Gratitude Flowers (because you need a change from 2016)

Posted on January 9, 2017 by Toby Roberts

We often take the wonderful gifts of nature for granted. Mother Earth, has provided us with the most beautiful “jewels” that come in various colours and smells. Psychologically, we associate with most flowers for they tend to change the mood we are in; indeed one simple act of presenting a loved one with a flower, can turn their ‘rainy’ day into a ‘sunny’ one. Why do we neglect these glorious beauties?

Some cultures take flowers seriously. They’re more than just some decorations in your room or garden additions. They represent beauty, energy, purity, and symbolize love, affection and happiness.

Considering how much terror, hatred and cruelty this past year has given us, it’s only wise we turn towards things that make us feel happier. We need to act different in order to change our worrisome and negative personalities into pure kind ones. Call it meditation or prayer; it doesn’t matter. One of the things you need to do, is simply pick a flower and give it to somebody you care.

In 1969 in Woodstock, love saw no barriers and the message against wars was evident. It was also obvious that their signs and faces were covered in flowers, literally. But should we remember the purest things on Earth only when we feel the anger and evil around us? TBR urges you in 2017 to make room for more love in your lives and it all starts with gratitude.

This is why, we call January our gratitude month. A month to pick your most favourite flowers and create a bouquet for the person/people you love or even strangers on the street.

Make a change today, will you?

Some Gratitude Flowers and Facts.

Azalea

These are also known as the Garden Royals.

They need specific acidic soil to blossom.

With over 10k different types, all looking similar, it’s hard to tell them apart.

They have their own festival in Japan and Korea.

Campanula (Harebell)

This word means small bell in greek.

They can survive for more than 2 years in the wild.

it was the primary source for blue dye in the past

Hydrangea.

They can grown almost everywhere in the world and there’s about 80 species of them

In Asia, if you give somebody pink hydrangea that means you’re in love with them.

They’re highly toxic

DARK PINK ROSE

This is the most common gratitude flower. We suggest a beautiful bouquet with hydrangeas, and dark pink roses for a sign of gratitude. It might not change the world, but it will change somebody’s day.

Post Holiday “Blooms”…

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Toby Roberts

Say goodbye to this festive season. You have exactly 11 months before you start worrying about next year’s Christmas flower arrangements.

For now, it’s time to get motivated and start preparing for the year ahead. Keen gardeners and lovers of petals, how about this:

January

For now, just focus on making 2017 a bright, colourful and spectacular year and your gardens even brighter. This month is also known as the “detox” month.

This might be the same for your garden; It’s the time to clean up your gardens just in time for Spring. This is the coldest month of the year, therefore not much planting can be done. This is why we urge you to focus only on tidying up your garden.

Our somehow-neglected gardens need thorough cleaning. Start by removing dead leaves, branches as well as cleaning pots thoroughly.

This is the time to buy your seeds (but don’t plant just yet).

February

Towards the end of February – when the weather allows the occasional sunshine – start planting your daffodils, fuschias and primroses. At the same time, protect your plants from the snow and the frost to avoid any damage. Roses are the best seeds to plant in February.

February is the love month, so stay tuned because later on this month, we’ll be sharing some amazing tips on unique Valentine’s Day flower arrangements (for you to create at home), to surprise your loved ones.

We’ve been busy – TBR Xmas Installations

Posted on December 19, 2016 by Toby Roberts

It’s that time of the year again, when our team comes up with the best floral design ideas for each venue with collaborate with.

We’ve been very lucky to have had this amazing clientele over the years, and we are grateful that they allow us to be creative on their behalf.

Our clients mean the world to us, therefore it’s never a hard task to put their Christmas installation together each year.

It’s time for us to reveal what we’ve been up to these last couple of weeks.

Besides getting organised for next year (and the amazing plans we have prepared for you), we’ve been turning some of our clients’ venues, into their own amazing wonderland. Each and every one of them, bespoke. We want each installation to inspire and tell a story, therefore we always create based on location and interior design.

One Great George Street

To dress a place such as “One Great George Street”, you simply ought to match your design with the impeccable interiors of this striking venue. This year, we’ve chosen a 12-ft Christmas tree and dressed it with primarily white and silver ornaments. Along with crystal chandeliers and disco balls, to create a more festive theme. we’ve also attached 14 foot white glitter painted birch trees on each one of the pillars.

