The Hotel Experience Awards

A photo op with the award winners and presenters
Catching up with great friends at the Westin Times Square table...

On Monday night the 1st of February the top hotels in New York City were honored for their achievements in travel, tourism and service to all those who visit our great city.

NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly received a lifetime achievement award.  New York City is now “Officially the Safest Big City” in America (and probably the world)!

Hotel honors were given for everything from the Best Overall Hotel Experience , The Concierge Desk of the Year, and even the Most Family Friendly Hotel in all of New York (both big and small).  Yes, we have hotels in all sizes in New York!

Starbright was honored to be a sponsor of the Hotel Experience Awards this year and for every year since their inception (the better part of a decade).  The awards evening was held at Cipriani’s Wall Street and there were well over 500 in attendance.  Many have called this event “The Oscars of the Hospitality Industry” and I for one attending last night agree.   It was a fun night, a night of making new friends and catching up with old ones.

Floral decor was provided by our very own Creative Team at Starbright.  We presented a short cylinder vase with a ti leaf wrapped on the inside (so that the water and the stems were not visible).  Each centerpiece had twenty stems of balm dendrobium orchids and about ten stems of vanda orchids (in lavender).

To top off the evening?  It was my personal honor to be selected to give the award to The Most Family Friendly Hotel in the over 500 room category.  The Marriott Marquis won this category and it was a dream come true when my close personal friend George Ntim (Director of Guest Relations) received the award on behalf of the property.

The complete press release and better photos of the event will be on this scribe soon… But for now – enjoy!

You can always find Starbright Floral Design at www.starflor.com.  We are known as “The Official Florist of the City That Never Sleeps”.  Starbright offers the highest quality blooms imaginable and compositions of flowers that come from all five continents.  Gift-giving deliveries can be made anywhere in New York City (in most cases within an hour) and beyond Manhattan pretty much anywhere.  In addition, we have decorated for some of the most amazing events that have ever taken place  in all of New York’s venues… To learn a bit more about the work that we do, give us a call or visit our website!

Click on THIS LINK to learn more about IN NEW YORK and all the great work they do.  We love ’em!

Nic – “The Official Florist”

Winter Tulips Are In Season! A Preview of Spring To Come!

Spring colored tulips are here...

Every color of the spring rainbow is in season!  A little bit of springtime in the middle of a cold winter day… Smiles are always in season!  Visit our website at http://www.starflor.com or call us at 800.520.8999.  We have millions of ways to make your loved one smile!  We would love to hear from you and thrilled to brighten someones day!

Tulip season has begun and tulip colors are now at their peak.  Just imagine a color and there is a tulip in that tone!

The Starbright page on Facebook is waiting for you to become a fan!

Our Very Own Tom S. in the Rose Bowl Parade!

This year, like every year, Tom S. (Creative Director at Starbright Floral Design) takes a two week sabbatical and goes home to California.  While there he works with the organizers of the Rose Bowl Parade and directs the floral decor of several floats.  This year he helped create three floats and two of the three won major awards!

Check out the photos that Tom shared with us of his great work!  We are so proud to have him on our team!  For many of our clients, Tom has directed their weddings, their corporate events and even retail displays throughout Manhattan.  Tom is an integral part of our organization, a graduate of Fordham University, one of our most commented team members on Citysearch and just a great human being.

All of us love Tom and we love working with him.  We hope you like his work as much as we do! Go Tom!

From The Official Florist!

Orchids from Holland are in Season!

Look at all these amazing colors that Cymbidium Orchids come in!

It is January and that means that orchids from Holland are back in season!  They are available in an amazing array of colors!  Selecting the colors you like is probably the hardest part!

Orchids make great gifts, modern stylish and striking floral compositions… They are also used for corsages, bridal bouquets, etc.  Give  us a call at 800.520.8999 or visit our website at http://www.starflor.com.  Ideas galore!

May the year that just started, be the best ever for everyone!

The Official Florist

The USS New York (LPD 21) is Comming!

USS-NYOn the 5th of November we are proudly involved in the making of history at New York Harbor.

The USS New York is coming to town and is being commissioned on the West Side of Manhattan.  The newest ship of the United States Navy has its bow stern made of over seven tons of steel from the World Trade Center.  For all of us at Starbright Floral Design it is a very special moment.  We will see the the ship rise and sail the waters of the world from what once was.

This is a special time for all of us At Starbright.  On the 12th of September in 2001 we were at the Red Cross Relief Center in Lower Manhattan and we helped provide comfort to all the volunteers who worked at Ground Zero from the very first day.  Our work there ended during the December holiday season when we decorated all of the areas that were affected.  Together with the Port Authority we did everything we possibly could to bring seasonal spirit and joy early on.

