4. Eagle Insignia Mural
Sweet Root Village
Lauren Anderson and Rachel Bridgwood
2025 installation - Great Stair Hall
The Inspiration
The trompe l’oeil mural over the fireplace—painted by Oreste Paltriniere in 1909—features the Society of the Cincinnati’s Eagle insignia surrounded by military adn diplomatic symbols and historical medals.
The Flowers
Florist’s inspiration: Absolutely overflowing with symbolism and references to the oldest patriotic organization in the United States, this piece is surprisingly hard to find specific information about. The society had eight original constituent societies that we believe are represented in the eight flags featured within. We have chosen to focus on the tassel accents, creating coordinating pieces out of fresh floral in shades of white, framed to coordinate with the Society logo front and center. The Society Eagle emphasizes the founding of a peaceful American republic and the return of its soldiers to their civilian lives. We have incorporated manipulated bear grass as a symbol of the tension and adaptability of the returning soldiers to find new purpose post war.
Recipe: Amaranthus, Hyacinth, Hypericum, Carnation, Ginestra, Bear Grass, Muscari, Ornithogalum, Nerine Lily
THE DESIGNERS
Lauren Anderson and Rachel Bridgwood
Sweet Root Village
Sweet Root Village is an event floral design studio based in Alexandria, Virginia owned by Lauren Anderson and Rachel Bridgwood. Sweet Root is known for large installations, sharing openly about the floral business, and creating a family-friendly work environment for their team. Over the past ten years, they have grown to an in-house team of six who lead over eighty weddings and events a year, and have been featured in Martha Stewart, Modern Luxury, Once Wed, Brides, and dozens of wedding and event publications.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY
Akbar Sayed Photography
Between his studies and his caring for patients as a nursing student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Akbar Sayed sought a creative outlet to capture the beauty that he saw in life at all stages.
He purchased his first camera and photographed whatever and whoever was in front of him, but emotions inspired him most of all (an empath through and through). After months of sharing his work for the pure enjoyment of it, Akbar was asked to capture a wedding. The artistry was innate — his work was published in Baltimore Style magazine, despite it being his very first wedding.
In 2011, Akbar met his wife who, from the beginning, believed in his natural artistic vision. She continues to be the source of much creative and practical inspiration, often encouraging him to be present and laughing at his dad jokes.
