Reception design 1,2,3.

A large part of our business is providing weekly flower deliveries for local businesses and office receptions throughout London, these are more commonly called ‘Contract flowers’ or ‘Corporate flowers’. It is an element of the business that we really enjoy and something that we take enormous pride in.

This article takes a look at the different types of reception space that we decorate and how each one approaches the design differently, in turn looking at how a florist needs to adapt and reflect each client brief.

Shared Reception – A medium to large building, multi floors with one shared reception space.

Independent creative – Small to medium office appealing to creative businesses

Owner occupied building – Small to medium business which owns and occupies their location.

Shared Reception spaces

London has many large multi-floored buildings occupied by corporate businesses who all share one main reception. How do you create something beautiful, stylish and inspiring which needs to appeal to such a broad audience?

Derwent London have an extensive portfolio of corporate, commercial and residential properties throughout London, and as a business they take great care and consideration in selecting the right design teams, materials and furnishings.

Rebecca Lesser, Marketing consultant for Derwent explains;

“Derwent London’s design approach is to create a bespoke, tailored reception unique to the individual building and responding to its location. There is no uniform approach but all the spaces share the underlying principles of strong simple forms, the use of beautiful materials and a sense of craftsmanship.  The flowers continue in this vein to enhance the space they sit within.”

The flowers we provide for the Derwent properties are clean and simple designs using strong lines or massed domes. It is very much a less is more approach to the flowers, no fuss, no bells or whistles, just simple, stylish, strong designs.

Independent Creative

Digital, adveritising, media and TV are all dynamic, creative and personality driven businesses. I spoke with Emma Morley who is the founder and Creative Director at Trifle Creative, they work with loads of creative businesses who are looking to invest in great design for their workspace. I asked Trifle to sum up their approach;

“Design should have people at the heart of it; the user must be at the heart of every decision to create effective spaces, things and experiences…. For me the process of Design has most impact when it has been a collaborative one – the vision of many has more integrity and purpose than the vision of one, we create tailor made spaces that are born of collective insight making spaces people love and want to spend time in.”

As an example of a space not unlike this we provided flowers for one of Trifles recent redesigns at FP Creative The brief was to provide something to work well with the decor and the space, reflect the business and the people within it.

We provided a pair of mid century style vases which worked as a collection, filled with a mass French Tulips which sat perfectly amongst the creatives reference library and all that gorgeous rich wood.

Sole building occupants

Finally I wanted to look at a sole building occupier.  This client occupies a beautiful Georgian building in the centre of Mayfair, the reception space is for the sole purpose of their business alone with many important visiting clients and collaborating partners.

“It is essential that our reception space reflects the business values and our corporate identity, the flowers we have week after week play an important role in achieving this” Head of Fascilties/Reception manager.

With this client we have the freedom to try different looks and styles but the consistent theme of smart, clean and strong design is carried throughout each of these, week to week.

Its important for most businesses but for a sole building occupier the flowers should of course reflect the office decor but importantly you need to consider the business itself, the brand personality, the work it does and the people who will be visiting throughout the working week.

Lots to consider

I hope this article gives just a little insight into the design and use of a reception space. So many talented people creating and inspiring to make our working lives a brighter, more comfortable and somewhere we can enjoy spending time in.

As a florist we are the finishing touch, the bit at the end of the process and it is important all these things before us are taken into consideration; decor, environment, furnishings, colours, style, brand and personality are just some of the key words we need to be using when we are looking at weekly office flowers.

If you are based in London and have any need for office flowers or would simply like to chat about what your options are then please do get in touch.

Thanks and see you soon,

Paul X