Seastar! by Ulviya Akhmedova at Fleur Amour 2016

The theme for the 2016 edition of FleurAmour Passion for Flowers flower design event was centered around the four elements of earth, water, air and fire. The event now on its 21st edition was as tradition held at the Commandery of Alden Biesen and featured an impressive display of amazing and inspiring decorations.

Tasked with decorating the Castle's Room 5 was floral designers Ulviya Akhmedova. Her project was called Seastar!

What can you tell us about your project?

This year was a special edition of Alden Biesen for me. I wanted to make somthing special, tryout some new techniques. It is nice to work around a theme. A direction is given and alsways amazing to see what als the designers make out of it..

It involved water. The design is shaped to make visitors see the floor of the ocean.

How did you incorporate the theme of the four elements of nature: Fire, air, water or earth in your project?

I choose the element "Water"

The design is shaped to make visitors see the floor of the ocean. As if your looking strait down and see the ocean life living below your.

With the light you can see through the materials and see all shapes, forms and colors moving around.

What materials did you work with and why?

I prepared sandy colour fish-bowl shapes from very light rata material. (I spend a week at home in Russia to create the 14 bowls)

The I used special PVC pipe with a metal layer and wound ratan around it. The Pipe with Ratan can be bend into any direction or shape.

I got some great big branches which realy have a drift wood feeling. (Heembloemex Deco)

Connecting it all together to create a shape like underwater reef.

Flowers & Plants:
I choose flowers and plants with shapes and colour similar to coral underwaterlife.

For that I got some great mini cactussus through "Plant World" (strait from the grower)

Gerbeas, Gloriasas, Tilandsia

In this construction flowers which dont need a lot of water are used because this design would not hold heavy water tubes or oasis filled with flowers.

Why did you decide to come to Alden Biesen to work?

I came for the first time three years ago. And decided I would come every year. It is such a special experience at a magical Castle. Spending a week together with so many inspiring people around me, is something I cannot do without anymore... See you next year Fleuramour! Hopefully again together with the G-5 Team.

Step by Step

Make the structure

I prepared sandy colour fish-bowl shapes from very light rata material.

The I used special PVC pipe with a metal layer and wound ratan around it. The Pipe with Ratan can be bend into any direction or shape.

I got some great big branches which realy have a drift wood feeling. (Heembloemex Deco)

Connecting it all together to create a shape like underwater reef.

Make the structure

I prepared sandy colour fish-bowl shapes from very light rata material.

The I used special PVC pipe with a metal layer and wound ratan around it. The Pipe with Ratan can be bend into any direction or shape.

I got some great big branches which realy have a drift wood feeling. (Heembloemex Deco)

Connecting it all together to create a shape like underwater reef.

Make the structure

I prepared sandy colour fish-bowl shapes from very light rata material.

The I used special PVC pipe with a metal layer and wound ratan around it. The Pipe with Ratan can be bend into any direction or shape.

I got some great big branches which realy have a drift wood feeling. (Heembloemex Deco)

Connecting it all together to create a shape like underwater reef.

Make the structure

I prepared sandy colour fish-bowl shapes from very light rata material.

The I used special PVC pipe with a metal layer and wound ratan around it. The Pipe with Ratan can be bend into any direction or shape.

I got some great big branches which realy have a drift wood feeling. (Heembloemex Deco)

Connecting it all together to create a shape like underwater reef.

Make the structure

I prepared sandy colour fish-bowl shapes from very light rata material.

The I used special PVC pipe with a metal layer and wound ratan around it. The Pipe with Ratan can be bend into any direction or shape.

I got some great big branches which realy have a drift wood feeling. (Heembloemex Deco)

Connecting it all together to create a shape like underwater reef.

Make the structure

I prepared sandy colour fish-bowl shapes from very light rata material.

The I used special PVC pipe with a metal layer and wound ratan around it. The Pipe with Ratan can be bend into any direction or shape.

I got some great big branches which realy have a drift wood feeling. (Heembloemex Deco)

Connecting it all together to create a shape like underwater reef.

Make the structure

I prepared sandy colour fish-bowl shapes from very light rata material.

The I used special PVC pipe with a metal layer and wound ratan around it. The Pipe with Ratan can be bend into any direction or shape.

I got some great big branches which realy have a drift wood feeling. (Heembloemex Deco)

Connecting it all together to create a shape like underwater reef.

Adding Flowers & Plants

Flowers & Plants:
I choose flowers and plants with shapes and colour similar to coral underwaterlife.

For that I got some great mini cactussus through "Plant World" (strait from the grower)

Gerbeas, Gloriasas, Tilandsia

In this construction flowers which dont need a lot of water are used because this design would not hold heavy water tubes or oasis filled with flowers.

Adding Flowers & Plants

Flowers & Plants:
I choose flowers and plants with shapes and colour similar to coral underwaterlife.

For that I got some great mini cactussus through "Plant World" (strait from the grower)

Gerbeas, Gloriasas, Tilandsia

In this construction flowers which dont need a lot of water are used because this design would not hold heavy water tubes or oasis filled with flowers.

Adding Flowers & Plants

Flowers & Plants:
I choose flowers and plants with shapes and colour similar to coral underwaterlife.

For that I got some great mini cactussus through "Plant World" (strait from the grower)

Gerbeas, Gloriasas, Tilandsia

In this construction flowers which dont need a lot of water are used because this design would not hold heavy water tubes or oasis filled with flowers.

Adding Flowers & Plants

Flowers & Plants:
I choose flowers and plants with shapes and colour similar to coral underwaterlife.

For that I got some great mini cactussus through "Plant World" (strait from the grower)

Gerbeas, Gloriasas, Tilandsia

In this construction flowers which dont need a lot of water are used because this design would not hold heavy water tubes or oasis filled with flowers.

Adding Flowers & Plants

Flowers & Plants:
I choose flowers and plants with shapes and colour similar to coral underwaterlife.

For that I got some great mini cactussus through "Plant World" (strait from the grower)

Gerbeas, Gloriasas, Tilandsia

In this construction flowers which dont need a lot of water are used because this design would not hold heavy water tubes or oasis filled with flowers.