary, and there’s nothing they can’t do. I am their biggest fan!”