Bloom Where You Are Planted.
My mother painted this saying from Mary Engelbreit onto a chair in our kitchen growing up and it’s always stuck with me. My flower story began as child in my mother’s gardens, I would spend my summers strolling through the flowerbeds admiring the various blooms she had planted. I went to college (Central Michigan University) to study fashion merchandising where I learned to hone in on visual and aesthetic skills, yet somehow ended up in the corporate world for 8 years. I desperately wanted to find a career where I could use my creative gifts, get back to my roots and serve others.
When 2020 struck, I found myself dabbling in macaron making, sourdough baking, needlepoint and arranging any grocery store flowers I could get my hands on. When the opportunity to register for the School of Floral Design through the Nashville Flower Market came up, I knew it would be a silver lining in a difficult year. As it turns out, that one ‘yes’ has changed my life for the better. Blume + Willow Designs officially began in January 2021.
We are beyond thankful for our brides and clients who continue to make this flower dream a reality!
Meaning Behind the Brand.
Blume = Meaning flower in German, to honor my heritage.
Willow = Willow Trees are adaptable and have strong, deep roots. In Scripture, the Willow Tree is associated with a source of constant flowing water.
Fun Facts about Gretchen.
I grew up in Michigan (Go Blue) and lived in Chicago for 3 years prior to moving to the most charming small town, Franklin, TN with my husband
I am a self-proclaimed pizza and wine connoisseur
I LOVE to travel, it doesn’t take much to convince me to buy a plane ticket
My favorite flowers include (but not limited to) peonies, poppies, dahlias & sweet peas
My favorite movie of all time is It’s a Wonderful Life