Bike Ride Over the Canal

Philadelphia Flower Show 2017 Best in Show – Holland

Meet Robertson’s Lead Designer and native of Holland, Emanuella Williamson, and learn about what inspires her design process and enabled Robertson’s Best in Show win.

“I am very proud and happy to give back my creativity and experience over the years and to win first prize at the Philadelphia Flower Show for Robertson’s with Holland as it’s theme this year.” 

“I came as an exchange student in 1989 to work for Robertson’s for a year via Ohio State University and my Horti-Floricultural school in the Netherlands. I met my husband, David, at Robertson’s on the first day and we were married a year and a half later. We now have15 and 20 year old sons! I worked for Robertson’s for 9 years and then started my own business to return to Robertson’s part time in 2015. I still go back to Holland to see family and friends but also to see what the new trends are.”

“Robertson’s gives me an opportunity to work with the highest quality of flowers and get inspired by the other designers to be more creative. I like a compact design with lots of greens and textures like succulents, seeded eucalyptus, berries, pods, cones and vines. I love using seasonal flowers and get inspired all over again by the new colors and new flowers to use. I appreciate that the flower industry makes seasonal flowers almost available year round, but I like to stay in the season. If there is a flower I don’t like it’s a painted or dyed one. My favorite design is cutting flowers from my garden and adding a few roses to it because I have not been able to grow them myself.”

“I love my job, because I get to work with nature and get to be creative. Trends and colors change and get inspired and motivated. Robertson’s is a great place to do this and has such an experienced team you want to do your best.”