Flowers resilient to the summer heat.

Posted on June 1, 2018 by Toby Roberts

Add these beauties to your vases and don’t worry about them succumbing to the summer heat.

Summer is already here and a heatwave could be lurking around the corner, but that does not mean that you have to give up your dream of seeing your jars full of blooming flowers.

Here’s 5 beautiful flowers that win the battle against the heat and will bring colour and a summer scent to your home!

Lisianthus (Eustoma)

This beautiful and special flower does not succumb and will remain fresh in your vase for about 10 days. The Lisianthus, reminiscent of roses can be found in a wide variety of colours.

Tip Before you put your flowers in jars you should cut them 2-3 cm from the bottom, to make water absorption easier.

Calla lilies

Apart from the extraordinary simplicity and elegance that it exudes, summer calla, a South African scented gem, loves the sun and can withstand the heat. Avoid grasping leaves and flowers with bare hands as the plant is poisonous and likely to cause irritation to the skin.

It may not have a scent, but its colour and shape make it very attractive.

Roses

Still the most romantic and seductive flower that blooms in the summer. Skip the varieties that have thin petals (and therefore reduced heat resistance) and do not leave them exposed for hours in the sun. Place them in a jar with clean water that you change on a daily basis. Do not leave the damaged leaves in the water because they will reduce the flower’s durability.

When it comes to roses, we always say “yes” – even when it’s hot out.

Tip Wash the jar with bleach for complete disinfection before placing the flowers in. Do not forget that their enemy is the bacteria.

Gerbera This cute, colourful and playful flower comes from Africa. In other words, it’s used to high temperatures. With proper care, it can survive in your jars for up to 3 weeks. Flowers such as gerberas that have hair on their stems may be spoiled if you put a lot of water in the jar. Add just a little water that should be refreshed frequently.

The gerbera is not only beautiful but also reduces the air pollution of indoor spaces.

Gerani

It is a beautiful, distinctive flower and remains fresh and blooming, even under the heat. You can find it in countless shades and it brings colour and liveliness to your decorations. It is considered one of the easiest flowers to keep and does not need special care. The name gerani is Greek and comes from the word ‘crane’ because the shape of these flowers resembles that of the crane.

Win £50 Vouchers to use at Apple Stores.

Posted on May 15, 2018 by Toby Roberts

Just in time for Summer, we have a fantastic competition lined up for you.

Planning a nice summer trip? Is your birthday coming up?

Whatever the occasion, we are offering you a chance to win £50 worth of vouchers for the Apple Store, to buy something nice for yourself this summer.

How to enter?

Simply like our cover photo on our Facebook page.

The competition starts on the 15th of May and ends on the 25th of May at 23:59

The winner will be announced on the 26th of May.

Colour combinations for a desired “wow” look.

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Toby Roberts

Colour is one of the most powerful elements a flower possesses. Using the appropriate combinations, you can create an attractive effect with flowers and foliage.

Simple tips to remember

Choose purple, blue and red flowers for a colourful composition.

Lilac combined with blue and pink creates a light, gentle composition, while the darker shades of the same colours create an intense effect.

Red and green flowers or pink and green in a bouquet, can create a lively and clear result.

Blue and orange flowers enhance each other when mixed together. Yellow and orange are a good combination, as is purple with red and pink.

White flowers should be used with caution because they can highlight certain colours but also outshine others. Foliage, with different textures and subtle variations of greens, also helps different colours to be combined in a beautiful way.

A single variety of flowers in a single colour can also create an excellent result if they are properly positioned.

Choosing the right flowers for different occasions

Roses are the traditional flowers of love for occasions such as anniversaries, dates, marriage proposals and for Valentine’s Day. Other popular flowers for romantic occasions are lilies, carnations and tulips.

For Mother’s Day celebrations, choose roses and Lily of the Valley. The choice of flowers as a birthday gift can be based on the gender of the recipient or the month of his / her birth. Roses remain an excellent choice for women, while for men, rather than roses, choose carnations and other flowers in bright colours.

