Maxine Blooms is an award-winning floral shop located in East Harlem, New York City, owned and operated by florist Maxine Baptiste who opened it in the mid-2020s. The shop is notable for its innovative root-work designs and artistic presentations that bridged the gap between traditional floristry and installation art.

History

The shop was established using inheritance funds received by Maxine and is located around the corner from her East Harlem apartment.

Notable Works and Recognition

“As Above, So Below” Series

The shop’s most celebrated work was the “As Above, So Below” series, which earned Maxine the Next Gen Rising Star Award from the Society of American Florists. The series featured aqua flowers presented in fishbowls of varying sizes, specifically designed to showcase both the blooms and their root systems, creating a dual visual experience.

Root Art Collection

The shop features a distinctive permanent installation of dried root specimens collected from varies beaches around New York, most notably Coney Island Beach. These pieces are displayed on LED-lit floating shelves that circle the shop’s perimeter. While some pieces are available for purchase, the collection primarily serves as an artistic installation that reflects the owner’s fascination with natural history and botanical architecture.

Design Philosophy

Maxine Blooms is known for its integration of traditional floristry with artistic elements that emphasized the complete lifecycle and structure of plants. The shop’s design philosophy is heavily influenced by botanical science, particularly the concept of “as above, so below” - the symmetrical relationship between a plant’s visible growth and its root system.

Legacy

The shop is pioneering a movement in contemporary floristry that emphasizes the artistic and educational value of root systems in floral design. Its innovative approach to displaying both the decorative and structural elements of plants influences other florists and botanical artists in the New York area.