Translation of memories

Funeral flower arrangements come in many forms. But what is and remains important is a personal touch. Who the deceased was, and what he meant to his loved ones can be expressed very beautifully with flowers and symbolism.

Lush Natural Elegance

Lush, succulent green leaves that shine or have special markings make plants irresistible. There is a preference for a base of tranquility in the interior, with large plants with distinct leaf textures being an important addition. Plant arrangements give many possibilities and exude luxury.

'Bridal work remains my favorite!'

'It's no question,' says floral designer Hanneke Frankema, 'bridal work remains the favorite for me! With bridal work you go that extra mile and you can really dive into the techniques and go for refinement, perfection and details. Bridal floral work is in almost every photo so there is no room for error.'

'Personally I really like a strong pronounced shape, to show it well I stick a lot of the flowers. By the way, this is a technique with many possibilities, and much stronger than you might think. Many types of flowers hold up fine for a while after gluing. I glue the delicate, most fragile types of flowers on the day itself, but strong flowers and greenery often a day in advance.'

'Many florists find this very exciting, but try out gluing with some old leftover flowers. That way you build up more and more confidence and know better what you can ask of certain types of flowers. For gluing, I always use Smithers Oasis cold glue.'

Floral Boho Bridal Party

Say bridal party, wedding or wedding and you envision a beautiful festive and dreamy image of a stylish country event venue a lush green setting and excellent decor with the most beautiful flowers and greenery. The bridal bouquet is elegant, carefully crafted in a
distinct shape with special materials and flowers. There are so many possibilities, it is not for nothing that making bridal floral arrangements is and remains a favorite for many floral designers.

Flower still lifes then and now

Flowers have provided color, fragrance and meaning at Het Loo Palace for centuries. The Bloom exhibition is about 17th-century still lifes and Princess Mary's influence on the use of flowers. Contemporary artists, designers and the palace's garden service bring history to life. They admired the historic works, but also asked critical questions. How did these flowers get here? Who paid the price for the beauty and richness? Behind every flower and work of art is a story.

'A surprisingly different look every time'

'Of course we all want to sell large and precious bouquets and pieces during the special days. Actually always natural,' posits floral designer Hanneke Frankema. 'But you can also go for selling the larger work as well as the smaller fun giveaway objects, bouquets or single flower arrangements. In the time of the store we always had large groups of smaller take-away gifts on the edge of the counter - by the larger quantity you seduce the customers. It always sold well, and very often along with the larger floral arrangements.'

'Out-of-the-box thinking helps, too. It doesn't always have to be a big bouquet to impress during Valentine's Day. Why not give a pretty wreath? That way, I'm always looking around to see how I can pimp a standard base with simple fun ideas.'

'Buying in bulk can also be very smart if it reduces the cost per item. For example, I once bought a whole load of Styrofoam hearts - they are suitable for many occasions. And with a little tweaking like painting or wrapping them with aluminum wire or wool - they have a surprisingly different look every time.'