CHESAPEAKE BEACH, Md. — Lauren McCauley was born and raised in Calvert County, watching her mother, also a florist, shape the arrangements that starred at special events and occasions for years. Now, she’s preparing to open up her own flower shop right in Chesapeake Beach and hopes to share the magic and beauty of flowers with the community she loves.
McCauley operates Lauren Kelly Floral Design and is already based in Chesapeake Beach after years of working and honing her craft with florists all over Maryland and Washington, D.C. She’s opening her own store at 3819 Harbor Road, Suite 101, Chesapeake Beach, in mid-April — the perfect time to showcase spring flowers.
McCauley grew up with a floral designer mother, but also credits much of her creativity to her grandmother, a visual artist of paintings, sculptures and drawings. Both women taught her how to dedicate herself to her craft and find her own creative vision, and gave her the courage to start her own business.
“I think my style is very airy, whimsical, gardeny,” McCauley told The BayNet. “I started out learning these more traditional styles, where everything is sort of tight and round. And as I learned more, I got to develop my own style and work with clients who are drawn to that vision.”
Her very first floral sales were her senior year of high school — she recalled the red mason jars she sold, filled with tightly packed red roses and cremones and falling greenery.
“Looking back, it’s probably my least favorite design I’ve ever done,” she said with a laugh. “But I had a lot of fun, and it made me see that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
She hit the ground running and learned everything she could, not just about design, but how to plan and run events and how to work with clients.
The design process usually starts with a client’s inspiration photos. From there, McCauley creates sample designs and then writes out the flower “recipes” to give each client a formal price estimate and proposal. She says that most people are very open to her being creative with their arrangements, and she always tries to make sure to incorporate the flowers they love into the final product.
With a physical shop, McCauley will be able to continue working on the event pieces she loves, like centerpieces and arches for weddings and other events. She’ll also get to serve retail customers who come into the shop, looking for flowers to take home. The store will also showcase her work for anyone planning an event.
“I just want everyone to feel welcome,” McCauley said. “I want people to be happy and excited and all the other good things, and to just witness the beauty of flowers. It truly brings people so much joy to look at a flower. It’s magical.”
Flower enthusiasts can follow Lauren Kelly Floral Design on Facebook and Instagram or visit the website for the most up-to-date information.
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You had me at “Readies To Open Flower”.