Lily Kwong - A Creative Visionary In Green Design
When you think about places that feel calm and green in the middle of a busy city, you might not always consider the person who helped bring that feeling to life. Well, there's someone who really does make these kinds of spaces happen, and that's Lily Kwong. She's a person who helps shape how we see and experience nature, even when we're surrounded by buildings and city sounds. Her work, you know, often involves making places that feel like a peaceful escape, almost like a secret garden just waiting to be found. She has a way of seeing the natural world and then bringing that vision into unexpected spots, like, urban areas.
She has a special touch when it comes to creating environments that do more than just look pretty; they actually help people feel a little more connected to the earth. This idea of helping people find a bit of green in their daily routines is, in some respects, at the very heart of what she does. It's not just about planting flowers or trees; it's about making a whole experience that changes how you feel when you are there. She really does seem to think about how people interact with their surroundings and how natural elements can make a difference.
Lily Kwong, you see, has been involved with some pretty cool projects that show just how much she cares about bringing natural beauty to many different places. From working with big-name brands to transforming well-known city spots, her approach is always about making things beautiful and also thoughtful. She brings a fresh outlook to design, and, actually, her background is quite varied, which probably helps her see things from many different angles. She's someone who, it seems, truly believes in the power of green spaces to make life better for everyone.
Table of Contents
- Who is Lily Kwong - Her Beginnings and Life
- What Makes Lily Kwong's Work Unique?
- How Does Lily Kwong Connect People with Nature?
- Lily Kwong's Notable Projects and Collaborations
- What is the Story Behind Lily Kwong's Orchid Show?
- How Did Lily Kwong Transform the High Line?
- A Look at Lily Kwong's Personal Side
Who is Lily Kwong - Her Beginnings and Life
Lily Kwong, as a person, has a pretty interesting story. She's known for her work as a landscape artist, someone who really thinks about how cities can have more green spaces. She's even called an "urban edenist," which kind of means she helps create little bits of paradise in city settings. She's also the person who started Studio Lily Kwong and Freedom Gardens, which are her ways of bringing her ideas to life. You know, she really does put a lot of thought into her projects.
Her education background is quite strong, with a degree from Columbia University in New York City. She studied urban studies there, which, you can imagine, probably gave her a solid base for understanding how cities work and how nature fits into them. Before she became so well-known for her landscape work, she actually spent some time in the modeling world. She was discovered by a scout in 2007 and even worked for her cousin, Joseph Altuzarra, as a studio assistant and fit model. So, she has a history of working in creative fields, which, really, seems to have prepared her for what she does now.
As of the information we have, she is currently 29 years of age. She lives in Brooklyn, which is part of New York City in the United States of America. She's also married to a well-known comedian and actor, Nick Kroll. They tied the knot in 2020, and, you know, they have two children together. Their son is named Leo, and he is two years old. They also welcomed a baby girl, and Lily shared some tender moments captured from the first 40, posting pictures of herself holding her newborn on Instagram in October. It seems like she has a pretty full life, balancing her creative projects with her family.
What Makes Lily Kwong's Work Unique?
What really sets Lily Kwong apart, you could say, is her approach to design. She's not just a landscape designer; she's someone who tries to make spaces that feel special and have a deeper meaning. Her work is often described as creative and also sustainable, meaning she thinks about the long-term impact of her designs. She has a mission to help people feel more connected to nature, which is, honestly, a very important goal in our busy world. She believes that these green spaces can really make a difference in how people feel and interact with their surroundings.
She has a particular way of bringing different art forms together in her projects. She combines visual arts, horticulture – which is basically the art of gardening – design, and even education. This blend helps her create cultural experiences that, in a way, bring people into harmony with their environment. It's about more than just putting plants in the ground; it's about making a place that tells a story or makes you feel something specific. She really does seem to have a knack for making places feel alive and purposeful.
Her designs are often called "transformative environments." This means they're meant to change how you experience a place. For example, she might create a garden that encourages quiet thought, or a public space that feels like a peaceful escape. She's worked with some pretty big names, too, like Nike and St-Germain, and other brands. This shows that her unique vision is something that many different kinds of organizations want to be a part of. She brings a fresh perspective to every project, which is, you know, pretty cool.
How Does Lily Kwong Connect People with Nature?
Lily Kwong's whole aim, as we've talked about, is to help people feel more in touch with the natural world. She does this by creating spaces that invite you to slow down and notice the beauty around you. For example, her work often uses thousands of plants and thoughtful arrangements to create a feeling of peace. It's like she's building little pockets of calm in places that might otherwise feel overwhelming. She really does put a lot of her personal background into her work, too, which makes it even more special.
Her Chinese heritage, for instance, has been a big source of ideas for her. She's used it to create installations that are meant to be meditative and immersive. This means you can walk through them and feel like you're truly part of the experience, maybe even finding a moment of quiet reflection. She combines plants, like thousands of orchids, with traditional paintings to make these kinds of spaces. It's a way of blending art, nature, and culture to create something really unique. She seems to understand that beauty can be a powerful way to connect with people.
She also thinks about the urgent need to cultivate, which suggests she feels a sense of responsibility to encourage more green spaces. She worked with the Madison Square Park Conservancy to create a "sanctuary in a city," which is a pretty good way to describe what she does. These kinds of projects are all about showing how even in a bustling city, you can find moments of natural beauty and calm. So, she's not just making pretty gardens; she's, you know, trying to make the world a little bit greener and more peaceful, one project at a time.
