Monday, February 7, 2011

Meet: Kitanim Flowers

We were lucky to meet Meredith Wiskin Clarin of Kitanim: a floral design and event company last week.  She's a pint sized dynamo that you can't help but to like!  We asked her some questions about her floral and event company Kitanim, so check out the interview below.

Oh, and P.S...for those of you that were wondering "Kitanim" means "seedling" in Hebrew.


Where is Kitanim?
South Beach Studio
by appointment
970 Fifth Street (between Michigan and Jefferson)
Miami Beach

How do we get in touch with you?
Our local number is: 786 879 7341
Email: meredith@kitanim.biz 
Cell for immediacy is: 732 740 5548

How did you get into floral designing?
It was always a dream to work with flowers.  By chance and a bit of persistence, I started working at Michael George in New York City as a summer internship in the Beauty level of Bergdoff Goodman.  I took to it and worked at the local Ann Arbor flower shop my Senior year of college.  As soon as I graduated college, I moved to New York City and officially began my professional floral career at The Daily Blossom.

What is your signature?
Bold color combinations and lots of texture.  I'm not afraid to try new color combos and experiment with exotic fruits and vegetables as accent flowers.


Where do you get your inspiration?
I am so lucky to have a fabulous husband who inspires me everyday.  We have a beautiful daughter who makes the career and mom juggling worthwhile when she says, "go see mom a floral design."

What are the current trends in wedding florals?
Current Floral trends include a "less is more" attitude towards florals.  "Sleek and simple" are the design terms we have been seing a lot.  We execute this well with gorgeous Calla Lilies and tall sleek branches that get iluminated by hanging tea votives.
Furthermore, brides are enjoying complimentary combinations of both tall and short florals in an effort to vary the depth in their reception room.  It's a mix and match concept that really works well in large spaces.

What are the best flowers for our steamy Miami weather?
Tropical flowers really do well in the heat.  We work a lot with antheriums and orchids.

What's your insider tip for brides booking their wedding florist?
There should be a connection between the bride and her florist.  Go where all of your questions get answered and you are made to feel like a queen.  At Kitanim, we pay an increduble amount of attention to our bride's cues --- her vision is exactly what we set out to create, and inevitably, a friendship emerges.  We keep in touch with all of our brides.



Kitanim is featured on Gilt City this week - until Wednesday only!!!  
Hurry up and buy your Valentine's Day Flowers before you have to pay full price!  Go to Gilt.

Keep in mind: Kitanim offers floral design classes for large and small groups, and for fundraising events as well.