InRegister 38 • February 2009
InTheNeighborhood
The community of Prairievillederives its name from the rich, abundant pastures and prairieswhich gracefully hugged both Jefferson and Airline Highways. Most notableamong them was the land encompassing picturesque Phillips Farm.
Whilemany of the vistas render Prairieville eternally scenic, the localehas blossomed into a land of fine living and greatopportunity in the last generation.
Neighborhoods like Seven Oaks andLakes at Ascension offer residents a quiet escape while maintainingquick, easy access to major highways and nearby retail options.Wonderful public schools offer children the opportunity to prepare forcollege without breaking the bank.
Boutiques and home decorators likeAnna’s Floral Designs and Artistic Expressions are close-at-handto dress up your home and add some flavor toyour lifestyle.
Sandwiched in between Gonzales and Baton Rouge, Prairievillecontinues to develop into a community ready to stand onits own … and be off and running before youknow it!
16051 Airline Hwy.
673-4747
www.annasfloraldesigns.comWith a motto like “Don’t Waste Hours, Say Itwith Flowers,” Anna Guidry and crew know how to getyou brownie points, or at least get you out ofthe doghouse.
Be it newborn babies, birthdays, anniversaries or justa simple “I’m Sorry,” Anna’s Floral Designs has matchedflora with customer since March 1981. In addition to flowers,Anna’s in-store selection boasts customized gift baskets and othergift items such as balloons, tapestries, wind chimes and angels.Her staff includes three licensed designers in Loretta Andermann, FarrenBourgeois and Scharmion Pape. The company’s affiliation with Teleflora alsoenables flowers to be shipped around the corner or acrossthe country.
The company’s trademark yellow vans are adorned withbutterflies, a favorite image of Guidry’s since childhood.
When askedwhy she holds butterflies in such high esteem, she can’thelp but smile and jokes, “sometimes,
I think I’dlike to
be one!”
Having been a rock in thePrairieville community for nearly 30 years, don’t count on Anna’sFloral Designs flying away.
15159 Airline Hwy.
677-7555
AnnaWilliams has over 25 years experience working both abroad inBrazil and locally in Prairieville. Her current endeavor, Artistic Expressions,has been in its present location since 2005. The storespecializes in a highly customizable approach to helping people expressthemselves in the form of home decoration.
“If youcan’t buy it or find it, we’ll make it,” Williamssays.
Her time in Brazil led her to incorporate aLatin influence into many of the floral designs. It leavesthem with an appearance Williams describes as “very tropical,exotic and colorful.”
She also believes strongly in giving back,and the fruits of her company’s labor speak to that.More than just an interior design outlet, Williams describes herbusiness as “the machine that funds different ideas andprojects.”
Both she and her daughters, Rachel Davidson and DeborahWilliams, use funds generated from Artistic Expressions to take partin mission trips across the world. They also work closelywith the local community, churches and schools.
One specific exampleis a recent job in which Williams helped Mr. Babin,an art teacher at nearby St. Amant High School, transforma campus trash deposit into a “secret garden.” Studentsand teachers alike contributed ideas that Artistic Expressions brought tolife in the form of fountains, swans and, of course,gators – the school’s mascot.
“It’s just great toknow that area is now used as a study areaand for art discussion,” Williams shares.
The Prairieville area includesmany other highlights. For the kids, there’s Color Wheel LearningCenter and Athletes in Motion, a multi-purpose facility. Whenlooking to relax, there’s also St. Michel day spa andOn The Half Shell seafood restaurant and oyster bar forthat delicious sit-down meal. Finally, when checking out thelistings, don’t forget Oak Alley Estates.
Parading
Prairieville
Prairieville Prairievilleabout
By BEN LOVE
Owner Anna Guidry
Anna Williams ofArtistic Expressions
Artistic Expressions
Anna’s Floral Designs
