Anne van Midden / floral design (2025)

08/01/2025

The secret to an inspiring workspace that never bores you?

Fill it with items you absolutely love. Preferably vintage. Then add a mountain of flowers. And finally: a sprinkle of amazing people to share it with 👌🏻

I would love to share my space, flowers & knowledge with you during a 1:1 or 2:1 masterclass!

So if you (&your flower friend) are ready to learn all about sustainable design techniques, running a creative business, branding, marketing and working with seasonal flowers.. THIS IS YOUR CUE!

Join me in my studio for a full day (or 2!) of learning this Spring 🌷

Find all info on my website 🌿

Drop questions below or in a DM! 💛

(photographers tagged)

31/12/2024

Happy 2025 folks! Let’s take care of ourselves and each other this year - and every year.

It’s time to invest in our communities, to support local makers & small businesses, to spend time offline and outside, to get crafty and reuse everything we can, to plant more native plants in our gardens and feed the birds - always.

It’s time to make space for ALL the feelings (not just the socially acceptable ones).

It’s time to accept our kin for who they are.

It’s time to build the world we want to see.

But first, it’s time to eat another oliebol and think about some of the good things 2024 brought us ❤️

YOU being one of those things! Thank you for spending time with me here 🥰

Cheers to a new year! 🥂✨

(flower fireworks from the ‘Grief’ installations I made for my dads book)

24/12/2024

Holiday wishes from my maximalist festive home to yours. May this time of year bring you everything you want & need ✨

SWIPE for some scenes that capture my December 🕯️

Crafty things, reused materials, thrift trips, gorgeous gift wraps, countless vintage ornaments, shiny crystals, cosy dinners, wreaths of course.. and ALL the lights!! I had the time to go all out this year and I loved it ☺️

Life has been a bit of a nightmare this Fall, so to end the season with bright, sparkly moments was both needed & healing.

I wish I could give everyone a handful of it, because I know this time of year can be painful. Just know I’m sending you all the love & warmth.

And just a little reminder: You are perfect the way you are, don’t let anyone tell you differently. Not at the Christmas dinner table, not anywhere else ❤️

Lots of love,
Anne

13/12/2024

That time I created a Magical Winter Wonderland for my online school and had to put a lot of disclaimers out ✨

Don’t try this at home kids! 🕯️

But also: DO try this! The installation, not the burning candles in between dried flowers.

Wanna know HOW?! Find the full video class & downloadable design guide (and a lot more) in my membership! Link in the usual spot 👆🏻

All magic comes with a price, but who knew it’s only €20/month?

Pay monthly, quarterly or yearly, cancel any time you want. Or stay a while and get to know your new community 🤍

A great Holiday gift for your flower loving friend, if I may say so myself (I may) 👌🏻

Now, I’m off to light some candles underneath a dried flower cloud because I’ll never learn.

pics of me by

04/12/2024

LIVE WREATH CLASS on Sunday Dec 15, 10:30am CET ✨

It’s almost time for my annual live (&free) wreath class! So start gathering materials and dragging home random dead stuff! 😁

MAKE ALONG INGREDIENTS:

💫 A foam free wreath base/ring OR flexible branches like willow, grapevine or wisteria to create your own

✂️ Floral clippers

🧵 Metal bindwire on a spool / paddle wire OR natural twine if you want to make something compostable

⚔️ Wire cutters

🌿 At least 2 big hands full of branches, foliage and / or flowers you like. This can be dried, fresh, evergreens, responsibly foraged things, garden clippings, weeds.. just use what you can find!

TIP: if you are using smaller flowers or twigs, you need more to create a voluminous effect. Big branches = big effect. There’s a time and place for modest choices.. and the holidays are not it! 😏

💎 Optional: ribbon, little bells, dried orange slices, seedpods, pinecones, battery operated LED lights, other fun embellishments

🕯️ Vibes! Put on some nice music, bring cookies, mulled wine, hot chocolate, elves on shelfs, candles, incense, your singing kid, cats, you name it!

Not in the mood to create? You can always just watch and enjoy some festive vibes & my random chitchat!

I’ll save the session (hopefully) so you can revisit / watch later. Or check out last years session (scroll down on my reels) if you want to get creative before the 15th!

TAG your friends to invite them! 👇🏻

Let’s have a little pre-Holidays party together! 🌲✨

02/12/2024

7 TIPS for your December tablescapes! ✨

1. Keep Things Simple - See how we created magic with a few lichen covered branches, decorative apples and candles? Just lean into what Nature has to offer.

