Purpose: To create BEAUTIFUL, JOYFUL, and MEMORABLE Settings through Thoughtful Floral Architecture.
HOLLY: Owner & Floral Achitect
My journey with flowers began when I was 11 years old living on the island of Kauai. A community center in my town was hosting a lei-making workshop and over the course of a few weeks learned how to make fresh flower leis and hakus (flower crowns), using traditional Hawaiian weaving methods. I remember taking home that first flower crown and feeling quite proud that I had made something so beautiful.
In high school I sold boutonnieres and corsages for high school dances, after taking apart a corsage I had received for a mid-winter dance. Intrigued by the underlying mechanics, I wanted to see if I could replicate how the corsage was made.
When an older cousin got engaged, I was presented with the opportunity to design her wedding flowers. Even though I had never made a bridal bouquet before, I knew I could figure it out. As time moved forward, I did a few more weddings here and there for friends and for acquaintances.
Fast forward to 2011, I was living in Colorado and decided to launch a floral design business that focused on weddings. I went full-time as a wedding florist at the end of 2014 and happily flowered many amazing weddings in Colorado. In 2018 when my husband was offered a job near Seattle, we made the leap and embraced a new life in Washington.
Holly Yee Floral Architecture is my busines, but it is also my passion project. I am so grateful to be able to continue working with flowers. I love being able to work closely with clients, to be creative, and to use my floral design skillset to add so much beauty to important events and transformative spaces.
In high school back on the mainland, I sold boutonnieres and corsages for high school dances, after taking apart a corsage I had received for a mid-winter dance. I took the corsage apart to see if I could replicate how it was made.
My older cousin got married around that time and I was presented with my opportunity to design wedding florals. Even though I had never done a bridal bouquet before I knew that I could figure it out. As time moved forward, I did a few more weddings here and there for friends and friends of friends.
It was 2011 and I was living in Colorado when I decided I to start my own floral design business. I went full-time with flowers at the end of 2014 and happily flowered lots of amazing weddings in Colorado, until 2018 when my husband and I moved to Washington for his new job opportunity. I am so grateful to be able to continue working with flowers. I love being able to work closely with clients and create some incredible floral pieces!
My journey with flowers began when I was 11 years old living on the island of Kauai. I signed up for a lei-making workshop at the local community center and over the course of a few weeks learned how to make fresh flower leis and hakus (flower crowns), using traditional Hawaiian weaving methods. I remember taking home the very first flower crown that I had made and feeling proud that I had made something so beautiful.
In high school back on the mainland, I sold boutonnieres and corsages for high school dances, after taking apart a corsage I had received for a mid-winter dance. I took the corsage apart to see if I could replicate how it was made.
My older cousin got married around that time and I was presented with my opportunity to design wedding florals. Even though I had never done a bridal bouquet before I knew that I could figure it out. As time moved forward, I did a few more weddings here and there for friends and friends of friends.
It was 2011 and I was living in Colorado when I decided I to start my own floral design business. I went full-time with flowers at the end of 2014 and happily flowered lots of amazing weddings in Colorado, until 2018 when my husband and I moved to Washington for his new job opportunity. I am so grateful to be able to continue working with flowers. I love being able to work closely with clients and create some incredible floral pieces!
Why I use the term "Architecture"
Architecture is in my Family
Architecture has been in my family for quite some time. My great-grandmother, Doris Baldwin Mohs, expressed an aptitude and fondness for both mathematics and art while in college, and was torn between which field of study to pursue. One day her husband, Carl Elijah Mohs, Sr., a Contractor & Construction Engineer who was just starting out in his own career, handed Doris a sketch pad and told her to draw her dream house, which he promised to build for them. It was then that Doris decided to become an Architect, combining her love for art and math equally.
My great-grandparents were known as the “Mohs Team.” They designed and built several family homes in Madison, Wisconsin, as well as hotels, grocery stores, and even a bowling alley. They also designed the layout of Shorewood Hills, the neighborhood in Madison where I grew up.
My great-grandparents, Carl and Doris Mohs at a professional event. And Doris at her drafting table.
Building & Custom Sketches
The fundamentals of architecture are utilized by incorporating both drafting and building into our projects. Just like my great-grandmother, I use sketching to communicate. My drawings are custom, always in full color, and are often very detailed. This allows me to bring your vision to life prior to your event. Conceptual drawings are a really useful tool to help us define your floral aesthetic. All of the renderings are done by hand.
Our designs aren't just about pretty flowers and plants. The mechanics of our floral arrangements, what is used below the surface to support all of the botanical elements, is as important as the parts you do see. Often, I will construct (with power tools!) custom framework for unique floral arrangements that either need to be suspended, attached, or totally self-standing.