There is no better way to congratulate new parents on the arrival of a newborn than with the gift of flowers. Choose bright colours such as red, white or yellow. Bright, cheerful flowers in red, white, pink and yellow (roses, daisies and tulips) send wishes of fast recoveries to your loved ones.

A beauty called, Iris

Posted on April 15, 2018 by Toby Roberts

With striking uniqueness and beauty, irises have rich meanings and they can convey deep sentiments.

With over 200 varieties in a wide spectrum of colours, the iris, which fittingly takes its name from the Greek word for ‘rainbow’, can be found in virtually every corner of the world, growing both naturally and horticulturally. While garden irises can come in any of these many varieties, the flower’s cut versions are mostly blue (the most popular type), white, and yellow.

The iris’s history is rich. It goes back to Ancient Greek times when the Greek Goddess Iris, who was the messenger of the gods and the embodiment of the rainbow, acted as the link between heaven and earth. Irises in purple were planted over the graves of women. This way, the Goddess Iris would accompany the departed in their afterlife journey.

Ancient Egyptian kings marveled in the iris’s exotic nature and illustrations have been found of the flower in a number of Egyptian palaces.

During the Middle Ages, the meaning of the iris became linked to the French monarchy, and the Fleur-de-lis eventually became the recognised national symbol of France. From their earliest years, irises were used to make perfume and as a medicinal remedy.

Today, they are primarily seen in gardens, in bouquets, and in the wild all over the world. There are some gorgeous names for the different variants of iris.

Amazing Grace, Mystic Dragon, Evening Drama, Queen of Angels, Uncle Charlie, Blonde Bearded Lady, Vision in Pink, Last Hurrah, Starlight Express,

Throughout its intricate history, the significance of the iris has come to include faith, hope and wisdom. Depending on factors such as colour and region, irises may bear additional meanings as well. In some parts of the world, the dark blue or purple iris can denote royalty, whereas the yellow iris can be a symbol of passion. Irises may also express courage and admiration.

Tales of the Lavender Lady

Posted on April 1, 2018 by Toby Roberts

If you know TBR Floral Design, then you know the lady that accompanies the name of the company at all times. She’s the quiet beauty, that is overlooking our company day and night, 24/7. I like to think of her as an angel, that floats about the studio, and looks over us from above. I’m sure many of you are wondering about the origins of our logo, and what it represents.

Let me explain…

Soon after having graduated from floral design school, my aunt passed away. The least I could do, to give her something back, was to create a bouquet for her which consisted of purple orchids, purple being my favourite colour. Around that time, TBR Studio was coming to fruition and I had to discuss my company’s logo with a graphic designer. With the colour purple in mind and my aunt’s passing still at the forefront, the idea clearly materialised.

The graphic designer I was working with at the time, had asked me about the bouquet and the meaning behind it. I’d explained to him about my love for the colour purple and orchids, same way my auntie did. I told him, I thought of her as an angel in life and even in death. My designer came back with the current logo that depicted an angel with purple orchid wings. I liked it so much that I decided to have it tattooed on my wrist as I knew this would be forever, the same way TBR Floral Design is. 16 years later and my loyal team have decided to get the logo tattooed as well (sans the TBR mentioning of course!) because they like the illustration and what it represents. Until today, whenever I see the logo I still remember her and TBR Floral Design’s humble beginnings as well as the amazing journey we’ve had throughout these years and will continue to have. See, being a floral designer is not just a job. There’s a passion and a story behind wanting to build a company that makes other’s special days colourful, beautiful and memorable. Which is what my aunt’s life was, and what TBR’s future will be! To my angel Pamela Pestell you will always be missed and remain in my thoughts. Thank you for inspiring me to be what i was meant to be, and for giving my company a personality.

In loving memory of

PAMELA PESTELL

1942 – 2003

Making the perfect Easter floral arrangement

Posted on March 15, 2018 by Toby Roberts

Just in time for the chocolate bunny season, we pulled together a few ways to make the perfect Easter floral arrangement for your home.

