Meet Andrea Perrone | Owner and floral designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Perrone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I studied fine arts and graphic design in New York. That was interrupted when I followed my heart to Milan, Italy. Thirteen years later, I returned to the US and worked for interesting European home and fashion companies. While working on the corporate side was certainly a dynamic experience, I began to feel burnt out and desperately craved a more creative outlet. My local flower shop was offering a floral arrangement class and decided to sign up. The process of working with flowers captivated me and I immediately understood the power of flowers. My childhood home had a lovely forsythia tree that blossomed every spring with the most beautiful yellow flowers. I would snip the stems and make little bouquets for my mom or gift them to my favorite teacher. I wanted to recapture that nostalgic feeling so I began taking floral courses at the NY Botanical Garden while still holding a fulltime job. On the weekends, I had internships at local floral shops and began to freelance for floral designers. With the support of my husband and family, I took the leap of faith and opened my own floral company and resigned at the end of 2019.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I love compelling stories and had read about “The Adonia”, the ancient Greek festival celebrated by women to to mourn the death of the god Adonis. Women would plant small gardens on roof tops then take the plantings and throw them in the sea. I thought the name perfectly reflected what I wanted the pillars of my brand to be; intentional floral design, repurposing, and building connections. Flowers should tell a story that honors something that is beautiful and important to each of us. I like to add a special detail to a bouquet that will stir a special memory for the recipient. I’m curious to know the sweet details about a bride who is planning her wedding. Did they enjoy playing and gardening with flowers as a child? Is there a particular bloom they want to use to honor a family member who is no longer alive? What was the first flower bouquet she received from her fiancé? These are the essentials I need when making a special arrangement or planning floral arrangements for an event.
Unfortunately, there are many wasteful practices in the floral industry especially with large high-profile events where flowers are used once and then discarded. The priority for my business model has been a mindful approach to unnecessary waste. I am focused on recycling, limiting the use of toxic materials and avoiding the use of floral foam which is composed of harsh petrochemical plastic which is terrible for the environment. I use 100% cotton ribbon, natural raffia, branded stickers printed with soy based ink and biodegradable wrapping paper. Additionally, I repurpose leftover flowers by drying them and using them in dry floral arrangements. Left over fresh flowers are gifted to neighbors or donated.

Whenever possible, I source my flowers from local growers and women owned farms. The flowers they grow are truly a labor of love therefore it is important to understand and appreciate the entire process of the final product – from seed to harvest.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We live in the lower Hudson Valley, a verdant area rich in history north of NYC or better known as the Rivertowns – there are 5 of them. Each town has its unique appeal, but they all have lovely independently owned shops, panoramic views of the Hudson River and great restaurants. The Hastings Farmer’s Market is a wonderful source for fresh produce, lovely baked goods and locally grown flowers. Walk up the street to The Good Witch Café for a killer cup of coffee and sip it while enjoying the majestic view of the Palisades Cliffs. Shop at Little House or The Hom Market for a beautiful selection of women’s clothing and curated home decor. Walk to Irvington, the town named after the famous author Washington Irvington, through the Old Croton Aqueduct. Marvel at the architectural jewel known as the Armour Stiner Octagon House which is the only domed Victorian private residence in the US. Continue to walk north to Tarrytown. This quintessential charming town with a neighborhood feel is packed with awesome restaurants and appealing shops. Stop by The Swan’s House one of the coolest shop with a collection of vintage modern pieces. Get a sweet treat at Main Street Sweets ice cream parlor and walk down to the river’s edge to enjoy the sweeping views of the Hudson River.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
From the beginning, I’ve had constant support from my family who continue to provide encouragement while my business grows. I am so grateful to my community of friends and the local businesses which have given me the opportunities do to pop ups and expand my customer reach. I have also had the chance to meet and collaborate with very talented makers and other florists who have been so generous with their time and insights. It really takes a community, and no one becomes successful alone. But the most important two influential people in my life have been my mom and grandmother who shared their love of crafting, sewing, painting, cooking and their love of beautiful things.

Website: www.adoniafloral.com

Instagram: adoniafloraldesign

Facebook: adoniafloraldesign

Image Credits
All floral images are Adonia Floral Design Head shots – Alison Sheedy