Sunny. Cheery. Hopeful. Those are the feelings sunflowers evoke.
Love. Romance. Passion. Roses rarely leave room for doubt.
Flowers speak a language of their own—one that reaches past logic and into emotion. Whether it’s a surprise bouquet delivered to your front door or a single bloom on a mantel, florals instantly shift a mood. They warm a room, soften a space and speak for us when words fall short.
“Flowers are a feeling. They evoke emotion,” said Sue Sutton, co-owner of Bouquet Boutique, a family-owned flower shop that’s been bringing beauty to Broomfield for over 50 years. Sue and her husband, Dennis, along with their niece, Liz Misemer, have seen firsthand how much flowers create connections. “Flowers are happy and comforting. They’re meant to be for a moment,” said Sue.
Floral style is personal—sometimes bold, sometimes serene. “There are so many factors that play a part,” Liz explained. “Bright, cheerful colors lift your spirits. Softer hues bring calm. And romance might mean a favorite flower and color.”
Style also extends to the space itself. A modern home might call for clean-lined orchids or striking birds of paradise, while a farmhouse kitchen feels just right for a loose, wildflower-inspired bouquet.
Florals are deeply symbolic. “Red is love, of course. Sunflowers are cheerful. Purple brightens a space,” Sue says. “But for some customers, it’s much more personal, like a mother’s favorite bloom or a color tied to a memory.” They've customized everything from gothic-style, black-painted flowers to woodsy, horizontal arrangements.
When words fall short, flowers speak. Sympathy arrangements often feature stargazer or calla lilies. Celebrations call for bold colors like vibrant oranges, yellows and purples. And apologies? Think about that person’s favorite bloom. “I remember when a customer called us from a ski resort, shaking in his boots,” Liz laughs. “He needed to make something right—fast. I never did hear how that one turned out!”
Houseplants are another way to reflect personal style while bringing the outdoors inside. “Houseplants have surged since the pandemic. People want greenery that clears the air and feels good to live with,” Sue adds. “It’s less about following rules and more about enhancing everyday life with something beautiful and alive.”
Seasonal shifts shape flower arrangement styles as much as color palettes do. In fall, golden sunflowers and deep reds take center stage. Winter evokes crisp whites, silver and evergreens to evoke a frosty feel. Spring brings soft bulbs like tulips and freesia, while summer calls for vibrant blooms and unexpected pairings.
Of course, even florists have their favorites. Sue is drawn to the exotic elegance of orchids. “They’re just so unique—there are over a thousand varieties. In the tropics, they grow right off the trees. You see something new every time you look at one.”
Liz adores the versatility of roses. “They’re timeless. They can feel modern, vintage, bold or soft depending on how they’re used,” she said. Thanks to selective breeding and grafting techniques, growers can now offer roses in an incredible range of hues—even multi-colored petals.
At Bouquet Boutique, flowers are more than décor. They're a conversation—between people, between spaces, between emotion and style. And every bloom says something.
The Art of Arrangement: A Florist’s Eye for Design
Floral design is a creative process that blends style, mood, structure and a bit of play. The final design depends not only on the flowers and colors you choose, but also on the story you want the arrangement to tell.
Sue and Liz light up when they talk about arranging—there’s a real spark in the way they describe building a piece from the ground up. Whether it’s a cheerful bouquet for a birthday or a moody, sculptural arrangement for a memorial, they love creating something meaningful out of petals, stems and imagination.
Dennis approaches flower arranging like fine art. A bronze sculptor by training, his arrangements often echo the balance, structure and intention of sculpture—but with a deeply personal twist. He has created custom pieces that reflect the lives and passions of the people they honor: one featured miniature skis and boots for an avid skier, and another incorporated military boots in tribute to someone who had passed away. For a farmer, he worked with small tractors.
Outdoorsy themes, rustic touches and sentimental items all become part of the story. It’s a reminder that floral design isn’t just about flowers—it’s about creating something that speaks.
If you're new to arranging, here are a few general guidelines to follow:
- Start with a line— a visual path that guides the eye through an arrangement.
- Add armature—the structure that supports the flowers. It can be natural, like branches, or decorative, like curled wire, and it helps everything stay in place.
- Select the prominent flower and place it at the base to achieve balance.
- Add in accent flowers, keeping in mind that empty spaces are just as important as the flowers themselves. A little breathing room between blooms can make a big difference in the overall vision.
Whether you’re designing your own arrangement or ordering one from the pros, the best floral pieces are more than just pretty—they’re personal, expressive and a little bit magical.