Perhaps by atavism – the Dutch having long been a people of great travelers – Susanne Schrijvers has traveled the world. From Orléans to India, passing through China and the White House, this passionate and creative florist writes herself across continents and encounters. Through her bouquets, shops, and home staging projects, she breathes a poetic and bold vision of floral art.
Hello Susanne, we are very happy to welcome you for our monthly newsletter. First of all, we would like to know more about you. Who are you and what has your journey been like so far?
Susanne Schrijvers: I am Dutch, born in the Netherlands 60 years ago, and I have always had a passion for interior decoration. I naturally went towards interior architecture studies and joined the Amsterdam School of Fine Arts. But I found it way too technical. I didn’t like it. Then, with my husband, we moved to France, near Orléans. We had three children, traveled a lot, and notably lived in China and India, until one day I felt the need to do what I had always wanted to do: become a florist!
And why florist?
S.S.: I think I’ve always had it inside me. I remember the first time I picked a bouquet of dandelions. I must have been four years old. I used to walk alone to kindergarten, and I passed through a field where there were huge dandelions. I made a big bouquet for my teacher and I arrived late at school. So I got punished. I think that’s when I banished the idea of becoming a florist. (laughs) But in the end, you can’t escape your deepest desires.
Did you go back to school for this?
S.S.: Yes, I took a course in Angers in the early 2000s and I immediately opened my shop in Orléans: Atelier Après la Pluie. I wanted to create a concept a bit different from traditional florists. It was one of the first flower bars at the time. Each arrangement is unique and born from the exchange between the client and the florist. You should know that I only work with seasonal flowers that I get from small producers in France and Holland, my home country. We then create the bouquets on the spot according to our clients’ wishes. They choose varieties, colors, and we take care of composing the bouquet.
How was it received?
S.S.: At first, clients had a little trouble with the concept, but customer loyalty developed thanks to the quality of the flowers. Quite quickly, we were 10 people in our small 50m² shop. Then we started working with brands: Christian Dior, Sephora, Louis Vuitton… We’re lucky to have wonderful clients who allow us to express our creativity.
But since you’re a bit of a globetrotter, you couldn’t stay in the same place forever… Can you tell us about your American experience?
S.S.: Indeed, 13 years ago, I moved to the United States for my husband’s work. We were only supposed to stay two years but it lasted eight! Since we lived in Washington D.C., I thought, “Why not apply to the White House?” I wrote to them offering my services as a florist and I got a reply. They invited me for a trial. I asked where. They answered: “At the White House!” (laughs)
You then became a florist for the White House, which is quite unlikely…
S.S.: Yes, the trial was successful. But you have to know that unlike here, there’s no specific training in the U.S. Anyone can improvise as a florist there. So I arrived with a real technical background.
Under which presidency did you work?
S.S.: I started under Obama and I even went there last month. I’m curious to see how things evolve under Trump’s second term.
And during all that time, you kept your shop in Orléans?
S.S.: Absolutely! During that time, we faced some difficulties but I took back control of the shop with a new team and a new manager who is still here today and we got through it.
Which flower do you prefer to work with?
S.S.: I’m often asked this question but I don’t have one. I love them all. Each season has its treasures. Right now we’re at the end of ranunculus, anemones, and tulips, and I’m eagerly awaiting peonies. Then will come dahlias at the end of summer, amaryllis and hellebores (Christmas roses) in winter… If we had these flowers all year round, we’d get tired of them. What’s beautiful is their ephemerality.
Susanne, you have also “cultivated other gardens” and launched another activity with your daughter…
S.S.: It’s true I have another passion, that of flea markets. My house has always been a big antique shop. And finally, thanks to my daughter who was wondering about her professional future, I decided to take the plunge and we opened a shop: Le Beau Temps, two years ago. We combine antiques and beautiful plant specimens, and we have a lovely address right in the heart of Orléans.
And then you have a third string to your bow: home staging. How did that idea come about?
S.S.: From my American years! When you want to sell a house in the U.S., you have to makeover it. That involves renovation work, painting, decoration… We had completely restored an old house and brought in lots of little elements from Europe. When we wanted to sell it, it didn’t look anything like what’s on the market. The real estate agent was pleasantly surprised because it stood out positively. But, to fit into the “American standard,” he advised us to finish the basement – Americans tend to develop basements more than attics. So we created a bathroom, a bedroom… It cost us $25,000 but we sold our house for $50,000 more and in one day. After that, I started doing home staging for others and, every time, the houses sold quickly.
Back in France, you continued this activity. You partnered notably with our Orléans consultant, Elodie Flament, to develop this service for her clients.
S.S.: Absolutely! Elodie had quite a few restored but empty properties in her portfolio, and she realized it was harder to sell an unfurnished property. She then contacted me through my furniture and decoration shop to bring life to these spaces. We started with a first apartment. With furniture and objects I had in stock, we managed to create a special atmosphere and the apartment sold very quickly. Then we worked together on a house that had been on sale for a year and a half in several agencies. The house was empty, “as is”… The owner understood the interest of investing in some work (kitchen, painting…). For a budget of 3000 euros, I refreshed three key rooms and we arranged the spaces. Elodie brought in a photographer she usually works with, and very quickly, she got many appointments and the house sold in a short time to a landscaper. That shows how important it is to spark desire.
Finally Susanne, you have lived in different countries, had varied experiences. You also have a cultural background different from the French. We would like to know your definition of the art of living…
S.S.: It’s hard to say… (she thinks) I think above all you have to feel good in your environment. I have indeed lived in very different countries and very different spaces as well. And the first thing I do is create my cocoon. You have to build yourself a little nest where you feel good. And then I think you have to awaken the five senses. For example, when I invite my children for a meal at home, I cook a good dish, decorate the house, there is good music…
