Why Our Story Matters: The Heart Behind Inspired Floral Designs NYC

Our story isn’t a straight line as it’s more like a beautiful dance. A joyful, winding path shaped by friendship, creativity, courage, love, and a deep appreciation for life’s most colorful moments. It’s the story of how two women from different generations and different journeys came together to create something meaningful, beautiful, and fun.

How It Started: A Friendship That Turned Into Something More

Barbara and I never set out to start a brand together. What began as conversations, shared interests, and a mutual love of art, flowers and fashion gradually blossomed into a partnership rooted in purpose.

Age knows no limits when it comes to true friendship. A serendipitous meeting over four years ago sparked something rare and special. I’m 46 and Barbara is 97, yet from the very beginning it felt as if we had already shared a lifetime of loyalty, trust, collaboration, and love.

During the pandemic here in NYC, Barbara passionately encouraged me to create a book of my floral photography. These were photos that I had captured on my walks to and from work in senior living during the height of the pandemic. From that book came greeting cards, and soon after, the scarves each step unfolding like petals of a flower we were discovering together.

Barbara opened my eyes to what was possible. A former model and business executive, she carries with her a lifetime of fashion industry wisdom and creative instinct. She continues to inspire me daily, and I am forever grateful for our extraordinary bond. Together, we are delighted to share with you our exquisite, original, unique and ethically made pieces.

Rooted in friendship and love, fueled by creativity, and guided by purpose, we believe in making art that gives back to the earth, to communities, and to those who wear and share it.

Barbara, at 95, had once set her painting aside after being told she “lacked talent" by a loved one. But creativity never disappears, it lives quietly within us, waiting for an invitation back. When she picked up a paint brush again, the colors, flowers, shapes, and stories that had lived inside her came alive with astonishing honesty and beauty.

Together, we realized we could build something truly inspirational - something that blends generations, celebrates creativity and flowers, and brings art into everyday life. And so, Inspired Floral Designs NYC was born.

Why Our Story Matters

In a world full of fast-fashion and mass production, our story is what sets us apart.

We don’t just create products.

We create pieces that carry emotion.

Pieces that honor growth, resilience, and beauty.

Pieces that celebrate living creatively - at any age.

Our brand exists because stories matter - especially the ones that remind us that creativity has no age limit, that friendship can spark reinvention, and that beauty often blooms in the most unexpected places.

What We Love: Art, Color, Flowers, Conversations, and Community

We don’t design at people - we create with them. Our customers have become part of our ongoing story: a continual dialogue about beauty, creativity, inspiration, and the moments that bring joy.

A Continual Conversation With You

From the very beginning, we knew we didn’t want to be a brand that simply posts a photo and hits “publish.” We wanted connection - a genuine relationship with the people who support us.

Every email we write, every pop-up we attend, every new scarf we design is part of that conversation. We share our process, our milestones, our surprises, our laughter, and even our challenges. And in return, you share your stories - of gifts you’re giving, art that moves you, places you’ve worn our scarves, and memories connected to our pieces.

This ongoing exchange keeps our creativity alive. It keeps our brand human. And it transforms Inspired Floral Designs NYC from a business into a community built around beauty, connection, nature and the stories we share.

Creating Something Beautiful, Together

Our journey continues to unfold in unexpected and joyful ways - and this story keeps growing. That’s why it matters. Every scarf, every candle, every card, and every piece of art carries a piece of us… and a piece of you.

And together, we’re creating impact far beyond NYC. With every order three trees are planted in sub-Saharan Africa, supporting Forest Gardens that help farmers feed their families, strengthen their communities, and build a more sustainable future.

This brand is our shared canvas - a blend of creativity, connection, love, and purpose. Thank you for being such a meaningful part of it.

With warmth and gratitude,

Whitney & Barbara xx

Inspired Floral Designs NYC