In the picturesque town of Stavanger, Norway, we visited floral designer Elisabeth Strøm, whose work is as vibrant and captivating as the landscapes that surround her. With an eye for colour and a creative mind, she makes floral compositions that resonate with both the heart and the eye.
We followed her closely in the studio and outside to witness and delve into her creative process, her inspirations, and her love for flowers.
Understanding the Process
When asked about her process for working with flower colours and creating harmonious compositions, she shares, "I start with understanding the mood or theme of the space or event, then select vases and flowers that complement it. One of the privileges I have in my work is the freedom to create with no rules or recipes. Each piece is unique." This freedom allows her to innovate continuously, ensuring that each arrangement is a true work of art.
Knowing when an arrangement is finished is a more intuitive part of her process. "I'm never truly finished," she admits. "But practically, I aim for a balanced and visually interesting look that meets the client's expectations within the given time and budget constraints."
Selecting the Perfect Flowers
Seasonality and aesthetics play crucial roles in her flower selection. "As an independent florist, I choose my own flowers and am not limited in my designs. Harvesting and picking flowers myself is becoming a big part of my process. I also buy from local flower farms during the season, which runs from March to October in Norway. These flowers have so much more personality compared to the uniformity of mass-produced flowers," she explains. She enjoys combining local blooms with exotic rarities, creating stunning contrasts that are both surprising and delightful.
The Art of Choosing Vases
"The choice of vase can really enhance an arrangement and define its style," she notes. When selecting a vase, she considers the size and technique she plans to use, whether it's a hand-tied bouquet or an arrangement with foam or a flower frog. She also enjoys working with objects that aren't traditionally used as vases, asserting, "As long as it can hold water, anything goes!"
Tips for a Stunning Bouquet
For those looking to create their own visually stunning bouquets, she offers a few simple tips:
- Combine contrasting colours and mix different shapes and sizes of flowers.
- Use unique or unexpected containers instead of classical shapes, like cylinders.
- Employ tools like flower frogs to keep the flowers in place in vases that wouldn’t otherwise support the stems.
- Mix your bouquet with foraged branches, grasses, and play with heights, volume, texture, and contrast. Adding some leaf cuttings from your indoor plants can also serve as excellent fillers.
Resonating with Spaces and People
While the surrounding decor and ambiance are important, she places more emphasis on the people inhabiting the spaces. "I focus more on the people than the spaces themselves; the arrangements should resonate with them. It gives me so much joy when people connect with something I made." She values the trust her clients place in her, allowing her the creative freedom to craft pieces without too many constraints.
Staying Inspired and Innovative
Inspiration and innovation are at the heart of her work. "I'm always exploring and experimenting! Deconstructing or manipulating flowers is so much fun!" she exclaims. Her diverse range of orders and projects, including combining floral creations with photography, keep her creativity flowing. Music, however, remains her number one fuel for inspiration. "It's all about emotions, really."
As we wrapped up our conversation, it became clear that this floral artist’s work is not just about arranging flowers; it's about crafting experiences and evoking emotions.
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