The Finishing Touch: Establishing a Fresh Flower Program on Your Estate
Fridays are my favorite days for implementing a weekly flower program on any estate. There’s something deeply satisfying about ending the week with this “cherry on top”—placing fresh flowers in designated areas throughout the home. It’s a final, thoughtful touch after a productive week, allowing homeowners to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of their estate over the weekend when staff presence is often reduced.
In many luxury estates, weekends are reserved for the owners and their families, with minimal staff on hand until operations resume on Monday morning. The presence of fresh flowers signals that everything has been meticulously tended to before the weekend, serving as a subtle reminder of the care and attention to detail in the household’s management.
Why Fresh Flowers Reflect Estate Harmony
As a consultant, I’ve found that a fresh flower or plant program often reflects the overall state of estate operations. Walking into a home with a weekly flower program tells me that things are running smoothly and the owners are satisfied with their staff’s performance. On the other hand, when fresh flowers or plants are absent, it can indicate underlying operational challenges.
I’ve had owners tell me, “If the staff can’t even manage the dishes, why would I ask them to handle fresh flowers or plants?” While addressing the root of these issues requires a broader discussion, let’s skip to the rewarding part—when the household is functioning as it should and the owners are ready to implement a beautifully managed fresh flower program.
Setting Up a Professional Fresh Flower Program
Creating a flower or plant program for your estate involves more nuance than it might seem at first glance. Here are the key steps to establish a program that complements the home’s aesthetics while fitting seamlessly into estate operations:
Determine the Source and Scope
Decide whether you prefer simple arrangements created by household staff or professionally designed floral arrangements delivered by a florist.
Walk through the property with the owner or representative to identify areas where plants or flowers will enhance the space. Specify whether these areas will be managed in-house or by external vendors and how frequently they will require attention.
Establish a Budget and Time Allocation
Once the scope is defined, set a budget for the program, factoring in the cost of flowers, plants, and vendor services.
Allocate time for internal staff to manage the program, whether it involves overseeing vendors or arranging and caring for the flowers themselves.
Define Procedures and Preferences
Inventory the types of vases to be used and document flower and plant preferences in the household procedural manual under a dedicated “Flower/Plant Program” section. Include details for each zone, ensuring that staff or vendors can easily reference the owner’s preferences.
Determine roles for ongoing care, such as refreshing water, trimming stems, or scheduling vendor maintenance.
Examples of Flower Program Approaches
Basic Plan: A household shopper picks up fresh flowers from a local store at the end of the week, and staff arrange them in vases according to pre-established preferences.
Comprehensive Plan: An outside florist delivers fresh arrangements weekly, or a plant care company manages indoor plants and weekly floral updates.
Even at its simplest, a well-executed flower program adds a touch of elegance and order to the home. For example, I allocate just $15 per week from my grocery budget for fresh flowers, using them to create arrangements for my kitchen, dining area, and even bud vases in the bathrooms. This small effort brings a sense of care and beauty to my home—and how much more meaningful is this for someone employing a team to manage their estate!
When Operations Need Support
Unfortunately, estates with underperforming staff often overlook these small luxuries, as the focus shifts to managing the basics. If your estate struggles with day-to-day tasks and lacks the capacity for thoughtful touches like fresh flowers, it may be time to reassess operations.
At Luxury Lifestyle Logistics, we specialize in comprehensive estate operations analysis. We can help bring beauty and order to your home with customized solutions, including flower and plant programs tailored to your preferences. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and elevate your estate management to new heights.