Profiles – Blooming Thoughts

Starbright at the Hotel Excellence Awards!

Starbright Floral Design was thrilled to be invited to be a sponsor for this year’s Hotel Excellence Awards (HEA), held in New York City. Starbright has always looked forward to the HEA, which we’ve been a sponsor of since the award ceremony began, in 2000. One of Manhattan’s many prestigious annual galas, the HEA honors those who serve the hotel industry and everyone at Starbright was only too happy to lend a hand…and some flowers!

Hosted by Where IN New York with the New York Association of Hotel Concierges and the Hotel Association of New York City, Inc, this night was an exciting and unique chance to showcase some of Starbright’s most decadent floral designs.

Starbright had the honor of being invited to be a sponsor of the Hotel Excellence Awards.

As the coveted floral designer among hotel concierges since Starbright’s founding in 1994, we wanted to give back to our friends and clients by helping to create an evening they’d always remember, filled with fantastic flowers and beautiful blooms.

We used this festive occasion to showcase our towering verdant orchids, that have a playful touch of fuchsia to tickle the senses. Ensconced in a tall crystal vase, these orchid blooms are always a hit, and we’re elated to report that they had that exact response at the Hotel Excellence Awards in NYC.

Starbright’s elegant orchids were highlighted with delicate tea lights on each table.

Representing us at this distinguished event were Stephen Faitos, Senior Vice-President at Starbright, along with Julie McGonigle, our Special Events Architect. They had the opportunity to meet and mingle with some of New York City’s best and brightest in the hotel industry, while having a wonderful time.

Stephen and Julie had a chance to chat with Adeline Tafuri Jurecja, the publisher of Where and IN New York Magazine, and a dear friend of Starbright. Seeing Adeline in person in Manhattan is always a treat for everyone at Starbright and Stephen and Julie loved catching up with her. Stephen and Julie also had the opportunity to see old friends at the Hotel Excellence Awards, with whom lifelong friendships have been forged.

Stephen Faitos of Starbright, left, joined with Adeline Tafuri Jurecja, publisher of Where and IN New York Magazine, center, with Julie McGonigle, Special Events Architect at Starbright.

Stephen was selected by the Hotel Excellence Awards to present the award for Best Hotel Amenities this year, and he was delighted to be on hand to do so. This year, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel received the honor; this is a category that everyone at Starbright is always intrigued to see who will win and we are overjoyed that the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in NYC was selected. We’re excited to see who wins next year in New York City!

Stephen, center, with Loida Diaz, President of the New York City Association of Hotel Concierges, right, presenting the award for Best Hotel Amenities to Susanne Hatje, General Manager of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, left.

Everyone at Starbright adores giving back to this majestic city of ours; we love to be part of these wonderful opportunities to recognize the hard work and dedication of our friends and clients in New York City. The Hotel Excellence Awards is always a fabulous event in Manhattan and we are already looking forward to next year’s gala!

Starbright Floral Design has been spreading beauty through blossoms in New York City and beyond for over two decades. It is our honor and delight to thrill you with breathtaking floral compositions each and everytime.

As a full-service florist with a sweeping emporium located in Chelsea, you’ll find that Starbright is overflowing with fresh flowers, orchids, plants and so much more.

We understand that sometimes the only way to convey your thoughts and wishes is through flowers, so we offer same-day delivery in Manhattan, all of New York City and beyond.

Our floral designers and innovators are some of the best in the business. Starbright is honored to have earned the nickname “The Official Florist of the City that Never Sleeps” by over 200 concierges throughout NYC. We love to live up to that sobriquet by always going above and beyond for our friends and clients by ensuring that each floral bouquet is a magnificent creation.

We would be delighted if you visited us online or in our store and would love to make your floral dreams come true!

Warm regards from all of us at Starbright, “The Official Florist of the City That Never Sleeps”.

Flowers, Festivals and Celebrations – It is what we do!

Starbright Floral Design

140 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001

212.229.1610

Starbright in the Dutch News!

