It’s the smell that hits you before you step inside Lilly House “witch’s kitchen” during Harvest Nights presented by Everwise Credit Union. But it’s not something bubbling on the stove. It’s the apothecary-esque herbal and floral atmosphere crafted for the occasion that wafts through the halls.

One woman’s passion is driving this year’s stunning installation: Brenda Lekse, an award-winning designer and floral fiend. She has proudly seeded, grown, harvested, and designed the Lilly House kitchen installation.

I visited RUE de FLEURS, her flower farm in Danville, Indiana during peak growing season this summer. It was a beautifully warm day, just before Lekse harvested and dried the quarter acre of her farm reserved for this year’s exhibition.

RUE de FLEURS in Danville, Indiana.

Earlier this spring at Newfields’ Art in Bloom, Lekse won “Excellence in Nature” for her interpretation of the Asian masterpiece Immortals by Suzuki Shōnen. And she continuously strives for sustainable practices, planting only native flowers and habitats, using fabric weed barriers to reduce plastics directly touching the soil, and more.

When selecting an artisan to help bring the interior of Mischief Manor to life, Manager of Festivals at Newfields, Erin Kilhefner knew Lekse was right for the job. Lekse’s diligence and vision was essential to interpreting and transforming the 1907-built Lilly House kitchen, part of the National Historic Landmark, into the spooky, not scary, witch’s kitchen for our Harvest Nights guests this year.

Brenda Lekse of Rue de Fleurs with her crop of Velvet Curtain amaranth destined for the Lilly House kitchen installation.

On the farm, Lekse walked our team through her process, from the germ of her idea to potential mock-ups. Everything she used in her design was grown on the farm with the exception of eucalyptus which is difficult to grow in Indiana.

There is also a nod to the history and elegance of the Lilly family in the home. Lekse incorporates chandelier elements and unique objects in the floral design, like a 100-year-old sconce that was formerly part of a gate.

A mock-up of the botanical kitchen centerpiece incorporating pieces of a chandelier.

Just chicken wire and willow woven throughout the floral installment gives structure, not floral foam. Lekse explained her process for a few of the designs. For the fuzzy pillars of amaranth, for instance, she needed certain thicker fronds to be able to manipulate them. So she pinched them during the year to get them to branch. Robust plantings like these bring warmth and texture. With a name like “Hot Biscuits” and their golden-brown color they’re ideal for the kitchen setting.

Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus 'Hot Biscuits') reaches for the sky at RUE de FLEURS.

Back on the farm, I wondered whether one woman really could manage all farm operations solo. When asked about her crew, she jokingly replied it’s “a chiropractor and orthopedic surgeon.” In reality, one trainee as well as her husband (Jim) and son (Douglas) are part of the small and mighty team. Lekse hopes to bring her infectious passion for growing to others and hosts you-pick events, floral and wreath arrangement workshops, and plenty more throughout the year.

Brenda Lekse during Lilly House install for Harvest Nights.

Lekse doesn’t shy away from gushing about this opportunity as the pinnacle of her career. Her joy in expertly crafting flowers she has lovingly grown shines through. You can visit Lilly House to smell and see the magical designs this fall during daytime general admission and Harvest Nights presented by Everwise Credit Union, now through November 2, 2025.