The Flowerslinger: An Interview with Brittany and Doug Murray
Led by husband-and-wife duo Brittany and Doug Murray, The Flowerslinger is an award-winning floral design studio based in Northwest Arkansas. Named one of the top florists in the country, their work reflects a fine-art approach to floral design with avant-garde arrangements and otherworldly displays of florals for weddings and events. Moving from Brooklyn, NY to NWA, the couple has grown their business and their family, blooming where planted.
M: How did you two [Brittany and Doug] meet, combine forces, start The Flowerslinger and land in Fayetteville, Arkansas?
THE FLOWERSLINGER: Doug and I are high school sweethearts who both attended the University of Arkansas. Our careers took us in completely different creative directions—before ultimately bringing us back together. After graduating, I landed an opportunity at Seventeen Magazine, which launched my career in fashion styling in New York City. Meanwhile, Doug pursued Art Direction at Miami Ad School in Brooklyn and quickly made a name for himself in the advertising world, working with top agencies and global brands.
While Doug was shaping award-winning campaigns, I transitioned from fashion into marketing. But when I discovered floristry, everything changed. I started freelancing for some of the best floral studios in NYC and soon launched The Flowerslinger, securing Christian Louboutin as my very first client, providing weekly flowers for all their Manhattan boutiques.
As my business grew, so did our family. After our daughter, Bowie, was born, we started thinking about what kind of life we wanted to build. We saw an opportunity in Northwest Arkansas—a market that was ready for something fresh, bold and different from the traditional wedding and event florals being offered. We knew we could bring a completely new perspective to the region, combining my fine art approach to floral design with Doug’s expertise in branding, storytelling and creative direction.
So, we went all in, took a gamble—put it all on red—and brought The Flowerslinger to NWA. Together, we’ve fused our backgrounds in fashion, advertising, and design to show our take on what floristry can be. It’s been the most rewarding bet we’ve ever made.
M: Tell us about your process. From concept to install, how long does it take and how many people are involved?
FS: Our process begins with listening. We take the time to understand our clients’ vision, drawing inspiration from their personal style, the season, the venue and the overall aesthetic they want to achieve. From there, we develop a floral concept that is not just beautiful, but intentional—designed to enhance the atmosphere and create a lasting impression.
Our approach is highly conceptual. We don’t just arrange flowers; we sculpt with them. We think about composition, movement and how our designs interact with the space they inhabit.
Depending on the scale and complexity of a piece, our process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Installations, especially large-scale ones, require a dedicated team—anywhere from just us to a few freelancers—ensuring every element is placed with precision and care.
M: How many pieces will be on display for this exhibition?
FS: We’ll have one large scale immersive installation for guests to experience as well as a few floral sculptures and a select body of photographs that we have put together for viewing with some available for purchase.
M: Where does your inspiration come from? Do your clients come to you with an idea, or do you get to have creative freedom?
FS: Most of our projects begin with a client’s vision, whether it’s a specific color palette, budget or overarching theme. Within those parameters, we always find ways to infuse our signature approach—something that feels distinctly The Flowerslinger. We treat each design as a narrative, crafting proposals that not only meet the client’s request but also tell a story.
M: As far as materials, can you talk about sourcing and also what it means to be “foam-free,” and why that’s important?
FS: We are one of the first, if not only, completely foam-free floral studios in the area, setting a standard for a more thoughtful approach to floral design. This means we never use traditional green floral foam, which is both toxic and non-biodegradable. Instead, we rely on reusable structures, chicken wire, alternative water sources like vases and armatures, and other mechanics that allow us to create lush, sculptural arrangements without compromising on aesthetics or sustainability.
When it comes to sourcing materials, we take a balanced approach. During the growing season, we try to source locally as much as possible. These partnerships allow us to incorporate the best of what’s in season while supporting our local flower community. At the same time, we have strong relationships with wholesalers across the globe, which gives us access to rare and premium florals that aren’t available locally. This combination allows us to bring an elevated and dynamic selection of flowers to Northwest Arkansas, ensuring each design feels both intentional and inspired.
We are one of the first, if not only, completely foam-free floral studios in the area, setting a standard for a more thoughtful approach to floral design. This means we never use traditional green floral foam, which is both toxic and non-biodegradable.
THE FLOWERSLINGER
M: ROOTED is the name of this exhibition. How does this word resonate with you?
FS: To us, ROOTED speaks to the resilience of nature—how it always finds a way. Given time, abandoned buildings, cars and parking lots are overtaken by greenery. A single crack in the pavement can nurture a tree. But when given space and care, a garden can thrive.
It also evokes a sense of connection and grounding. Being rooted is about presence—being in the moment, deeply connected to the earth and the forces that shape us. It can reflect both struggle and strength, survival and growth, depending on where and how you’re planted. And just as roots can be unearthed and replanted, ROOTED is also about resilience—the ability to adapt, to take hold in new places and to thrive despite the odds.
Special thank you to Brittany and Doug of The Flowerslinger for sharing their practice with us! You can learn even more about their work HERE.
Article Credits
Florals by The Flowerslinger; Words by Nicole Boddington; and Directed by Anna E. Cottrell