2. Use Everything and Anything - If you’re more of a maximalist (let’s shake hands), use whatever flowers are in season. Add interesting foliage, seedpods, grasses, fruit, veg, anything that has visual interest. Aka anything that is pretty to look at 😍

3. Find Vintage Treasures - A crystal wine glass (even if it’s fake), patterned tableware, brass candlesticks, they all add charm & personality. Plates and glasses stand out more than utensils, so feel free to use your ikea forks and knives 🙃

4. Add Napkins - And I’m not talking about the paper kind. Fabric napkins add a luxurious feeling, colour and elegance to your table. You can buy them, but I’ve made many napkins myself by simply cutting a big square out of fabric I liked. Hem the edges, or if fray them and call it rustic!

5. Use Tall & Tapered Candles - Their chic look makes ALL the difference. Bonus points for using coloured candles, especially if they complement the rest of your colours 🕯️

6. Add Namecards - The quickest way to make your guests feel extra welcome! You don’t have to be a master calligrapher like my girl . You can print out names on nice paper, trace fonts you find online, only use the first letter.. or look at Pinterest for inspiration.

7. Mix&Match - Candles, candlesticks, tableware, glasses, napkins.. you can mix & match everything for an eclectic and effortless look. Who said you can only eat from matching china anyway? Let’s go for loads of personality instead!!

Need help with your floral designs? I offer an online membership! You get instant access to flower design videos (beginner proof), downloadable guides and interesting live classes!

SIGN UP via the link in my bio 💛

🌼🌼🌼

 host & lead educator |  guest educator |  host | /  photography | .o.bender
calligraphy & illustrations |

27/11/2024

‘It’s so special to be with a group of women that support each other, that lift each other up in stead of holding each other down” - my text to a friend the morning after our 3 day floral retreat in Estonia 🌼

We lifted each other up until we could touch the stars. Or at least, that’s what it felt like.  What we created during those magical 3 days in Anete’s barn was really, really special 🫠

This wasn’t a workshop that’s all pretty content but no substance. It was a life-changing experience! I can honestly say that after hearing how our attendees felt.

We learned about authentic marketing, branding, Dutch masters, foraging, simple designs, maximalist designs, colour, styling, foam free mechanics, photography, installations, teamwork, ourselves.   We created flatlays, stunning tablescapes, painterly arrangements, entire flower dream worlds.

We grew. We cried. We laughed, so so much. We gave the tightest hugs. We thought about keeping our attendees hostage so we didn’t have to say goodbye 😏

We became friends and found a new sense of confidence. I say ‘we’ because as a teacher, you are as much part of the process as the students!

And now, on a dark & wet November afternoon, it’s time to share these Summer memories! It was hard (/impossible) to choose favourites, but I hope these first few photos will transfer a bit of the magic & love that we felt ❤️

A massive THANK YOU to all everyone involved, our amazing attendees, my partners in crime & and our photographer .o.bender! These 3 days feel like a dream 🧚🏼‍♀️

Here’s to supporting female artists and to helping them reach for the stars! ✨

Bummed you missed this? I know I would be!

SIGN UP for my newsletter to stay in the loop on future retreats&workshops! Iink in blo 🌿

host & lead educator |  guest educator |  host | /  photography | .o.bender

24/11/2024

Autumn 🤎 A little throwback to last years October cloud, created with project leftovers and a branch wrapped with chicken wire. Creative play at her finest 👌🏻

Ingredients: Mentha roses, Japanese anemones, pink spirea, dried hydrangeas, bracken ferns, leucadendron, heptacodium and snowberry foliage

14/11/2024

Nalu 🖤 27 April 2007 - 13 Nov 2024

It physically hurts to write these words, but here it goes.. We had to say goodbye to our darling Nalu yesterday. Our hearts are absolutely shattered.

From the very first moment I saw her at the shelter - a tiny black kitten with massive bat-like ears - I loved her. She was the most special cat, our baby girl, our world.

Nalu has been with us for a glorious 17,5 years but it was still too short. She had a tumour in her throat, eating/speaking/drinking became impossible. We haven’t heard her loud meows since May. It was as if she was letting us get used to the deafening silence we hear now.

It was time to let her go.

We made a similar decision in 2014 for her brother Kalare. Both days are the hardest days we ever experienced. We know it was the right thing, but oof.. the pain and grief is overwhelming.

We know our little shadow had many fans here, hence the post dedicated to her. Knowing a lot of you cared about her means a lot to us.

