Christmas is the ideal time to give maximum expression to our creativity and, in the case of industry professionals, our professionalism.
For anyone working in the event design industry, whether visual artists, set designers, floral designers, or event designers, I had the pleasure of interviewing Inka Caputo, owner, with her husband, Enzo, of Lombarda Flor Decor: a leading supplier of decorative accessories, cut flowers, and plants in Northern Italy.
In fact, it should be noted that their focus extends beyond northern Italy; since many of my courses are held here, students from all over Italy often find innovative, original, and high-quality ideas here. It goes without saying that trying to gather everyone together after the lunch break after a course is incredibly difficult; they're all overcome by an irrepressible desire to get lost in the corridors and the offerings of Lombarda Flor.
Inka and Enzo know how to do their job, a simple and direct sentence that gives an idea of what I mean.
I met Inka among the shelves of her splendid warehouse full of lights, delicate colors and precious materials.
In the midst of the Christmas preparations, with his professional but at the same time reassuring and serene gaze he dedicated some of his time to me (or rather to us), thanks Inka!
Inka, what are Lombarda Flor Decor's proposals for this Christmas 2017?
“At Lombarda Flor Decor, we offer three different lines for this Christmas, whose common denominator is the festive air of tradition, but also of the most original innovation, all wrapped up in the concept of luminosity: which can be light, precious materials, or iridescent effects.”
The first line offered is enclosed in a color palette inspired by natural materials such as wood, from light to dark: warm and enveloping colors proposed in various shades, the fundamental inclusion of non-shiny, almost pink gold that pairs perfectly with all shades of beige, cream and brown.
This chromatic proposal combined with all the wood tones guarantees a very bright result and perfectly renders the festive atmosphere of the house.
In terms of color gradation, it will depend on the context and the existing furnishings within which the decorations will be inserted.
A very dramatic effect will also be created by the contrasts between light and dark.
The second line represents a bit of a novelty of the year: the iridescent effect.
The iridescent effect even in pastel colors such as light pink reaching even light blue on a wool white background.
All always combined with precious materials such as silver, burnished gold, brass.
By combining these materials with lights, which will not be static but will be in constant motion thanks to the reflections that will be created, the resulting scenography will be exciting!
“On the other hand, the light of Christmas must be reflected in the eyes of everyone, young and old!”
You're right Inka, you're making me emotional, I can perfectly visualize what you're telling me!
Not only are iridescent balls offered but also an entire tree, a beautiful sight, I'm already in love...
Even the combination of the iridescent effect, transparency and lights on a natural tree captures my imagination...how wonderful.
The line proposed by Inka is present in every accessory: ribbons, balls, vases.
The third theme proposed for Christmas decorations 2017 is a more traditional theme: the colors are green and red
This time, combine them with objects that are a little vintage, a little old, just like the ancient tradition of Christmas.
And so here is the little car, the old toy, the little train that takes you back in time.
This time, the materials featured are less precious but rich in history and tradition: copper, antiqued iron, rust, even in red and green but always antiqued, like the sled and the wooden houses worn by time.
All rigorously combined with the rope color or in any case with rustic and raw materials
“This is our playful Christmas,” Inka tells me with a radiant smile. She’s a bit like me in this regard, she perfectly visualizes what she’s talking about.
And what other material can we combine all this with? With the most traditional fir.
Last question, how do you come up with a line to propose?
“I visit trade fairs, I do research, I record everything and then my mind puts all the elements together and I manage to make my collections emerge by combining coherent colours, ideas and concepts”
Well, I believe this sentence contains the secret of Lombarda Flor's success.
Conducting research, traveling to trade fairs and events to discover new ideas and stimuli is truly important work that few of us, due to lack of time, can do personally. A company that does it for us with care and precision, and above all with the results I see here every day, is the most valuable service for me and perfectly defines the idea of what a partner should be like.
A heartfelt thank you to Lombarda Flor Decor, Silviadeifiori's partner for 11 years.
