Fabulous balls of flowers floating in a swimming pool give just a hint of Karen Axel's spectacular and innovative floral creations. Browsing through her portfolio you can see lush, elegant, and whimsical bridal bouquets; flower girl purses made of orchid florets; escort cards displayed on a table completely covered with carnations -- all of which portray a most stylish overall event design. Karen is never short of ideas. She modestly describes her creations as "a collaborative effort" but is quite aware of the difference between having a theme in mind and translating it into a sensational feast for the eyes. "I just want to take your breath away,” Karen told me.

Significant components of her creations are her sophisticated props, many of which are custom-made to her specifications for specific events. In her studio are swatches of tablecloths and overlays, a huge selection of props and containers, such as unique iron candelabras, arches, urns, and unusual centerpiece holders. "We coddle our flowers once they arrive, meticulously ensuring that each bloom reaches its peak of beauty on the event day. And they drink only the purest water since we sterilize our buckets between every event," Karen explained. Her large walk-in refrigerator keeps the finished designs in perfect condition before they are transported to the event site. Her dedication to ensuring freshness is evident in photographs of her work. In order to devote enough time to personalize each event, she limits the number of jobs she accepts on weekends.

Event professionals who have worked with Karen are enthusiastic not only about her creativity but also about the painstaking care she exhibits in all of her work. For example, it was not enough to just drop the flower balls in the swimming pool; her staff jumped in to secure the anchors in the proper positions so that the balls created a continually moving sculpture rather than collect in a corner.

In 1994 Karen was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD). During a lengthy qualification process, each candidate must demonstrate her design abilities before a panel of judges. If you want to learn more about the AIFD, look at Karen's wonderful designs, read the many publications that have featured her work, and of course visit her beautiful website.