Articulture Designs: Planting A New Seed in Austin’s Ever-growing Business Landscape

Since launching Ariculture Designs in 2009, Monique Capanelli has worked tirelessly to change the way people perceive plants, specifically through an artistic lens. Now, with a new location on Manchaca Road — complete with a 2,200 square foot studio space, a gift boutique and an outdoor garden — Capanelli’s seedling vision is in full bloom.

The self-proclaimed “art-repreneur” grew up in Northern California with a family passionate about gardening. When Capanelli wasn’t foraging through the creek beds around her home searching for driftwood to use in garden mobiles, her parents were teaching her about propagation, pollination and how to naturally prevent predators. This education as a child blossomed into passion as an adult, the fruits of which are evidenced through the wide range of botanical design work undertaken at Articulture.

Over the years, Capanelli and her team have garnered many fans, from commercial clients like flagship Whole Foods Market to residential customers, while also taking on commissioned projects, weddings and corporate events. “We approach all of our work with a very artistic perspective,” she says.

Craft aside, Capanelli also appreciates the visceral and emotional influence that her medium has on people. “Plants and nature evoke something innate and primal in all of us,” she says. Expressing these feelings through artful arrangements and installations is a labor of love and a passionate purpose for the entrepreneur. “That’s really what brings me joy,” she adds.

Working with clients is also a source of joy for Capanelli, who enjoys being challenged and learning how her customers live and work. And this interest shows. Every project, be it a floating garden, a large living wall, or a small succulent terrarium, exudes innovation and individuality, structure and substance — and a unique reverence for Mother Nature’s boundless beauty.