As a florist, William Lynch has had quite a growth spurt. When he was 8, he began transforming his Pepper Pike home into the “Lynch Hotel” with arrangements whenever relatives would visit. Now, the 19-year-old owner and operator of Lynch Designs in Beachwood is the Twitter-endorsed Cleveland florist of reality TV star Khloe Kardashian. In the spirit of fall, we deconstruct one of Lynch’s autumn-inspired bouquets.
1. Dahlias and Sedum: Striking a balance between smooth and rough flowers can be tricky. Lynch uses the ball-shaped dahlia and button-sized sedum buds as breakers. The dahlia looks like a honeycomb when its petals aren’t fully open, while the sedum adds a bit of whimsy. “[Texture] makes it interesting to look at,” Lynch says.2. Wheat: While flower options are scarce in the fall, Lynch finds ways to substitute unexpected plants such as wheat, kale or roots to add filler. “It makes it more earthy and organic,” Lynch says. “Flowers are such a luxury item, but having something that is a little more special is a good way to make it feel more thoughtful.”
3. Sunflowers: Lynch suggests using large sunflowers as a pop of color against fall’s deep purples, oranges and browns. “They are really pretty and fun,” he says. “I like to make it more contemporary by using it in untraditional ways.”
4. Aspidistra Leaves: Lynch prefers big, bold arrangements. So he curls these luscious 14- to 18-inch leaves and staples them together to function like decorative ribbon. “They really add a modern flair,” he says.
