Housekeeping

Flower power

Flower arrangements have become an integral part of décor. They should impart
freshness and colours in the environment, rightly influenced by the occasion. By Sanjeev
Bhar

With the booming hospitality industry, various interior parameters that affect a property
are undergoing changes. Apart from greening hotels, restaurants and eatery joints, flower
decoration has become fundamental to the interior’s appeal and significant attention is
being laid upon in this area by the housekeeping department. Attesting this fact, Pawan
Gadia, Vice President of Ferns n Petals informs, "Flower arrangement is flourishing
immensely in the hospitality sector." He adds that fresh flower arrangements have
become a must in hotels, banquets, and restaurants as it adds on to the ambience of the
place. Reception area is the most prominent of all the spaces in a facility from a floral
decoration viewpoint apart from other areas, which are significant nonetheless.

Use of flowers for decorations in events or functions just augurs the aesthetic appeal of
the place and gives life to concrete structures. Over the years floral decoration has
become important for the overall look of the décor in a hotel.

The need for floral arrangements is never the primary one. It has a complimentary effect
on the entire décor of the setting where it is used. Building constructions these days are
trying to bring life within a facility with the design, air circulation, openness, with
inclusion of water bodies indoors, etc. Architects are also incorporating flower themes to
satiate the eye appeal vital for people coming into facilities. Further, since flower is
treated as a symbol of greeting therefore, its use in hospitality becomes more relevant
beyond the debate whether a facility genuinely needs it or not. Elaborating on this, an
executive housekeeper from a prominent hotel in Delhi NCR who did not wish to be
quoted, is of the opinion that floral arrangements should never be done for the heck of it.
If the hotel has a distinct look, there is no need to have floral arrangements. "Though it is
a common site (to have floral decorations) for hotels nowadays but when there is no need,
why do it. Nevertheless, occasional use of flowers is always there," he adds.

Influencing factors

The housekeeping department has many things to keep in mind while going about floral
arrangements. According to executive housekeeper of Shangri La, New Delhi, Sonia
Thakur, "The housekeeping department keeps in mind certain things while making any
flower arrangements. Firstly, there is a need to check which flowers are available in the
market. Then one needs to fall back on deciding upon the design which has to be unique
and different from the others. The flower arrangement is only complete when we
creatively put together things like props, flowers, twigs, etc. in a unique yet collective
manner." Also, time factor involved is crucial to the art of flower decorations. Gadia
informs, "The factors that affect the flower arrangement business for a firm like Ferns n
Petals are good quality of flowers, variety in offering and timely supply of the same."
Further, for organisations in the need of flowers in bulk quantities also consider the factor
of timely supply in order to back their tasks for each day.

Flower arrangements fill the whole environment with freshness and colours, which
impart a livelier, warmer feeling to the setting and are a big influence on any occasion.
Pricing is another factor which influences the need for flowers. Hotels in order to
complete their tasks in symmetry appoint a dedicated person for all the activities. "We
have a person who is in-charge for all flower arrangements in our hotel," says Thakur.
Outsourcing of floral activities is one of the convenient ways hospitality is adopting to
address the task professionally. This enables an organisation to keep the wastage at bay
and make use of things in an optimum manner. Thakur adds, "We also use lot of things
which otherwise appear to be a waste. For example, we use elephant grass when they are
green and then keep it aside. When they dry up, we again use it differently for other
possible arrangements." Flower arrangement thus is no longer a mere decorative feature
of hotel or hospitality facility. It has been accepted as a professional need and a lot goes
behind to maintain similar kinds of arrangements everywhere in lobby or otherwise to
offer symmetry and uniformity to decorations therein.

Characteristics of floral arrangements

Factors that become vital considerations for
floral decoration are as follows:

• Good quality of flowers

• Variety in choices
• Accessories like dry flowers, nets,
mats, and imported loops etc., which
combine to make an innovative
flower arrangement

• The combination of flowers with the

right selection of accessories to suit
the occasion

New trends

The trends in floral decoration are also another facet of this art. In hotels, for example,
the focus is more on procuring either very huge bunches for lobbies or very small
arrangements for table décor. "Hotel arrangements are filled with more flowers and very
less of accessories whereas normal arrangements are filled with more accessories and less
flowers to give it a filled look," explains Gadia.
Another new trend which Gadia is seeing on the rise is flower arrangements according to
one's sun sign. But the trends keep on changing with time with a fast pace, says Gadia.
"Its all about liveliness and sense of good feeling that should be combined with use of
fresh and dry flowers. These are being used a lot with gold and silver leaves in addition to
lots of accessories like crystal flowers, etc.," he sums up.