When it comes to designing the perfect arrangement during a holiday, your options are endless. Based on your tastes and preferences, we can show you a few ways to create the most beautiful focal point for a meal.

Choose a fabulous base for your design. The base can be almost anything, from a pot no longer used, a vase, a glass jar, a wooden pot, through to a deep kitchen bowl.
Once you decide on the base you like then you can start thinking about decorating it. If the base is transparent then you can fill it with either small coloured eggs (fake of course) or with some special hydrating gel crystals.
Finally, once you have finished, you can choose any flowers that complement your home. Place them in the decorated flower pot and then find a beautiful spot in the house, preferably the living room or the dining room, to decorate them. Try not to fill the house with too many flowers as this may not be aesthetically pleasing. Use the flowers to bring a beautiful and passionate atmosphere to your home. We love (narcissus) daffodils and lilies at Easter. Add to the whole look with black, orange and brown branches. A few glitter gold ferns can really bring out that Easter feel.

Something extra?

Rosy Posy

Ideal for retro and vintage decor. Use white and pink roses mixed with ferns, rosemary and mint. These look best in pink or green pots.

2. The easter mantlepiece

Opt for an earthy look this year, using moss, butterflies and dragonflies. You can create a stunning miniature wreath for the centre of the mantlepiece. Add lilies and narcissus in any colour (and who could say no to a couple of candles?

Tulips, mimosas, gladioli and cherry blossoms are some of the ones we use for our installations. Yellows and purple/pink colours really bring out that Easter, warm feeling in your interiors.

The perfect flower on Mother’s Day

Posted on March 1, 2018 by Toby Roberts

There’s always a flower to put a smile on your mother’s face.

On the day when all mothers are celebrated, choose a flower as a sign of appreciation, respect and love. There’s much more to flowers than petals; for years they have been representing emotions and attributes. So follow these tips that we’ve put together for you and choose the right bouquet for them.

For beauty

Choose flowers that mirror exquisiteness: violets, magnolias, camellias, lilies, heathers and the queen of flowers, the orchid.

For tenderness

Beautify the day with catfishes, azaleas, poppies, yellow flowers and, for a little luck, bells of Ireland.

Strength and bravery

Proteas, bourgeois and daffodils, to which you can add laurel or oak leaves.

For wisdom

Honour her motherly care with honeysuckle, ferns, orange blossoms, fennel and pink carnations, as pink is the color of maternity and maternal love.

Joy and bliss

Show her love with calendula and sunflowers.

A flower for every attribute

Hyacinths (devotion), narcissus (respect), angelic (inspiration) and violet (modesty).

Add some plum and lemon blossoms, blue salvia and wildflowers to the composition, because the essential message that comes from your heart to your mother on this special day is “I love you” and “thank you”.

TBR’s suggestion:

Pastel colours on Mother’s day are the way to go.

Pale pink, Lilac, Pale yellow, White, Shades of green, Dusky pink

Which flowers?

Roses (all colours in pastel), Lilac flower, Peonies, Hydrangeas, Tuber rose, Lily of the valley

Intern with TBR Floral Design

Posted on February 15, 2018 by Toby Roberts

If you are looking for a career in the Floral Design world, then this could be the ideal place for you.

TBR Floral Design Studio is seeking an enthusiastic individual to join our team and learn everything they need to know about becoming a high-end Floral Designer.

We have a vast list of clientele and our studio provides a lot of material on which you can build your career.

Our goal is to give our clients a stunning and unique visual experience, regardless of the type of event.

We are now opening our doors to applicants who want to learn the skills to become a floral designer and are looking for a solid start to kick off their career.

We seek energetic, fun and responsible individuals with an eye for aesthetics and design. Whether you’re a floral school graduate or simply feel that this is the right path for you, we will help you learn everything from concept to design to installation, as well as immerse you in the behind the scenes of flower markets, show you the reality of being a high end floral designer and teach you about aesthetics and administrative tasks.

