'Plants play a big role'

'Deep reds and bordeaux may be seen,' says floral designer Hanneke Frankema, 'with accents in gold, cream or white tones and undergrounds with an oil lustre or mother of pearl you make it special. Pronounced color and powerful design: the Lush Natural Elegance theme doesn't need much.'

'Within this theme, plants and organic forms play a major role. These can be distinctive strong leaf shapes but also flowers with special special shapes that often match each other beautifully. Think of the Guzmania, Gloriosa, Phalaenopsis but also certainly Celosia, with which as a florist you can really make a statement.'

Everyone knows it: you have nice vases but they are missing a corner or the paint is peeling off. But you don't want to throw them away, so they often sit gathering dust in the cupboard. Yet they offer many possibilities if you think out of the box and give them new life by pimping them up. For example, I have applied dark red and gold accents to pots and vases with self-adhesive mourning ribbon made of woven fabric. A product for which I see many other uses.' 

Happy Dahlia

A certain understatement cannot be denied to the Dahlia. She comes across as simple, happy and not too complicated. But that designation is a bit too modest. Looking at her application and diversity of appearances, you could say she is one of the stars of late summer.

How do you differentiate yourself as a florist?

Do you ever ask yourself this question? The answer is not as simple as the question. In a world that is becoming ever more transparent and the supply chain ever shorter, it is increasingly difficult for florists to differentiate themselves. Where do you focus and where are opportunities?

"Roaming the garden together in search of materials."

Freelance florist and teacher Linda Eising likes to stay close to the personal wishes of the customer with her farewell flower arrangements. 'It is my challenge and strength to translate those wishes into flower arrangements. Gathering information from the bereaved by visiting, listening, asking the right questions and looking around, gives me the good information to get started.'

'Buying materials or even better applying the plants from home or garden. Searching together in one's own garden for the most beautiful materials. It is often precisely those materials that were lovingly cared for and admired by the deceased.'

'When searching for materials together with the bereaved, the most beautiful stories and fond memories surface. That often works immediately as a piece of mourning. When you then make an arrangement from all these materials, you see the tears of emotion and recognition in the eyes of the relatives upon delivery. That gives me great satisfaction. 

'Creativity gives meaning to loss'

Belgian floral designer Sören van Laer finds making funeral arrangements a very important part of his work as a floral designer. 'Flowers not only bring comfort, they also express appreciation for the deceased. It is therefore very important to make very personal and creative funeral arrangements because creativity gives meaning to loss.'

'I signal an increase in demand for urn decorations. This requires a separate approach but also offers opportunities to create very refined funeral arrangements. For farewell flower arrangements, I prefer to use colorful flowers. Colors soften grief.'

Working with symbolism also generates many possibilities. 'For example, lavender has the properties of being soothing, calming, soothing, uplifting and balancing. The flower symbolizes balance, devotion, friendly love, admiration and beauty. Lavender has a subtle color and fragrance and in this way connects body, mind and spirit, making it an exquisite flower for farewell flower arrangements.'

Tilting perspectives

Motto for the zeitgeist is Tilting Perspectives. The call for change is creating even greater contradictions in society: which way are we going? And what are we willing to give up? We are looking for new perspectives: a hopeful view of the future.