You may not know much about the intensely private persona of Annette Fileccia, but get her talking about flowers and she'll spend hours discussing her favorite blossoms.

Born in New York City but raised in lower Westchester, in Scarsdale, Fileccia found her second profession serendipitously. A little over 25 years ago, while working as human resources administrator for a large Westchester-based company, she decided to explore her lifelong interest in flowers by enrolling in a flower arranging class.  

One class led to an arrangement designed as a favor for a friend's art show.   "From there my hobby just sort of took off," Fileccia said. Word-of-mouth led to new commissions, and eventually she quit her job in HR.

"I loved the freedom, and was grateful to just fall into a second career," she said.

Fileccia finds inspiration in nature and enjoys creatively weaving a balance of patterns and colors. 

"It's never boring when working with so many textures and fragrances," she said. She composes with fresh flowers and designs looks with silk flowers, silk trees and gift accessories.  Her work can be spotted at local wedding receptions, real estate open houses and area homes decorated for the holidays.

She started her career as an independent florist but was hired at Perennial Gardens in Bedford in 2000. "The neat thing about working here is that I have access to a full nursery, landscape design center and gift and home accessory section," said Fileccia. The resources here allow her to envision a venue or house in its entirety, she added.

Her arrangements fill the expansive classic New England antique-styled wood barn shop interior, providing a contrasting backrop to her colorful, artistic displays.

Fileccia's calm demeanor helps assuage frantic moms planning bar mitvahs or stressed-out brides. Most recently she has been working on expanding Perennial Gardens' outreach to brides for their weddings and other special events through a new local business called The Wedding Specialists.

An inspiration to all of those who want to follow their passion but haven't taken the first step, Fileccia said she's thrilled to have found joy in her livelihood.