Over the ocean and through the woods, do Starbright’s flowers journey; a long trip that finishes by the blooms landing in New York City. We have been delighted to source Starbright’s decadent blooms in NYC from Holland for over two decades. We were tickled when two publications in Holland wanted to feature Starbright and the floral work we do in Manhattan — of course we said yes!

Starbright was honored to be featured in two Dutch floral magazines.

Starbright was featured in two Dutch trade journals for professional growers of flowers and plants. Starbright’s own Nic Faitos, senior partner and flower-cultivator-extraordinaire, was interviewed to share some insight on how and why Starbright chooses Dutch flowers when there are less expensive options available.

Nic said it best when he mentioned, “There are cheaper options, but not better ones.”

Starbright's superior flowers are flown in from Holland. — Starbright’s superior flowers are flown in from Holland.

As our beloved friends and clients know, Starbright never compromises on quality. There are a lot of florists in NYC and we are grateful that Starbright has been able to create our own niche in the floral world of Manhattan. One of the ways that Starbright has been able to do that is by always focusing on quality and ensuring that our clients always receive the best flowers available.

The Dutch trade magazines noted that Starbright uses flowers from Holland to adorn “…lobbies of hotels like Park Avenue, events at the New York University, the yearly Peter Stuyvesant Gala and the penthouses of celebrities.”

We were thrilled for Starbright to be interviewed by Dutch trade journals.

And it’s true! One of the ways we love to express ourselves is through Dutch flowers. As Nic mentioned to the trade journals from Holland, Dutch flowers are heartier and larger, they are of better quality and last longer than flowers from other countries. Starbright loves Dutch flowers so much, it’s one of the ways that we differentiate ourselves from other florists in NYC; we even mention our dedication to Dutch flowers through our social media platforms, which we adore.

“Even after airline transport – either on water or in carton boxes – the Dutch quality is incomparable,” Nic said.

Nic Faitos spoke with the trade publications on behalf of Starbright.

Starbright is able to serve the very discerning upper corporate segment of the NYC market by almost exclusively using Dutch flowers. One of the flowers that Starbright needs to source elsewhere are chrysanthemums, which are banned from import into New York City and the rest of America.

Starbright was thrilled that Nic had the opportunity to mention that we enjoy hosting Flower Power Happy Hours for our clients, when all of Starbright’s flowers are half price on certain days and times, and Starbright’s recent participation in the Petal it Forward initiative in Manhattan. If you find yourself in Holland anytime soon, keep your eyes peeled for a copy of the Dutch trader journals…Nic would love to autograph it and give you a bouquet to go with it!

As a full-service florist with a sweeping emporium located in Chelsea, you’ll find that Starbright is overflowing with fresh flowers, orchids, plants and so much more.

We understand that sometimes the only way to convey your thoughts and wishes is through flowers, so we offer same-day delivery in Manhattan, all of New York City and beyond.

We would be delighted if you visited us online or in our store and would love to make your floral dreams come true!

Warm regards from all of us at Starbright, “The Official Florist of the City That Never Sleeps”.

Flowers, Festivals and Celebrations – It is what we do!

Starbright Floral Design

140 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001

212.229.1610

The Starbright Team – Barbara

We spent some time recently getting to know the office staff of Starbright NYC. Today, we’d like to introduce you to a special office member who also holds it down on the design table – Barbara:

How many years have you been working at Starbright? Can you mention something about when you started?

[Barbara Mele] I’ve been here since 2009, so five years. I started as a freelancer, to assist with one of Starbright’s biggest and most beautiful weddings ever. It was at the Brooklyn Museum of Art.

What is you position at Starbright?

[Barbara Mele] Design and Events Manager

If you take sales calls, what is your favorite advice to give the undecided client looking for a (1) romantic arrangement or (2) something to give to a guy or (3) in general.

