Bree Iman Clarke and her husband, Carlos, own The Little House Project Studio, a multipurpose space in the Bishop Arts District of Dallas where Carlos creates sought-after farmhouse tables and Bree hosts her in-demand On the Table workshops, all housed under the Iman Project umbrella. Bree often appears on local news media; has been featured in Forbes twice to discuss the challenges of being a Black businesswoman; and has been covered in Paper City, the Dallas Observer, and D Magazine, among others. She also hosts her own series on CW33, A Seat at the Table with Bree and creates pop-up shops featuring the work of local artisans. During the pandemic, she added two businesses to her portfolio: Bree Blooms, a flower-shipment and floral- tutorial program, and The Plant Project, a shop filled with plants, candles, books, and gifts. On top of all that, Bree is a mother to elementary school–age twin boys. What is she not? “A floral designer,” she laughs. “I use flowers as a way to bring people together.”
A PASSION FOR PEOPLE AND FLOWERS
Her foray into flowers sprang from a childhood spent in her grandmother’s driveway and garden. “A friend of my grandmother’s was always coming over to talk about plants, and I learned he was the first African American man to graduate from Texas A&M with a horticulture degree. I realized later that I picked up a lot of what he was teaching us.” Bree also bonded with her mother over flowers, so moving into a flower-based business seemed like a natural segue. With her passion for people as well as flowers, Bree’s mission evolved into her On the Table workshops, where she wants everyone—people of all colors and body types—to gather to share food, work with flowers, build friendships, and tackle difficult conversations. Over three years and countless workshops, she witnessed a powerful alchemy that takes place within the sessions. Participants, while surrounded by flowers and experimenting with different arrangements, have organically settled into conversation about life and its inherent challenges. The idea of community remains Bree’s guiding tenet, and it means everything in her business and personal lives. And sometimes, difficult times open up surprising opportunities. “During the pandemic, my workshops launched nationally, so the discussion is no longer local,” says Bree. “I’m able to create with my hands and my heart, hopefully to better my Dallas community and now others as well.”
THREE VIBRANT ARRANGEMENTS
Bree shows how to make this arrangement roses, carnations, and protea in sunshine colors. Get the step-by-step instructions.
MATERIALS: Italian ruscus, Asparagus fern, Pink hydrangea, White scabiosa, Pinkberry Roses, Mexican heather, Spray roses, Ranunculus, Christmas fern, ‘Blushing Bride’ protea, mini zinnias, concrete vase from Accent Decor
MATERIALS: Ranunculus, Italian ruscus, Grevillea foliage, Spray roses, Roses, Carnations Celosia, Tegan pot from Iman + Co.
— Bree Iman Clarke
Produced by Alice Welsh Doyle | Photography by Manny Rodriguez
Get step-by-step instructions for Bree’s sunny arrangement.