For Paulette Tai Chun Hossmann, Christmas is her favourite time of the year. “I love Christmas and I enjoy being in the store helping clients to plan for functions, weddings, or just simply to create a beautiful table setting for Christmas dinner or simply finding the perfect gift.”
Hossmann, who holds a PhD in Botany, and her husband, Sascha, are the brains behind Tai Flora Luxe in Barbican Centre. “We are like the ‘dream team’. I am creative but a little reserved. I like to work in the background in production. Sascha is the marketing genius behind Tai Flora’s success and is a great people-person. We do weddings and events, and his training in the hospitality industry has played a key role in our success,” she told Flair through an email interview.
The 12-year-old company, with branches in Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Negril and Kingston, is a lifestyle design company that delivers innovative and extraordinary designs for weddings, corporate and social events. “We have a unique style. We pay great attention to detail and we have an amazing team of young designers who are committed to making sure that all of our clients’ wishes are fulfilled.”
Hossmann has spent her entire life around flowers. “I was born in St Elizabeth, so it is in my blood,” she notes.”
She told Flair that she has always loved the sciences. “I was particularly fascinated with biochemistry and genetics. I worked in research for many years with a focus on developing cultural methods for ornamental crops with significant commercial application for the agricultural industry.
Hossmann received her BSc in biology from Denison University, her MSc from the University of Tennessee and her PhD from the University of the West Indies.
She has devoted close to 12 years studying courses ranging from organic chemistry to genetics, years of field and laboratory work in genetic engineering and then horticulture.
At Christmas, Hossmann is surrounded by some of her favourite things. Poinsettias are in full bloom and homes come alive with vibrant cheerful colours. But she also sees Christmas as a time to be thankful. “We should be thankful for all the good things that have happened, to finally have some time with my family and to look ahead to a new year of challenges and dreams yet to come true.” And dreams do come true at Tai Flora, where customers can indulge and obtain personalised décor and gift items.
During the holidays at Tai Flora Luxe, you are sure to find a wide range of unique offerings. These include unexpected décor, versatile and multifaceted designs, affordable luxury items, scented and unscented decorative candles from the signature spa line, orchids, gourmet gift baskets, floral bouquets and décor accents and unique vases. And, of course, Grandma Emma’s rum cake – a 70-year-old recipe from Hossmann’s grandmother brought over from London.
Tai Flora Luxe Shop # 6 Barbican Centre, 29 East King’s House Road. Tel:978-4500
