At first glance, it’s a floral arrangement. But look again, and it becomes something more as avant-garde botanicals blossom into a contemporary composition inviting viewers to experience flowers as fine art.
Lance Shingleur, design and production manager and creative lead at Tanarah Luxe Floral, gives us an inside look at the inspiration, artistry and process behind the arrangement.
Editor’s note: After publication, Shingleur left Tanarah Luxe Floral.
What was your inspiration for this piece? Was there a particular artist, movement, color palette or idea that sparked the design?
LS: We gain inspiration from everything. For this specific design, as wild as it may sound, I was inspired by a pair of swim trunks I had just purchased. The two-tone column and urn are a direct reflection of the swimwear, while the floral design complements its whimsical, artistic nature. We collaborated as a team to choose the color palette and overall aesthetic.
This arrangement feels more like a sculpture than a traditional centerpiece. When you approach creating a new arrangement, do you think like a florist, an artist or a little of both?
LS: In college, I was an art major. Having studied line, form, sculpture and other artistic principles in depth, much of my floral design — and really the entire TLF team’s approach — tends to be more artful, sculptural and striking. As a team, we strive to push the envelope and be innovative in the floral space.
Walk us through the flowers and botanicals you selected. What drew you to these particular shapes, textures and colors?
LS: I knew going into this project that my design would be avant-garde. Because of the strong lines and movement of the piece, I knew I’d need to soften it with very specific floral selections. The garden roses, dahlias and marigolds create the soft, bloom-on-bloom texture I was after, while the strong lines of the anthurium keep it current. You’ll also notice the green grapes our design team strung into the arrangement. We love creating moments of discovery. The grapes aren’t the focal point, but spotting them adds an element of surprise.
You hand-painted both the vessel and pedestal. Why was it important for every element to feel like part of one artwork rather than simply displaying the flowers?
LS: For me, the flowers are only one part of the story. Painting the vessel and pedestal allowed the entire piece to feel intentional from the ground up. I wanted every element to work together so the arrangement feels like a single sculptural artwork, not just flowers in a beautiful container.
How do you know when an arrangement is finished? Is there a moment when it simply “clicks,” or do you improvise as you work?
LS: Every design is different. Sometimes at TLF, we work from a predetermined design plan. Other times, we follow our hearts. For this specific piece, it was truly a work of heart. When you’ve been designing florals as long as I have, you’re innately wired to know when to stop. A deep level of restraint goes into creating a piece like this, and your heart lets you know when it’s complete.
What’s something people often misunderstand about creating luxury floral arrangements?
LS: One of the biggest misconceptions is that luxury floral design is simply about using expensive flowers in excess. It’s actually about intentionality and experience. Every stem has a purpose, considering color, movement, texture, negative space and how the arrangement interacts with its environment. Luxury isn’t about having more flowers. It’s about creating an emotional experience where every detail feels effortless, even though an incredible amount of thought went into it.
If this piece were in an art gallery, what would its title be?
LS: I’d call it “Between Bloom and Brushstroke.” It perfectly captures how the painted pedestal, sculptural vessel and flowers merge into a single work of art rather than existing as separate elements.
PHOTOGRAPHY
JASON MASTERS
FLORALS
TANARAH LUXE FLORAL