Lily Kwong's Notable Projects and Collaborations
Lily Kwong has been involved in some really interesting projects that have gained a lot of attention. One of the most talked-about is her work as the guest designer for the New York Botanical Garden's Orchid Show. This was a pretty big deal because she was the first woman and the first person of color to take on this role. It shows that her vision and talent are truly recognized in the field. She guided journalists through the exhibit on a warm and sunny February morning, which, you know, sounds like a lovely experience.
Her installation for the Orchid Show was inspired by her Chinese heritage, as mentioned before. It was designed to be a meditative and immersive experience, featuring thousands of orchids and traditional paintings. This kind of work really highlights her ability to blend different elements to create something truly special. She doesn't just arrange flowers; she creates a whole atmosphere that draws people in and makes them feel something. She really does put her heart into these big projects.
Beyond the Orchid Show, Lily Kwong has also worked on other significant projects. For instance, in June 2017, she used 13,000 flowers to transform New York’s High Line into what was described as a "hanging garden of delights." That sounds like a truly amazing sight, turning an elevated park into something even more magical. These large-scale installations show her ambition and her skill in bringing grand visions to life. She's also worked with various fashion brands, which, you know, speaks to her versatility and her appeal across different creative industries.
What is the Story Behind Lily Kwong's Orchid Show?
The Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden is a big annual event, and when Lily Kwong became its guest designer, it was a pretty significant moment. She brought a fresh perspective to the show, making it something that felt both beautiful and deeply personal. Her work for the show was a chance to share her artistic vision on a very public stage. It was, in a way, a recognition of her unique talent in the world of landscape design.
The inspiration for her Orchid Show design came from her own Chinese background. She wanted to create a space that felt calm and allowed people to really sink into the experience. This meant using lots of orchids, of course, but also bringing in elements like traditional paintings to complete the picture. It was a way for her to share a piece of her heritage through her art. She really did make it a point to create something that would resonate with visitors on a deeper level, beyond just visual appeal.
The show was not just about pretty flowers; it was about creating a mood, a feeling. It was designed to be a place where you could find a moment of peace and reflection. This focus on creating an immersive experience is something that Lily Kwong is known for. She wants people to feel like they are stepping into a different world, even if just for a little while. So, the Orchid Show was, you know, a perfect example of her ability to transform a space into something truly special and meaningful.
How Did Lily Kwong Transform the High Line?
The High Line in New York City is already a pretty amazing public park, built on old elevated train tracks. But Lily Kwong took it a step further when she worked on it in 2017. She managed to turn parts of it into what was described as a "hanging garden of delights." This involved using a very large number of flowers, something like 13,000 of them, to create a truly spectacular display. It sounds like a really ambitious project, and, you know, it shows her ability to work on a grand scale.
The idea was to make the High Line feel even more magical and unexpected. By adding so many flowers in such a dramatic way, she created an experience that was both beautiful to look at and probably quite memorable for anyone who walked through it. It’s another example of how she uses horticulture and design to create something that goes beyond typical landscaping. She really does seem to have a knack for making public spaces feel more personal and artistic.
This kind of transformation helps people see familiar places in a new light. It makes them stop and appreciate the beauty that can be created in an urban setting. The High Line project, in a way, showcased her skill in taking an existing structure and breathing new life into it with natural elements. It was a pretty impressive feat, and, actually, it highlights her dedication to bringing beauty and nature into unexpected parts of the city.
A Look at Lily Kwong's Personal Side
Beyond her professional achievements, Lily Kwong has a personal life that also seems pretty full. She's married to comedian and actor Nick Kroll. They actually met on the dating app Raya, which is kind of interesting, showing that even people in the public eye use modern ways to connect. They've been dating since 2018 and got married in 2020. It seems like they share a passion for nature, which, you know, makes sense given her work, and also a passion for humor.
The couple has two children together. Their son, Leo, is two years old. More recently, they welcomed a baby girl. Lily shared the news on Instagram in October, posting two photos of herself holding her newborn. She also shared that there were "tender moments captured from the first 40," which, you know, sounds like a very sweet time for their family. It's clear that family life is a significant part of her world.
Her personal journey, from being a former model to a successful landscape designer, shows a lot of versatility. She's someone who has pursued different paths and found success in them. This varied background probably gives her a unique perspective on her design work. She is, in a way, a person who has blended different aspects of her life to create a truly unique career path, which, actually, is pretty inspiring to think about.
Lily Kwong - Quick Facts
Full Name | Lily Kwong | |
Profession | Landscape Artist, Urban Edenist, Landscape Designer, Former Model | |
Organizations Founded | Studio Lily Kwong, Freedom Gardens | |
Spouse | Nick Kroll (married 2020) | |
Children | Son (Leo, 2), Daughter (born recently) | |
Education | Columbia University (Bachelor's in Urban Studies) | |
Current Residence | Brooklyn, New York City, USA | |
Notable Achievements | First woman and person of color to guest design NY Botanical Garden's Orchid Show, transformed NY High Line with 13,00 | 0 flowers |
This article has explored Lily Kwong's professional life as a landscape artist and designer, touching on her roles as founder of Studio Lily Kwong and Freedom Gardens, and her notable projects like the New York Botanical Garden's Orchid Show and the High Line transformation. It also covered her background as a Columbia University graduate and former model, and her personal life, including her marriage to Nick Kroll and their two children. The text highlighted her unique approach to creating transformative, nature-connecting environments inspired by her heritage.
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