Creative florist shop brings ‘flora and funk’
In the heart of downtown Bakersfield’s Arts District stands the creative florist shop, House of Flowers, which has served the community for 14 years. The mother-daughter duo of Diana and Amanda Klawitter of the unique floral boutique, go beyond just delivering flowers.
The creative florist shop greets customers with a sea of green and the sweet, fragrant smells of flowers for beautiful arrangements in the back. That is where the true magic and genius takes place. Walk through the creative florist shop, a soothing escape from everyday life. Some might compare it to that of a hideaway, like a jungle or a secret garden.
For many customers, the unique floral boutique is an oasis and a peaceful shop to visit. It is there they can find treasures for their home and gifts for their loved ones. For Diana and Amanda, it’s all about the creativity and connection of getting to know their clients.
The Journey
Amanda was the driving force of the creative florist shop. She’d worked at one prior to starting their own, and it was always something she’d wanted to do.
“I’ve always known Amanda is a creative genius,” said Diana, and has been on board with the idea from the beginning.
Without much research, they dove right in.
Amanda immediately wanted to open their store downtown. Fourteen years ago, downtown wasn’t necessarily the spot it is now. Diana looked into other areas and brought other suggestions. But, Amanda was adamant about the spot on F Street. Diana eventually caved.
“I say ‘yes’ to her a lot, by the way,” Diana teased, but on rare occasions, she does say no.
Amanda has always had the desire and need to express herself. She thought it fit with the culture of downtown.
Amanda doesn’t always consider herself the most eloquent communicator. However, she believes she can do it through her style, clothes, and the people she surrounds herself with.
Growing up, Amanda’s grandparents owned an antique shop, just a couple doors down from where they are now. She and her brothers played in the area and spent a lot of time in the shop. It’s another reason she was interested in the location.
At the time, she remembered seeing the cool kids and a variety of others hanging out at the coffee shop and wanted to create something that would represent that, and be a spot for everyone.
“Downtown would be a place where it was not only accepted, but would possibly thrive,” said Amanda of the location.
Believing in the Vision
Despite the challenges that business owners inevitably face, the creative florist shop owners are happy with the results and where they are now.
“We made the right decision,” said Diana, looking back on how far they’ve come.
She added that she still believed in the vision, and where they would eventually end up, from the beginning.
It was about making it through those first three years of the floral boutique. It was a time when no one knew who they were, trying to make it through and pay the bills.
What keeps them motivated and inspired?
For Amanda, it’s that she discovers something new each day. Whether it’s interacting with the clients or a new challenge at the floral boutique, each day proves to be even better than the last.
It’s the involvement in their clients’ lives for Diana. One of their brides continues to use their services. Now with two children, Diana and Amanda are able to be part of those big moments.
It’s about “extending the family” even more than they imagined, which Amanda credits to the motto her mom instilled growing up, which was to be part of something bigger than themselves.
Needless to say, the success that House of Flowers has experienced has to do with the dynamic duo who runs it.
The mother-daughter team knows what each other’s strengths are, and it has allowed them to flourish in their skills within the floral boutique.
It’s also the beauty of their relationship that grants them the ability to have harder conversations when called for.
Experience at the Shop
“The style has evolved and grown, mostly through Amanda’s vision,” Diana noted of the shop’s look and feel when customers visit.
The wooden house in the center of the store was designed to host artists for open mic nights during First Friday and Second Saturday events.
It hasn’t always necessarily been the aesthetically pleasing sight it is now, though.
Most of that vision has expanded from Amanda – what she would have liked to have seen 14 years ago when they started. Diana is usually the mechanic behind it, the logical one seeing if that vision can be executed.
Their love and exploration of music has even played a part in setting the tone and environment.
Amanda credits it to her mom, who would play Queen and other music as she’d drop them off at school growing up.
One thing is for sure, Amanda and Diana love having the childlike approach of ‘show and tell,’ whether it’s the artists they’ve discovered, the treasures they sell in their shops or the music playing when you walk in.
A ‘Religious Experience,’ Specialty Items and More
Aside from selling flowers and plants, House of Flowers also sells specialty gifts, working to provide unique brands, including candles, cards for special occasions, inspirational books and journals that line the walls and tables of the creative florist shop.
And, of course, there are plants and stunning ceramic plant holders for all of a person’s botanical necessities.
Two of the biggest pieces of feedback they hear from customers is how wonderful it smells when they walk in and how beautiful it is.
Amanda notes that it’s almost a ‘religious experience,’ because they’re in nature. Nature is a religious experience for many people. It’s for the community of Bakersfield.
House of Flowers takes pride in their daily deliveries for any and all occasions, whether it’s a wedding, a funeral, a shower, corporate event or workshop. They do it all.
Aside from their flower expertise and in-house designer who works on the beautiful arrangements for customers who need a special piece on the fly, they work a great deal with plants.
Letting customers have the chance to pick their own plant and base is another plus. They can even have it potted by the experts or returning clients can get a plant diagnosis.
When it comes to larger event projects they love when their clients trust them enough to give them their budget estimate, then let their creativity flow.
They especially love it when it includes anything different, funky and allows them to express themselves.
A Love of Bakersfield
“One thing about Bakersfield is that we are the most giving in any type of charity — Relay for life or Honor Flight,” said Diana.
She also recognized that while the city continues to grow, it feels like a small town.
Amanda also highlights the hard-workers and heart found in Bakersfield, more specifically in the art community.
“I learned from my mom to be a doer – not go out of town and wish we were at the coast, but do it here,” said Amanda.
That’s exactly why they started their shop where they are. It’s a community that has a lot to offer, and they wanted to bring their piece to the Bakersfield table, too.
The Future for House of Flowers
“Let’s enjoy this as long as we can” is the sentiment Diana and Amanda both feel at this point in their business and lives.
But, what’s next for the ladies at House of Flowers?
“Total Bakersfield domination,” Amanda joked. “Not really, but definitely expect to see us continue to grow.”
The creative florist shop has a few things up their sleeve that will speak to the essence of the shop’s tagline, which is “flora and funk.”
“That tagline gives us room to grow and explore the areas we’re passionate about. So, as we continue to grow, so does our passion for other things,” said Amanda.
Make a plan to visit House of Flowers very soon! They are located at 1611 19th Street. You can give them a call at 661.326.7000 or visit their website at https://ahofdesigns.com/ for more information.
Hours:
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Closed Sundays
In closing
I want to thank Diana and Amanda for taking the time to share the journey and heart of their business. It has been a pleasure to watch them flourish, as they have been a real asset to the creative and Bakersfield community.
I know for a fact, many people love and admire them. As always, it was a true honor to spend this time with them.
House of Flowers, we are rooting for you and your future success, and we cannot wait to continue to see you get ‘funky.’ We are here for it!
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