In Bloom: Behind the Scenes With Jim Knestrick

Long before Jim Knestrick of Knestrick By Design placed the first flower for the 2024 Swan Ball, he had a vision for working with at-risk teens through counseling and support. Jim grew up in Nashville, watching each year as his parents attended Swan Ball. But when he went to school at Auburn University, he turned his attention to supporting young people. Jim went on to Colorado Christian University, where he earned a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy.

When he returned to Nashville, Jim began a career as an adolescent counselor with Daystar Counseling Ministries. The faith-based counseling service is dedicated to providing support, encouragement and compassion to children, adolescents and families in need. At Daystar, Jim made a meaningful impact as a counselor and camp director. But his vision and desire to create grew into a passion that he could no longer ignore.

For over 25 years, Jim has worked to perfect his floral designs — drawing inspiration from other designers and creatively bringing a client’s vision to life. In the early days, Jim sought mentorship from fellow floral designers Mamie Mason, Joe Smith and Steve McClellan, who instilled in him the value of collaboration and the ability to uncover beauty in the ordinary. Jim learned firsthand how flowers possess the remarkable ability to transform the mundane into the extraordinary, a principle he applies with passion and dedication in his own design endeavors. In working with his clients, Jim invites collaboration and conversation as he turns ideas into reality. 

In addition to the Swan Ball, Jim has designed the Frist Gala, A Tennessee Waltz, Ballet Ball, the Symphony Ball, the TPAC Gala and Hermitage President’s Dinner.

What did you want to be when you grew up? I never thought I would be doing flowers and design. My passion was working with teens, so I got a master’s degree in counseling and was a camp director at Daystar Counseling Ministries.

What inspired you to pursue a career in floral design? God really dropped floral design into my lap. My sister-in-law managed the Bread & Company stores with John Clay, and after seeing an arrangement I made for my wife, they asked if I would do florals for the tables. From there, I started to get phone calls to do arrangements. I thought floral design would be a short-term thing until I figured out what I wanted to do with my life, but I ended up falling in love with design.  

What about your work brings you joy?

The aesthetic piece of my work brings me the most joy. It’s being aware of the things that create an experience as soon as you enter a room. Beyond making beautiful arrangements, it’s about what details the guests will notice in addition to the flowers.

What floral trends are you seeing today? Blue and white chinoiserie is still really popular, as well as collections of bud vases.

What is the best advice you have received? My father told me early on that I needed to enjoy what I do, and to not choose a career for the money. If you enjoyed what you did, the business would follow. My father also showed me, through his actions, how important it was to give back to the community.

I had several mentors. Mamie Mason showed me how to really be passionate about the beauty in flowers and not think about formulas. Joe Smith taught me the importance of helping younger designers become the best they can be. We all have different techniques and methods, and it’s good to share that with the newer designers who are coming up. 

What was your most memorable event and why? Without a doubt, the Swan Ball stands out as my most memorable event. I have dreamed of the day to be behind the scenes on the grounds of Cheekwood. It is such a mysterious and magical event that I think is special to Nashville and can’t be compared to any other event. 

When not designing an event, where are you likely to be? You’ll definitely find me at the lake. If I’m in town, I love being in my yard creating water features.