In August, we (Su-an and Alistair) had the incredible opportunity to immerse ourselves in the world of floral art at Flowertime, one of Europe’s largest and most inspiring floral shows, held in Brussels. For five days, this breathtaking event transforms the historic City Hall of Brussels into a floral wonderland, showcasing the creativity and skill of Europe’s top floral artists. Each room, with its own unique history and charm, is brought to life by masterful arrangements that fill the space from floor to ceiling, creating a vibrant tapestry of colors, textures, and scents.
Walking through the City Hall felt like stepping into a different world. Every detail was meticulously designed, with towering floral installations, delicate arrangements, and imaginative displays that seemed to blend seamlessly with the architecture. The grandeur of the setting—a building dating back centuries—was perfectly complemented by the freshness and beauty of the floral displays. Each room offered a new and unforgettable sight, from cascades of roses and peonies to intricate designs made with wildflowers, greenery, and even unexpected elements like moss and branches.
We were especially inspired by the way the artists balanced traditional floral techniques with modern, innovative touches, creating displays that felt both timeless and fresh. This blend of old and new resonates deeply with what we aim to create at Old Forest School, where the beauty of history meets the charm of natural, fresh aesthetics. It was impossible not to be awed by the artists’ ability to create such harmony between floral art and the historic architecture of the City Hall.
One of the highlights of Flowertime was witnessing how flowers can completely transform a space, adding layers of beauty and meaning. The colors, scents, and sheer scale of the displays stirred our own imaginations, sparking new ideas we’re excited to bring back to Old Forest School. There’s something truly magical about how flowers can evoke emotions and create a memorable experience for anyone who walks through a space filled with their natural beauty.
Attending Flowertime not only inspired us as venue owners but also deepened our appreciation for the artistry that goes into every floral display. It reminded us of the power of flowers to bring people together, to celebrate beauty, and to enhance any environment with their natural charm. We left Brussels feeling energized and ready to infuse a bit of that European elegance and floral artistry into the next season at Old Forest School.
The Town Hall of Brussels is within the Grand Place which is the main square in the historic centre of Brussels.
With more than 100,000 flowers, 30 plus floral artists and 13 magnificent historical rooms. Flowertime is a treat for any flower or architecture lover. We took the opportunity to photograph many of the floral masterpieces, the displays were breathtaking, artistic and sculptural.
There were many examples of using structures to create interesting shapes and forms as a backdrop for the florals. Wooden hoops, archways, large metal canopy structures, small wooden boxes with glass jars, or huge oval wooden hanging shapes.
Even some wedding inspiration using a collection of old bicycles and trikes.
String was used extensively to create height and vertical interest.
Lights were intertwined within the floral installations.
Natural structures were also used, a combination of tree branches arranged artistically with colourful bouquet balls and a moss ground cover or a backdrop of bamboo sticks tied together to again create vertical interest. Twigs and berries made for a wonderful almost fairy like arrangement.
It was an amazing experience to attend Flowertime, lots of ideas, inspiration and discussion was generated from our visit.