Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Santarelli.
Beth, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I began designing when I was 15, where I lived on a farm with my parents. I would dry cut flowers and plants and design arrangements that I sold in the neighborhood. I also took on a job volunteering and teaching floral design at the neighborhood community center. After about a year on the farm, I decided I needed a showroom and workroom, so I talked my Dad into using the chicken coop (minus the chickens)! We moved the coop closer to the road for better visibility (location, location, location)! I designed the interior utilizing wall paper, curtains and a potbelly stove and called my business the: “Flower Coop”!
In 1983, I started L’Amour Des Fleurs in Dallas with a business partner. We worked out of our garages serving the model home industry. We worked in Richardson, changing locations as we grew. In 2007, after my business partner retired, I decided to take a leap of faith and move to the Dallas Design District and rebrand the company as LDF SILK. We were off to the races with a whole new design direction! We were surrounded by design inspiration on every corner. The move to the Dallas Design District was a game changer for us and the brand took off. We are now the top trendsetter in our industry and we show at the hospitality show in Las Vegas at HD Expo and at the Boutique Design show in New York City. We have won numerous awards everywhere we show. Our staff is a creative “family”! Each member is an incredible viable part of our success. We are so proud to be a Women Owned Business and to serve the design industry. We are so confident in the development of the Design District we invested and bought several buildings! We love to give back to the community that has given so much to us. We proudly support Operation Care aiding the Dallas Homeless community, Prestonwood Crisis Pregnancy Center, St. Jude and Unicef.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We have definitely had some struggles along the way. During the downturn of the economy years ago, we learned how to have a better company. We all pulled together and pushed forward using all the creativity and drive so, we could to make it through. I called it recession 101!!
Please tell us about LDF SILK.
We design and produce custom permanent florals, organic wall art, sculptures, trees and plants. You can use our website as an inspirational tool and we can assist you in customizing and designing the perfect pieces for your project. Or… you can purchase designs just as you see them on our website. With the extensive variety of inspirational products and container choices… the possibilities are limitless!
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory is using my dried flowers from the barn and making arrangements for the house! My Mom complained that, I wanted to decorate before the house was clean!
Contact Info:
- Address: 1107 Slocum
Dallas, TX 75207 - Website: www.ldfsilk.com
- Phone: 972-699-3757
- Email: beth@ldfsilk.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ldfsilk/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ldfsilk
- Other: https://www.google.com/maps/place/LDF+Silk/@32.7886295,-96.815659,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x864e9946433d618b:0xc99d190aa419dc1e!2sLDF+Silk!8m2!3d32.7885348!4d-96.8158417!3m4!1s0x864e9946433d618b:0xc99d190aa419dc1e!8m2!3d32.7885348!4d-96.8158417?hl=en
Image Credit:
Merideth Rollans @meridethrollans
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