We witnessed the steel leaving the site knowing that it was going far away and never to be seen again.  Now almost a decade  later,  the memory has come full circle and we are all very proud of what has become now of what was then.  Starbright Floral Design has been designated an official “Friend” of the USS New York Commissioning Committee and we will be providing the decor (balloons, flowers) for the festivities that will be taking place at the top floor of Seven World Trade on the 5th of November.

There are many interesting, fun and historical events that are taking place over a ten day period in New York City.  We highly recommend that you join the fun and be a part of this history making event.

To learn more about the USS New York and the calendar of events surrounding the commissioning of the ship, please visit the website at www.ussny.org.  It is really interesting.

To order great flowers, or to learn more about Starbright Floral Design, well we have a website too! www.starflor.com

Fall Has Arrived!

The colors of the fall season are  here and autumn is in full swing!  It will not be long before the season changes to winter and the terracotta tones, the browns, the rusts, the twigs and the amber colors are all gone for 2009… Enjoy them while they are here!

This year year’s favorite fall accent color? Green.  The above photos were provided to a client for an autumnal photo shoot and we are  sharing them with you too… Enjoy the season, get out, go to the country, see the leaves change color, find a hay ride somewhere, pick a pumpkin, be a kid again and enjoy all that the season has to offer.

Happy Fall!

Nic and the Entire Starbright Team…

A little bit about Starbright.  We are a corporate and retail florist based in New York City.  Since 1994 we have been delivering flowers, gifts and floral decor all over the world.  To learn more about our organization, please visit our website.  CLICK HERE or give us a call at 800.520.8999.  We would love to hear from you!

TWO WEEKS UNTIL “Bride on Buck”!

Meet Giovani Ravello!
Meet Giovani Ravello!

In two weeks HOUSING WORKS is hosting an amazing sale of Bridal Proportions!

Bride on a Buck Wedding Dress Sale and Vendor Extravaganza returns on Wednesday, October 21!   $300,000 worth of deeply discounted designer wedding dresses and other bridal goodies are on sale! The list includes dresses from:

Giovanni Ravello
Peter Langner (valued at $7,300)
Monique Lhuillier (valued at $6,200)
Ulla Maier (valued at $4,900)
Jenny Yoo Collections (30-plus gowns)
…and veils valued at $1,000 slashed to $250.

Through it all the best part is that the event is sponsored to support an amazing cause!

ABOUT HOUSING WORKS: Housing Works is the largest community-based AIDS service organization in the United States, as well as the nation’s largest minority-controlled AIDS service organization. Since 1990, we have provided lifesaving services to more than 20,000 homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV and AIDS. For more information visit www.housingworks.org

All of us at Starbright Floral Design are proud to be sponsoring this event.  Come on over! Check out the fashions, enjoy your favorite beverage and meet everyone! Starbright design consultants will be on hand.  We would love to see you there…

Click on the photograph above to get more information on the event.

About Starbright Floral Design – we are one of New York City’s premier florists and floral design organizations.  We can deliver your gift of flowers, balloon or gourmet goodies anywhere anytime and on very short notice.  We would love to hear from you!  Visit our website at www.starflor.com or give us a call at 800.520.8999.

See you soon!  AND DON’T FORGET TO BUY A WEDDING DRESS (even if you don’t need one! It is for a great cause!)…

Nic (The Official Florist)

What Every Diva Knows….about flowers.

Vanda Orchids and Eggplant Mini Calla Lilies - By Starbright

An entertainer’s dressing room is their sanctuary.  It’s an oasis, where they can relax and prepare in total peace and tranquility.  Despite the sacred nature of this space, family, friends, and fans often want to invade this domain with floral offerings.   What most people don’t realize is that there is an art and a science to creating bouquets for such an environment.  You can’t just simply throw any random flowers in vase and send them over to Madison Square Garden for Beyonce’s green room.  Heaven Forbid!  There are several key choices that can be made to ensure the flowers are enjoyed and appreciated, rather than being sent directly to the dumpster.

  1. Keep it simple.  In most cases less is more.  This goes for both the size of the arrangement and the combination of the flowers.  If you do something too big, there is a chance the flowers won’t even make it to the dressing room.  Often the larger arrangements are left outside or in a separate dressing room.  When choosing the types of flowers, one or two varieties is usually best.  A lush bubble bowl of cream colored roses can make a better impression than a vase of mixed flowers.
  2. If you can smell it, don’t send it.  Many artists are fanatical about keeping their dressing rooms free from scented flowers.  Singers are especially known for this quirk.  It’s understandable that a sneezing or histamine fueled attack would want to be avoided at all costs.  For this reason, never send lilies, freesia, gardenia or tuberose unless they have been specifically requested.  Most roses acceptable due to the fact that hybrid roses have had the scent bred out of them.
  3. They’ve seen it all.  Most famous entertainers have been sent enough flowers to cover a Rose Parade float.  There probably isn’t a combination they haven’t come across.  However… that doesn’t mean we should stop trying to keep their flowers unique.  A celebrity flower order is the perfect chance for a floral designer to try that new technique they saw in a magazine or book.  Ask your florist if they have any unique varieties of orchids or roses they could recommend.  Perhaps the florist has an interesting or funky vase they could fill with a bold bouquet of hydrangea.  It never hurts to ask.

