Florist Turns Porcelain Vase Designer Post-Pandemic

Sullivan Owen, a Philadelphia-based florist, shifted her focus from floral design to creating porcelain vases after the pandemic halted her business.

Her 15-year career in floral design, which included high-profile weddings and magazine features, gave her unique insights into the functional needs of vases.

Owen’s vases are designed with stem placement and water access in mind, ensuring they are both beautiful and practical.

From Flowers to Porcelain

Owen’s transition began with a garden renovation and a beginner pottery class, which led to her mastering clay chemistry, mold-making, and 3D software.

Her design process involves hand-sculpting and digital tools, with each piece undergoing 3D modeling, flower testing, and mold-making before becoming a finished porcelain vase.

The folds and ridges in her vases, reminiscent of draped fabric, serve a dual purpose: they are both aesthetic and functional, guiding stems into place.

Unlike most vase designers, Owen’s experience as a florist allows her to consider the behavior of flowers and the needs of arrangers in her designs.

Owen’s approach to design is deeply influenced by her love for flowers and her desire to support the people who grow them.

Design Philosophy and Inspiration

Owen’s designs draw inspiration from flowers, gestures of arrangement, and visual references from fashion and art.

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For instance, her Draped No. 1 vase was inspired by her collection of rare tree peonies, designed to hold their large blooms while allowing them to fan out individually.

Owen’s garden, which she describes as a living floral arrangement, has deepened her appreciation for flowers and taught her patience and optimism.

Personal Growth and Design Influence

Sullivan Owen’s garden has significantly impacted her perspective on floral beauty. Growing her own flowers has deepened her appreciation for the craft and those who cultivate them globally. This experience has taught her patience and instilled a sense of optimism, contrasting her self-described cynical New York upbringing.

Design Process and Challenges

Owen’s design process begins with sculpting in various mediums, including wax clay and a fabric-Mod Podge mixture, which are then scanned and digitally sculpted using 3D software.

She 3D prints prototypes in her home lab, using a plant-based filament to create full-size, watertight vases for testing. Many designs don’t progress beyond this stage, remaining shelved for future refinement.

Once a design is finalized, she creates a scaled-up model, which is sent to Oregon for mold-making. This mold allows for the production of the final porcelain pieces.

The Pedestal No. 1 centerpiece, for example, took nearly three years to develop, highlighting the iterative nature of her design process.

Inspiration and Personal Connection

The Barely Cinched vase, her first design, holds deep personal significance. Created during a challenging period in 2020, it became a client favorite after a bride’s mother shared her year-long positive experience with the vase.

Practical Advice and Philosophy

For those using grocery-store flowers, Owen suggests curating the bunch by cutting stems to different lengths and adding a foraged element for a more designed look.