Recent new owners of member Church Street Flowers, www.churchstreetflowers.comStephanie Foster, Rachel Shinfeld and Brianna Foehr, were featured on the front page of the newspaper in early May. The trio took over in December 2008 from their previous employers who had operated the shop for a decade.
Having each worked in the shop for some time, the new business partners are attuned to the expectations and tastes of their local patrons. Foster says, “ People nowadays want personalized, reasonably priced, green-minded, and locally sourced. We fit into all that — most of our flowers are from the downtown flower market and we keep an eye out for organic. Plus we strive to create a real connection with our customers, so we can give them exactly what they want.”
“It was really all about trust,” says Foster, when asked about the benefits and perils of transferring ownership of the delightful bouquet boutique. “Sure, there have been some adjustments,” Shinfeld adds. “There’s a lot of paperwork … But our experience working here helped us through, and I think we’re just beginning to blossom in our new roles.”
Our First Lady, Michelle Obama has stamped her claim on being fashionable. Lucky for us all, her sense of style extends to flowers as well!
It has been noted that First Lady Obama shows the same eclecticism that we have seen displayed in her choice of wardrobe – simple and sophisticated.
Member Chestnuts in the Tuileries, www.chestnutsnyc.com demonstrates this aesthetic brilliantly with a gorgeous pave arrangement of luscious varigated Peach Parrot Tulips featured in the June issue of In Style online magazine.
Our member Local Flora is going to the White House to help decorate for Christmas – we are so excited! Take a lot of photos. Maybe Samantha can recruit the White House as a sending member of bbrooks!
Long time member Lewis Miller, founder of LMD Floral Events, www.lmdfloral.com was praised along with 24 other event industry trendsetters in North America in the Jun/Jul 2009 issue of Modern Bride. Such chic tastemakers as Carolina Herrera, Jessica Seinfeld, Kristen Davis, Amanda Peet, and Annie Lebovitz have relied on Miller’s modern sensibility.
Miller is equally at home mixing rough with pretty, cheap with expensive or fancy with simple. For a bride with a $500 budget, Miller suggests “keeping it simple and chic.” For example – a simple bundle of white chamomile for the bridal bouquet and using potted herbs to decorate guest tables. Another idea for budget conscience brides is to put the costs into one amazing item and enhance the mood with a multitude of candles. Not one to shy from a more lavish affair, LMD has also custom-built a 20-ft chuppah of roses, clematis and a woven ivy canopy.
Looking for a way to get a unique personal gift for your bridesmaids and still have it relate to your big day, think Gem stones!
The summer 2009 issue of Martha Stewart weddings features a wonderful yellow and green bouquet comprised of Florex Gold Callas, green hydrangea and craspedia created by Studio Artiflora www.studioartiflora.com, which has been tastefully accented with a double face satin ribbon and an exquisite Peridot, the Gemstone for the month of August.
It’s the perfect way to say ‘thank you’. And, it’s chic and simple, skip the jewelry box and put it right on each attendant’s bouquet!
In mid -September, member Babylon Floral Design,www.babylonfloral.com joined neighborhood boutique shops in hosting a fabulous Grand Opening Party for the new EZE MOP shopping district and Busk-EZE in Denver, CO.
Babylon strutted their stuff on living, breathing models – custom haute couture floral design in the flesh! Clever, dolls!
Member Alvin’s Florist celebrated being voted “Best wedding Florist of the Main Line for 2009” by Main Line Today Magazine with a newly designed website www.alvinsflowers.com, the unveiling of their boutique’s “fresh new look” and the anticipation of their new company identity coming in the Fall!
“Good on ya” Alvin’s! Wish we could be there for the party!!
New member Central Park Flowers www.centralparkflowers.com owner Dorian Butovich was prominently featured online in the Times-Tribune recently.
With 16 years experience in the business, this experienced designer has been providing luscious floral creations for such esteemed clientele as Donatella Versace, Madonna, Meg Ryan, George Soros, and the Clintons. Also, five-star restaurants such as Le’Bernadin, Lutece and Restaurant Daniel and for venues such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim for more than half of his life!
A recent transplant to Olyphant, PA, Butovich had previously called NYC home. Butovich and his wife Eloise chose Northeast PA after much research. They saw an incredible need for true flower design and were looking for a hometown feel to raise their family.
In Butovich’s own humble words, they are “an everyday flower shop catering to all needs” including Bar Mitzvahs, weddings, dinner parties and Sweet 16s. Bring it on Northeast PA! The Butovich’s are ready!
Our member Flore in Southbury, CT has been nominated as a finalist in the 2009 Retailer Excellence awards, in the Store Design/Redesign: Under $1 Million category. Proprietor Lori Friedlander and her co-designer Christopher Isaacson had the challenge of creating a centuries-old European-style flower market and apothecary shop out of brand-new, raw commercial space, with just a 60-day time frame and only $10,000.
Both of them previously worked as professional interior designers, so this helped them to think more creatively about seeing materials and products, and envisioning new ways of using them. Ladders, antique shoe racks, carts, and various pieces of furniture were recycled and reused in a different manner than their original design or intent.
Flore offers eco-friendly fresh flowers and a signature line of flower- and plant-based products for aromatherapy and beauty, as well as books on natural flower essences and oils. They also provide highly-personalized service for design and gift ideas assistance, custom silk floral designs, interior décor consultations, and wedding, birth and funeral flower arrangements.
Los Angeles based member florist Krislyn Design’s, www.krislyndesign.com innovative, long-lasting alternative to fresh product was featured in the May/June 2009 issue of California Home & Design. A five-foot-high sculptural piece made from reclaimed forest clearings and dried magnolia leaves, that will stay green thanks to natural vegetable dyes, can be admired and enjoyed for years to come!
Recent new owners of member Church Street Flowers, www.churchstreetflowers.com Stephanie Foster, Rachel Shinfeld and Brianna Foehr, were featured on the front page of the newspaper in early May. The trio took over in December 2008 from their previous employers who had operated the shop for a decade.
Our First Lady, Michelle Obama has stamped her claim on being fashionable. Lucky for us all, her sense of style extends to flowers as well!
Long time member Lewis Miller, founder of LMD Floral Events, 
Looking for a way to get a unique personal gift for your bridesmaids and still have it relate to your big day, think Gem stones!
Member Alvin’s Florist celebrated being voted “Best wedding Florist of the Main Line for 2009” by Main Line Today Magazine with a newly designed website 
New member Central Park Flowers 
Our member Flore in Southbury, CT has been nominated as a finalist in the 2009 Retailer Excellence awards, in the Store Design/Redesign: Under $1 Million category. Proprietor Lori Friedlander and her co-designer Christopher Isaacson had the challenge of creating a centuries-old European-style flower market and apothecary shop out of brand-new, raw commercial space, with just a 60-day time frame and only $10,000.
Los Angeles based member florist Krislyn Design’s, 
