Photos by Nathanael Gassett
Nest in Natchez
Building on success that brought him as far as the White House, John Grady Burns has returned to his native Natchez to open up a plant and home décor shop called Nest.
The warm afternoon sun illuminates a company of orchids and hydrangeas; assortments of ivy fall lazily over the edges of their colored containers; budding jasmine vines twist and braid into intriguing, organic shapes while curious air plants float in orbs of delicate glass hung from the ceiling. This is not a botanical garden or the grounds of an exotic resort; it is Nest, downtown Natchez’ newest addition from floral designer and Natchez native John Grady Burns.
Born and raised in the river city, Burns earned a BS in retail floral management at Mississippi State University, one of only a handful of universities in the country that offered the degree at the time, before eventually landing in Atlanta. Burns’ father was also a Natchez native and his mother, “a true Cajun” as Burns described her, was from Larose, Louisiana. Over the years Burns became an accomplished interior designer and florist, achieving success and acclaim with clients ranging from local Natchez brides to the White House and Blair House, the president’s guesthouse. He is also the published author of three books and owner of the Beekman Place Livery bed and breakfast, located just a block away from Nest. John Burns, needless to say, is not one to sit and twiddle his thumbs; like a Mississippi River paddlewheeler, his creative gears are always propelling him forward.
Entering the plant and home décor gift shop, it feels as if you’ve actually stepped outside. The shop is brightly lit by large floor-to-ceiling storefront windows, and a sweet mingling of floral scents greets you at the door. The store’s parakeets (named after Our Gang characters Darla, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Froggy, and Spanky) flutter to and fro in large Southern-style homes that Burns designed. Everything is light, airy, and organic, grounded only by the roots of the plants found in the shop. The effect is fantastic, in the traditional sense of the word.
1 of 3
2 of 3
3 of 3
Burns was clearly in his element at the February 5 opening of Nest as he proffered advice on plant care and on incorporating plants into home décor. To prune or not to prune, how much to water and when, how to not kill your air plants: no question was too simple or too complex to receive a smile and a response. Throughout the afternoon, Nest was a bustle of activity. Among the oohing and ahhing and plant questions, there was a familiar refrain among the visitors: “We are so glad to have John back in Natchez.” It felt as much like a family reunion as a grand opening.
Nest is a reference to Burns’ primary aim: helping his customers “feather their nests.” Inspiration for the christening of the shop also came in part from Burns’ use of both natural and hand-created nests in his arrangements. “I’ve always had an interest in birds and in birds’ nests,” Burns said. “Each one is so intricate and different.”
Not unlike a bird’s nest, there is a sophisticated but pleasantly undomesticated feel to Burns’ work. His arrangements feel as though they were scooped up from the forest floor and carefully brought inside. He doesn’t so much tame the plants he uses as coaxes and guides them to their finished forms. “I like to emulate nature,” said Burns. “I want it to appear as though it’s growing.”
Following nature’s rhythm, the stock of plants and home décor items at Nest will evolve with the seasons. In this way, Burns hopes to demonstrate how his customers can do the same in their homes, using materials that follow nature’s lead. He suggests, for instance, placing entire branches, such as blooming dogwood branches, in a vase by themselves to create a bold, eye-catching look. Azaleas are not as commonly used in arrangements, but their plentiful and vibrant blooms look great indoors and are easy to find in the South.
“Bulb plants, such as Dutch iris or daffodils, are a great investment because they multiply,” Burns said. And hydrangeas are another indoor option, with large, cotton-candy-colored blooms that are likewise an easy find in the springtime. Burns recommends placing the hydrangea in your choice of container and arranging moss around the base to create an elegant and simple look. Jasmine can also be found locally, does great indoors, and is really low maintenance. When jasmine flowers bloom in the spring, they give off a sweet fragrance, changing the mood of an entire room. Mother fern and Lenten rose (so named because its small blooms appear during the time of Lent) also do well in homes. “The idea is to use plant materials for an organic-looking arrangement that is long lasting,” said Burns.
Burns eventually plans on turning the basement of Nest into a hands-on educational space to offer classes on creating floral and plant-based arrangements. “I’m ready for something different. I hope with the shop I can [continue to] evolve the store with new material. I always have my eyes open for something new that you haven’t seen before.”
505 Franklin Street Natchez, Miss. (601) 446-3011 Hours: Wed–Sat, 10 am–6 pm. “Always by appointment, sometimes by happenstance.” johngradyburns.com beekmanplacelivery.com
