Beautifully situated off the scenic Paint Creek Trail in the heart of Downtown Rochester, Design Works Flowers stands as a custom floral boutique, where artistry and nature intertwine in every arrangement. Led by visionary designer and owner Nessrine Saleh, the shop embraces creativity, pushing the boundaries of traditional floral design while staying ahead of trends. With a deeply personal approach, Ness crafts each piece as a work of art, ensuring that every bouquet feels intentional, inspired, and one-of-a-kind. Ness’s love for flowers was rooted in childhood, inspired by her mother’s passion for gardening.
“She would always bring fresh flowers, gardenias, roses, jasmine, and peonies into the house,” Ness recalls. “I just loved walking down in the morning and seeing a vase of fresh flowers on the table every single day.” That early exposure sparked a lifelong love for florals, but it wasn’t until her first job at a grocery store that she realized their impact. “I worked as a bagger, but they had a floral section, and I would always see people walking out so happy, holding bouquet of flowers. I just loved it” Ness says.
After spending a few years working in the floral section, her passion led her to work in a small, family-owned flower shop, where she honed her craft and found inspiration in the artistry of floral design. “I learned so much from the owners but it was then that I realized my work was worth more, and I knew I wanted to create something of my own.” Coming from a family of business owners, she always had an entrepreneurial spirit. “My mom, and dad are both entrepreneurs, and I knew that at some point, I wanted to have my own business as well.” While Ness once dreamed of blending her love for coffee and flowers, her heart always led her back to floral design. Now, as the owner of Design Works Flowers, she brings that passion to life, curating whimsical, artful arrangements that connect people to the beauty of nature.
“I’m lucky enough to say I love going to work. I love being a florist. I love my job,” Ness says. “Making people happy makes me happy, and I want them to come in and feel like family.” She understands that not everyone knows exactly what they want, but through patience and a thoughtful process, she uncovers their vision. Her commitment to personalization extends beyond the initial design. By keeping detailed notes on each customer’s preferences, she ensures that every visit feels just as special as the first. This meticulous attention to detail, combined with her warm approach, transforms every floral arrangement into a meaningful, tailored experience.
Unlike large-scale florists, Design Works Flowers embraces a boutique philosophy, prioritizing quality over quantity. Flowers are sourced daily in small, hand-selected batches from premium growers in Ecuador, South America, California, and Canada, ensuring that every bloom is as fresh and vibrant as possible.Ness isn’t afraid to push boundaries when it comes to floral design. She believes that flowers should be a true reflection of personality, emotion, and celebration, not confined by tradition or expectation. “Customers come to a boutique floral shop because they’re not looking for generic, they want something unique, fresh, and thoughtfully designed" Ness shares. “People assume weddings should be all white with touches of greenery, but I always tell them, if you love pinks, oranges, and blues, make it colorful! Guests will remember that,” she shares. This philosophy extends beyond weddings and into all aspects of her work. Whether designing for a joyous occasion or a moment of remembrance, Ness encourages her customers to embrace bold, expressive colors. Her designs are unexpected, unassuming, and deeply personal, each arrangement a piece of art.
Ness has a special passion for creating floral arrangements for weddings, finding joy in the sheer scale and beauty of the flowers involved. “I love weddings because of the amount of flowers we get to work with,” she shares. Whether it’s an intimate ceremony with 15 guests or a grand celebration for 1,000, she thrives on the challenge of making each wedding unique. “There’s a lot of pressure with weddings, it really has to be perfect,” she says. Ness emphasizes the importance of a real connection and trust between a couple and their florist. She takes the time to understand each bride’s unique style, going to great lengths to make their florals are a true reflection of who they are.
To give each event her full attention, Ness never double-books weddings. “This ensures every detail is perfect, with the flexibility for last-minute customizations,” she says. One of her favorite tasks is crafting bridal bouquets, and she assures that each one is made on the same day as the wedding, keeping them as fresh and perfect as possible. Design Works Flowers even travels for destination weddings, bringing their bespoke floral designs to couples wherever their special day takes them. When Ness took over Design Works Flowers, her vision was to modernize the space while making it more personal and engaging for the customers. “I wanted to bring a fresh perspective and create an environment where people felt more connected to the process,” she shares. One of the key changes she implemented was remodeling the shop about a year after taking over. She designed the space to be open and inviting, allowing customers to watch the designers work. This openness lets clients have a hands-on role in their floral arrangements, making it easier for them to give feedback and even adjust their orders if needed. “I thrive under pressure, and I train my designers to work face-to-face with our customers so they can be part of the process,” Ness explains.
Beyond the shop’s new layout, Ness has expanded Design Works Flowers to offer a diverse range of floral designs for all occasions. From stunning prom and homecoming corsages to elegant bridal and baby shower arrangements, she and her team craft the perfect designs for any event. They also specialize in gender reveals, creating balloon arches and custom gender reveal balloons along with weddings, engagements, and corporate parties. For those looking for something interactive, Design Works Flowers offers private workshops in and outside of the shop, where Ness provides all the supplies for a hands-on flower arranging experience, including special workshops for kids as well. The shop also provides flower subscriptions, seasonal bouquets, and custom event installations featuring breathtaking floral designs. For couples who prefer candlelit ambiance, floating candles and candlesticks are also available. Committed to quality and freshness, Ness ensures a wide selection of daily custom orders, guaranteeing that each arrangement is made with the freshest blooms.
With her vision for a modern, engaging, and personalized approach to floral design, Ness has transformed Design Works Flowers into a truly unique, hands-on, and community-driven business. Ness embodies the essence of a charming, personal flower shop owner who genuinely cares about her community. She’s not just a business owner; she’s a fixture in downtown Rochester, known for her deep connection with the people who walk through her doors. Her boutique flower shop is more than just a place to buy flowers, it’s a local hub where customers can expect personalized service, unique floral designs, and a welcoming atmosphere. Ness values being hands-on, always there, and available to help her customers, whether they’re stopping in for a quick arrangement or designing florals for a luxury wedding. She’s proud of the close-knit relationships she’s built, where people feel like family and trust her to deliver something special. She loves being part of the tight-knit downtown community, where businesses collaborate and support one another, and her shop is a reflection of that spirit. Her commitment to custom flowers, quick service, and being accessible makes her shop stand out as a place where people not only buy flowers but connect with a local business that truly cares.