Let’s face it — in a business world, very few of us have free time. Hobbies get placed on hold, Fido doesn’t get taken for a walk as often as he would like, and the Gerbera daisies on your desk are looking a little wilted. In short, we’re busy.
Design company luludi gets that, and offers “living frames” — low-maintenance plants in decorative frames — as beautifully simple decorations for the time-pressed. Owner and founder of luludi, Liza Fiorentinos, stresses the importance of keeping greenery in your home space even for those without much time to commit to the upkeep of plants.
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“It’s very important because first of all, it’s a mood booster,” Fiorentinos says. “You walk in and you see a live plant either on your table or on the wall and you’re like, ‘Oh my God, that’s beautiful.’ It’s very good feng shui to have something alive in your space.”
Luludi stocks its site with simple wooden frames, in many shapes and sizes, with a variety of plants which grow inside. The frames range from the “Marguerite,” a medium-sized free-standing oval frame, to the “Alki,” a large rectangular hanging frame with room for several plants. The frames come in a variety of colors, and have the option of having LED lighting installed inside them, to give the plant growing inside a vivid glow.
Fiorentinos says the “living walls” in Paris, where she has formerly lived, inspire her designs. The entire exteriors of certain buildings in Paris are covered in plants, creating a mosaic of greenery. “Luludi” is Greek for “flower,” in homage to Fiorentinos’ Greek heritage.
Fiorentinos started with one prototype of a “living frame”and after a hosted focus group went successfully, started the site in October of 2011. The site has grown rapidly, and now offers 34 different frames and 20 small home accessories, such as glass globe terrariums and one of her more popular items, an emerald moss purse. Fiorentinos and guest designer Johanna Cando are always putting new designs onto the site.
Each item sold on the site is named after someone close to Fiorentinos. Her two most popular frames, the “Aphrodite” and the “Olympia” were named after her niece, and her mother-in-law, respectively.
Luludi offers 54 different plant choices to place in each frame. The site features specific care instructions for each plant type, so a buyer can determine which plant to buy based on its upkeep. Fiorentinos says orchids, bromeliads, and kalanchoes are among the most popular. For those really pressed for time, luludi’s terrariums feature air plants, which only require a weekly spritzing with water to stay happy and healthy.
“Living frames” are great ideas as gifts for everybody, even those lacking a “green thumb.” The small terrariums have been used as placeholders and favors at weddings, birthdays, a christening and even bat mitzvahs.
“It’s the most unique gift, because it’s better than a bottle of wine or a cake,” Fiorentinos says. “It’s the gift that keeps on growing.”
Each frame is made of medium density fiberboard, and is treated with a high gloss finish. They are all made individually, in Fiorentino’s studio in New York City. Frames are shipped together with its accompanying plants. Fiorentino takes requests for custom designs, and will tailor-make a display to fit any occasion. Just ask her.
“Give me two days and I’ll come back with some samples,” Fiorentinos says.
Browse luludi’s selection at luludi.net. Prices range from $15 – $1,700. Gift cards are available.
