Please Select Steve Casso/Sales + Marketing Peggy Williams/Balloons Talmage McLaurin/Floral Caroline Kennedy/Gifts Jimi Taylor/Gift Baskets

Frequently Asked Questions : Floral

	Talmage McLaurin is the publisher of Florists' Review, the floral industry's independent magazine. He has been with the magazine for over 17 years and is responsible for its editorial and creative endeavors. His career in the industry bagan in a family-owned floral business.
	Talmage's work is featured in several books from Florists' Review, including Winning Bouquet Combinations (2006), 101 Great Displays (2005), Christmas Traditions (2004), and many more. He was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Design in 1988 and has presented three national symposiums. In 2004, Talmage was the chairman of Prarie School, AIFD's national symposium in St. Louis

Q. It's movie night! Are there any movies you've seen where the floral design really jumps off the screen or where floral design plays a big part in the film?

A.This month, a new movie, Love Happens, hits theaters starring Jennifer Aniston as a Teleflora florist named Eloise. Marie Ackerman, AIFD, PFCI, AAF, Teleflora's vice president of education, worked behind the scenes to help design the floral shop set and was on hand throughout the filming to create all of the floral arrangements and train Ms. Aniston and her co-star, actress Judy Greer, on the ins and outs of being a florist. The film debuts Friday, Sept. 18th.

Q. Who do you currently consider to be the top floral designer in the world?

A. That's a really hard question to answer because I admire different designers for their own unique and diverse styles. I enjoy the work of Germany's Klaus Wagener of Profil Floral fame. His blending of European trends with a respect for nature consistently captures my attention. Profile magazine and books are available from the Florists' Review bookstore.

Q. What does the future hold for the floral profession? Are there a steady stream of young, new designers taking up floral design? What can we as an industry do to further promote and encourage the younger generation to embrace the art?

A. The future of floral design and floral professionals lies in our ability to work with great efficiency. Flowers are available so many places that the competition is fierce. So look for quality, style and service to sell product. Young people want flowers that are hip, affordable and long lasting. If designers can achieve all three, there is business to be had.


Q. What books on design can you recommend for someone just starting out in the industry?

A. For beginners I would recommend two books from the Florists' Review Library. Flower Arranging: Step-by-Step Instructions for Everyday Designs ($29.95) shows detailed instructions for making all the basic designs that a florists would need to work in a flower shop or floral department. Design School ($14.95) expounds on the theory behind design styles, techniques, elements and principals. For sheer inspiration, however, I am currently loving Bill Harper's Nature Takes Over ($24.95). I worked with Bill on this book and wrote the copy and I must say there is much to be learned from the inspiring way he arranges flowers. All of these titles are available from the bookstore at www.floristsreview.com.

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