.png)
Photos by Tay Brauer
How did your career as a florist begin?
My floral journey started over a decade ago. Despite having landed an office job after college that seemingly checked all the boxes, I kept coming back to this urge to create with my hands. Around this same time, I also found myself wandering into flower shops, imagining what it would be like to be on the other side of the counter. So, I started looking for opportunities to work with flowers which led me to a weekend internship with a wedding floral designer. I'd show up every Friday (after my day job) and spend my Saturdays schlepping buckets and learning the craft. My payment was buckets of flowers and an education on the ins and outs of floral design. It was the first time in my life that I completely lost track of time while working, in the best possible way. I returned the following season as a paid designer, and I've been creating with flowers ever since.
Tell us about your Brooklyn based floral company, Brownstone Botanical!
I founded Brownstone Botanical in 2020, at a time when many of us were reimagining what we wanted our lives to look like. After years of freelancing for other floral designers, I had a clear vision for what my own aesthetic would be. I’m originally from South Carolina and, in the south, we love a soft, romantic floral. I also found the charm of Brownstone Brooklyn to be incredibly inspiring and the marriage of those two inspired what would eventually become Brownstone Botanical. I started out doing weddings and running pop-ups with Louise, my 1972 vintage pickup truck, and it's been growing ever since - most notably with the opening of our first retail shop in Greenpoint last fall! What I love about this work is how flowers become part of people's stories – flowers are often there for our best and worst days. There's something really meaningful about creating these small pieces of beauty that mark those memories.
Left: Rachel Leiner, Right: Tay Brauer
What’s your favorite part about the New York floral community?
The New York floral community is really special. By nature, this work is labor intensive and not for the faint of heart. And in a city where space and time are precious commodities, it creates a natural camaraderie. We understand each other's challenges, and there's always someone ready to lend a hand or share advice when you need it. In January, I got together with two other NYC florists to start Flower Hour – a community happy hour for local florists. It grew out of wanting more chances to connect with fellow designers beyond our quick hellos in the Flower District. The first one was such a hit, I already can’t wait to do it again!
Congrats on your new brick & mortar in Greenpoint! What is your goal with the new space?
Opening our shop in Greenpoint felt like such a natural next step. While I love doing weddings and pop-ups (and will absolutely continue both!) I wanted a space where we could be part of people's everyday moments too – whether that's celebrating a new job, welcoming a baby, or just brightening someone's Wednesday. The goal for the new shop is simple: make our garden-inspired blooms more accessible. Right now, we offer next day pick-up and delivery Wednesday-Saturday and our online shop is accessible 24/7.
Left: Chellise Michael Photography, Right: Weddings by Nato
Do you have a favorite flower to work with in your arrangements?
The hardest question! Like most florists, my favorite flower changes with the seasons. Right now I'm so excited for local tulips, and already dreaming about peony season. By late summer and fall, I'll be obsessed with dahlias and zinnias from our local farms. We try to source from local farmers whenever possible during the growing season, so I can't wait for the warmer days ahead and all the local blooms they'll bring.
Follow along:
www.brownstonebotanical.com
@brownstonebotanical
Greenpoint Shop: 173 Green St.