This week we had the pleasure of having Kasia Mikulska of Plenty of Petals take over our Instagram feed, and she filled it with beautiful images of her favorite bouquets. Not only is Kasia a super talented designer, she is also the sweetest soul and I always enjoy working with her. So let's get to know a little bit about the designer behind all of those bouquets...
Hey lady! So thrilled that we finally found time for you to do a takeover with us! Let’s dive right in… can you tell us a little about yourself and how you found yourself in the flower industry?
Thanks for having me! Let’s see.. it really happened organically because I was searching for it, trying to decide what to do with my life. You know, trying to find that “one thing" you’re supposed to be doing. I usually say that I did “art things" in college. Meaning, I dipped my toe in interior design and graphic design and I just really didn’t love either one of them. I really wanted to do something creative, but I just didn’t know what it was. The idea of graphic design, or interior design sounded fun (and I still love designing my house and making it a beautiful space!) but I just don’t think I would have enjoyed doing it for a living. The very first time I did flowers was for a friend’s birthday party. I just remember that it was fun and that people really enjoyed and raved about the flowers. That sparked a business idea and Plenty of Petals was born. The first year or so I really didn’t know what I was doing, but I was doing it! I worked at a family friend’s flower shop for a couple of months, and worked on starting my own business. I took every job I could and started doing friend’s weddings. I definitely had humble beginnings - doing flowers our of my kitchen sink, and making a big mess. All the knowledge I had when I was starting Plenty of Petals came from my mama. When I was little, she would take me on walks and point out flowers and tell me their names (she would also make me flower crowns by tying clovers or dandy lions together - because she’s pretty much the cutest!). Everything I learned I learned the hard way, which now, I’m really thankful for. I didn’t use any short cuts. Quickly Plenty of Petals because what it is today - a small boutique floral studio that focuses on weddings and events. I wanted to create a life-enriching business. I didn’t want my business to take over my life.
You’re kind of known for your beautiful lush bridal bouquets… why are they your favorite things to design (if they still are)?
I think I’ve always been perfecting my bouquet game because our studio focuses on weddings, and the bridal is most important floral piece for a wedding. It’s not an easy piece to create, because you’re making it in hand, flowers move, and don’t always do what you want them to or stay where you want them to. I always knew I wanted my bouquets to feel and look light and airy, and have a lot of depth and volume. I’ve changed my technique over the years, and feel like I’ll always be tweaking it and finding new ways of arranging.
Photo by @_mikeradford
How would you describe your design style or philosophy?
If I were to use one adjective to describe the style and aesthetic - it would be feminine. I can’t help it - I’m a girly girl and I think that’s always shown in my designs. I try to have a very effortless and natural look to everything that I do. I never want it to feel forced, heavy or tight.
Photo by @spostophoto
Besides the obvious “romantic garden style” style (which I don’t think is going away anytime soon, phew!) what other wedding and floral trends are you noticing?
A lot of arrangements that are very floral and color heavy, with minimal or very little foliage, or “greenery” that’s colorful and that plays a big part of the color palette. Arrangements and bouquets with lots of super fun textures, and interesting elements, like dried grasses, aged ferns, and other unique elements. I’m also seeing arrangements, hanging and floor installations that are so wildly fun in shape and scale - it’s so exciting and inspiring to see!
Photo by @josevilla
Photo by @spostophoto
The Carlsbad/San Diego floral community seems like such a positive and collaborative group of young female designers! Can you expand on that a little, and how you all work together to support each other and lift up the design community?
I’m so grateful for the little flower community we have created. It’s so nice to be able to bounce ideas off of each other, share information/tips, and support each other. I always want to come from a place of abundance - there’s enough projects to go around, and I’m happy to see my friends do amazing things. That’s the kind of energy and community I want to be a part of. I want to be their supporter and cheerleader. I don’t see us as competing against each other - we all have our own different talents, and unique styles. It’s funny because I can usually look at a photo of a bouquet or centerpieces and I can tell who’s work it is - I’m like, “that’s my friend. I’m so proud!” These flowers babes are my real life friends and I feel so lucky to know them.
Can you answer the age-old question… all-time favorite flower? I’ll allow a couple, because even I can’t choose just one
I’m gonna heave to pick a few - lilac, lily of the valley, and sweet peas. Basically, spring flowers that smell really really good! I grew up in Poland, where big lilac trees grew everywhere. My grandma had a huge yard with so much lily of the valley she didn’t know what to do with it. All of those flowers remind me of a childhood when I spend all day playing outside, climbing trees, and digging in the dirt. That’s what makes me the most excited - is seeing flowers growing naturally! Also, I don’t really ever have flowers at my house, but when I do it’s usually just a simple bunch of tulips, or a bundle of one thing that I stick in a glass jar or vase!
What is one piece of advice you’d like to go back and tell yourself during your first year of designing?
Just to relax and be a little kinder to myself! I’m definitely a perfectionist and tend to be critical of my work. When I relax and allow everything to flow, it all seems to come into place. Most answers reveal themselves through doing, not thinking - and I wish in the beginning stages I just got my hands on more flowers and gave myself permission to explore - to play and have fun. The creative process is not always the easiest. I’ve always been so interested and curious about the creative process of others - I just find it so fascinating. I’ve met designers that are very confident in their work, and some that are very hard on themselves, so when I’m in a funk I just try to take a deep breath, let go and remember how thankful I am to have this beautiful job!
If you love Kasia as much as we do, be sure to follow Plenty of Petals Instagram for all the floral goodness!