We liked the extravagance with the OGG library tree that contained more than 1000 ornaments.

The lobby and restaurant consisted of black, purple and silver decorations, finished with ice-cool lights.

Gielly Green Hair Salon

Dressing one of London best hair salons means to create an amazing first impression when you walk past this beautiful Marylebone establishment.

Green garlands and lots of festive decorations with gold feathers, baubles, cones and glow lights seem to make a difference.

The hourable Society of Lincolns inn

This stunning venue has been dressed with orange, bronze and brown colours. To create a more dramatic effect, we’ve added some gold elements.

Fishmongers group

This venue became brighter when we used purple, gold ornaments with some lime green elements.

Silver Sturgeon

With a amazing theme of northern lights, we really wanted to make this installation stand out, as the experience of seeing the arrangement in person, was breathtaking. We’ve used painted roses, iridescent baubles and snow green foliage.
The vases really captured the vision of this place’s design.

Have you created an outstanding Christmas installation you’d like us to feature on our blog and social platforms? Give us a shout at toby@tbrfloraldesign.co.uk

Narcissus: The December Beauty

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Toby Roberts

This symbol of anything tranquil and sweet, consists of yellow and white flowers, also known as daffodils.

They are extremely popular in the Mediterranean, because they grow almost everywhere and carry with them a rather interesting mythological history. God Narcissus, obsessed with how attractive he was, was led to a pool by Nemesis where he couldn’t take his eyes off his own reflection and drowned. That is why daffodils are symbols of beauty and loving yourself – although not (anymore) in a conceited way.

These beautiful flowers, once they have finished flowering, will start growing (better in the shade of deciduous trees). Once these trees leaf out, their foliage will have significantly grown. Daffodils will not long survive under evergreen trees and shrubs.

Their flowering season lasts anywhere from six weeks to six months, depending on where you live and the cultivars you grow. After blooming, let the daffodil plant rebuild its bulb for the next year. The leaves stay green while this is happening. When the leaves begin to yellow, then you can cut the leaves off but not before.

Narcissi are mainly cultivated in Holland and UK and they originate from Western Europe.

3 Christmas decorative plants for this season.

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Toby Roberts

Plants have always helped celebrate a natural phenomenon; you’ll see this even today in Africa, South America or New Zealand, where locals use plants to welcome winter, longer days or rain. In tradition. plants help decorate towns, “glorify” Gods and even ward off evil spirits.

Holly, ivy and mistletoe, have been associated with Christmas decoration for more than two millennia and today, their main use is for completing the overall Christmas setting.

These plants (besides the aforementioned ones), can be used to mix & match and create your own touch this festive season. Along with decorative support such as tinsel, baubles, ostrich feathers and unusual (unique) ornaments – you may be just a step away from creating a memorable experience for your guests.

Poinsettia

This plant can last throughout the Christmas season and can be replanted for next year. When choosing your poinsettia make sure you pick the one with the darkest green foliage.

Place them somewhere where it doesn’t get too hot or too cold. The ideal temperature should be 12-15 degrees celcius, because it is a tropical flower.

If you want to reflower this, just cut the flower in March and keep the stems up to 6 inches. Repot and keep outside.

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)

This is a very easy plant to care for. It’s called Christmas cactus because it thrives from November to January. They die in direct sunlight but they prefer a slightly colder atmosphere. If cared properly, this plant can become a part of your family, for it can live up to 20 or 30 years!

Just like you, it needs its beauty sleep, but slightly longer (14 hours a day).

Cranberry

Cranberry doesn’t look great as a part of the Christmas installation/setting only, but it also can add more flavour to your Christmas dinner.

You can grow cranberries and enjoy their antioxidant abilities but also create a beautiful atmosphere. In a jar, glue on the bottom some rosemary leaves and spray them on top with glitter (very gently). Let it dry, then fill the jar with water, before you add cranberries and a floating white candle. Place a few of these jars on your fireplace or Christmas table to make a good impression.

Have an amazing Christmas setting? Send us your arrangements at toby@tbrfloraldesign.co.uk for a chance to see your creations featured on our blog and social media.

Close up of red poinsettia flowers

2 Christmas flower arrangements for your loved ones.

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Toby Roberts

Christmas is getting even closer now. Perhaps it’s time to consider the kind of gifts you would like to buy before it’s too late. But don’t sweat much – we believe, a great gift when you’re invited to a Christmas dinner at your parents or grandparents’ house, is a well-put together flower arrangement.

