Flowers in the Workplace

The Effects Of Flowers In The Workplace

During  Administrative Professionals Week Wednesday is typically the day most bosses, presidents, and CEOs send flowers to express their deep respect and gratitude to the support staff in their office.  Administrative staff in corporate offices, small businesses, and large companies keeps things running behind the scenes with little recognition throughout the year.  Demonstrate your appreciation and respect for the support staff in your office with beautifully fragrant fresh cut flowers.

A simple bouquet of fragrant blooms can lift the spirits and boost the morale of your office staff.  Studies have indicated that flowers in the workplace can significantly increase productivity and creative performance.  Build a strong professional relationship with the administrative staff in your company or corporation by taking the time to recognize all they do with a beautiful “thank you” floral arrangement.


History of Administrative Professionals WeekThe first Secretary’s Day was celebrated in 1952 when a man by the name of Harry F. Klemfuss recognized the value of the secretaries in his company.  He endeavored to honor the importance of these professionals and encourage more women to become secretaries.  Since that time, the role of support staff has greatly evolved as more men have entered the field and secretarial duties have expanded to include a myriad of work responsibilities.  The term “Administrative Professionals Week” was adopted to encompass the wide variety of support staff included in this important observation of business professionals.


Make it PersonalTake the time to show your respect by personalizing the flower arrangements you send to your administrative staff.  Is your staff cheerful, bright, and always ready with a smile?  If so, you might consider fun and fanciful floral arrangements of fresh daisies, sunflowers, or daffodils.  The quiet and reserved administrative staff will take delight in fragrant bouquets of orchids, roses, or carnations.  Flowers and plants make for one of the best desk lights available on the market today and an extra touch of personalization will go a long way in showing your administrative staff that you have taken the time to recognize their unique personalities and characteristic values.


Research Findings on Flowers in the WorkplaceA recent study conducted by researchers at the Texas A&M University indicates that flowers placed within the workplace greatly increases productivity, creative thinking, and overall job performance.  The Impact of Flowers and Plants on Workplace Productivity Study was an eight-month long research project in which both men and women were placed in various work environments.  The work atmospheres consisted of a workplace with abstract sculptures, a setting with plants and flowers, and another environment with absolutely no decorative qualities whatsoever.

The study revealed that men exposed to a work environment that included flowers and plants exhibited a 15% increase in generating powerful ideas.  Women placed within a similar setting produced greater problem solving skills and creativity.  In general, the study reveals that the presence of flowers within the work environment can greatly increase innovative thinking and productivity among workers.  This increase in work efficiency and general job performance can have a significant effect on the success of a business.


Getting Down to Business It is a significant gesture of appreciation to have beautiful floral bouquets delivered to your support staff during Administrative Professional’s Week.  Why limit the fragrant aroma and joy of fresh cut flowers to only one day out of the year though?  Beautiful flower arrangements placed within a business don’t just have a positive influence on employees; they often bear an effect on the mood of customers as well.  A friendly and relaxing environment created by the delicate sights and scents of nature can create a positive and profitable workplace environment.

Flowers in the Kitchen Trends

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Flowers For The Kitchen

There are a lot of new interior kitchen trends today. Open floor plans, creative seating areas and huge islands. The number one new trend is bringing nature into the kitchen and there is no better way to do that than with fresh cut flowers.

It doesn’t matter if you have a kitchen that is relaxing, stylish, functional, elegant or just family orientated, you can accent it with flowers to help inspire that atmosphere. There are not any rules really, but here are some guidelines to help you get on your way!

Try Classic or strong colors and containers.

• If you would like to be bold with color, choose 2 colours at a time. For example; Yellow and Orange flowers look amazing together. Another thing to remember is that with flowers, Green is a neutral and white is considered a colour. 
• If you prefer a simple look, select a variety of flowers but all in one colour. A monochromatic colour scheme is a great way to get that modern beauty into your kitchen.

Dabble in both dramatic and everyday designs.

• When you are arranging with a variety of flowers, think about scale and texture. By mixing large headed flowers, such as sunflowers, hydrangeas and peonies, with smaller blooms such as carnations or asters, you will create a lot of interest in your arrangement. Try to add some fun texture to it such as bells of Ireland, delphinium, Lisianthus or Globe Thistle. 
• Monobotanical flowers, all one variety is a great way to get a simple and elegant look. Use roses, tulips, gerbera daisies, carnations, even babies breath on its own is wonderful. If you are looking for a more dramatic look but love the monobotanical idea, place the flowers in something different! Remember, if it holds water, it will hold flowers. Try things like a jug, coffee tin or a wine carafe. 
• Another option is to mix everyday flowers like daisies or carnations with the show off flowers such as peonies and hydrangeas. If you do this though, keep the colour palette simple. That way the flowers shine!

Some other ideas for flowers in the kitchen are:

• Cut the flowers short and place flowers in an everyday kitchen item such as jelly jars, wine glasses, tea tins or what ever matches your style.
• Choose citrus coloured flowers for a sunny feeling. Place a bud vase holding a few stems of yellow and orange blossoms in a bowl filled with oranges. Or take a large vase of the citrus flowers and put lemons and limes in the vase.
• Line up 3 decorative bottles in the middle of your kitchen table or along the back of your sink and add a bold flower in each one such as a Gerbera Daisy or Cymbidium Orchid. For added drama, use a vine or grass and connect the vases. This will surely inspire a conversation when guests drop by!

It doesn’t matter what your style is, bringing flowers into your home will brighten up a room. Place the flowers on the counter top where clutter usually finds its way to congregate, this will inspire neatness and even prevent future messes from sitting there.

The kitchen is where we spend the majority of our time and the most important thing about flowers is to enjoy them everyday! Besides, it’s the most convenient room to add water!!!

Award winning designer, Heather de Kok, AAF AIFD PFCI has a passion for all things flowers. Come to 3811 – 99 street, 780-988-8588 or go to her website www.heatherdekok.com to learn more.