Situated amidst a growing selection of artsy boutiques and coffee shops on Broadway is a hidden gem of a flower shop that has the style and feel of downtown Toronto, yet it manages to maintain the charming appeal of main street small town Orangeville.
Suzanne Gardner opened her design studio in the trendy Liberty village area of downtown Toronto in 1996, followed by a retail storefront in 2005. After spending many years in the floral industry working at other shops, her long-time dream of opening her own shop was realized. Known for her creativity and passion for the business, Suzanne had the vision and experience to create a unique and art-inspired space that would differentiate her from her competition in more ways than one. “Flowers are always the same the world over and they’ve been the same for years and years. What makes them different is how you put them together,” says Suzanne Gardner “I love the holiday season”, says Suzanne. “We always try to come up with unexpected arrangements and to offer our clientele unique and distinct natural holiday decor items”.
Suzanne’s signature style derives from a passion for simplicity. Presented individually or in simple, direct combinations of fresh, hand-crafted elements, a Suzanne Gardner Flowers design is immediately recognizable for its exquisite form and colour and her holiday florals are no exception. From centrepieces to urns, from mistletoe to wreaths, Suzanne and her team offer stunning and creative holiday décor solutions from both of their locations. “We want to help our clients deck their homes in warm and celebratory holiday décor that entices memories and feeds the senses”, says Suzanne. ‘It is not just about visual appeal – the scents of the holiday season such as pine and spruce, buds and berries, holly and mistletoe are often associated with warm childhood memories and feelings of joy and happiness. There are so many traditional and untraditional ways to decorate for the holidays and we have ample options for our clients to choose from”.
Your personal holiday décor style should start right at your front door. “An outdoor planter and door wreath are the perfect way to spruce up your entryway” says Suzanne. Outdoor arrangements are long lasting and beautiful and can give your home a warm and welcoming feeling, especially during the drab days of November and December which lead up to the holiday season. Something as simple as a small pine or spruce with white twinkle lights, or a more elaborate arrangement of magnolia, Ilex, pine sprigs and cones welcome visitors to your door and make your entryway warm and welcoming”. The long-time tradition of Christmas wreaths dates back to ancient times, and their circular shape was thought to signify importance and success as well as a symbol of eternal life. In modern times, the door wreath is a staple of Christmas tradition, and a way to welcome family and friends to your home from the moment they arrive. There are many different versions of wreaths ranging from very traditional to ultra-contemporary, and with the current focus on natural and sustainable products, many people are choosing to select wreaths made from all natural materials. Suzanne and her team offer both pre-made and custom wreaths and urns and have been designing custom creations for their clients for almost twenty years.
Inside the home, entry arrangements, table centrepieces, mantelpiece and staircase garlands help to create idyllic holiday scenes. There are many options when it comes to holiday greenery and florals such as pine and spruce, magnolia and holly which are nostalgic and traditional. Amaryllis abound everywhere and are available in a variety of colours, offering long lasting beauty that can be saved for the following season if properly stored. There are also unexpected plant and foliage options that can up your holiday décor game. Magnolia and Bay leaf can be used to create interesting garland and mantle arrangements and are a stunning alternative to pine and spruce. The fireplace hearth is often the main focal point of a room during the holidays, and a unique mantle arrangement here not only smells wonderful when enhanced by the warmth of a fire but can be a true conversation piece!
Placing two smaller Christmas trees on either side of your fireplace is a great way to maintain balance and bookend your hearth with more holiday beauty. Orchids layered between mini spruce trees can also be an interesting addition and look stunning on entryway tables, buffet hutches and side tables. Using wooden or galvanized pots instead of a traditional glass vase and finishing the look with mini lights is also a great way to tie these plants into your holiday décor or Christmas theme.
Suzanne and her team offer complimentary consultations to help you to take your holiday décor to the next level, and they would be honoured to use their experience and creativity to help you achieve the perfect look or theme. Stop by to chat with Suzanne and her staff about their services, or just pop in to grab a hand-tied bouquet or holiday gift for that special someone. I can guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Suzanne Gardner Flowers has two locations to service their clients:
• 131 Broadway, Orangeville | 519-307-6500
• Design Studio: 1052 Bathurst St, Toronto | 416-530-0065
or visit their website: www.sgflowers.ca
WRITTEN BY: TANYA BOTTOMLEY
