‘I enjoy working with seasonal flowers.’

Erika Oldenhof is a certified master florist and owns a flower shop. "I also enjoy working as a freelancer. It allows me to showcase work that is different from what I do every day in the shop. And, very importantly, you don't have to calculate every single stem. 

I draw my inspiration mainly from everyday life and home and fashion magazines. I also always look around me carefully, especially in nature!

For me, spring means: the trees are sprouting leaves again, flower bulbs are blooming, the days are getting longer, and there is more room for the sun. We're going outside again!

I enjoy working with seasonal flowers, such as (French) tulips, anemones, viburnum, and blossom branches. My customers are also increasingly opting for seasonal flowers, partly because of their soft colors.

‘Line play and movement are essential to me’

The work of floral designer Max van de Sluis often arises from the moment. ‘A single flower, a special texture, or a striking shape can be enough to spark an idea. From there, one or two elements are deliberately emphasized or developed further. You can see this in my compositions: sometimes I work with a very limited palette of species, sometimes with an abundance. This is always a conscious design choice.

The natural properties of the material form the starting point. The length and line of the stems are retained; removing the leaves creates focus and brings out the shape of the flower more strongly. The interplay of lines and movement are essential and give the work tension and direction.

I am constantly searching for new ways of arranging flowers, preferably with them standing directly in water: by developing a construction, preferably with a botanical character, or by making clever use of natural materials. This gives me energy. Experimenting, researching, and continuing to challenge myself are an important part of my process. Here, too, simplicity prevails: one technique or action per design. This creates tranquility and a powerful end result. Everything revolves around balance—too many different "flavors" detract from the essence. The result counts, but it is the journey that gives the work meaning.

Finally... Spring

After weeks of dark days, cold, and snow, clear blue skies and sunshine are returning. You can feel that spring is about to reveal itself. Tree buds are about to burst, and here and there the first spring flowers, such as Hamamelis and Galanthus, are already appearing.

Layered contrast

For this arrangement, Krisztian Köver chose a striking mustard-colored ceramic bowl. The inside is lined on both sides with a woolen scarf, while the flowers are placed in floral foam in the center. Lisianthus, Phalaenopsis, Cambria, and Kalanchoe form the core of the design, complemented by subtle details. The interplay of ceramics, textiles, and floral material gives the work a tactile and layered appearance.

Spring frame

This large bouquet is held by Krisztians daughter Hanna and is technically constructed on a base of wires and sticks. The outer line is finished with painted feathers, which give the arrangement a distinctive frame. Cymbidium, lisianthus, lily, Viburnum, and additional materials have been incorporated into this construction. The bouquet is bound using the spiral technique and combines a strong structural base with a soft, expressive finish.

Light and airy

This composition was designed for a hotel lobby and deliberately responds to the scale of the space. Krisztian Köver worked with Cymbidium, Phalaenopsis, and Viburnum as the main materials. The airiness is created by the use of Cornus branches and onion-like leaves, attached to thin bamboo sticks. Aluminum wire spirals are incorporated into the transparent vase, ensuring that the arrangement not only
remains visually light, but also stands out thanks to the sustainable choice of materials.