[Barbara Mele] 1) People have varying ideas of “romantic”- it isn’t always red roses! So it is good to discuss a little bit what kind of romantic they have in mind. Classic? Modern? Soft? Then use those descriptives to shape the design and what varieties are involved. 2) For guys, you can not go wrong with primary colors. You don’t necessarily have to use red, blue AND yellow- it can be only two of those- but try to break up red and yellow with some green or orange, so it doesn’t look ketchup and mustard. 3) Even the most indecisive client has an idea of what they want, you just have to help them find it. A designer can take her cues by asking about the recipient or sender’s favorite color, flower, season, holiday, adjective, place to visit…there are so many sources of inspiration!

What’s your favorite flower? color?

[Barbara Mele] I have many, many favorites. A long time favorite has been lily of the valley. My favorite color is Orange.

What’s your favorite floral style?

[Barbara Mele] Gardeny, wild.

Name one thing you love about working at Starbright.

[Barbara Mele] It is definitely a family here.

What languages are you able to speak with clients?

[Barbara Mele] English and Spanish, a very few words of Greek, haha.

WOULD YOU RATHER…

Coffee or Tea?

[Barbara Mele] Coffee unless I’m sick, then tea. In winter, I drink tons of both.

Go to the theater or a movie?

[Barbara Mele] I love the theatre, but don’t often have a chance, or am able, to drag someone to go with me. So, movies.

Sesame seeds or poppy seeds?

[Barbara Mele] Why not both?

Pop or Soda?

[Barbara Mele] Neither. Seltzer! : )

Thanks Barbara!

Looking for flowers in New York City? Visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com.

The Starbright Team – Costas

We figured it was time to let you get to know some of the people who work in our office – operating the day to day activities in our client support, as well as making sure the flowers get where they’re going. Today, we’d like to introduce you to Costas:

How many years have you been working at Starbright? Can you mention something about when you started?

My relationship with Starbright goes back in the late 1990’s, when the company was in its very early stages. There was a period of absence of some years and a reunification six years ago – we had such a good time arranging Carmine’s restaurant with Christmas décor.

What is your position at Starbright?

Operations Coordinator

What is your favorite advice to give an undecided client?

Leave it to our design team to produce a unique floral design appropriate for the occasion.

What’s your favorite flower? Color?

I like the Anemone flower. And I prefer the color orange when it’s an option – lucky for me, the anemone flower comes in lost of colors – including orange.

What’s your favorite floral style?

Balanced floral, modern or traditional.

Name one thing you love about working at Starbright.

Action, we light up the place!

WOULD YOU RATHER…

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee

Go to the theater or a movie?

Theater

Sesame seeds or poppy seeds?

Sesame

Thanks Costas!

It looks like the number of Starbright peeps on Team Sesame grows by one! What will happen next week? Only time will tell which team will bulk up as the shop staff and designers state their bagel preferences.

Looking for flowers in New York City? Visit our Event Gallery for inspiration. Or see our daily selection at Starbrightnyc.com.

The Starbright Team – George B

We figured it was time to let you get to know some of the people who work in our office – operating the day to day activities in our client support, as well as making sure the flowers get where they’re going. Today, we’d like to introduce you to George B:

How many years have you been working at Starbright? Can you mention something about when you started?

This is my fifth year here at SFD. I had moved back to NY in January of 2010 and was sending out applications to colleges in the city and working here part time. I ended up being accept to CUNY’s Hunter College the following year, to pursue my degree in Economics and I’ve been going to school full time and working full time ever since! Sounds like fun right? J

What is your position at Starbright?

Currently, I’ve been working closely with our Senior Partner, Nic, to increase our overall sales by strengthening existing client relationships and developing new ones. You could say I’m a sales manager of sorts. Nic is a phenomenal mentor and he has, quite literally, built our brand single handedly over the course of two decades. We are now working together to bring exceptional service and quality flowers to as many people as we can.

If you take sales calls, what is your favorite advice to give the unsure client?

Overall, I generally recommend simply leaving it to our creative team to do something appropriate for the occasion. It’s really amazing to see what they can do when you just give them a theme to work with.