In life, I’ve been inspired less by a single person and more by a pattern: people who translate the invisible into something that can be felt. I believe we all carry distinct qualities that allow us to shine, and I’ve always been attentive to recognising and learning from those qualities in others. That includes artists, architects, craftsmen, teachers, and engineers alike. I’m deeply influenced by nature as a system—by how structure and poetry coexist without conflict. Flowers taught me that early on: they are pure emotion, yet built on precise geometry and timing…”
Tomas de Bruyne, floral designer and author of The Art of Design
Tomas de Bruyne is a floral designer renowned for his innovative approach to floral artistry and design. With a career spanning over two decades, Tomas has established himself as a visionary within the industry, blending traditional techniques with contemporary aesthetics. His work is characterised by a commitment to sustainability and an appreciation for the natural beauty of flowers, which he artfully transforms into breathtaking arrangements for events, weddings, and installations worldwide. An influential educator, Tomas shares his expertise through workshops and online platforms, inspiring both aspiring florists and seasoned professionals alike with his creative insights and unique style…
C&B: “Tomas, congratulations on your new book – ‘The ART of Design’! As one of the top international floral designers, you’ve created installations for amazing events all over the world – do you have any remaining unfulfilled ambitions?”
TdB: “My ambition is not simply to design more beautiful objects, but to elevate how we shape experiences. I see design as the conscious crafting of emotional climate—how a space, an event, or an installation guides attention, mood, and presence in alignment with the atmosphere a client imagines and expects. With my book The Art of Design and through EMC, my goal is to move our industry from decoration to authorship: from repeating styles to intentionally shaping meaning. On a practical level, I want to create work that outlives trends and to pass on a clear, usable language of design to the next generation—one that is both poetic and precise, emotional and structured. A language that truly makes a difference…”
If there is one idea that runs through both my work and my book The Art of Design, it’s that design is not about things—it’s about states of being. Whether we work with flowers, architecture, light, or technology, we are always shaping how people feel, focus, and remember. That comes with responsibility…”
Tomas de Bruyne, floral designer and author of The Art of Design
C&B: “You’ve worked with many of the event industries top planners – whose influence do you most respect?”
TdB: “I respect creators who unite depth with rigour. Whether they are contemporary thinkers or craftsmen rooted in traditional disciplines, they tend to share the same values: restraint, clarity, and respect for process. I’m equally influenced by architects, stage designers, scenographers, and engineers who understand that beauty is not opposed to structure—it emerges from it. In floristry and event design, I’m less interested in names than in attitudes: those who take responsibility for the experiences they create, who don’t hide behind style, and who recognise that every choice carries emotional consequences…”
C&B: “When you have time to relax, how do you spend your leisure hours away from your working life?”
TdB: “My ‘leisure’ is often quiet and reflective. I learn across disciplines—design, psychology, philosophy, and business—because the most valuable ideas rarely belong to a single field. I spend time observing: cities, museums, landscapes, and how people move through space. I also sketch and think in systems rather than in finished images. I’m deeply nourished by the energy of nature—sometimes it’s the forest, sometimes the sea—depending on what kind of energy I need at that moment. And I deliberately make room for stillness, because clarity doesn’t come from speed alone. That rhythm—input, reflection, synthesis—directly shapes how I work. It keeps me from designing on autopilot…”
My current work, including my exploration of AI, is not about replacing human creativity, but about sharpening intention and expanding what we can make visible. I believe the future of our industry belongs to those who can unite imagination with structure, emotion with clarity, and beauty with meaning…”
Tomas de Bruyne, floral designer and author of The Art of Design
C&B: “Talking of philosophy, and reflection, which travel destinations would you say most inspire you and your work?”
TdB: “My favourite travel destinations are defined less by geography and more by the intensity of the moments they give me—by experiences that leave an enduring memory. Japan has had a profound influence on me for its respect for simplicity, precision, and atmosphere, and for how the smallest gestures can carry deep meaning. Italy is another anchor: history, craftsmanship, proportion, and the constant dialogue between art and daily life. India, for different reasons, has shaped me through its intensity, scale, and emotional richness—it teaches you that experience is never neutral. I’m also drawn to cities like London and Paris, where culture, business, and creativity intersect. For me, travel is not about escape; it’s about recalibrating perception and learning new ways to read space and emotion…”
CONTACT: http://www.tomasdebruyne.com