Nalu, our little wave of love, thank you for being part of our family. You changed us. And we miss everything about you 🌊

For now, I hold on tight to my friend Shanes words: “I believe she is always with you and that she will be reincarnated into something and you will meet again.”

I can’t wait to see you again baby girl.

We love you 🐈‍⬛

07/11/2024

I didn’t start out travelling the world to teach (*shocking). I didn’t even start out a florist. I started as an allround stylist, just as clueless as anyone else that just graduated. (swipe for a pic)

But today is my 12 year business anniversary!! So the clueless 20-something yo is long gone. As is the pixie cut 😁

Fun fact: I haven’t stuck out any side job for longer than a year. So the fact I’m still here means I really, really like what I do (another *shock lol).

Well.. obviously I LOVE what I do. And I’m very excited, proud and happy I get to do this. It’s a privilege and a honor to teach (internationally), to create art and bring beauty&realness to a world that needs both so, so much.

It’s been quite a ride though. A very, very bumpy one at times (offroading style), but I wouldn’t change a thing. Because it all brought me to this marvelous place.

Since I’m the sentimental type, I dug up 12 pivotal moments for you. Well, for myself, but maybe you’ll enjoy them too!

In case you skip my 12 PIVOTs: Thank you for supporting me and for sending me love always!

And if you were ever touched by me or my work, would you share that moment with me? (online moments count!)

I would love to hear it! 🌿👇🏻

1 - My aunt Anna (the one I’m named after) offered me a freelance gig but needed a VAT number for the invoice. So I registered. On my (late) grandmothers birthday: Nov 7, 2012. That was it. I now had a styling company 😁🤷🏻‍♀️

2 - In 2013 took a 2 month unpaid internship as a stylist/content creator at an outdoor goods webshop. It was a great experience ánd I randomly met Marlous & Danique! Meeting Marlous led to me becoming art director for her online magazine in 2015. We had way too much fun and did loads of amazing shoots, which was a great portfolio builder. It couldn’t be more off brand, but the Club Tropicana floaties shoot has to be my favorite🍍

3 - Obviously meeting changed my life, but she also meant a LOT to my business. It’s because of her network I ended up styling for magazines for a few years. And her photos & creative eye definitely levelled up my work. I’m so grateful you are my photographer, critic, cheerleader and - most importantly - best friend for 11 years now D! You mean the world to me 🥀

4 - Ooh look at these babies! We got married in 2014. Using my own wedding as promotional material, I managed to get other wedding styling jobs. And that’s where flowers found me, in 2015 🌼

5 - I made my first floor installation for a wedding in 2017. I still remember how proud & happy I felt. It’s what sparked the love for larger designs.

6 - A magical retreat in Italy, in 2019. My dear friend spoke the legendary words: “your openness is a gift to others”. It shifted my entire perspective and helped me heal. I found my people and myself again that week. Plus: I realised I really was done with styling.

7 - I also met Sonal during the retreat, an amazing friend and the one that made my current logo. It was time to say goodbye to Inspire Styling and hello to Anne van Midden floral design. Her gorgeous drawing was the perfect way to start this new chapter 🌸

8 - During the first lockdown in 2020 I made this shelter installation. It changed how I viewed flowers. I could create art? Based on emotions? This design opened up a whole new world for me.

9 - The same year, I happily gave up weddings and started my online school! Best decision ever. Some of my current members have been there since the very humble beginning. To say I’m proud doesn’t even cut it. I’m so excited to grow this community even more and help you all flourish!

10 - In 2022 I hit a wall. I was burning myself out. A lot happened in my personal life and the amount of work I took on was simply too much. So I had to reconfigure, start over even. With the ‘after the storm’ installation I closed a chapter and opened a new one. One where I would choose my mental health over (financial) success. I’m very lucky I had the space to do so 💛

11 - When Abigail asked me to come and teach in NY, I said yes. That must have been the easiest yes of my life. And when Anete asked if I wanted to come and teach in Estonia, I said yes. And magic followed. (pics from our 2024 Estonia retreat coming SOON!!!).

It’s funny, because traveling (esp alone) used to scare me. New things, unknown places, different energies, I was never great with them. But when it comes to this flower community.. it’s somehow easier to leave that cosy comfort zone. And every time I do, I find so much beauty&love on the other side!

