Florisan, the event planning and floral design business owned by Lynn Jawitz, is a name that combines “floral” and “artisan,” which together describe Jawitz’s unique approach to working with flowers. Her designs often have the sensibility of Dutch still life paintings, featuring lush, structured bouquets and lavish table decorations. But she can also work in a spare, elegant style inspired by Japanese flower arranging, and she is proud of her ability to realize the visions of her clients. “I have created weddings on many themes,” says Jawitz. “I’ve done several that express the couple’s love of travel, some with very precise color themes, and one based on Beauty and the Beast. Soon, I will be designing a wedding that reflects the couple’s mutual love of the Yankees. My greatest joy is delivering exactly what my clients want for their special occasion.”
Jawitz’s ability to listen and to communicate well with clients comes from her background in sales, and as a lawyer and stockbroker. After her second child was born, when she was searching for a business that would allow her more flexibility, she took classes in floral design with the English master Heather Shaw and the Dutch master Henri Ten Have at Parson’s School of Design. Once she was immersed in the world of flowers, she started to create arrangements for friends, family and corporations, and then incorporated as Florisan to plan and provide floral arrangements for weddings and other events.
“My work runs the gamut from simple designs for intimate gatherings to large celebrations in settings like the Pierre Hotel or the Rainbow Room. Early in my floral work I became a ‘go-to’ person for Japanese socialites who wanted western-style weddings in New York, so I have done many ‘destination weddings’ in the city.” Jawitz can work with a floral budget starting at $2,000; as many brides know, the upper end of spending is “the sky’s the limit.” To enhance her floral design, Jawitz adds coordinating fabric and ribbon for aisle bows in the church and table decorations. “When I do a chuppah for a Jewish wedding, I start with a framework; I can then create something woodsy and natural, or drape a billowy fabric with a floral piece at the top. I re-use the horizontal and side floral arrangements with coordinating ribbons for the sweetheart table, where the bride and groom sit at the reception.”
Jawitz loves to create designs that live on after the occasion; her hand-wired bouquets, depending on the flower variety, can often be preserved. She also does “green” events for brides who would rather use plants than cut flowers, so that they can send their decorations home with guests as long-living party favors. “I have done a ‘green wedding’ for fall that used vintage hydrangea, calla lily and rose plants with trailing ivy in ornamental planters, and an ‘all bulbs’ event in the spring with daffodils, tulips and hyacinth,” she says. In cut flower arrangements, the design most often begins with roses, because their versatility and color variety are unmatched. Along with roses, bridal favorites include orchids, bulb flowers and peonies in May.
Jawitz lives in a striking Upper East Side town house, beautifully restored with 19th century period details, which reflects the classical inspirations of her designs. A self-described night owl, she often works at night and spends her days meeting clients, visiting venues, and shopping for fabric, ribbons, trimmings and beads. To set up an appointment with Lynn Jawitz at her New York or Long Island City studios, you can contact her through her Web site, www.florisanllc.com, or at 212 426-9886.
