Modern organic style featured at holiday pop-up shop
In a city bursting with creativity, Molly Wood’s holiday pop-up shop, which opened in Laguna Beach this month and closes in mid-February, stands out.
Shoppers will find a selection of organic holiday decor, greenery and plants in equal parts modern and exotic.
The modern organic style, Wood said, is a mix of natural materials, interesting textures and clean lines, like that of the shop’s woven rugs, handmade bowls and succulents — items that can instantly add character to a room.
Wood, who has owned and operated Molly Wood Garden Design in Costa Mesa for seven years, has custom designed more than 500 outdoor spaces throughout Orange County, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and San Diego. She’s expanded from specializing in landscape work to carrying a collection of furniture, pottery, plants and accessories in her Costa Mesa showroom.
After years of curating her finds from gift shows and flea markets, Wood wanted to do something a little different — sell organic holiday decor, plants and gifts at a temporary holiday boutique.
“I love Laguna,” Wood said as she held a topiary at the new rented store on North Coast Highway. “Opening another store helps me edit my process to make it more of a collection.”
In other words, shoppers may find items at the Laguna pop-up that they won’t find in her Costa Mesa outlet.
Marble cheese platters, dishes formed in the shape of a peace sign, vintage garden ornaments like glass fishing floats, handmade driftwood stars and carved Tibetan offering bowls have been selected specifically for the pop-up store.
Lush offerings of wreaths artfully arranged in a selection of driftwood, boxwood and seashells can work for harvest, holiday and anytime decorating.
Pine cones are aligned in garlands for buyers to create a rustic elegance and natural beauty on a mantle or table for fall and winter decorating.
Metal chicken-feed troughs can suffice as tabletop planters.
Wood, who grew up in Ashland Ore., said her childhood was spent climbing trees, relaxing by a creek or attempting to grow moss and plants.
After high school, she traveled and worked in Europe, where she became fascinated with the beauty of parks and their plants.
When she returned to the U.S. in her early 20s, Wood studied art and design at the Academy of the Arts in San Francisco before moving to Laguna Beach. She worked at Laguna Nursery and then founded her landscape design business in 1995.
The garden retail showroom in Costa Mesa opened 13 years later.
“My personal style has always been functional,” Wood said. “I call it California Garden, where it’s easy to create a garden.”
Throughout the Laguna space, Wood has positioned hemp rugs and rope chairs near succulent table-top topiaries that could be embellished with geodes.
A display of handmade Nigerian wedding baskets that are adorned with Yoruba Cowrie Shells held plants. It is customary in that country for guests to fill the wedding basket with fruit, seeds and fabric for a new couple’s future.
When buying pieces for the pop-up store, Wood said she seeks out looks that fall under three categories: classic, contemporary organic, and fresh and light. The categories can be combined, making it easy for a customer to mix and match within similar themes, she said.
She also focuses on a price range that can fit all budgets.
A roll of vintage red ribbon is $12, decorative plants run from $15 to $46 and macrame light fixtures are $120.
Christmas ornaments made from felt and wood, unicorns and more holiday decor will be placed on shelves and tables in early November.
Wood said she would like to host plant-decorating workshops in the Laguna Beach store, but space is limited. A wreath-making workshop is available at the Costa Mesa store.
Both locations will offer custom-order and ready-made live plant arrangements.
The pop-up shop will host a grand opening from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 12, when guests can shop and snack on appetizers. A percentage of sales will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach.
“I just want to share nature with people,” Wood said. “I want people to go into gardening with ease.”
If You Go
What: Molly Wood Garden Design Holiday Pop-Up
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays, until mid-February
Where: 1290 N. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach
Information: (949) 715-8143 or visit mollywoodgardendesign.com
