As a mixed-media artist turned floral preservationist, Deanne Nixon, founder of Refinery Floral in Littleton, and her team transform fleeting blooms into lasting works of art. Her three-dimensional floral creations blend fine art with sentiment, capturing life’s most meaningful moments in stunning detail. We sat down with Deanne to learn more about her creative process and inspiration— here’s what she had to share.
Adding depth: “We’ve always aimed to elevate something already beautiful into fine art, which led to our three-dimensional approach to flower preservation. When a bouquet is fully pressed, it can lose the essence of its original form. I wanted to retain the natural volume and shape of the blooms, giving the final piece more life and dimension.”
Pressed for time: “We hang-dry some flowers and press them in the pages of books, just like your grandma used to do. But we also take advantage of more modern techniques, like silica sand and freeze-drying.”
Framed in time: “The heart of a good gift lies in the love, thought, and kindness that remind someone they are valued, celebrated, and remembered. That’s what makes preserved floral artwork so extraordinary. It’s deeply personal—made from botanicals tied to meaningful moments—and beautifully designed, offering a way to showcase life’s most significant events while making your home look magnificent.”
Preserving the pirouette: “I’m very excited about a recent inquiry from a retiring member of the Colorado Ballet who hopes to preserve her bouquets from her final performance.”
Branch out: “We also add design elements to the arrangements. These can take the form of sentimental keepsakes, such as a piece of a wedding dress or veil, a pin or brooch from a loved one, a photo, a handwritten note, or jewelry. We can also incorporate natural elements like dried sagewood, driftwood, antlers, or moss that add rustic charm. Butterflies, ladybugs, bees, dried fruit, pressed succulents, or preserved mushrooms introduce a playful, nature-inspired vibe to the artwork. Whether our clients love the symbolism behind these elements or simply want to add a bit of whimsy, they provide a special touch to the artwork.”
Drawn together: “If clients are looking to add artistic, printed details to the background, we can do that, too. We use floral drawings, charcoal sketches, quotes or messages, printed patterns, or floral prints to add layers of artistry that either blend seamlessly with the flowers or provide contrast that makes the arrangement stand out even more.”
Petal pusher: “People use flowers to mark all of the most important moments in life: births, deaths, graduations, performances. We celebrate these moments with flowers. Similarly, when there is a change in relationships—first dates, engagements, weddings—we use flowers to show our love, our care, and our appreciation for each other and the occasion. So the next time you mark a special moment with flowers, consider giving them a life that lasts beyond the occasion.”
For print-exclusive stories, download the digital magazine or pick up a copy from select local King Soopers, Safeway, Tattered Cover, or Barnes & Noble locations.
