Tag: orchids

HEA Gala Fetes NYC Hospitality Standouts, Honors Ray Kelly

Recipients receiving their awards
A wonderful night of fun, dance and dinner!

Following the Starbright Floral Design Sponsorship of the Hotel Excellence Awards and the Silver Plume Awards, MVP/NY sent out the following press release.  NOTE: To learn more about Starbright visit our website at www.starflor.com

New York (February 2, 2010): On February 1, 2010, MVP/NY hosted the 2009 Hotel Excellence Awards (HEA), the hospitality industry’s most prestigious awards, at the grand and luxurious Cipriani Wall Street. More than 500 guests and honorees gathered to recognize the hospitality industry’s service to New York City, which became the top domestic tourist destination in 2009. In addition to the Hotel Experience and Silver Plume Awards, which honor the top hotels and individuals (and the only industry awards sanctioned by the Hotel Association of New York City), New York City’s “top cop” Ray Kelly was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Hotel Experience Awards winners among hotels with 500 rooms or more were: The New York Palace Hotel for Best Concierge Service, The Westin New York at Times Square for Best Room Amenities, The Waldorf=Astoria for Best Hotel Restaurant, New York Marriott Marquis for Best Family-Friendly Hotel and Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers for Best Business Services. The Best Overall Hotel Experience award went to The Westin New York at Times Square. In the 500 rooms or less category, The Plaza won for Best Concierge Service, The St. Regis New York won for Best Room Amenities, The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park received the Best Hotel Restaurant award, Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square and Omni Berkshire Place tied for Best Family-Friendly Hotel, Millennium Broadway Hotel New York won for Best Business Services and The Plaza won for Best Overall Hotel Experience. In addition, the venerated Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.

Silver Plume Awards winners included David Moreno of Gramercy Park Hotel for Chef Concierge of the Year, while The Trump International Hotel & Tower New York had a big night with Loida Diaz taking home the Concierge of the Year award and Suzie Mills named Best Supporting Manager of the Year.

A hugely successful Silent Auction featuring over 100 donated items was held benefiting four charities: Les Clefs d’Or Foundation, the New York City Association of Hotel Concierges’ Charitable Fund, the Hotel Association of New York City Scholarship Fund and the ITM Hospitality Fund.

Composer Andrew Lippa joined cast members from the brand new Broadway production of THE ADDAMS FAMILY entertained the audience. Manhattan City Music provided music for the gala affair throughout the night.

The 2009 HEA was sponsored by Benjamin Steak House, BICE Ristorante, Bloomingdale’s, CityPass, CitySights NY, Deva Spa, Empire State Building, Harbor Experience Companies, Gray Line New York Sightseeing, John Barrett, Lalique, Loehmann’s, Madame Tussauds, Starbright Floral Design and Wempe Jewelers, and many others.

About MVP/NY

Morris Visitor Publications New York (MVP/NY) is a division of Morris Communications Company. MVP/NY’s market-leading visitor publications include IN New York and Where® New York magazines, QG: New York City’s QuickGuide, Where GuestBook® New York and IN New York Map. Reaching every segment of the visitor market—from leisure and family to business and luxury travel—MVP/NY products appear at more than 300 of New York’s most distinguished hotels, visitor centers and high-traffic attractions, private clubs, airports, on New York Water Taxi boats, Amtrak trains and Acela VIP lounges and in upscale corporate housing, generating an annual readership in excess of 34 million. For more information, log on to www.mvpny.net and www.innewyork.com.

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

A Happy New Year wish to everyone….

Candle Decor
The New York Public Library

Dear Friends and clients….

With the start of a new year and a new decade all of us have our sights set really high and our hopes even higher.  I truly hope that you were able to take advantage of every holiday moment and to take it all in with the proper proportions of love, family, joy, laughter and happiness.  When it is all over we create memories with those we love that will last a lifetime.

To the many lives that have touched our own and to those whose we have touched as well, we are truly grateful for all the opportunities of friendship and service that you have given us.  We thank you for teaching us all that we know and for all that we have accomplished with your support.  We are excited about our plans for 2010, for the services that we plan on bringing to you, the new ways that we will find to communicate with you and all the great flowers that will leave our stores to reach your special someones!

We wish peace, love, happiness, health and joy to everyone we have come into contact with…

With my warmest regards,

Nic and all your friends at Starbright Floral Design

The Official Florist (of the City that Never Sleeps)!

1.800.520.8999

http://www.starflor.com

Starbright Floral Design is located in the heart of New York City’s Historic Flower District.  Our goal is to bring fresh flowers delivered to every home and every office for every special occasion – we fill every “just because” moment with passion for what we do!

Autumn Gardens are in Full Bloom

Autumn Garden

Our fall planting is in full bloom and it is time to enjoy the last flowers of the season before  the first frost… Above is a photo of  one or our more recent plantings at a residential tower in Manhattan. Enjoy!

Brought to you by Starbright Floral Design – we are located in the wholesale flower district on 28th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues. Give us a call (800.520.8999) or visit our website at http://www.starflor.com.  We would be thrilled to hear from you!

The Official Florist – Nf

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

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!

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.

Phaleonopsis Orchids – they are amazing!

Triple stem, white, phaleonopsis orchd presented in a black ceramic bowl with willow branches, bamboo, raffia and sheets of green moss.
Triple stem, white, phaleonopsis orchd presented in a black ceramic bowl with willow branches, bamboo, raffia and sheets of green moss.

We just received a shipment from one of our greenhouses of the most amazing purple and white orchids. They truly look spectacular and they are going to last for a very long time. Give us a call – they would be limited to pickup and New York City delivery. 800 520 8999 or click the Contact Us link on the website (www.starflor.com)