“I learned that floral design is more than putting stems in a vessel. I learned how to connect to each stem, to each imperfect flower, to each design. I learned that meaningful and intentional floral design begins with instinct.”
Zinnias were the first flowers I ever played with.
Grandma and Grandpa tended a large garden, so I’d cut from the zinnia patch, arrange them in coffee cans, and sell my arrangements at the end of their driveway. I was the happiest eight year old around.
After a successful career in commercial title insurance, it was time to leave, as I wanted to focus on my newborn son. Looking for a creative outlet, I got involved in my local garden club. Twelve years later, and it’s still fills my life in many creative ways.
But I wanted more time with flowers. So I took floral design classes, learned about designing principles, color theory and composition, and studied under floral designers I admired. Through these mentors, I learned that floral design is more than putting stems in a vessel. I learned how to connect to each stem, to each imperfect flower, to each design. I learned that meaningful and intentional floral design begins with instinct.
And I learned to trust that instinct.
I design with an artist’s eye, choosing each flower to create a lyrical orchestration of color and rhythm. There’s a reason why that stem is placed just so in the vessel.
I am fortunate to have a supportive husband and 16-year-old son that let me do what I love. You can find me tending to my garden or at estate sales and flea markets hunting for treasures for both my home and my garden. At dusk, you can find me enjoying an evening walk through my garden admiring the newest blooms, sharing to my Instagram Stories. Such great joy it gives me! Follow along on Instagram and join me on my next garden walk. I have a feeling the flowers will bring joy to you, too.
xo, Kerry
Accolades
{humbly mentioned}
Florists’ Review
“Top 50 Wedding Florists of 2023”
Garden Club of America
Speaker, GCA Speaker List & Member of Garden Club of Madison
Garden Club of America
Club Floral Design Achievement Award
guiding design principles
We are an eco-friendly, floral foam -free studio committed to sustainable floristry practices. This means that my floral designs are created to have less of an impact on the environment while simultaneously caring for the health and well-being of my clients. In most of my designs, you will find green-coated chicken wire anchoring the flowers in the vessel, allowing them to dance about, as they would in the garden. Don’t discard the chicken wire after the flowers perish! It’s reusable, so have fun playing and designing on your own.
I believe in supporting local flower farms right here in the garden state - most of them women-owned! - each a small business with a big heart, not unlike my own. These farms have adopted their own responsible flower farming practices, organically growing beautiful flowers that last a little longer in the vase.
And about that floral foam? Well, it’s essentially plastic. It’s a petroleum-derived product, meaning it comes from a non-renewable resource. Since it’s a single-use item, it ends up in the garbage, and subsequently the landfill. Lastly, floral foam contains formaldehyde and carbon black. I don’t want to inhale these hazardous chemicals, and I surely don’t want my clients to, either.
values & philanthropy
I believe in inclusivity, diversity & equality for all. I am committed to caring for my community and my neighbors. I believe that education and learning never cease.
I strive to create a personalized floral experience for every client. I value connection and authenticity and bring that into each design.
Inspiration comes in many forms and I will forever seek out inspiration for my floral designs. I vow to always design from a place of love & light within.
giving back
Throughout my life, philanthropy has always been a value lived and served. It’s a value my family and I take to heart and I am committed to giving of my time, talent and treasure to others wherever I can. I am proud to say that, to date, Kerry Patel Poetic Floral has graciously donated close to $6,000 to charitable organizations that help those less fortunate or with food insecurities within my community.