Dusky Turner of Turner Design Group, Chicago, Ill., has defined a passion of his own. The passion started when Dusky owned his own flower shop. Creatively using nature’s flora became an art form to Dusky as he created floral arrangements for his clients. From the flower shop, Dusky’s passion took on another dimension. He became a director of merchandising and product development in the floral industry. This experience enabled him to travel throughout the United States delivering floral design and educational programs. And the passion grows…Dusky was hired to take his floral and design experience overseas. China, Thailand, Taiwan, and the Philippines became Dusky’s new design studio. Silk and permanent flowers were the new ingredients. The floral components were designed by Dusky to be manufactured and shared with the rest of the world.

As Dusky’s passion for floral design evolved throughout the last 30 years, he found that his passion and his strengths had broadened more than he knew. Dusky integrates tablescape and centerpiece design with the base of his  floral experience. His knowledge of color lends itself to the perfectly appointed table for a party or occasion. Add some fun napkin folding, and the table has yet another dimension. Cooking is as natural to Dusky as creating a floral arrangement. Have you seen his place-card holders? He might surprise you with small chocolate turkeys, pinecones or pumpkins depending upon the table needs.

When you have a floral background, can set a decorative table and cook, what comes next? The holidays! And the passion grows. Dusky puts up eight trees in his Chicago home each year as well as decorating his parent’s tree and some close friends’ trees. The trees are absolutely art when completed. Complimentary wreaths, swags, mantle décor and centerpieces generally follow for each tree. Dusky can even turn a 7.5- foot tree into a 9-foot tree with a little trick he likes to share. Place the 7.5-foot tree on an upside-down galvanized tub. Bingo, you have a 9-foot tree!

Do you want to wow your holiday guests? Try this recipe below. You, too, can make homemade chips with a simple cookie cutter. This is just one of Dusky’s party tricks.

Brie Cheese with Cranberry Relish and Holly Chips

• 6 packages Garden Spinach and Vegetable tortilla

• 2 small wheels baby brie cheese

• 1 can whole-berry cranberry sauce

• 1 small can chopped pineapple

• ¼ cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Use a large holly cookie cutter and cut holly leaves out of the tortillas. Lay leaf shapes flat on cookie sheets and bake 5 to 7 minutes until crisp. (Be sure not to get them too brown.)

To make the relish, mix the cranberry sauce, pineapple and nuts together, mix well and refrigerate.

To serve, bake the brie cheese for about 5 to 7 minutes at 400 degrees until cheese is soft. Spread the relish over the top and surround the cheese with the holly chips. This makes about 200 chips. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

Have a Happy Holly Day!

How do we know so much about Dusky Turner? Dusky Turner comes to the Chandlery in Roswell four times a year to share his gift of floral and design passion with The Chandlery’s customers and friends. In the spring, Dusky turns tables into tablescapes, napkins into the shape of a Bird of Paradise flower, citrus fruit into candles and pineapples into vases. During the holiday seminars, napkins become elf shoes, tree ornaments are turned into place-card holders, and mantels and doors into design focal points. In the course of an evening at the Chandlery, a pre-lit boxed Christmas tree becomes the envy of the neighborhood.

Join Dusky at The Chandlery for one of his upcoming holiday design seminars. Reservations are requested by emailing info@ chandlerygifts.com or calling The Chandlery at 770.993.5962. Be the recipient of Dusky’s floral and design passion, and leave with inspiration for your holiday entertaining and decorating. Custom wreath, swag, and mantle design from Dusky are also available while he is in town. For more information, visit www.duskyturner.com