This Floral Designer Is Turning NYC Trash Cans Into Gorgeous Bouquets

Ordinarily, city trash cans are strictly regarded as pungent eyesores, but an artistic beautification initiative led by New York designer Lewis Miller aims to change that perception. Instead of bins overflowing with garbage, Miller has filled NYC trash cans with huge colorful bouquets, creating one of the most beautiful and unique flower arranging ideas we’ve ever seen.

As part of the ongoing project known as “Flowers for the People,” Miller and his design team place the elaborate, eye-catching arrangements in empty trash cans on random city corners. He tries to use flowers that have been previously used to decorate events as a part of his work at Lewis Miller Design.

On his site, the artist describes the intention behind his unusual trashcan makeovers. “Gifting flowers to New Yorkers is a simple idea that I have been thinking about for years,” he writes. “I am in the business of fantasy and flowers, and it’s my job to transform key moments in my clients’ lives into joyful, everlasting memories. I wanted to recreate a similar feeling for the everyday city-dwellers and tourists of New York City.”

In addition to adorning trash bins, Miller also uses his vibrant floral arrangements to spruce up the city’s statues and sculptures located in high-traffic areas. Among NYC public works of art to receive Miller’s signature floral treatment are the John Lennon Memorial in Central Park, the city’s famous LOVE sculpture in Midtown Manhattan and the Alice in Wonderland Statue in Central Park.

Many have pointed out that Miller’s project is done guerrilla style, but that’s not likely to stop him from continuing to spread the floral love. The designer told Vogue he has huge plans for expanding his floral installations to other locations, although he wouldn’t reveal any specifics.

“I can’t tell you what’s next, but I can reveal that we are thinking bigger and planning for that! I would love to get some funding to do these flashes on a much larger scale and reach a lot more New Yorkers. I’d also like to Flower Flash other cities. Chicago, Mexico City, Miami, Los Angeles…they are all on my list.”

h/t Designboom