Showcasing local florists ahead of Valentine’s Day
This year for Valentine’s Day, we worked with three local floral artists in Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City to create custom bouquets for you and your loved ones.
Get to know the florists behind this year’s creations in the Q&A below.
Bouquets are currently available for pre-order on FastAF with delivery on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2022.
Quantities are limited, so get them before they are gone!
Imagined by Flowerboy Project in Los Angeles, this bouquet features a beautiful mix of white, cream, tan and soft pink lisianthus, roses, queen anne lace, carnations, plumosa
The following questions were answered by Stella Shirinda, Owner & Co-Founder of Flowerboy Project. Check out their website here.
Q: FOR THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW, TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND FLOWERBOY PROJECT?
We opened in 2015, because Sean and I (Stella) wanted to work together, at the time we were having our first child, and perhaps just craving something new. It started pretty simple, with coffee and a small secretion of South African and Aussie flowers, as well as general goods. But the space, the selection, our goals and capabilities, changed very organically so that Flowerboy continuers to take us new places.
Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE FLOWERBOY PROJECT?
Mostly we wanted to create a space that we wanted to go to and hang out. We, as long time Venice locals of course, had our favorite places, but they were all closing at the time. So we made our own.
Q: DO YOU THINK LA HAS A DIFFERENT VIBE TO FLOWERS THAN OTHER CITIES, IF SO, WHAT IS IT?
I think LA has so many creative minds, combined with lots of part-timers, which is what makes the collections so great. No one is trying to just please, they do what they love and if you’re into their vibe, you can purchase and support. We love that.
What we have created with Flowerboy, is a space with many super talented florists, who can accommodate whatever you are feeling, or help you to articulate what you are trying to emote with the flowers. You can also just come and create your very own piece. We love that too. We are here for it all.
Q: HOW DO YOU DO VALENTINE’S DAY DIFFERENTLY? ANY NEW TRENDS?
This year we are promoting the classics. Roses, Baby’s Breath, etc. We think it’s such a great look, it’s really all about how you arrange it. But we of course have our most ordered “Omakase” available as well, you just order with price, write a vibe you want and we create it especially for you and your Valentine.
Q: CAN YOU SHARE SOME ADDITIONAL INSIGHT ON HOW YOU CAME UP WITH THE FASTAF BOUQUET?
The vibe was soft and romantic, so we found all the frilly blooms and mixed them with some garden elements, to keep it fresh and light. I really love it.
Q: ANY TOPICAL STORIES WHERE FLOWERS SAVED THE DAY OR HELPED INSPIRE LOVE THAT YOU CAN SHARE?
It happens everyday. Over the lockdown when people couldn’t touch and visit each other — I can’t count how many deliveries that inspired me personally.
Created by the Floral Loft in San Francisco, this whimsical bouquet features a mix of orchids, pink roses, spray roses, tuberoses, tropical lilies and proteas
The following questions were answered by Kelly Lee, Owner of Floral Loft. Check out their website here.
Q: FOR THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW, TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND FLORAL LOFT PROJECT?
The Floral Loft mission is to offer our clients a choice of moods, created through color, texture, and meant to express your sentiments through the beautiful flowers of northern California. We know that it can be difficult to cede control and let someone else make the creative decisions for you, but we hope in the end you will come to love this process that takes clients, the florist, and the recipient on a mutual adventure. Keeping an eco-friendly process in mind at all times is also a passion of ours.
Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE FLORAL LOFT
I wanted the opportunity to design pieces around a color palette. I was able to match the freckles in a foxglove to the deep plum of a double tulip, and the chartreuse tips of lisianthus to the pillowy blossoms of local snowball viburnum. Each element I chose seemed to reach for the next. To be filled with such excitement got me thinking about the reason I do this, my love of these tiny wonders, and how I could get back to this passion and make sure every recipient of our flowers felt that their arrangement was made with this much love.
Q: DO YOU THINK SF HAS A DIFFERENT VIBE TO FLOWERS THAN OTHER CITIES, IF SO, WHAT IS IT?
YES, San Francisco’s beauty and magic opens the door to creative and interesting design! We have the most amazing local blooms to do it with as well.
Q: HOW DO YOU DO VALENTINE’S DAY DIFFERENTLY? ANY NEW TRENDS?
We celebrate love in all the different ways we can — self love, friendships and partnerships.
This year we will see traditional flowers with a spin. Pink roses subbing for red, bright dried bits to add a modern look and long satin ribbons are the looks for this 2022 Valentines day.
Q: CAN YOU SHARE SOME ADDITIONAL INSIGHT ON HOW YOU CAME UP WITH THE FASTAF BOUQUET?
I wanted to give FastAF a fun look that speaks to everyone. Roses are just beautiful, orchids, poets and tropical lilies are sexy and lush greenery brings the smells and textures for a forest valley.
Q: ANY TOPICAL STORIES WHERE FLOWERS SAVED THE DAY OR HELPED INSPIRE LOVE THAT YOU CAN SHARE?
From time-to-time, I will have flowers to share. Leftovers from an event that I don’t see lasting long enough for an arrangement, so I put them in a bucket with a sign “for you, take me please”. Watching people face light up as they take one or two is magic. One day I watched someone take a few stems, carefully reflexed the petals and sprinkle drops of water on them and return them to the bucket better than they wore before. Love and gifts are everywhere!
Q: ANYTHING ELSE?
Thank you for celebrating in love! Please do it everyday, not just Valentine’s day.
Crafted in New York City by Floral Studio, this assortment is a classic showcase of cream roses, in a glass vase with green leaf wrapping
The following questions were answered by Thomas Lewis, Owner & President of Floral Studio. Check out their website here.
Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE FLORAL STUDIO?
I have been in the Horticultural profession since high school and pursued a B.S. in Ornamental Horticulture and a Master of Landscape Architecture. We provide services ranging from daily flowers, corporate flowers, event planning, and garden design. Our wedding and garden planning services are throughout the tri-state and New England states.
Q: DO YOU THINK NYC HAS A DIFFERENT VIBE TO FLOWERS THAN OTHER CITIES, IF SO, WHAT IS IT?
NYC definitely has a different “vibe.” There are certain styles and flowers that people prefer not to have in their bouquets, which is requested quite often. Most clients want the best flowers available and a tight, compact design style.
Q: HOW DO YOU DO VALENTINE’S DAY DIFFERENTLY? ANY NEW TRENDS?
On Valentine’s Day we offer many styles. I think that most clients prefer a low rounded rose arrangement (as in the one you will have) or a mixed arrangement in pinks with reds.
There are some new trends entering the market. While the compact design will always be a classy and elegant design aesthetic, there seems to be a trend of an asymmetrical design within arrangements amongst the younger clients. Additionally, dyed flowers appear to have a following.
