For 18 years, Mill Valley resident Blair Phillips has arranged flowers for homes and special events, but it was at a Christmas party in Pacific Heights last year that scored her an invitation to participate in Filoli's 21st flower show, "Kaleidoscope of Flowers," on Mother's Day.

The arrangements - a composition of artichokes, cabbages, protea and orchids with some red and gold accents in a pair of oversized wine glasses- caught the attention of one of Filoli's flower show committee members who issued an invitation to Philiips on the spot.

Filoli, the 650-acre estate in Woodside, is known for its flower shows and horticultural and design activities. The 36,000-square-foot mansion is furnished with art and antiques and 16 acres are devoted to European-style gardens.

For the four-day Mother's Day celebration, 70 designers (Phillips is the only one from Marin) will display arrangements and about 5,000 flower-lovers will cross the threshold, indulging in teas, picnics, champagne brunches, garden tours and strolls, children's activities, music and flower chats.

The arrangements Phillips designed for the Christmas party were scaled for a buffet and side table; at the flower show, she'll be doing a centerpiece/tablescape in the main ballroom. Her inspiration?

The room's large mural of a canyon, cowboys and horses with colors of aquamarine and dusty shades of rose, gray and blue.

She was keeping that design in mind as she shopped. "I'm thinking protea, orchids,

ti leaves, flax and some curly willow to pick up the wood of the trees in the mural," she says. "It'll be on the modern contemporary side, not French Country, more compact with clean lines and lots of texture."

On May 10, Phillips will be a participant and an attendee. She's bringing her 8-year-old daughter Susana with her. They'll picnic on the dressed-up tennis court, admire the gardens in full spring bloom and wander the nature trails.

For more information, contact Blair Phillips Designs at www.blairphillipsdesigns.com or 415-388-3104.

For more information about Filoli, call 650-364-8300 or go to www.filoli.org



PJ Bremier writes on home, garden, design and entertaining topics every Saturday. She may be contacted at P.O. Box 412, Kentfield 94914 or pj@mindspring.com.