carolyn riley

Since she was a kid, Carolyn has been drawn to the beauty of love stories—especially the ones in The New York Times Celebration sections. Weddings, fashion, and flowers have always sparked her imagination, inspiring both her art and her life.

After studying art, literature, and politics at the University of Vermont, Carolyn traveled the globe—from Dubai and Costa Rica to Fiji and Switzerland—before settling in the Roaring Fork Valley in 2004. It wasn’t long before she found herself up on ladders hanging holiday greens at the St. Regis Resort Aspen, and scattering rose petals across fresh snow at weddings. She instantly fell in love with the creativity of it all, realizing that her passion for beauty could flourish through Carolyn’s Flowers.

Now, 17 years later, Carolyn and her team continue to surprise and delight with fresh floral arrangements and decor, spreading beauty to homes, venues, and events worldwide. Carolyn calls Basalt, Colorado home, where she lives with her two daughters. Carolyn’s Flowers is a constantly blooming business, fueled by her love for all things weddings, home decor, parties, fashion, animals (a new found love of sea turtles and her puppy, Louis), and travel—and, of course, the support of her family and the most dedicated and loyal team.