A chat with Enliven Planters just in time for spring!
Spring is on our minds, which made it the perfect time to chat with local firm and fellow Scout Guide member Enliven Planters. Enliven is a subscription service that comes to your home or business and plants seasonal foliage and blooms in containers. We love exploring specialized design services in the area that tie into creating beautiful homes, so we talked with co-owner Paul Kawoczka to find out more!
What inspired the concept of Enliven Planters, and how does it work?
Paul’s career in landscape architecture entailed some very large and complex projects, particularly along the Main Line. At the completion of one such design project, the client hosted a party for friends and family; Paul was there to check a few last-minute things and make sure everything was perfect. The client approached him and, out of the entire scope of the project, was most excited about the planters at her front door. She had gotten so many compliments on what a welcoming statement they made!
After that conversation, Paul and his friend Dan Nichols decided to explore and fill a niche market – seasonally changed planters and windowboxes – and created a service that is, as Paul puts it, a different kind of personal gardener. Because the service is quarterly, Enliven is accessible and affordable for everyone, from Philadelphia rowhomes to Main Line estates. Some homes need only a windowbox or a single planter, while other clients ask for several around the property. It’s completely customizable based on the client’s wants and needs.
Paul stated that at Enliven, “we place a high value on three things: quality, affordability, and ease of care for client.” The business has grown through referrals and word of mouth, so delivering top notch quality and service is key. We couldn’t agree more with that outlook!
The benefits of using Enliven Planters
Of course, we asked Paul about what sets Enliven Planters apart from other services. He responded, “Our planting scheme sets us apart, particularly with regards to foliage and blooms.” Enliven’s arrangements have a certain form that is thoughtful and well designed to enhance your home. Clients don’t get a one-size-fits all, cookie-cutter design. The Enliven team takes care to select and arrange the most beautiful and complementary option for each home or business.
One question that we had for Paul was whether clients ever ask for specific flowers or plants. “Actually, I’d say 99% give us carte blanche to choose the planting scheme. They may have a color or flower that they don’t like and will request that we not include it. Otherwise, they put their trust in us.” Every three months, each client receives a new scheme: fresh color in anticipation of spring, tropical vibes through summer, harvest tones as we move into fall, and evergreens for winter. Each arrangement is treated with a proprietary organic preservative. This, along with thoughtfully-chosen foliage and blooms, allows them to hold up well through the season.
Since we’re always thinking of trends, we wondered if Paul has noticed anything becoming dated or out of style. Conversely, is anything new or interesting trending these days? He noted that people are moving away from very ornate and heavy planters. Rather, more minimalist styles put the focus squarely on the flowers, grasses, and plants inside, with charcoal gray being the most popular color for planters. As to whether clients typically choose their own containers or leave that up to the Enliven team, it’s a mix. They can work with a clients’ containers or recommend ones for purchase through Enliven; it’s really a matter of preference and they’re happy to talk through different options.
What should a prospective client know that we haven’t covered?
Having a subscription with Enliven is an easy way to add beauty and color to your home without the hassle of handling planting and replanting on your own, but with affordability and ease of maintenance between seasonal switch. Because the price is based on the number and size of containers, the client decides what works best for them. As Paul put it, “We want our clients to be happy, and to enjoy the benefits of our service long-term.” Not sure where to start? His number one tip is to always start with the front door. Two beautifully done containers at the entry can make a huge difference.
By the end of our conversation, we’d talked about how both Glenna Stone Interior Design and Enliven Planters have the same goal: creating beautiful spaces for our clients. We agree that the outside of your home should make you as happy as the inside does! Are you interested in learning more about Enliven Planters? Explore their website or schedule a consultation. We definitely recommend that you check out their Instagram for inspo and peeks behind the scenes, too!
All photos courtesy of Enliven Planters
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Glenna Stone Interior Design is an award-winning Philadelphia interior design firm serving Philadelphia, the Main Line, and surrounding cities. Utilizing her background and training in interior design, architecture, and engineering, Glenna specializes in creating interiors for residential and commercial design settings. We invite you to visit our website, view our portfolio, and catch up on the latest interior design concepts on our blog!