Over the years, we have created many Christmas arrangements. Here is a couple of tips on how to recreate a few of them.

The Christmas Feast

In a vase, place a round foam board and start by pinning pine needles. Then add red roses but make sure the first few petals are removed, because they aren’t the most vibrant in colour. Add pine cones (but don’t over do it) and you may choose a different colour flower for contrast. Take a few cinnamon sticks and wrap them together in red thread before placing them on top of roses.

The Elegant

This is a very simple one but can give the feeling of ambiance. In another silver or white vase add foam board, then cover with cotton before pinning down some branches who you have previously sprayed in glittery silver, grey or white paint. On top, add white roses or/and gardenias and finish with a few similarly coloured baubles.

Town & Country Photoshoot

Posted on November 21, 2016 by Toby Roberts

Our aim is to reach out to as many people as possible; People who share the same passion for elegance, love for exquisite floral design and innovation.Therefore, we are often given the opportunity to collaborate with so many professionals out there, who allow us to share a little bit of our creativity, so that YOU, the audience, can relate with our “brand”, and keep TBR Floral Design as ‘high’ as you’ve kept it for so many years.

We thank you.

This week in Town & Country, we are featured along with dancers from the Royal Ballet.

At a beautiful Oxford mansion, we have collaborated with the magazine to help tell the “Nutcracker” story through setting, floral design and of course talent.

Special thanks to Anna Rosova (on set producer), Lucy Kebbell (stylist assistant) and Jacki Castelli (set design at Lalaland Artists).

See our Christmas Tree Installments from page 122.

TBR Christmas Tree Ideas (Because you’ve asked for it)

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Toby Roberts

Thank you so much for entering our contest. We’re delighted to see how many of you have liked our contest photo and have shown a true interest in our kind of design.

We were thrilled that so many of you requested more information about the ornaments we had on our tree. And it seems like most of you fell in love with the Ostrich Feathers. Well, maybe this blog can help you create the perfect TBR Christmas tree.

The Ice Queen

This is a classic and for years has been one of TBR’s most popular creation during Christmas. All you need is a white tree. If you can’t find a white one, simply spray it (with organic spray paint), otherwise, have a look online for an Alaskan tree. You can get it anywhere from £20 to £150.

The white tree doesn’t match any room. If you have a primarily white room or a very dark one, then this option. is for you

What Ornaments to pick?

Silver, White, Fuschia pink, sky blue baubles only. Start by adding most baubles in the bottom and work your (spiral) way up. It doesn’t matter which colour you begin with first, as long as you don’t have two colours next to each other.

Pick any other ornaments you like (of similar colour) but don’t exaggerate on those.

Never choose rainbow lights because it takes away the ambiance of the rest of the colours. Instead opt for white lights.

Add beads or tinsel (either silver grey or sky blue). On the top you can add Ostrich feathers to give it that dramatic look.

Simple & Elegant.

2.The Traditional

This one is the same one you’ve seen in the contest picture.

You’ll need a normal tree to start with (obviously). Baubles of white, grey and a couple yellow for contrast. Ornaments of similar colour. Choose the same lights as above – white!

Start by placing all the baubles and ornaments slightly more packed than you would’ve done with the white one. The traditional tree matchesany interior style and it creates a very inviting atmosphere. Finish with tinsel and the ostrich feathers on top.

Some Ornaments for both styles:

Choose unique ornaments such as silver/white/turquoise flowers (could be plastic).

Extravagant ornaments are a must for a TBR tree. Choose Big Snow flake-style ornaments or Fiber Optic / Sea Urchin spheres.

Where to get them?

Ostrich Feathers from eBay or Feathers UK

Urchin Spheres. Now, these come at a very hefty price. So why not do them yourselves? All you need is a sphere foam ball, some toothpicks, a piece of string and a white/silver/skyblue spray. Make sure you have the string allready attached to the sphere before you start adding the toothpicks. Have a pattern when you add the toothpicks (you can add skewers as well), and once you’re done, spray it with the paint.

Baubles: We suggest, John Lewis for that wow effect, or Next.

Have you created your Christmas Tree yet? Send us a pic on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram and we’ll show it to the rest of our followers 🙂 @tbrfloraldesign

TBR Christmas; Interior & Dining

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Christakis Spyrou

Tick Tock boys and girls! Christmas is officially 6 weeks away.