12 - Finally.. when Shane asked me to come and teach in Canada.. I said yes. I didn’t know I was signing up for a whole new flower family . Nor was I aware of the impact I would have on everyone. Or the impact it would have on me. And I certainly didn’t expect to meet a soulmate. But here we are. What a life ❤️

Here’s to 12 more years! Thank you for being here, xx Anne

01/11/2024

Most of us struggle with letting go. As creatives, we constantly strive to create better, more beautiful, more perfect designs.

But in a world that is almost dominated by online contact, photoshopped images, AI and ChatGPT, we long for realness. For imperfections.

I started out (in 2016) just throwing things together, weeds, foraged bits, garden clippings. It was a beautiful hot mess.

But once I knew I wanted to do this ‘for real’, I tried to make my work as ‘perfect’ as possible. No frayed edges, using the best flowers I could find, making sure my photos had straight horizons and spotless white backgrounds 👌🏻

Until I realised, the story wasn’t in perfection. It was in those frayed edges I tried so hard to polish.

So I practiced with nochalance, with letting go and adding the wildness I lost over the years back into my designs. My bar is still high, but I stopped aiming for flawless and striving for realness.

For the group workshops in Canada I came up with a ‘letting go of perfectionism’ installation. A group effort, one that only works when everyone comes together as a community.

It’s a design that makes us ask ourselves: what does perfection look like? What does imperfect look like? How do we travel from one side to another?

It’s a design that can help free us from perfectionism and embrace the messy parts 🥀

I’m beyond proud to say it worked, all attendees came together, helped each other and made magic happen! It was unreal to see my sketch unfurl in real life. 3 times! Thank you all 🥰

I’m also proud of & grateful for every staff member that helped me realize this crazy dream. You are something else 💎

And .. boy oh boy. What do I even say to you? Let’s start with: thank you for believing in me and my plan. And then everything else. You mean the world to me ❤️

I will have to find more words on my Canada tour later. I’m still trying to process it all 🫠

But for now: some photos of our final group install, in Vancouver!

SWIPE to see my sketch and the gorgeous installations my students created in Edmonton & Calgary! 👏🏻

23/10/2024

This is 38 🥳 I can’t think of a better way to start my new year. Spending these weeks with my flower family, with amazing students, with my twin flame .. I’m beyond proud and grateful.

Who I am brought me here. Sharing my soul, creating from the heart and opening up my world led to these incredible - life changing & enriching - connections.

Isn’t it odd, how the things that haunted us in the past, end up being the things that make us oh, so beautiful?

I know you usually receive well wishes on you birthday. But I want to give you one this year: Stay true to who you are. Embrace the quirks, the passion, the things that bring you joy. Because those are the things that will lead you to a life that is not only beautiful, but simply MAGICAL ✨

And as for me.. I’m only just beginning.

Cheers to 38! 🌿

(also I know *technically* it’s not my day yet in Canada, but it is in NL so here we go!)

09/10/2024

Let me take you back to 2019 🍂 This is one of the first floor-to-ceiling installations I made in my studio.

I used leftovers from a workshop and foraged some Autumnal things. And because I felt the photos needed a bouquet, I threw together bits from my trash and the only 3 (half dead) flowers I had left in the garden 🥀 Gotta love that beginners mentality!

Sure, I would have done things differently now - shape wise and definitely bouquet wise 😅

But I still like it. Not in the last place because of the photos. This was the very first installation I modeled myself!

I needed someone to complete the shape, to visually balance out the left part. And since I made this on a random Sunday, I didn’t have the time to find a pro photographer & model.

So I did it myself and guided Stefan while he took photos of me. Most of them were hella awkward but these were really nice! 💃🏻

After this, I bought a bluetooth remote control, which made my & Stefans life a lot easier 😆 Although I should really let him take some photos with my Canon every now & then. The quality is just 👌🏻

Back to present time: 5 years later.

I’m prepping my classes for the Canada tour. And while writing my design show presentation, I am reminded of how & why I started. Without any skill or knowledge but with passion, oh so much passion. I admire my past self so much. She had no idea where she was heading but she was GOING!

So here’s to using dead flowers from your trash and to creating beauty, simply because you can’t imagine nót creating beauty. You never know where it may lead.

Keep going friends 🧡

26/09/2024

Sure, the cafe au laits are stunning. The garden roses to die for. And that Leycesteria.. yummm 🤤🍇

But let’s be honest, this late Summer urn is really all about those Coreopsis. Not only do they pull the colour palette together, they are the perfect little details that make you come back for more 👌🏻

Clematis, Leycesteria & Physocarpus from my garden, all other flowers were grown by

You can find seeds for Coreopsis hybrida 'incredible! sea shells mix' in ’s webshop 🌼

Non-spon, just supporting my flower friends!

