16. Buddhist Priest’s Crown
fleursDC
Ursula Gunther, AIFD, EMC
2025 installation - English Drawing Room
The Inspiration
This three-tiered gilt copper crown was worn by Buddhist priests during religious ceremonies in Nepal, where it was made ca. 1610.
The Flowers
Florist’s inspiration: My intention is to create a displacement style design inspired by my extensive studies with master floral designer & 2019 Interflora World Cup Champion-Bart Hassam. I will be showcasing an inverted crescent-shaped design. The design will be suspended above the container held in place by a wire clamp on the vase. The fresh flowers, greenery, dried floral materials & non-floral materials will be fashioned into a design paying homage to the shape & form of the beautifully carved Nepalese helmet. There will be LOTS attention to detail!! N.B. ** look for unexpected elements to make this design come to life!
Recipe: Phalaenopsis orchids, dried miniature lotus pods, steel grass, miniature brass Buddhas, floral wire, paper coated wire, gold bouillon wire and a metalllic gold vase
THE DESIGNER
Ursula Gunther, AIFD, EMC
fleursDC
Ursula Gunther is the owner and Creative Director of fleursDC – a woman-owned business located on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. fleursDC thrives on delivering floral dreams to clients’ homes all around the DMV. Ursula sees herself as a floral artist constantly inspired by art, fashion, culture, nature, and music. Ursula was named by Florists' Review Magazine one of "125 Florists to be Celebrated in 2022" as well as "An American Floral Trendsetter". She presented teaching workshops tat AIFD's National Symposium in 2022 with Team Fleurvana and was featured in that year's Summer issue of Flower Magazine. Ursula's avant-garde yet sophisticated floral designs always focus on color and fun! She mindfully creates designs for her clients based on the current trends in design and sourcing unique botanicals that make floral dreams a reality for her clients. She has studied under both American and European Masters of floral design. She earned her Certified Floral Designer credentials through AIFD in 2019 and recently earned her European Master Certification in Belgium. Always a curious student of her craft, she believes in continuous learning and pushing herself out of her comfort zone. She holds these to be vital to her creative process and growth as an artist. Ursula was a Critical Care Nurse for eighteen years before the birth of her son in 2014. She started her floral journey in 2017 during a time of loss and soul searching. It's been full steam ahead ever since and she hasn’t looked back! In her downtime, Ursula enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and dog.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY
Akbar Sayed Photography
Between his studies and his caring for patients as a nursing student at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Akbar Sayed sought a creative outlet to capture the beauty that he saw in life at all stages.
He purchased his first camera and photographed whatever and whoever was in front of him, but emotions inspired him most of all (an empath through and through). After months of sharing his work for the pure enjoyment of it, Akbar was asked to capture a wedding. The artistry was innate — his work was published in Baltimore Style magazine, despite it being his very first wedding.
In 2011, Akbar met his wife who, from the beginning, believed in his natural artistic vision. She continues to be the source of much creative and practical inspiration, often encouraging him to be present and laughing at his dad jokes.
