'Ranunculus really give the feeling of spring'

Floral designer Marcel van der Haar likes to work with parrot and French tulips in the spring. ‘I also think ranunculus really give the feeling of spring.’

'What I like to show in my arrangements is the changing of the seasons. I then incorporate dead winter materials such as dried grasses. These are then, as it were, slowly displaced in my arrangements by the colorful spring flowers that herald the next season.'

‘Besides the fact that I really enjoy working stylistically, I mainly prefer to present products as naturally as possible in my arrangements. Nature is therefore my greatest source of inspiration. I also see at trade fairs that many honest materials in natural colors are slowly being used again – although colorful counterparts can always be found.’

'As a car enthusiast, I can also be very inspired by a beautifully designed car, piece of furniture or building. It is important to look around you carefully, wherever you are – then the inspiration will come naturally.'

Winter tinted

In November, the transition from autumn to winter begins. Yet autumn does not give way so easily, it seems as if the leaves on trees and shrubs color later every year. But at the end of November, winter really makes its entrance.

‘All the cogs are turning again’

Florist Franka Roenhorst always practices her work with extreme passion. ‘From this passion I also participate in competitions, so I am currently in the run-up to the Dutch Floral Art Championship that will take place in January.’

‘I find the real challenge for myself in the preparation for a competition or, as now, in making winter-tinted arrangements for this magazine. In it I can completely let myself go, come up with new things, test materials, look for new techniques and create something special with them. I get new inspiration from this, all the gears start running again.’

‘In my search for colors that suit winter but are not standard, I worked with materials in red, salmon, orange, and pink in three arrangements. These colors clearly show the warmth of autumn and also that the transition to the winter and Christmas period is now beginning.’

'For example, in my arrangements, I have already used the poinsettia, Euphorbia 'Autumn Leaves', which has a beautiful salmon hue. And, as a nod to Christmas, I have added accents with Nobilis branches.'

'Challenges inspire me'

What characterizes master binder Sören Van Laer is his ability to try new things with existing materials, to experiment and to give it his own signature. ‘I followed a horticultural education and completed it with a specialization year in floristry. At school I mastered the most important basic techniques, but the complete perfection in floristry was at my internship at Geert Pattyn in Geluwe. Here I learned a lot of new techniques, I could ‘steal a lot with my eyes’.’

Through his participation in the Fleur Talent project, Sören became acquainted with the entire floral chain and was able to expand his network. ‘I get my inspiration from my environment, from nature, from vegetative materials, but also other materials from, for example, the construction sector can be a source of inspiration.’

‘I love challenges. For example, Cymbidium is not immediately the most obvious flower to work with, but this is precisely what encourages me to get creative. The exotic nature of this flower appeals to me a lot.’

‘Searching for flowers that match the treasures found outside’

Moniek Vanden Berghe is an authority in the field of floral art. After training in various art disciplines, Moniek found her true passion in floral art. Her natural feeling for form and colour, contrast, texture and structure resulted in a highly personal, elegant and contemporary arrangement style. Moniek is known for her trend-setting bridal work, which resulted in the book series Flowers in Love, but also very refined funeral arrangements and nature-inspired creations are part of her repertoire.

‘I mainly find inspiration in the season and in the natural surprises that each season brings. Different weather conditions bring different colors to the leaves, for example. Dry and sunny weather causes the plumes to dry out and fan out earlier, while humidity brings earlier decay and skeletonization. Finding matching flowers and surfaces for the treasures found outside is very fascinating.’

‘Everything in my work is in service of the flowers’

Master florist Geert Pattyn's style is best described as pure, simple, and natural. 'Making the world more beautiful and creating atmosphere with flowers and plants has been my ultimate goal for over thirty years. Aesthetics are very important in my profession. I started as an employee in a flower shop, and after ten years, I founded my own studio on the farm in Geluwe where I grew up.'

'Fashion, design, art, and gastronomy are important sources of inspiration for me, but nature is and remains my most important source of nourishment. My specialization is occasional work: everything in my work serves the flowers. For example, creating with Cymbidium is a challenge. It is a very powerful flower that also glories in a simple creation.'

‘I love geometric shapes. The square is a simple shape that you can play with in different ways: open-closed, dark-light – a theme that offers many possibilities. For example, by working with small squares in large squares, you can also create depth in your work.’