Want to create a design like this yourself? Find an extensive video class & downloadable guide in my online membership! 🌿

13/09/2024

Sometimes.. just sometimes.. I dó get to ‘play with flowers all day’ 😏

Scenes from my 1:1 masterclass with , we created this freeform, floral reef like installation on day 2 🪸

Lovely photos by 🌸

PS: I don’t have space for any more private classes in 2024. But you inquire about 2025 flower playdates! 😄🥳

02/09/2024

In case you missed it..

I’m gonna tell you all my floral art secrets. How I create my branchy installations, how I get that garden-like effect, what my favourite foam free mechanics are.. all of it 😱💛

And I’ll do that in October, about 7700km away from home, in Canada!

invited me to come teach a series of design shows & workshops at 3 of their locations. In Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver 🍁

I will demonstrate how I create my sustainable installations, talk about I manage my inner critic as a self-taught florist and how I use emotions to fuel my floral art during an inspiring design show.

And even better, during the hands-on workshop I will teach YOU how to create Nature-led designs without flower foam, how to find inspiration in your ingredients and how YOU can evoke a feeling with your work! 🍃

The workshops are group workshops, as installations are often the result of creatives working together. Community over competition, always! 👏🏻

But I will provide you with personal feedback and will answer as many questions as humanly possible.

Sounds like exactly what you need?

Join me in October! Spots are filling up so don’t wait too long if you want in. Register at the link in my bio to grab yours! 🤩

Psst: I can highly recommend the Calgary & Vancouver workshops, because they are in my birthday week. That’s it. That’s the only reason. But I think it’s a good one. I might be biased though 🤓🥳

Anyway, go snag your spot!

15/08/2024

Come meet me in CANADA! 🍁

This October, I will host 3 design shows & 3 hands-on workshops at in West Canada. And you get to be there! 👏🏻

Here’s what you can expect!

Design show:

During an inspiring demo, I will explain & show how I create my whimsical floral art installations. I will discuss my favourite sustainable/reusable mechanics and how I uses branches as a structure.

As I’m honest & open to a fault, I will also talk about some of my challenges. Like being a self taught floral artist, how I manage my inner critic & the imposter syndrome - and how this all fuels my work.

Finally, I will give insights on how you can evoke emotion with your own floral work, using my deeply personal art trilogy as a guideline. Sharing my heart always! ❤️

Hands-on workshop:

After a short guided brainstorm on how to find inspiration for your designs, you will be divided into small groups (it will feel nothing like gym class, I promise). Each group will create a part of a large installation. The result will be a big, wonderful celebration of collaboration & community 🌸

We will provide you with all the materials you need and a bounty of seasonal flowers. I will teach you techniques to fall back on and how to add a garden-like vibe to your work. And of course, I will give feedback & help as you design a beautiful - foam free - installation!

Needless to say I’m super excited for this! And I hope I will meet you in Canada during my fave (birthday) month! 🥳

TAP the link in my profile to register and let me know in which city I will see you! 🌿

23/07/2024

Fancy a trip to calm forests, wildflowers fields and oh right.. the most amazing floral retreat? In.. let’s say.. a week or 3? 😄

We have just 2 spots left for Estonia, on August 9-11 August! They are for last minute deciders and my fellow procrastinators.

You know who you are 😏

You’re the one that can already see yourself in our sea of flowers, the one that dreams about it at night, the one that lights up talking about this.. 🤩

But you’re also the one that keeps making up reasons why you’re not ready for it. You think you should be further along your flower journey before you can invest in yourself.

You think you should be ‘better’ first. More serious, more settled, more confident.

I’m here to tell you: YOU ARE READY 👏🏻

You don’t need to be more anything. You just need to be ready to hop on a plane and open yourself up to this experience. Even if it terrifies you.

I did just that, back in 2019. I went to a retreat like this, even if it was hella scary to travel solo for the first time. But let me tell you: it was beyond worth it! I literally do what I do know because of those days 💛

It was the perfect timing for me, even if I didn’t feel ready. I think the very fact I was searching for clarity meant I was ready!

You’re not going to find direction, creativity and motivation on your sofa, scrolling on instagram. You need a new environment, a supportive community, a step outside your comfort zone.

So again, if you have been putting off making that decision: This is your time. Take the leap and we’ll be there to catch you! 🪂

All info on my website, ask about our flexible payment plans!

📷 .o.bender

Anne van Midden / floral design