Diane Steele

Diane is the principal designer of Yankee Floral, a custom floral studio catering to upstate New York, the Berkshires, and Southern Vermont.  She grows many of her own flowers on her three-acre plot bordering the Mohawk River, and can incorporate fragrant heirloom roses, rare iris, and fresh-picked lilies-of-the-valley into her client's designs as the season permits.  An accomplished watercolorist, Diane creates an original watercolor portrait of their bouquet for each client, and brings an artist's sensibility to floral design. 
 
Diane has over 35 years of experience in floral design.  She originally directed Yankee Floral Shoppe as a full-service floral boutique serving the southern New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Wilmington areas.  Both a scientist and artist, Diane’s experience ranges from chemical refinery work, to convention planning and teaching floral design. Diane has a B.A. from Rowan University in Earth Science, and graduate studies in Geology, Environmental Science, Horticulture, and Floral Design at University of New Hampshire, Rowan University, and Rutgers.  She has been involved in prize-winning consultation work for both the Philadelphia Flower Show and Philadelphia Home Show. In 1998, her sculptural entry to the Philadelphia Flower Show  resulted in the award of "high honors" and a feature in the New York Times.  As an exhibiting artist, Diane has shown her watercolors in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.  

Diane's varied experiences as a botanist, geologist, and artist have developed her ability to discern individual taste.  Her clients have included notable artists, art museum directors, corporate interior decorators, five-star bed and breakfast owners, and numerous charities.  She specializes in customizing her designs to a wide range of budgets and welcomes requests for the unusual.