IF YOU HAVEN’T YET EXPERIENCED THE CRAFTSMANSHIP OF one of Atlanta’s most innovative floral designers, you may have seen a couple of her installations around town or on television. Lauren Hill of Full Bloom Floral Design Studio has created floral displays for dozens of national and Atlanta clients, including TikTok, Coca-Cola, Netflix, FORTH Hotel and Oprah—yes, that Oprah. But customers don’t need a budget like Tiffany & Co. to enjoy a floral arrangement that’s literally a work of art.
“One of our guiding principles at Full Bloom is honoring the beauty and presence that flowers bring into everyday life,” Hill says. “There’s something about working with what’s living—what’s fresh—that deepens how we experience a moment. Our role is to shape that feeling, thoughtfully and artfully.”
Full Bloom sets itself apart by thoroughly engaging with clients throughout the creation process to ensure their vision comes to life. Hill credits studio manager Hannah Moritz and event project manager Wendy Knowles for their ability to communicate effectively with people while building warm relationships.
“It’s all about the intention behind what we do and the integrity of our designs,” explains Hill. “We’re always going to use the freshest, most unique product that we can find. We are drawn to flowers that you’ve not seen before. You’re going to be intrigued by a variety of a martagon lily sourced from a farm in North Georgia. Or find elements that you’re curious about. That’s what attracts customers and keeps them coming back.”
In fact, sourcing locally and designing with what’s in season isn’t just a practice at Full Bloom—it’s the very fiber of the company. “That is the foundation of our business and design style,” notes Hill. “It’s so important to support your local economy. My first brand statement was ‘fresh, local and not in a box.’”
The Orlando, Florida, native grew up in a family that entertained regularly and with grandparents who relished tending their large flower garden. “From the beginning, I was exposed to botanicals,” Hill says. “And I loved throwing parties, even as a little girl. I’ve always been into crafty things, and when flowers found me, I started arranging at home quite a bit and also was on the receiving end of some very beautiful floral arrangements that brought me joy. That was my inspiration—just the simple thought of re-creating that feeling for others—that’s how Full Bloom started.”
She points to a famous saying by artist Henri Matisse: “There are always flowers for those who want to see them.”
After graduating from Hampton University in Virginia with an MBA, Hill spent almost a decade in the corporate world before realizing her true calling. “Flowers found me and they will not let me go,” she admits.
What began as a bold career shift quickly evolved into a disciplined craft. Hill pursued extensive floral training and hands-on study, grounding her artistry in technique, intention and expertise. She also used social media as a storytelling tool, sharing her evolution on Instagram and building a community that has grown alongside her work. “I thought, I’m going to put these on social media and see what happens,” she recalls. “If I don’t sell them, I’ll gift them—and they sold. I had a great network of friends and college mates who supported me. Suddenly, they were ordering for a baby shower, a bridal bouquet, and I really appreciated their trust in me. At first, I was a bit uncertain about what I was creating, but they were unique and incorporated materials that I was drawn to, and with that, my community was very receptive.”
That early support propelled Hill into an entrepreneurial path that grew quickly—first in her home studio, then in a co-working space that enabled her to scale her creative capacity and pursue more ambitious events. “In 2019, I did a wedding with Oprah,” she explains, noting she’d been acquainted with the wedding planner for the event. “It was one of the first weddings for one of the girls from her school in South Africa who graduated from SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design), where Oprah walked the bride down the aisle. I was in charge of the bridal bouquet, some of the other arrangements and a wrist corsage for Oprah. It was such an honor. Once that happened, I started to get a lot of attention.”
Today, nine years from those early Instagram posts, Hill has settled into her own studio in Atlanta’s West Midtown, after moving in September 2025. “Now I have a beautiful studio filled with windows and natural light,” she says. “It’s a space where we can host workshops, welcome clients and bring creative ideas to life. It opens up an entirely new level of possibility for us.”
Clean white walls, windows and a sink provided the blank canvas Hill dreamed of for creating striking florals and the perfect environment for the Full Bloom team and clients. Designing the interior was a major focus for her. “We brought in elements to make the studio high-functioning and beautiful,” she says. “Most of the furnishings are on wheels so we can easily accommodate a variety of needs. I designed one of the work benches. I love antiques, so I used a lot of vintage finds—furniture pieces, cabinets and pedestals. A beautiful wood dining table is a big focal point in the studio, where we stage tablescapes, have meetings and place arrangements. I was very intentional about ensuring that my studio was also an expression of my love for design and beautiful moments.”
Full Bloom regularly hosts events off-site as well. “Often a brand is looking for some type of activation that’s necessary for us to do on their property, and we’re happy to accommodate,” Hill says. “Last year, we were in Lenox Mall the day before Valentine’s Day and a pop-up on Valentine’s Day in the lobby of the FORTH Hotel. We’ll likely be back there in 2026.”
During a pop-up, Full Bloom sets up a work area with a variety of offerings, and people are able to select a grouping of flowers that aligns with their “look and feel.” The team then creates an arrangement there on-site. “It makes it easy for guests and shoppers to visualize with the flowers right there. When we worked with Aritzia, customers received a complimentary bouquet with a purchase. People love that experience, to be able to touch the flowers, ask questions about them and watch us create a wrapped bouquet for them. And we enjoy the personal moments—the story behind the bouquet—a gift for a mother-in-law, a house gift for the host of a dinner party or a special celebration at their home.”
Hill often measures her career in Valentine’s Days. “Valentine’s Day is the Super Bowl for florists,” she says with a warm laugh.
That sentiment captures the essence of Full Bloom by Lauren—a studio built on emotion, craft and the belief that florals have the power to shape life’s most unforgettable moments. *
Wendy Swat Snyder is a Charleston-based freelance writer (sweetgrassandgrits.com).