Flowers are a great gift for celebrities and us regular folks alike.  It just takes a little extra care and thought to make the perfect addition to a diva’s dressing room.  While roses may be thrown at their feet, you don’t want to have your roses thrown in your face.  Remember to keep it simple, scentless, and special and your flowers will be the toast of the town!

This article was contributed by Tom our Artistic and Creative Director.  The direction of floral design that Starbright takes is determined in no small part by Tom’s personal creativity.  His contributions in all areas of the company and his design elements have been an inspiration to us all.

Starbright Floral Design (starflor.com) is located in the heart of New York City; on 28th Street between 6th and 7th Avenue.  We are in the heart of what has been known for over a century as the Historic Fl0wer District.  Many have dubbed us as The Official Florist of the City that Never Sleeps because of our contributions to the Hiospitality and Special Events markets.

Give us a call (800.520.8999) or visit our website to learn more about us.  We would love to be of service by delivering the most amazing flowers to your loved ones – in New York City and beyond!

A Day Trip to a Vineyard!

Spend the Day at a Vineyard!
Spend the Day at a Vineyard!

All of us at Starbright Floral Design are fans of the Three Tomatoes.  This is an amazing group of ladies that enthusiastically embraces all that life has to offer.   It is a “how to” a “guide” that makes everyone an expert at navigating New York City.  Take a moment and check out their website – http://www.thethreetomatoes.com/.  Check out Tomatoes In The Trenches!  My personal favorite.

Anyway – on the 11th of October the Three Tomatoes are going to Long Island’s North Fork for a day trip in the Vineyards.  Everyone will visit three fine vineyards, wine tastings, picnic lunches, jazz and a local farm stop!  It should be really cool! Cost is $85 and there is luxury bus transportation too.  There is a deadline to sign up, but you have to click here to find out the details.  Cheryl and gang are really great friends of mine and big supporters of Starbright.  I am passing on the word and I hope you are on the bus!  See you then!

Did you know that Starbright Floral Design has been voted the top florist in New York City?  Visit our website at www.starflor.com and learn more about the type of work that we do and the services that we provide.  Same day delivery of the freshest seasonal blooms is always available.  Give us a call at 800-520-8999 to find out more!  We look forward to being At Your Service.  Nic and the entire Starbright Team.

It is our 15th Birthday!

SFD-15Yrs

Fifteen years ago today… That is when it all started.  September 15th 1994.  One room, no flower shop and a dream to do things differently!

If we are to stand judging ourselves and with the confidence of our clients – then the verdict is in.  Our little entrepreneurial experiment worked.  An astounding success!

The premise of our very existence was based on honesty and the highest standard for quality and service.  Starbright Floral Design was born on the simple idea that every time we say “yes” to a client, it is a promise – and promises are made to be kept.  We believed then (as we believe  now) that with a superior product, impeccable design and excellent service;  the Starbright Experience would be a refreshing change in the “sea of similarities” that exist in the marketplace.

Our slogan today is “The Official Florist of the City that Never Sleeps”.  When we started it was a lot simpler, a whole lot less creative and the words said it all:  “At Your Service”.  We were “At Your Service” then and we are “At Your Service” today.

In the fifteen years that have passed, we have accomplished much and we have learned a great deal too.  Most of all in the road we traveled we met you, our clients.  This has been our highlight and what we are most proud of.  For it is you that have molded us.  You have taught us all that we know.  You have shown us what you like.  You have shown us how to evolve our styles into the times that we are in.  You have created an experience that is the true essence of Starbright… Flowers, Festivals and Celebrations!

We have fun, you get great flowers and at the end of the day the smiles are amazing!

Indeed today is a very happy day for us.  We are thrilled to be embarking on the next fifteen years and to journey with you.  We look forward  to the times ahead as it is not possible to imagine the highlights that are yet to come!

We wish you warmth, health, happiness and success in all that you achieve.

Thank you – nf

Starbright Floral Design is a corporate, institutional and retail florist that is located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District.  We deliver flowers (and other gifts) anywhere in Manhattan, out-of-town or around the world.  Many Hotel Concierge call upon us for the requests of their guests.  Event Planners call us regularly for their trade  presentations and Human Resource  Departments use us for in-house corporate gift giving.  To learn more about us and  the work that we do, please visit our website at starflor.com.