Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
By MAGNOLIA LAFLEUR | Reporter
Valentine’s Day got a head start with Pacific Palisades-based florist Nicole Burgess, who offered custom floral arrangements at The Draycott in Palisades Village on February 10 and 11.
“We love being a part of a community and collaborating with our community members and Nicole is a friend and an incredible florist,” Draycott Owner Marissa Hermer said to the Palisadian-Post. “I wanted a place where people could walk by and buy flowers leading up to Valentine’s Day. And I’m here today buying some for my children and my husband. It’s nice to be able to give back to the community and those you love at the same time.”
Burgess served freshly cut flowers, asymmetrically wrapped in brown paper.
“I like it to be a nice shape, not super tight, a little wild, loosely bunched, like wildflowers. There’s always a little asymmetry,” Burgess said about her arrangements. “I want it to look like you just picked up a bunch of flowers and plopped them in a vase, as opposed to that really tightly bunched look.”
She had many customers excited about giving their loved ones a one-of-a-kind “I love you” bouquet.
Matt Going, Palisadian resident and CEO of Anytime Mailbox, said he was excited to run into the pop-up flower shop while grabbing lunch with a friend.
“I was here having lunch with my friend Ed and I saw the store and I recognized Nicole and I wanted to support the local business in the Palisades,” Going said. “I bought some flowers for my wife, Bridget. We have dinner plans Monday night and will make time for each other. My way of keeping the flame going.”
Madison Wand, a longtime customer and Palisadian, said she dropped by to grab a bouquet of flowers for her client and friend.
“I purchased it for Valentine’s Day for my client, Bruce,” Wand shared. “I’ve bought flowers from her before and I love them. The way she puts them together, they’re very organic and it seems very fresh and authentic.”
Born and raised in the Palisades, Burgess refined her eye for color palettes and design through her experiences attending Parsons School of Design, working at elysewalker and designing her own fashion line. She launched LA Native Florals in 2018 after receiving numerous bouquet requests from friends and family.
“It’s been a great labor of love,” Burgess said about floral design. “I’ve learned so much about the mechanics of it, in setting up arches for weddings, tricks and tips to keeping flowers fresh. And the more you do it the better you get.
“I wasn’t formally taught but I have a creative eye and I like to do things loose and organic.”
LA Native Florals will be offering workshops this spring for those interested in learning more about putting flowers together.
From flowers for weddings, birthday parties and bespoke events, to installations, deliveries and its monthly subscription service, LA Native Florals prides itself in customizing “loose garden style,” one-of-a-kind floral arrangements.
For more information, email info@lanativeflorals.com
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