Bud Vases with Puni Petals

Everyone has a subject they return to: a craft, a pastime, a passion. In this series, we step aside and let others share theirs, in their own words.

Puni is a floral designer based in Los Angeles, originally from Phuket, Thailand. Exploring the ever-changing world of flowers, she celebrates play and beauty in her work—from jasmine-scented memories of home to sculptural bud vases for modern tables.

Never, ever underestimate the power of a cluster of bud vases on a table. I love using them to form clean lines and create structural interest—especially when you don’t want to spend too much money or time dressing up your table. Small in stature but mighty in impact, bud vases offer a sophisticated touch without being overwhelming. With a few thoughtful choices, they can transform even the most casual meal into a beautifully styled affair. It’s one of my favorite compositions when I host: understated, yet visually compelling when done right.

Here’s how I play with height, color, and texture to create a quietly captivating tablescape:

The Rule of Thirds

Borrowed from the ikebana school of floral arranging, I always think in threes: short, medium, and tall stems. Varying height creates rhythm and movement across the table, making the arrangement feel both considered and relaxed.

Clustering Over Lining

Skip the straight line. Instead, try asymmetrical clusters—pairs and trios grouped at varied intervals. This adds dimension and intimacy, encouraging the eye to dance across the table and giving your composition life.

Monochrome or Multitone

Keep it tonal for a sleek, sculptural effect—or use a different colorbloom in each vase for playful contrast. Unless the theme is literally rainbow, stick to three or four colors max. Intentionality is everything.

Monochrome or Multitone

Architectural Play

Mix vessel shapes—cylindrical, bulbous, fluted. Let each form shine without competing. Sculptural silhouettes elevate even the humblest flowers.

Texture Talk

If one bloom is wild or ruffled (think parrot tulips or garden roses), balance it with something smoother (like ranunculus or anthurium). Texture should feel curated, not chaotic.

Don’t Overthink It

Sometimes, a single stem per vase is plenty. Let the negative space do the talking—restraint reads as elegance.

Don’t Forget the Table

Consider the surface beneath your florals—wood grain, linen, marble. Bud vases should complement, not compete. Think of them as part of a conversation, not the whole story.

Simple, sculptural, and endlessly reconfigurable, bud vases are my favorite design tool—from hosting dinners at home to styling full-scale editorial weddings.

What about bud vases inspires you?

I want to remind people that you don’t need much to elevate a space. Less is more. Florals might be the last thing on people’s minds when they are hosting, but I really promise you that it might be one of the most impactful addition to the setting. The cherry on top! Hosting or not, I always encourage people to have at least a stem or two of flowers in their home.

What’s a tradition that reminds you of home?

My favorite home tradition is very apropos to what I do now, though it wasn’t so clear to me before. Both my mother and grandmother are almost ritualistic about getting flowers from the garden and dotting them around the house, always floating fragrant jasmine in a bowl in every room so it smells beautiful when you enter. The smell of jasmine still reminds me of home every time. I never thought much of all the flowers in our home until I started living on my own and got into floristry—that one stem of flower in a simple vase can be so impactful in a space. Now I try my best to buy some extras for my own place too, I’m also my own client! It’s always a good reminder to do beautiful things for yourself too.