A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Custom
Orders with Lia
No two flower orders are ever the same, and this is the part I love most. Walk into my design studio in West Hills, and you'll find fresh blooms sorted by color, my worn floral shears ready for action, and sketch pads filled with ideas waiting to come to life. Every custom arrangement starts with a story, a feeling, or a moment someone wants to honor. This post takes you through my creative process as I craft one-of-a-kind floral arrangements for birthdays, anniversaries, sympathy gestures, and all the meaningful occasions that bring people together.
It Starts with a Story, Not Just Stems
My clients reach out to me in various ways. Some call me on their way home from work, others send a quick text between meetings, a few place their orders online at liasflowers.com, and some prefer to visit my studio for a heart-to-heart about their celebrations or challenges. I always listen first, even before I start thinking about flowers. It's this personal connection that sets the tone for our journey together.
"She loved orchids and passed away last week. Her daughter wants something beautiful for the service."
"He's proposing next weekend and wants something she'll never forget."
"My mom turns 75 tomorrow, and yellow has always been her favorite color."
These conversations shape everything. I sketch rough ideas or think in textures, colors, and emotions before I touch a single stem. The story becomes my blueprint.
Choosing Flowers with Intention
Selecting blooms goes beyond what looks pretty. I consider the person receiving the arrangement and the purpose behind the gift. Seasonal availability also plays a role. Right now in late summer in West Hills, we have gorgeous local Dahlias, Zinnias, Sun Flowers, and the last of the summer roses before fall varieties arrive.
Flower meanings guide my choices more than people realize. Blush roses speak to admiration and gratitude. Yellow ranunculus radiates cheerfulness. White orchids offer elegance and sympathy. I combine these symbolic elements with the recipient's preferences to create something with deeper meaning. The recipient's preferences are not just a factor; they are a guiding light in the design process, ensuring the final arrangement is a true reflection of their personality and the occasion.
For a recent anniversary arrangement, I chose coral peonies (symbolizing honor and wealth in marriage) paired with eucalyptus (representing protection and healing) because the couple had weathered a challenging year together.
Bringing the Design Together
The design process happens at my work table, surrounded by buckets of conditioned flowers and my collection of vessels. I choose containers based on the arrangement's purpose and the recipient's style. A modern glass cylinder for corporate congratulations. A vintage brass urn for a sympathy arrangement. A cheerful ceramic pitcher for a birthday surprise.
I work with height, texture, and color harmony. My tools include floral tape, sharp shears, and proper watering techniques to ensure each stem receives the necessary conditioning for longevity. This stage requires quiet focus. I arrange, step back, adjust, and repeat until the composition feels balanced and intentional.
The magic happens in these quiet moments when the vision in my head translates to something tangible and beautiful.
Special Touches That Make It Personal
Custom details set my arrangements apart from standard florist offerings. I write personal notes on cards, select specific ribbons that match the occasion, and sometimes include keepsake elements the recipient will treasure long after the flowers fade.
For a recent baby shower, I tucked a tiny blue ceramic bunny among white roses and baby's breath. The new mom still displays the bunny in her nursery. A birthday arrangement for a teacher included a vintage book as the base, filled with bright sunflowers and tied with a pencil-patterned ribbon.
These personal touches take extra time, but they transform a flower arrangement into a lasting memory.
Delivery with Care
Getting delicate arrangements from my studio to doorsteps across West Hills and Woodland Hills requires careful planning. I use specialized transport containers that keep stems hydrated and prevent shifting during the drive. Each arrangement travels in climate-controlled comfort.
Timing matters. A surprise delivery arrives when the recipient is home to appreciate its impact fully. Anniversary flowers reach their destination before the dinner reservation. Sympathy arrangements arrive when the family needs comfort most.
I handle deliveries to ensure each arrangement arrives in perfect condition and makes the impression intended.
Every Arrangement Has a Heartbeat
Creating custom flower arrangements allows me to participate in your most important moments. Whether you're celebrating love, honoring memory, or simply brightening someone's day, each arrangement carries the story you want to tell. Working with my hands to translate emotions into something beautiful fills every day with purpose and creativity.
Your next special occasion deserves flowers designed just for you.
Clients often share how these personal touches make all the difference in their experience:
"I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and needed to send some flowers to someone who lives in West Hills, CA. I decided to call Lia's Floral Design based on her excellent Yelp and Google reviews. Those reviewers spoke the truth. Lia was friendly, professional, helpful, gracious, and informative. She prepared and delivered a large bouquet of fresh-cut flowers that were simply stunning. The person I sent them to said the flowers were absolutely gorgeous and so plentiful that she could split them into several vases, and she assured me I got my money's worth. It was an absolute pleasure to work with Lia. She loves her work and provides a great service. HIGHLY recommended!" - E K., Novato, CA (Yelp Review)
Want a floral arrangement that tells your story? Please text or call Lia at 818-642-1308 to initiate your custom order. Serving West Hills, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, Hidden Hills, and Bell Canyon.
