The first freelance floral designer / arranger of the Netherlands.

The foundation lies in his master training in floral design. He than supplemented this with a variety of work experience which more than qualifies him for the title of ‘all-rounder’. Hence he first gained experience at various florists. He also spends time as a manager, owner of his own shop and vocational trainer at horticultural college. He wrote articles and made compositions for the photographic part of florist magazines and books. During his career he won different awards by florist competitions, on exhibitions and flower parades.

In 1979 the Dutch flower council asks him to make the decorations for the new head-office of the FIFA in Zurich, since he is yearly involved by activities of the Dutch flower council. When Cees started offering his service as a freelance floral designer / arranger / decorator in the early Eighties, he was the first official freelance floral arranger in the Netherlands. More than a quarter of a century later he still is reaping the benefits. He does little or no advertising; word of mouth is the best possible publicity as far he is concerned and has been for more than thirty years.

To find out whether the life of a freelancer is exciting, you simply have to look at the list of countries where Cees has worked, more than thirty, and the activities he did. He has worked for clients including the Dutch – Spanish and Saudi Arabia Royal families. He provide designs for the ‘Oscar’ ceremony in Los-Angeles, the Eurovision song contest, fashion shows, sport events, three times decorations on the ‘Floriade’ and was for thirteen years the chief designer of the ‘Holland Flower Festival’. It has presented him challenges which extend well beyond simple flower arranging. For a Russian wholesaler of flowers, plants and floristry items he designed a 12.000 m2 trading building. He thereby also designed the interior, the colours, logo and the advertising.

He always looks around him with interest on his travels. “Nature, fashion, art, the work of colleagues; anything really can be a source of inspiration. Also because you can never stand still in this business”. Demonstrations, workshops, judging, education programs, designing shops, exhibitions and showrooms; after more than thirty years he still enjoying it just as much. He not does have a preference for any particular sales channel or country. Important for Cees is; show respect for the floral materials, the emotions of the four seasons, creating something with your heart, communication with clients, creating a surplus value which is also commercial applicable and  underline the importance of a satisfied client.