Floral and interior design all starts with a vision, according to Tawana Schlegel, owner of Tawana Schlegel Design, a boutique botanical and event design studio based in Brooklyn.
Originally, Schlegel hadn’t envisioned becoming a floral and interior design as she began her career in fashion. After going to college for clothing design and working in the field for about seven years, Schlegel found her passions changing.
Although she enjoyed clothing design, she wasn’t a fan of the fashion industry, she said. Now, she creates beautiful commercial floral designs and decorates homes and event spaces across the tri-state area, including for popular hotel brands like the Firmdale Hotels, amongst others.
She has also collaborated with other Black-woman owned brands and businesses like Blu Ellis’ Dope Black Women’s series to promote community and collaboration.
“I love floral design, and I love florists, but I always think it needs a purpose,” Schlegel told BK Reader. “You need to know where it's going. You need to understand the space it's going to live in.”
Most of her bouquets are sourced with flowers that come from the flower market in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood. There, she connects with other florists and floral designers and bond over a shared creativity and passion for the craft.
When working with clients, matching the flowers to the decor is key. She often asks for photos of the space she’s entering, information about where the floral piece will be placed, and the client's schedule of events to help guide her creations.
“I can make these flowers sing in your house,” said Schlegel. “I need to understand the big picture. Sometimes people get confused about if I’m using an anemone or a peony, [and] I was like, ‘I need to know the whole picture.’ I don't know what I'm gonna use until I know what I'm designing for you.”
For those looking to get into floral design or even make a simple bouquet for Mother’s Day, Schlegel recommends leaning into the spring season. Tulips, hyacinths and peonies that can make for a great bouquet, she said.
“That combination of flowers in any kind of bouquet is absolutely gorgeous and fragrant and beautiful,” Schlegel said. “I mean, people love flowers. They just bring so much joy. So, as much as I feel that design is important and it should go in the right place, like giving someone flowers and seeing their face light up… it's a wonderful thing.”
