On a standard—
Joyce combines five dried Heliconia into one large arrangement. She arranged beautiful flowers in between them. “It could easily be a cool bridal bouquet, but I hung this one on a stand.” Materials used include: Heliconia ‘She Kong,’ Phalaenopsis ‘Exclusivo Pikachu,’ Phalaenopsis ‘Crème,’ Tillandsia, clematis fluff, Sarracenia, and Physalis skeleton.
“It fascinates me that you can always create something different.”
“After completing my floral design training and master’s program, I started out eighteen years ago as a freelancer for large weddings, trade shows, and companies. It fascinates me that you can always create something different. The possibilities are endless. I draw inspiration from everywhere—nature, travel, the seasons, social media, or simply taking a walk through the woods or the castle gardens. I combine colors, shapes, and materials in my head and then get to work.”
“I love combining cultivated flowers with materials found in nature. What you find in nature, you can’t get at auction, and what you get at auction, you won’t find in nature. Personally, I’m crazy about orchids—different varieties with beautiful colors. I love to include them in every arrangement. My living room is also full of different kinds of orchids, which I try to get to bloom again and again.”
“Every person is different”
According to Geertje, funeral floral arrangements are becoming increasingly personalized. In her work, she’s noticed that bereaved family members deliberately choose colors and shapes that reflect the personality of the person they’re saying goodbye to. They also look for their own way to add a final touch to the arrangement. “Think, for example, of a handwritten note. There are so many different ways to do that.”
At the same time, she believes that funeral arrangements evolve with the times. Trends in fashion and interior design are often a source of inspiration. Geertje doesn’t see any one specific flower that is used exclusively for funeral arrangements. “Every person is different, and the same goes for flowers. That’s why any flower can be used in funeral arrangements.”
It is precisely this personal touch that makes these commissions so special to her. “I always consider it a great honor to create funeral arrangements
. How wonderful is it to create something for someone that perfectly suits that person?” With her thoughtful floral arrangements, she hopes to contribute to a meaningful farewell. As she herself says, “That’s why I do it.”
“Don’t just create—add value”
For floral designer Max van de Sluis, the process doesn’t always begin with a form or technique, but with a single flower. “A flower that demands attention, that calls for a moment of pause, that invites you to understand its character. In this series, I let that principle guide me: observe, delve deeper, and enhance. Always from my own perspective, but with respect for what the flower already possesses.”
From that starting point, bouquets emerge that are more than just a collection of materials. “They have a voice of their own, a presence of their own. And it is precisely in that connection that the encounter with the bride takes place. Sometimes you find a bouquet that reflects her; other times, the bouquet serves to amplify who she is or wants to be at that moment. In that interaction, something unique emerges: personal, layered, and meaningful. Perhaps that is the essence of our craft: not just creating, but adding. Offering an extra dimension, which enhances not only the work but also the person carrying it. A bouquet that doesn’t just adorn, but tells a story.”
“And yet, time and again, it all starts with something seemingly simple: communication. The ability to listen, to interpret, and then to demonstrate with conviction what is possible. Because only when a vision is shared can it truly come to fruition.”
Vibrant arrangements bursting with summer flowers
For floral designers, summer is one of the most bountiful seasons of the year. From the first peonies in late spring to dahlias that herald the arrival of fall, the selection is wide, colorful, and full of character. Yet this period calls for creativity. Due to vacations, hot weather, and shifting consumer behavior, summer is not the easiest sales season.
Enjoying the late summer
Summer is full of unique colors, as seen in this bouquet. It looks perfect in a frame shaped like flower petals. The deep, dark pink hues complement each other beautifully and pair perfectly with the copper wires and the yellow and red flowers.