Don’t be a late planner; the perfect Christmas dinner needs serious planning. TBR Floral Design is all about creating the best visuals, which doesn’t happen easily but is always do-able. There are so many things you need to consider when you’re planning your Christmas dinner. Interior Aesthetics being the number one rule; from room decor to the kind of fork you’ll be using, everything needs to be perfectly selected and displayed. If you’re a person who likes to create a wow-factor and want to keep the title of the best host among your group of friends, then we might have the perfect tips for you.

The Room.

What kind of interior do you like? Have you a got a rustic taste or maybe a late Victorian? Ultra-luxurious or neoclassic? It doesn’t matter. The only thing you need to worry about, is the colours that dominate each room.

If you have a primarily white themed house, then create a Christmas display with white, silver-grey and sky-blue decorations. We love short white and crystal-clear vases (preferably square-shaped), in which you can place small white baubles topped with hydrangeas and hyacinths. Somewhere in the vase place one or two sky blue baubles for contrast. Place them perfectly aligned on a fireplace mantel with tinsel or other smaller ornaments. Let your creativity flow and really think about the countless decorations you can make with just a few vases, tinsel, baubles, white flowers and some spray. For a more dramatic effect, place a few branches inside very tall vases (that you’ll be placing next to a fireplace or on top of the dinner table) and spray them with glittery-silver paint. White and black branches make a great combination.

If your rooms are colourful, then opt for Christmas ornaments that match the room’s dominating colours. Always contrast them with black, white, green and cerulean – we find that these colours never fail to inspire.

The Dinner Table

You might be the kind of person who hates the traditional white/red/green christmas table decorations, so we’re gonna give you a few different options.

The traditional:

Buy a red table cloth (preferably plain – no Santa or reindeers on it – Tucky is not a TBR attribute). Place green and white placemats for each guest and leave room in the middle line of the table for the flower decoration and the turkey. It’s always best to keep the food on a buffet instead of putting everything on top of the table. The table displays should never feel crammed.

Break the contrast with some black plates (or just red) and make sure your tea-towels are of similar colour.

The flower arrangement (if you’re going for the traditional), it’s what creates the jaw-dropping effect. Combine mistletoe with white roses and of course white and red candles.

The luxurious TBR design

White white white.

White table cloth with silver place-mats (we love these ones from Maisons du Monde and Amara). On top of your silver plates place your tea-towels wrapped in silver holders or a name tag). Your middle flower arrangement should consist of tall vases with long white flowers, baubles, silver-sprayed plants and lots of white candles. Frosted Glass for candles give the display a warmer feeling.

FEELING INSPIRED? Take a look at some of our previous installations.

Stay tuned because we’re announcing our first winner on Wednesday!!! Have you entered yet? You still have 3 days. Simply click on THIS picture and then Like it.

Thank you,

TBR Team.

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Toby Roberts

Goodbye October! Hello excitement!

Another month goes by and we are getting busier and busier! But we always find time (twice a week) to share something with you. First of all thank you, to all who entered our competition and worry not, there’s still plenty of time to enter via Facebook,Twitter or Instagram.

On November 16^th we will begin our draw which will announce a lucky winner each week until December 23rd. Stay tuned because Santa is dropping by your gifts this week and we’ll be teasing you with a few pictures!

Now let’s talk flowers shall we?

November marks the official end of summer as days shorten and the weather starts getting colder, preparing us for winter. This is the best time to plant your flowers.

Put your wellies on and start cleaning up your garden. Consider a bonfire party (a glass/pint of champagne/beer never hurt anyone) where you burn all leaves and this way you don’t risk any plant disease outbreak in the summer.

Since you have planted your fuchsias sometime in May/June you should take them inside and make room for new plants. Place them by windows so that they can absorb whatever sunshine is left throughout the day.

Start planting your bulbs now (especially tulips). The soil being cooler can help prevent fungal disease. Tulips thrive in good drainage!

Plant your amaryllis bulbs and place them in a warm courner in your house and watch them bloom in time for Christmas. This is also a great time for crocuses and alliums to be planted – if you haven’t done it already (Alliums are perfect for mixed-up decorations).

Grab a handful of bulbs and throw them up in the air. Plant them where they land, for a more natural look.