Last weekend, the Floral Design Studio hosted a bimonthly flower arranging workshop at Garvey's Restaurant in Nairobi, providing a delightful day out for new plant collectors and enthusiasts.
The restaurant's auditorium was filled to overflowing with vases of roses, carnations and chrysanthemums.
Laughter mingled with quiet concentration as mothers and daughters engaged in a shared rhythm of creativity, guided by the language of flowers.
With the banquet themed on centrepieces for tomorrow’s Mother's Day, the workshop was more than just a creative gathering, it was a vibrant, blooming celebration of memory, love and connection.
A floral design arrangement pictured during the flower arranging workshop.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita
Led by Lydia Kang'ethe, a seasoned floral designer with over three decades of experience, 35 participants came together to create not just bouquets, but meaningful moments.
"The event is about appreciating mothers. People are here with their daughters and friends, and we focus on mothers as key figures in the family," said Ms Kang'ethe.
The arrangers demonstrated that flowers are not just for decoration, but also for expression, healing and unity.
Jackie Mathaga, returning for her second workshop, brought her mother. For her, flower arranging is a personal form of self-care. She buys flowers regularly and finds peace in working with their colours and textures.
"It is a very peaceful activity. The colours are beautiful. For me, it's a way of taking care of myself," she says.
"Doing something fun with my mum brings me joy. There's something really grounding about creating something beautiful together. It becomes more than just flowers; it becomes a memory," Jackie explains.
She considers herself a learner rather than an expert, and is still discovering her style and preferences.
"When you arrange flowers yourself, you start to find out what you like, because you're not just buying someone else's creation."
Jaki Mathaga during a flower arranging workshop organised by Floral Design Studio at Garvey's Restaurant in Nairobi on May 3, 2025.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita
Jackie has enjoyed observing and trying out different techniques. Her creative process involves choosing flowers that work well together in terms of colour, length and texture. For Mother's Day, she chose soft shades of pink and white to reflect her happy mood.
"On days when I feel bold, I go for bright yellows or reds. Today it's quiet happiness, so pinks and whites feel just right."
"The most difficult arrangement I've worked on so far is the one I'm trying to do now, where I'm trying to fit a bouquet into a plastic vase and get the colours and balance right. But I think it's turned out quite nicely.
Her favourite flower is the chrysanthemum, which she values for its durability and variety of colour.
For Polly Gathoni, it all started when a flower truck passed by.
"I saw a lorry full of flowers," she recalls with a laugh. "And you know what, I stopped it!"
Curious about the striking display, she asked the driver where the flowers had come from. They gave her a number and she called, but quickly hung up.
"I just panicked. Then I hung up," she says, and the florist called her back. That call changed everything.
That day, she was invited to join a community of flower lovers and floral designers.
Bouquet of flowers arranged during a flower arranging workshop organised by Floral Design Studio at Garvey's Restaurant in Nairobi on May 3, 2025.
"I have always loved flowers since I was a child," says Ms Gathoni. "I remember that flower arranging was even part of our science lessons. But for me it's always been deeper than that. Flowers calm me. They speak to me".
For her, flowers are more than just decoration. They are spiritual, therapeutic and healing.
"You could be going through so much, but then you see a beautiful arrangement and it changes your whole perspective. That's God's nature. That's worship."
At 49, Ms Gathoni is just beginning to explore the art of arranging.
"It's not even about becoming a professional arranger," she explains. "First, I want to understand the flowers, know their names, how to take care of them and how to divide a bouquet to fit the vases I have at home."
Most bouquets, she says, are too big or mismatched. "You have to break them up and place them properly. I want to learn how to do it properly."
Not just for the rich
Her plans? To keep showing up, keep learning and keep organising.
"Flowers aren't just for the rich. We should normalise giving flowers, like milk or maize flour. It's love in living colour," she says.
The only gentleman at the flower arranging workshop, Maye Edwin stood out not only for his presence, but for his purpose.
"I came to learn," he said simply. "I want to get into the flower business. I've been on the buying side for years, and now I want to be part of the creative and delivery process."
His motivation is deeply entrepreneurial, but the experience offered something more. Working with roses and other vibrant blooms, he created three different arrangements, each teaching him about colour balance, texture and emotional impact.
"It's actually fun," he says with a smile. "I expected to feel like a fish out of water, but I'm not under siege. It's peaceful."
"While I was arranging, I kept thinking about how this would make someone feel, especially with Mother's Day coming up. Flowers aren't just pretty things – they're a language. They speak when words can't.
Being the only man didn't bother him; it inspired him. "Flowers aren't just a feminine thing; they're about connection, expression and caring. And that's for everyone."
As he gently places a rose in one of his arrangements, the 30-year-old sums up his experience with clarity: "This is just the beginning. But I can already see the business, the beauty and the impact that flowers can have.
Maryanne Wangari arranges flowers during a flower arranging workshop organised by Floral Design Studio at Garvey's Restaurant in Nairobi on May 3, 2025.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita
For Maryanne Muthoni, the flower arranging workshop was more than a creative escape; it was a step towards a dream.
"I've always loved beautiful spaces," she says. "The way flowers can enhance a room, set a mood or speak to someone's heart is magical."
This was her second time attending a workshop, and with Mother's Day approaching, the experience felt particularly meaningful.
"It's a time of appreciation. I wondered how I could use flowers to make someone feel seen and celebrated."
Maryanne's highlight of the day was creating a striking centrepiece arrangement, experimenting with texture, height and colour harmony. She was drawn to pink carnations. Their soft hue, delicate shape and remarkable longevity won her heart.
"Not only are they beautiful, but they last. There's something about a flower that lasts, even after the moment has passed," she says.
She sees floral design not just as a hobby, but as a gateway to the world of decorating and event styling.
"That's how I start learning the basics, getting my hands dirty, understanding how different flowers work together." The process of selecting, trimming and styling each stem brought her a quiet joy.
"That's why something like this around Mother's Day is so powerful. We're not just making decorations, we're making memories," says the 35-year-old.
