In this Q&A, meet Paige Meliet-Kinane, Amlings’ Floral Specialist. After a career shift from Wall Street to landscaping in New York City , Paige joined the Amlings team in January 2026 to create custom weekly arrangements for high-end commercial and residential spaces.
Read on to discover her improvisational, “jazz-like” approach as a floral designer, her pro tips for utilizing bold tropical foliage, and her passionate belief in the mental and physical benefits of surrounding ourselves with living plants.
Q: How did you get your start in floral design?
I hail from Southern Louisiana, and I grew up surrounded by my grandparents’ beautiful gardens. It wasn’t until much later that I realized it could be a career path. I actually have a degree in International Trade and went to work on Wall Street—but I hated it.
In college, I was part of the university’s landscaping team—we were known affectionately as the “dirt girls.” I really loved that job and when I looked through job postings in New York City, I came across an opening in container gardening, which meant maintaining terraces and rooftop spaces. Who knew that was a thing! I landed the job and fell in love with transforming small spaces into something beautiful. And I was really good at it.
From there, it evolved naturally. I started designing outdoor spaces for events, then creating floral arrangements to complement them indoors. It grew organically into a full creative practice.
Q: What does the floral designer role at Amlings look like?
It’s a blast. I joined the team in January 2026. I focus on weekly floral arrangements for clients—primarily high-end commercial spaces, residential buildings, and hotels. We currently serve about 25 weekly clients. Each arrangement is custom. I source flowers based on what looks best that week, then design specifically for each space and budget. No two weeks are the same.
In addition to weekly florals, we rotate orchid, succulent, and plant arrangements every six weeks to keep spaces feeling fresh and dynamic.
Q: Where do you find inspiration for your designs?
My 14 year old son and I were just talking about this last week. He said, “you are good at putting together weird colors. It’s like how I approach a jazz ensemble – it’s random.” My son, the drummer and jazz musician, is right. I like to force color combinations that would seem to clash. It usually starts with one element that catches my eye – a color, texture or shape. It’s improvisational. One standout piece leads, and everything else builds around it.
Q: Any “pro tips” when it comes to floral design in commercial spaces?
Start with bold, beautiful tropical foliage and then use florals to accent. Not the other way around. It’s more visually stunning and tropicals tend to hold up better and are more resistant to heat and drought. And they don’t get bugs or wilt as quickly.
Q: If there were no budget constraints, what would you create?
I’d design something inspired by my Southern Louisiana roots—lush, layered, and a little mysterious. Think Spanish moss, deep greens, and a “secret garden” feel.
One of my favorite places is the Fern Room at the Garfield Park Conservatory—it feels alive, immersive, and magical. That’s the kind of experience I’d want to recreate.
Q: Why do plants and florals matter in a space?
I truly believe being around living plants improves how we feel—physically and mentally. The science is there—plants can reduce stress and even improve air quality. But beyond that, they bring life into a space in a way nothing else can.
Q: What drew you to Amlings specifically?
I was looking for a place that truly values creativity and design. That’s not always easy to find. At Amlings, there’s a real appreciation for artistry—whether it’s floral design or large-scale plantscaping. It feels like a place where creativity is supported and celebrated, and where we get to share that with our clients every day.
Q. Do you do floral design for your home?
Always! My kitchen and dining room table have their own rotations and the rest of my home is a bit of a jungle.
We are incredibly grateful to have Paige on the Amlings team, sharing her unique creative vision and deep passion for artistry with us. Thank you, Paige, for bringing so much life into the spaces we serve in a way nothing else can!
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