How we develop arrangements for 1-800-Flowers
Last April, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia joined forces with 1800flowers.com, and I must say that it's been a wonderful collaboration. The lovely, seasonal flower arrangements and the potted plants have been very well received. Currently, we are developing arrangements for our upcoming holiday season and I wanted to give you a little glimpse behind-the-scenes of that department.
Tom Borgese is a stylist in our style department, and he is responsible for choosing the flowers and creating the arrangements. Tom is an art school graduate with a background in oil painting. He had worked at Domino Magazine and created freelance cut-flower stories before coming to MSLO. Obviously, with his artistic talents and love of flowers, Tom is in his proper element working on these beautiful creations. Please have a look at these colorful photos and feel free to leave a comment.
Beautiful arrangements and handsome man! You can't go wrong there Martha
Posted by: Kari | October 12th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Hey, Martha, gorgeous flowers and, by the way, you're looking mighty saucy at SITS this week! (www.thesecretisinthesauce.blogspot.com) Congrats on the featured blog listing.
Well, stop by any time you're in Santa Monica, but you should probably call first and give me a heads-up (I have got a dust-bunny situation here like you would NOT believe).
Congrats again - great blog!
:^) Anna
Posted by: Anna Lefler | October 12th, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Oh I love those roses - the vibrant colors are wonderful. Thanks for sharing. My daughter keeps telling me I'm having 'Martha Moments' lately....I wrote about it on my blog. I am finally being inspired to be more creative in all areas of my life. I needed remedial classes. Thanks for the inspiration all the way over in Australia. How small the world is. Love your photos by the way!
Posted by: Lilly | October 12th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
While on my annual bicycle trip in Holland this past spring, I went to the International Flower Market near Amsterdam. Ninety per cent of the world's flowers go through this wholesale market for purchase by the dealers. The indoor market is the size of 80 football fields. It was amazing. I highly recommend a visit there to anyone traveling to the Netherlands.
Posted by: Jay | October 13th, 2008 at 2:10 am
Good Morning Martha, I Love the Behind the Scenes Bogg. I must say, no one can imagine the process it takes to run your business. I enjoy meeting your associates too. My favorite Holiday Flower Arrangement is the Versillia, Peach Hypericum with the Bamboo Vase. Our 46th Wedding Anniversary is in December and all I have to do is give my husband the 1-800-Flowers phone number.
Betsy
Posted by: Betsy Mech | October 13th, 2008 at 3:05 am
Hi Martha,
Lovely little crammed arrangements!:)
Posted by: Tinay | October 13th, 2008 at 3:08 am
Tom is one lucky guy! I can't imagine a more enjoyable job.
Linda
Posted by: Linda Crispell | October 13th, 2008 at 3:36 am
Dear Martha,
Love the gorgeous flowers! I emailed the Franchise Administration to see if we can open in the Middle East Region. Unfortunately, they have no international business opportunities at this present time. Hopefully in the near future. Wow it will be a great to have your signature bouquets.
Good Luck and God Bless you.
Rowaida Flayhan
Posted by: Rowaida Flayhan | October 13th, 2008 at 3:43 am
Hi Martha, I love seeing what goes on behind the scenes in the development of your fantastic products. Your photos of these beautiful flowers are absolutely lovely. I especially like the roses that Kevin Sharkey liked. They are stunning. Thanks for introducing us to Tom Borgese. What a great addition to your MSLO family. Speaking of family, is little Kahn living at the farm yet?! Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | October 13th, 2008 at 7:51 am
I envy florists especially some of the designer florists of Europe. One in Belgium especially. I love the layout with the stainless steel counters, and of course, the flowers.
Posted by: Candylei | October 13th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Hello Martha,
What a wonderful job to have! Fresh Flowers are such a delight to receive.
My husband knows I love fresh cut flowers and makes sure they are in a box when they arrive so I can design and arrange them myself:)
Smiles,
KayEllen
Posted by: kayellen | October 13th, 2008 at 10:07 am
What a wonderful job Tom has! I agree...the Orange France roses are a somewhat difficult red but together with the galax leaves they really 'pop'!
Thanks for sharing what goes into this enterprise.
Posted by: Sherey | October 13th, 2008 at 10:29 am
All of the arrangements are gorgeous!!! How fun!! He gets to play with flowers ALL day:-)
Posted by: susieshomemade | October 13th, 2008 at 10:40 am
What a darling behind the scenes peek! I really appreciate the testing and thoughtfulness that go behind each creation. I love the bamboo vase and the great textures of the entire arrangement.
Posted by: Grace@PoeticHome | October 13th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
now this is brilliant-watch how the flowers look over time!
I really need to treat myself to an arrangement more often
I have what I call "the Miracle Rose Bush " on our desert Ranch, that has managed to Bloom during our drought!
Namaste,
MB
http://lifeinthedesert.typepad.com/life_in_the_desert/
Posted by: MaryBeth | October 13th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
I would love to work with you. It would bring me joy to wake up every day and look forward in doing something so awesome.
Posted by: Norbie K. of Las vegas | October 13th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
How fun, what a job. The arrangements look great!
Posted by: Joseph | October 13th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Martha I am a newly signed up member and have been wanting to ask a question. Wasnt quite sure where to go but here is my question.
My daughter and I are new horse owners and since we heard you have them also, was wondering if you could give some cost saving ideaas for fly pesticides and maintaining soft tails and manes. We watch mainly at night but when home during the day try to catch you then. We have seen where you put the ideas on your show. But these are 2 things we have been searching for healthy and safe alternatives.
Thanks so much
Posted by: Deborah Deatherage | October 14th, 2008 at 6:27 am
I agree with Jan Erickson...the 'Orange France' roses are my favorite too! (They're ALL beautiful, for that matter...) I love the color orange - because my hair is orange, I think (strawberry blonde, actually)... [grin]
This IS a wonderful collaboration with 1-800-flowers, Martha! I wasn't surprised at all to learn of it way back when on your show. I'm sure it's already been a win/win situation for everyone!
I must apologize for the duplicate postings from Friday, October 10th! I just couldn't get thru to my Martha, and I just had to and kept trying-n-trying-n-trying... Nevertheless... (Big sigh!)
Ooooo, let's see how your Columbus Day was!...here I go... See you there!
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | October 14th, 2008 at 7:51 am
I love your flowers! I have both given them and received them!
Posted by: cindy~my romantic home | October 14th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Hello! The flowers are lovely. You have a good talent in flower arrangements. I wish I have that too.
Posted by: Ly | October 14th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Oh I So wish I were there! What a fantastic position to hold and such a creative task to create beautiful arrangements! Lucky, lucky man!
Posted by: james saavedra | October 14th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Martha,
As always,you are an inspiration! I have made flowers my world, and appreciate your team's talent and lovely creations! The colors are fantastic!
Posted by: marian LeBrun | October 14th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Tom is certainly a talented young man. His creativity in flower atrrangement is wonderful. I love those roses. I particularly like the Orange France. Beautiful!
Posted by: Teresa | October 15th, 2008 at 8:09 am
i am a florist in las vegas nevada and do carry the martha stewart floral flowers and containers,i would like to see a monthly arangement in the martha stewart living ,every one loves getting her flower arangements.thank you martha.you are making a difference in my flower shop.
Posted by: judy sutton | October 18th, 2008 at 12:04 pm