Walking into a home, few things are as inviting as an arrangement of freshly cut flowers. The fragrance, colors and design are stimulating to the senses and bring a sense of warmth and life into the space.
“Elegant,” is how Peter James Calafiore of Peter James Floral Couture describes his approach to floral arrangements. “We’re very picky about all of the details."
For clients who are eager to bring a natural element inside, Calafiore offers a subscription program that can be customized to fit their needs.
“It’s a designer’s choice arrangement and will be made of higher-end flowers; like hydrangea, roses and orchids. Lots of seasonal farm flowers,” Calafiore said of the subscription offering, adding that the arrangement is heavy on blooms and light on filler.
His team will deliver from Rumson to Manasquan and the towns in-between. For $100, flowers can be delivered at individualized paces, whether that’s once a week, every-other week or once a month. The fee is the minimum for an order, and includes the delivery cost.
Calafiore said that he has a long relationship with a client, who ordered flowers for her home one day a week and another arrangement for her office later in the week. That is, in some ways, the unofficial start of the subscription program, which began in earnest in 2020. Hotels and condo or apartment complexes can also take advantage of the plan to decorate the foyer or lobby.
“We try to keep it unique each time,” Calafiore said, noting that as the floral offerings change throughout the seasons, he also creates interest by mixing in different containers, from low cubes to high vases. “The vessel is always different.”
While his professional experience is vast, Calafiore’s interest in flowers bloomed as a child. “Roses are my favorite,” he said, “my mother grew roses.” That influence is still present today. “We use a lot of garden roses, which aren’t like your standard rose. The petals are frilled, almost like origami.”