Payne brings ‘Flair’ to new business
The long-time marketing director for Avenir Memory Care in Farragut isn’t quitting her day job, but instead is taking the plunge to work after hours and on weekends, helping spruce up residential living spaces.
“I just realized over the years, my joy came from doing that,” she said. “I really get a lot energy from doing something I love, and I’m relying on God to make it fruitful for me.”
While Payne does offer services that include designing from start to finish, and both residential and “boutique” commercial design, her strongest skill set is the ability to help homeowners style their homes using already on-hand furniture and décor.
“I am really good with helping people fall in love with what they already have,” she said.
That especially includes Christmas ornaments and decorations. While she has long decorated Avenir’s Christmas trees, this time of year her clients are calling on her to help them re-purpose and restage beloved mementos.
A recent tree project for a client included a collection of Red Riding Hood-themed ornaments that had been hand-sewn by the client’s mother years before. That attention Payne pays to her client’s inventory and desires ties in with her business motto, “Love is in the details.”
“That motto was given to me by a dear senior industry friend who was working with me on the ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ fundraiser we were hosting at Avenir,” Payne said. “She said, ‘Mary Lynne, your love always shows in your details. It’s who you are.’
“I’ve thought of those kind words many times and have come to realize it truly is a great description of anything I do. And I just love that.”
Payne counts her background, growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, surrounded by “historic buildings and architectural relics,” and close family relationships as impacting her life and ultimate career.
“My grandmother Lucy’s roses, rhubarb, bread pudding … and her beautiful charitable heart were a great inspiration for my life, as well as treasure hunting with my mother and sisters,” Payne said on her webpage.
“With great respect for historic detail, I restored two 1920s vintage houses in the early suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, in the Virginia Highlands and Morningside neighborhoods, and one gambrel roofed, stone beauty in lovely Belle Meade, located in Nashville,” she added.
“Later, making Knoxville home, I renovated and added on new construction of a post-war 1942 vintage home in historic Sequoyah Hills, and most recently a 1980s vintage Condo in the Rocky Hill area reminiscent of old Charleston, with a charming brick-walled courtyard and garden paths to neighbors.
“When I wasn’t renovating or re-inventing my own homes, I was decorating for my family and friends, whether it was holiday or room design. It became obvious that helping others create and realize a style that was uniquely their own was what energized and gave me the most joy.”
Payne had ideas about starting her own business more than 30 years ago, and worked with a graphic designer on a logo, combining the fleur-de-lys with her name.
“I love it, as it was also the emblem of my beloved hometown city in Louisville with its King Louis XVl of France influence,” she said.
“Today, 34 years later, it’s become the ideal combination of style and heart and the perfect synergy with my motto, as I realize I want to take this path for my life,” she added.
“I feel really good about trusting the time is right to start helping others create a lifetstyle they’ll love, too. A lot of people can’t do it, and others can, but don’t have the time.
“I can do that for them.”
For more information, visit Flair d’Lynne on Instagram and Facebook, or visit www.flairdlynne.com.
