I love flowers. Ok, I know, who doesn’t right?! I really think having fresh flowers and plants in the home makes a huge difference in the ambiance! That being said, I wasn’t always like that. Five years ago when it came down to planning the flower arrangements for my wedding I got so overwhelmed by all the options and the prices that I went to Ikea a few days before my wedding. I bought five dollar vases and a bunch of random flowers and those were my arrangements #truestory.

An old JC friend of mine, Lianne reached out a few weeks ago and introduced me to her neighbors Eva and Sonia. Girl bosses, designers, and sisters who create custom floral and botanical arrangements for special events and public spaces. They invited me and new ChicpeaJC Crew member Mike Demoya, to their beautiful home in The Heights, which was obviously stunning and so beautifully decorated! I had a blast getting to know them and if I ever get married again they will be doing my flower arrangements. LOL.

What are your names?

I’m Eva Visperas and this is Sonya Salierno – we’re sisters.

What do you guys do?

We create custom florals and botanicals for weddings, public spaces and residences in New Jersey and New York.

What is the name of the company?

About Designs.

Why is it called About Designs?

Sonya: The name encompasses a number of design applications, including our work in florals and botanicals, as well as interior design, graphic design and event design. My background is in interior design.

Eva: While we can wear a lot of creative hats, our primary focus at this point in our evolution is custom florals and botanicals.

How long have you guys been around?

Eva: We’ve been collaborating for as long as we can remember. There was always an event for family or friends – and so we decided to make it official three years ago.

How is it working together as sisters?

Sonya: It’s really good – we each have strengths that complement each other. We trust each other and share a work ethic that’s important for a small business to grow.

Eva: Sonya and I have always been close, since we were under the same roof as kids in Clifton, NJ. Building About-Designs together is an opportunity to meet great people and get involved with unique projects while we exercise our creative side and spend time together as a family.

Do you both have a designer background?

Sonya: I studied interior design at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology) in Manhattan.

Eva: When we were both in school, we worked for the same florist design studio. They were our mentors and helped us establish the foundation that we continue to build on at About-Designs.

Sonya: As an extension of the floral and botanical design process, we were exposed to concepts like set design and staging, which is very useful when considering the scale of a piece and the impact it has on a room. I’ve also taken courses with the New York Botanical Gardens.

What sort of events do you cater to?

Eva: We primarily focus on special events like weddings, as well as public spaces and home interiors.

What would you tell people who aren’t into floral arrangements?

Sonya: You don’t need to spend a lot of money to make an impact in a space. Look around at the resources available to you – whether it’s flowers or plants. A little green can go a long way.

[bctt tweet=”You don’t need to spend a lot of money to make an impact in a space.”]

Eva: I agree, but if you’re not a self-starter or you simply don’t have time, we can design, install and maintain arrangements too. Depending on the budget and scope of need, we establish a maintenance schedule. Public spaces where these services work well includes residential or commercial lobbies; hotel reception areas, guest lounges and special event rooms; and restaurant greeting spaces and tables.

Do you do that for private homes as well?

Sonya: Absolutely! Particularly when special occasions are approaching – showers, birthday parties, holidays – homeowners want to showcase their space. We design florals and botanicals for front doors, banisters, mantels, tabletops and more.

Can you break down your services?

Eva: For weddings or special events, we begin with an intake with the client. There are a lot of questions and, through picture exchanges and feedback, we start to shape our suggestions within their budget.

Sonya: We, then, have a meeting during which we provide complimentary samples of our suggestions – flowers and botanicals evoke a visceral response when you can see and smell what you’re envisioning.

Eva: If we’re designing for a wedding, the complimentary samples can include a bridesmaid bouquet, a centerpiece, and a boutonniere. After that, it’s a few tweaks and edits, and an agreement on the final budget. We don’t proceed without everyone being comfortable with the look and budget.

Sonya: For public spaces, we created a wall art installation for the rooftop at McCarren Hotel (Brooklyn/Williamsburg). We also designed planters for their guestrooms. At the Martha Washington Hotel (Manhattan), we designed pieces for their various hotel spaces, as well as the restaurant within the hotel. You may have also noticed in our condo lobby downstairs, we designed the garlands that adorn the crown moldings. In lieu of traditional art, the client wanted long-lasting, aromatic botanicals for the late Winter and early Spring months. So we combined bay leaf, eucalyptus, willow branches and touches of yellow drumstick-style flowers to greet homeowners and guests. The magnolia and willow branch swags on either side of the building’s front door were designed by us, as well. Each season is a new opportunity to transform the space.

Where do you source your plants and flowers?

Sonya: We have several wholesalers in both New Jersey and New York – depending on what we’re looking for and where the event will take place.

Eva: We’re big fans of supporting local businesses, so you may see us at 14th Street Garden Center from time to time too!

How long have you been in Jersey City?

Sonya: I’ve lived here with my husband for eight years.

How do you feel Jersey City has changed in the past couple of years?

Sonya: It’s very different – in a good way!

Eva: Sonya is always telling family and friends, “Jersey City is the place to be!”

Do you guys have a favorite Jersey City hangout spot?

Eva: My husband and I love to have dinner at Battello or Fire and Oak.

Sonya: My husband and I can usually be found at the Light Horse Tavern.

What about in The Heights?

Sonya: We often order from Renato’s – we have Italian heritage so they meet the high standards of our extended family. I also like the lattes from Mod Cup.

Anything else that we haven’t covered that’d you’d like people to know?

Eva: We were raised to appreciate quality and frugality. I think we do a really good job of being creative within a framework that our clients appreciate. If they come to us with an idea for calla lilies (which can be expensive) but their budget is more modest, we work hard to create pieces that are beautiful, memorable and economical.

Do you have any future plans?

Sonya: Right now we operate out of my home, which works well for the consultative nature of our business. One of our goals going forward is to also have a traditional retail space and offer a range of floral or botanical home and garden products. Also, we’re working on a several interiors projects which will soon come to fruition.

Is it just the both of you?

Eva: Yes. On large events, our mom, our other sister or father, and husbands may get involved with deliveries and logistics, but the creative vision and execution is Sonya and me.

Where do you guys do your work?

Sonya: Client consultations take place here. We also use this as a production space for smaller projects, while the larger installations are done at the event venue.

Eva: We think the Jersey City home base makes us a great, local solution for other area businesses, such as residential and commercial properties, hotels like the W (Hoboken), the Hyatt or The Westin (Jersey City), and a myriad of restaurants.

Sonya: Of course, when you think of Jersey City real estate, you think of companies like Silverman and others who have an aesthetic we believe is very complimentary to collaboration with About-Designs.

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