Building & Sketching
I utilize the fundamentals of architecture by incorporating building and drafting. I will often construct (with power tools!) custom framework for unique floral pieces that either need to be suspended, attached, or are self-standing.
I also help my clients define and visualize their floral aesthetic through detailed drawings. The drawings are digital, but they are all done by hand. No AI generated images here!
Along your floral journey you will receive conceptual drawings and other visuals of both key event areas and focal arrangements, which allows us to bring your vision to life prior to your event.
A living wreath biophilic design at Pacific Place Mall after their redevelopment. And participants at a wreath-making workshop. The large-scale wreath installation served as a beautiful photo backdrop.
Emily and Joel's stunning ceremony at Emily's parent's private estate in Snohomish.
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"Thank you - the flowers were truly amazing. They were honestly one of my favorite parts, far exceeded my expectations, and I think you did a beautiful job. My bouquet was INSANE." ~Caitlin
We Invite You to Visit Our Woodinville Studio!
Our Studio is located in Woodinville, Washington, just outside of SEATTLE.
Holly Yee Floral Architecture florals events primarily in the greater Seattle metropolitan area but will travel to most event locations within the Pacific Northwest. Our Woodinville studio is where we do all our inspiration sketching and design drafting, as well as the physical location where we construct your one-of-a-kind floral arrangements.
We invite you to visit our studio! Over a cup of tea or coffee we love getting to know our clients and discussing how we can truly transform your event with some beautiful flowers. Those conversations are the best!
If you care about the ambiance and the impact of your event, and, especially, desire a beautiful, joyful, and exceptional floral experience, we'd love to hear from you!
Our studio is open by appointment only, so to start the process of working together please get in touch:
If you care about the ambiance and the impact of your event, and, especially, desire a beautiful, joyful, and exceptional floral experience, we'd love to hear from you!
Our studio is open by appointment only, so to start the process of working together please get in touch:
"You were the only Florist we met with that was Patient, Listened, and really Bought into our Unique Vision." ~Deena Garland
There is tremendous Value in our Expertise, our Guidance, our Creativity, and our level of Craftsmanship.
OUR STUDIO IS OPEN BY APPOINTMENT
17708 134th Avenue NE
Woodinville, WA 98027
CONTACT US
Email: holly@hollyyee.com
Phone: 425.877.9287
I have a thing for flowers. Using flowers, foliage, or any organic plant material as a medium for design is so much fun! There always seems to be a new variety to discover, whether at the wholesaler or at a local flower farm, and I am always amazed by how spectacular nature is. Have you ever seen a passion vine flower?!?! It doesn't even look like it belongs to this world! Or what about scabiosa flowers? They look like little frosted cupcakes with white sprinkles. Or Clooney ranunculus? They seem to have an endless quantity of the softest tissue paper-like petals. Gorgeous! And I cannot forget one of my very favorites, explosion grass. Its texture and its shape reminds me of my favorite 4th of July firework - those enormous shimmery fireworks that grow bigger from the middle out and always, always take my breath away.
I get energized by imagining the impossible. While I am inspired by botanical elements, I am dreamer by nature and I get much of my energy from brainstorming new ideas. There are so many possibilities! And there are no limits to the imagination, which I find completely invigorating. I love the challenge of bringing a new idea into existence. Giving tangibility to the abstract. Creating something out of nothing. Conceptual design really ignites my fire, so as someone who values customer services, I create custom sketches for my clients. Sometimes it's the arch in a ceremony area, sometimes it's the bridal bouquet against a picture of a bride in her dress, other times it's the biophilic art rendering in a lobby of a new business location.
I am passionate about creating a great community! I try to support other amazing businesses as much as possible, whether that is sourcing fabulous flowers from local flower farmers or finding local crafters whose unusual textiles I can incorporate into my floral work. Not only does this strengthen the fabric of our community, but I feel it deepens the aesthetic and elevates the quality of my designs. I continually make a conscious effort to learn about all the wonderful people in the event industry, so we can work better together on you event.
I am committed to operating as earth-friendly as possible. The global economy has transformed the world and we are incredibly fortunate to be able to get so many amazing flowers from all over the world. Whenever possible, however, I buy flowers from local flower farms. Buying local supports small businesses, but also reduces the amount of carbon emissions directly tied to the flowers themselves. I compost all of the floral organic waste generated from design work, I recycle all of the bulk flower packaging, I do not use petroleum-based floral foam that is widely prevalent in the industry. I also try to re-use as much of the mechanics as possible, things such as vases, pins, and wire. The less put in landfills the better it is for everyone and everything. You can learn more about my sustainability efforts on my Sustainability Ethos page.