It’s essential that the ideal candidate should know how to deal with unexpected situations and take appropriate action if something changes with client and venue needs.

This internship might be demanding at times, but you will be left with a complete understanding of designing installations for corporate events, weddings and many other kinds of events, including many celebrity focused events.

Responsibilities:

Preparing supplies

Floral Processing

Identifying floral quantity for each event

Budgets, wedding consultations and timings

Assisting with floral processing

Assisting in floral building and designing (bouquets, garlands and centrepieces)

Installation design

Assisting with deliveries and setups

Details:

8-16 hours a week for 3 months

Unpaid

Certificate of completion will be given as well as references if successfully completed

Location: Based in Beckenham but also various locations around the UK.

5 tips to consider when having an outdoor wedding marquee

Posted on February 1, 2018 by Toby Roberts

No, it’s not just a cover for the sun. There’s so much more to it, and sometimes, if the job’s not done properly, you’ll end up ruining your entire event.

What do I mean?

1. If you have a high display, make sure the ground is sturdy with no little hills to ruin the balance. It’s always best to have a wooden flooring if you want to use high displays as it will diminish the risk of the flower display toppling to the ground.

2. In the summer season, marquees should have more than one side open. Regardless of the flowers you’re going to have on your wedding day, the heat can wilt them unless you make them more resilient to it by giving them lots of air.

3. The access to the marquee when installing flowers can be tricky. Make sure you consult your wedding organiser on the whereabouts of the marquee to decrease the time of installation. Bad organisation can lead to stress and a less than perfect result.

4. Candlelight should be concealed because of the wind as there’s nothing worse than a dark wedding table at night. You could opt for lanterns as they won’t cause a fire risk if the marquee has a low ceiling. This way you are creating an elegant and cosy outdoor feeling.

5. There are height restrictions when having a marquee. Some brides love grand, lush flowers displayed on different levels without taking into consideration the pitch of the roof of a marquee. Always check marquee height measurements before going to visit your floral designer.

Feeling inspired?

Take a look at some of our top outdoor marquee displays.

What were the biggest highlights of 2017?

Posted on January 21, 2018 by Toby Roberts

We keep moments like the following close to our hearts. We absolutely love working on various events and for different purposes as they give us a chance to explore a variety of design and creation and to take the entire concept to a whole new level.

This year, we had the pleasure of working with the Royal Salute whiskey brand for the launch of the much anticipated polo edition. We installed at a beautiful location in Windsor, therefore we matched the beauty of the surroundings with pale pinks, lilacs and pearl blues. For the “step-up”, celebrities had the chance to be photographed surrounded by bespoke handmade arches, complimented by natural elements such as willow and bark.

Sony’s launch for the highly acclaimed Netflix series “The Crown” was complemented by a plethora of beautiful colours. Held at the St. Ermin’s hotel, the idea was to create a real banquet style scene (fit for a queen!). We dressed 5ft stainless steel candelabras in red and gold with the occasional burnt orange whilst using roses, hydrangeas and clematis. All tables were accompanied by candle light on three levels and in order to give it a more authentic look, we added mixed fruits set in gold bowls with single head flowers spilling over the table. Buckingham Palace would have been very proud.

For the first time ever, we had been given the chance to work with the Natural History Museum – a TBR goal for years. The autumnal theme that NHM had chosen was complemented with yellows, oranges, reds and browns, as well as a lot of roses and winter hydrangeas.

The venue at 2 Temple Place in Embankment was a wedding to remember. The couple wanted a more summery feeling, considering that it was an autumnal wedding, which is why we used blues and whites (a huge craze for 2017 weddings).

Fishmongers Company was also one of our top picks this year. With spring in mind, we had been commissioned to dress an event for HRH Princess Anne, using cherry blossom as the main colour. Creating another banquet style design, this event was dressed with some of the best silver taken from the Company’s vaults.