Rebecca Salimpour’s signature designs are inspired by nature. She owns Natural Charms, which she began five years ago.

Salimpour said, “What I like most about floral designing is having hands-on touch with nature’s gifts and how every aspect of my business has to do with nature.

“My business’s specialty is custom designing every floral arrangement and in the actual details of every ingredient, responding to a client’s requests by going on shopping excursions to find unique containers or creating handmade box containers or custom note cards. Each finished product conveys that it is custom designed with consideration and attention to detail.

“What makes my designs unique is the use of selective florals with interesting color elements, forms and textures, all in a natural manner.”

For her designs, Salimpour chooses premium quality, high-end florals that are available. She said, “I would have to say that some of my favorite flowers that I enjoy creating with are hydrangeas, English (garden) roses, lilacs, peonies, double tulips, ranunculus, viburnum and camellias. As for fillers, I often use stock, rosemary and lavender herb, eucalyptus seeds, coffee beans, amaranthus, variegated greenery, lemon leaves, and every kind of berry and fruit branch.

“I’m also known to incorporate high-end French-wired ribbon or organza ribbon as an accent and sliced fruit and berries when using a clear glass vase.

“I am a self-taught floral designer. My discovering in nature has been an ongoing mission since childhood, and over the many years. I’ve been in the floral field for over thirteen years now.”

This stay-at-home mother of three was asked by neighbors, friends and family to create designs for weddings and small events. From that came the idea of establishing a floral studio at home, explains Salimpour.

She especially enjoys doing weddings. She said, “I realized that doing wedding flowers was very special, having an understanding that I took part in making someone else’s special day beautiful and memorable.”

In summing up her philosophy towards life, Salimpour said, “I’m a profound believer that whatever you give, you will get back hundreds times more. Just as in nature, when you cut a precious rose off its branch to give to someone, it’s branch will grow back more roses for you to enjoy. If only we could all learn from nature’s gifts!

“Inspired and fascinated with the art of floral design, flowers have become such a part of my life, not just work."