Domestic Flora Alex Crowder Field Studies Flora: Expert Advice

For most of us, floral design looks like a grocery store bunch of tulips, unwrapped, and dashed into a big vase for the table. When the surrounding interior is so thoughtful and creative, this feels like a missed opportunity. We thought to turn to an expert on the topic: florist Alex Crowder specializes in floral interventions for interiors and events, working with some of our favorite designers across NYC and beyond (Roman and Williams and Lindsey Adelman, to name a few). In 2020, Crowder founded Field Studies Flora as a small floral practice. It has since evolved into a full-fledged studio, a “school of thought that operates in rhythm with a way of seeing,” she explains. “Working with nature rather than against it.”

Here, Crowder’s unique perspective gives way to simple, actionable tips to better integrate florals into our homes and lives, taking arrangements from a tired bunch to an inspired composition, potentially integrating dried and foraged flora within.

a portrait of alex crowder by photographer kristina dittmar. photograph courtes 17 — Above: A portrait of Alex Crowder by photographer Kristina Dittmar. Photograph courtesy of Field Studies Flora.

“I grew up in the Ozark mountains in Missouri building fairy homes out of sticks, leaves, wildflowers, and mud. I’ve always had a fascination with the plant world and spent hours on my own wandering through the hay fields,” says Crowder of her background, “In high school, I spent my career days at local flower shops, but was disappointed by the disconnect between the landscape I loved, and the arrangements flower shops were producing. I liked the idea of working with flower to make assemblages, but didn’t see that as an option if pursuing floristry.”

an arrangement for quarters, a showroom by in common with photographed by willi 18 — Above: An arrangement for Quarters, a showroom by In Common With photographed by William Jess Laird courtesy of Field Studies Flora.

“Then in my early twenties, while still living in Missouri, I discovered the work of Sarah Ryhanen of Saipua, Amy Merrick, and a handful of other New York florists who were creating more wild, less restrictive arrangements. I moved to New York and freelanced with many of the florists I admired for several years. It was exhilarating to work under so many drive and innovative women. They paved the way for a naturalistic style of floristry and the work that we now do at Field Studies. My favorite thing: There is no end to what you can learn when it comes to plants. Every day I discover something new about the living world, and I’m always in awe of it. I’ll find a new color combination, learn about a fascinating mutation due to climate change, or a new variety of favorite flower. It’s endless and exciting.”

Look at the Overlooked

a wire wrapped bouquet arrangement featuring branches and spring bulb flowers. 19 — Above: A wire-wrapped bouquet-arrangement featuring branches and spring bulb flowers. Photograph by Dominik Tarabanksi courtesy of Field Studies Flora.

“I recently spent an afternoon hauling discarded lichen-covered apple branches out of an orchard and packing them into my car like sardines. A dear friend had just finished pruning her tree and the cast-off limbs were perfect for an upcoming installation in Boston. This is my favorite way to work: finding a second life for that which is discarded or overlooked,” says Crowder. “On several occasions I have even pulled trimmings out of trash bins at the flower market in New York City, enthusiastically asking “Can I have this?!” This is generally met with laughter which I’ve always taken as a ‘yes’. In short, look at the overlooked!”