Flowers are never so beautiful than when in the hands of Natalie Bowen Brookshire.

The floral designer and owner of Natalie B. Designs has blooms in the blood—her grandmother opened a flower shop in San Francisco back in the 1940s—and her captivating arrangements, workshops, and tips have earned her a massive following.

Bowen Brookshire is taking on the holiday season with her signature style: She recently introduced a new collaboration with California ceramicist Alex Marshall—a versatile, candy-shell finished vessel they’re calling the Flower Bombe vase. And on November 14th, she's teaming up with Erin Hupp for a special holiday floral and table design workshop at 7x7 Social Club.

After 24 years in Presidio Heights, Bowen Brookshire recently made the move to Chico along with her architect husband Seth and their two kiddos, Hawk and Friday. But San Francisco has her heart, and you'll regularly find her at the SF Flower Mart and on the local events scene.

We caught up with her to see what’s in her Bay, from her favorite spot for coffee to the locally made items she can’t live without.

What’s your preferred place for brunch or coffee?

Marigold (2681 21st St., Mission) is my favorite place for a coffee or a rose matcha. This flower shop was opened by two of my favorite SF florists and friends, and has a coffee shop that serves the best warm beverages in their botanically abundant parklet. Everything they serve is layered with thoughtful scent and beauty.

Any favorite hiking trails?

Lands End Trail is my favorite place to meet a friend or bring a visitor. The views, the air—the beauty of it all is captivating. I also love the hike to Kirby Cove. Since the road down is closed, it is usually very quiet. Once we caught a porpoise show and I’ll never forget it.

When do you do go when it's time to get away?

Mendocino has always had a piece of my heart. My mother started taking us there when I was two years old, and we have returned every year since. It started as a trip with my grandmother, and now we continue the trip with my own daughter. There is something so quaint about the seaside setting and I have so many good memories there that come back as soon as I smell the sea air. Oh, and the ‘80’s show Murder She Wrote was filmed there and I am such a fan. I even once had a tragic haircut to match Angela Lansbury when I was about eight years old.

What California hotel keeps you coming back?

The recently renovated Madrona Manor (1001 Westside Rd., Healdsburg) is my current favorite hotel. My mother grew up in Healdsburg, so that area is very special to me and reminds me of my grandmother, who ran a flower shop in SF before moving there in the ‘40s. My husband and I went to the Madrona on our first getaway when my daughter was four months old. Now, after the Jay Jeffers remodel, it’s just gotten better.

Do you have a go-to spot for date night?

My husband and I love to go to Pizzetta 211 in the Richmond (211 23rd Ave). It’s been there forever, and the charm has always stayed the same. Even when I am going through a no-gluten phase, I want to go there. It’s worth the wait. My other favorite is Foreign Cinema(2534 Mission St., Mission). I worked there for years both as the hostess and doing their flowers, and it always fills me up to return there.

Let's talk shopping.

I find that every time I go to Aggregate Supply (806 Valencia St., Mission), I leave happy and with something I cannot live without. It’s my favorite shop for designers like Rachel Comey and Mara Hoffman (before she ended her fashion reign), and they also have my favorite N/A drinks and hostess gifts. I swear they are a gem of San Francisco.

What Bay Area–made item can you not live without?

There are too many to list just one! I have been wearing Freda Salvador (2011 Fillmore St., Pac Heights) since their first season, can’t live without my Vintner’s Daughter, and I have a true addiction to Dosa Chips.

Tell us about your roots in the Bay Area.

I feel connected to San Francisco since my grandmother had a flower shop here in the ‘40s. She started on Nob Hill at the Mark Hopkins (999 California St.) and Fairmont (950 Mason St.) hotels, and then opened her own shop in West Portal. Knowing that she would go to the flower market in the early mornings makes me feel my family’s deep connection with flora and the natural world.

// Sign up for 7x7's holiday floral and table design workshop with Natalie Bowen Brookshire, Thursday Nov. 14 at 7x7 Social Club, 524 Washington St. (Jackson Square), tickettailor.com. Learn more about her work at nataliebowendesigns.com.