Behind the Scenes: The 2023 Flourish Conference for Iron Orchid Designs Stockists

In this post we are giving you a little peek behind-the-scenes of an exciting upcoming event hosted by IOD. As a leader in the furniture embellishment industry, we continuously bring fresh ideas and innovation to the forefront. Our finger is on the pulse of the market, allowing us to deliver the latest and greatest designs to all our valued customers (yes, that’s you!). One of things that is a priority to us, is to keep our stockists in sync with our vision so that we are all moving in the same direction. One of the ways we do this is by hosting an annual conference exclusively for our stockists.

This year we’ll be hosting this unique and unparalleled conference in Sacramento, California, at the beautiful Embassy Suites by Hilton Riverfront Promenade. This event is where the true magic happens!

IOD is founded on a network of local, independent businesses (stockists), and this conference is where we support them with advanced product learning, inspiration, and business strategies so they can flourish and thrive. We have a passion for supporting small businesses, and we know that by investing in our stockist’s success, we’re empowering them to better serve you – our customers. ❤️❤️ That’s the IOD difference.

We’re tickled pink over our speaker lineup. It’s a stunner! Check it out below!

The IOD Sisters, Iron Orchid Design
Annie Sloan, Renowned Painter and Creator of Chalk Paint
Debi Beard, Creator of DIY Paint and Debi’s Design Diary
Jonathon Marc Mendes, British Furniture Artist at Painted Love
Leslie Saeta, Author and Popular Blogger, My 100 Year Old Home
Ruthie Ridley, Popular Instagram Influencer on

Be sure to read more about each speaker in their bio below!

Hands-on breakout sessions, the future of the furniture embellishment industry, industry trends, creative community, and so much more will be happening at the IOD Flourish Conference!!! ( We are personally looking forward to “Tea time with Annie and Debi”, where we will have Annie Sloan and Debi Beard on the stage together and be able to glean wisdom and knowledge from these two industry icons!)

Are you interested in becoming an Iron Orchid Designs stockist? We invite you to learn more here and fill out an application here.

This event is only open to IOD stockists, but tell us: would you be interested in an Iron Orchid Design Conference for Creators? Fill out this short survey and let us know!

Annie Sloan, Renowned Painter & Creator of Chalk Paint

Annie Sloan, is one of the world’s most popular experts in the field of decorative painting. After studying Fine Art at university in the 1970s, Annie went on to write her first book, The Complete Book of Decorative Paint Techniques – which is widely considered to be the industry bible on the subject. Since then, she has published 26 books on paint effects, color, and interior design, and has transformed the world of furniture painting with the creation of her revolutionary paint, Chalk Paint.

Passionate about empowering interior designers and hobbyists to reinvent their living spaces, Annie’s expertise and creative flair have led her to be named one of Britain’s most influential female designers.

Learn more about Annie Sloan

Debi Beard, Debi’s Design Diary & DIY Paint

Debi is a creative maker at heart who has owned her own shop, DIY Headquarters, for over 20 years, where she sells her creations and teaches others. Her design style is vibrant and colorful, just like her. Debi has built a highly successful brand between Debi’s Design Diary and DIY Paint, and she credits that success to her YouTube channel Debi’s Design Diary. She’ll be teaching on the power of video and storytelling to take your business to the next level.

Learn more about Debi Beard

Jonathon Marc-Mendes, Renowned Furniture Artist at Painted Love

Jonathan Marc Mendes is a British furniture artist, photographer, and part-time hairdresser. He offers in-person and online painting workshops through the Painted Love Academy. In 2017, he was appointed as Annie Sloan’s Painter in Residence and has since taught and painted in multiple countries worldwide. He enjoys developing new techniques and providing one-to-one tutorials, and he’s become quite handy with advanced techniques with IOD Paint Inlays.

An avid photographer and stylist, Jonathan documents his Edwardian home renovation on IGTV, showcasing his love for upcycling and interior design on a budget.

Learn more about Jonathon Marc-Mendes

Leslie Saeta, Author and the Popular Blogger Behind My 100 Year Old Home

Leslie Saeta is author of the book, A Home to Share, and creator of the popular blog and Instagram, My 100 Year Old Home where she shares her passion for entertaining, décor, cooking, and crafts. Twenty-four years ago Leslie and her husband Dave purchased their dream home, which Leslie refers to as their My 100 Year Old Home. The home, built in 1915, had been in her husband’s family since 1969.

Leslie blogs seven days a week about home decor, entertaining, remodel projects, cooking, and DIY crafts.

Learn more about Leslie Saeta

Ruthie Ridley

Meet Ruthie Ridley, an Instagram influencer and blogger who talks about faith, family, and fashion. She loves classic, timeless style with a side of fun, flirty flair! We are so excited to have her join our conference to share her story of going from a normal job as a nurse to building a thriving and engaged online community.

We’ve been following Ruthie for a while now and had the pleasure of meeting her at a Women’s conference earlier this year in Folsom, CA. We love the heart with which she serves her audience.

Learn more about Ruthie Ridley

Venue

Enjoy the beautiful Capital City of California in a hotel that overlooks the Sacramento River, next to the iconic Tower Bridge. We’re within a 10-minute walk of the Old Sacramento Waterfront District and Golden 1 Center. Local art throughout the hotel depicts Sacramento’s history and life along the river. Enjoy free made-to-order breakfast and complimentary evening reception.