Recent Posts

  1. Modern Elegance at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort!
    Wednesday, May 29, 2013
  2. Finalist for Event Solutions! Plus News!!
    Tuesday, December 25, 2012
  3. Design Studio: Showroom Soiree!
    Sunday, June 24, 2012
  4. Leaders, Never Followers!
    Saturday, May 05, 2012
  5. "Artists First!"
    Sunday, February 19, 2012
  6. Acqualina Resort Wedding!
    Monday, December 26, 2011
  7. What's New?
    Wednesday, October 19, 2011
  8. New Trends! Old Values!
    Wednesday, May 11, 2011
  9. BizBash Expo Booth, Ft. Lauderdale, April 12
    Monday, April 18, 2011
  10. New Website & Tons of Thanks!
    Monday, February 28, 2011

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    6/25/2012
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    12/26/2011
  4. Marlen on Acqualina Resort Wedding!
    12/26/2011
  5. Mariel on Acqualina Resort Wedding!
    12/26/2011
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    10/18/2011
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    6/30/2011
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    5/3/2011
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    3/20/2011
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    3/10/2011

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Modern Elegance at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort!

Jose Graterol was hired to design a modern masterpiece recently for a bride and groom in The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort & Spa! 

The Chuppah magically floated overhead.  White Hydrangeas made the ceremony lush and architectural.


The Place Card Centerpiece was dramatic, artistic, and stunning! 


Custom-designed tall centerpieces anchored the ballroom.  The table linens made their Miami debut here, too!


Custom-made White Royal tables without linens were specified, with a collection of beautifully designed flowers.  Cohesion was achieved with black-and-white dining chairs, black water glasses, grey linen hemstitch napkins, and mirrors strategically used in the floral designs, too!  


The food was divine!  Watermelon and Feta Cheese Napoleons with a Balsamic Glaze were the colorful and imaginative "Amuse Bouche!"


The designs for the bar arrangements were modern, tailored and exuberant!  


The dress was created by Anna Maier Ulla Maija from Ever After in Miami.  Hair is by Marlene from Oribe. Make up is by Beverly Fink.  Groom's Tuxedo is from Zegna.


The handmade, ruffled wedding cake with its cake table were perfect in the room!  


Utopia Video has just launched the video:


Many thanks to our expert and passionate team members:  

Planner Sara Renee Events sarareneeevents.com  Photographer Sharone Amit, www.sharoneamit.com  

Lighting, Draping by PSID, www.psidgroup.com

Linens by Nuage Designs, www.nuagedesigns.com

Wedding Dress by Ever After, www.everaftermiami.com

class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 20px; " face="Tahoma">Venue and Dance Floor, The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, www.stregisbalharbour.com

A heartfelt "Thank You" goes to Victoria Chase, Director of Social Catering for her expertise and support!  

Chef Antonio Bachour is a true talent!  

The Event Designer and Floral Designer, Tables, Napkins, Containers are all provided by Jose Graterol Designs, http://www.josedesigns.com .  305-788-0562 is our number to call for your next uniquely custom-designed event!


Finalist for Event Solutions! Plus News!!

We have GREAT News!  Jose Graterol is now a Finalist for Floral Designer of the Year from Event Solutions, a National organization for the event industry!  

We need everyone's  VOTE! prior to January 16, 2013 to receive this coveted award!  The link to vote is here:  http://www.event-solutions.com/spotlight/voting/

This collage highlights the Launch Party which Jose Graterol Designed for the new magazine, Modern Luxury Brides South Florida & The Caribbean! http://media.modernluxury.com/digital.php?e=BBMI  Top Chef Michael Mina was cooking at a food station at the Turnberry Isle Miami Resort, and Jon McLaughlin gave a wonderful concert there, too!  More than 650 people were in awe with Jose's designs!   From the entrance with the "Towers of Cymbidium Orchids" to the ballroom with the "Wows" of Jose's suspended Rose Balls, exciting Bar Arrangements with hand-blown white rods, to the exuberant seating arrangements, Jose impressed the crowd at every turn!  Jose Graterol's work and expertise are featured in the Spring 2013 issue of Modern Luxury Brides, South Florida & The Caribbean, on page 82!  

Jose Graterol Designs also recently collaborated with Patty Nash Photography, House of Films Videography, Carolina Herrera at Bal Harbour Shops, Iris More Jewelry Designs, Lilian Designs Invitations, P.S.I.D. Lighting, Deisy Rodriguez Makeup, Virgin Farms Flowers, on a Dsynrgy produced, exciting photo-shoot at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort on Miami Beach!  

Victoria Chase, Director of Social Catering at The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, did a wonderful interview for our group!  

http://vimeo.com/50448311

Here is one of the end-result Inspiration Boards created by Patty Nash Photography! This serves as our new ad in Spring 2013 Modern Luxury Brides South Florida & The Caribbean too!  

The table is Jose's "infinity" table since it can be custom-designed endlessly by changing the finishes for the top and pedestal!  

The Carolina Herrera Bridal Gown is straight off the 2013 Runway Show!  The wedding dress is available at the new Carolina Herrera boutique in Bal Harbour Shops!

The Christian Louboutin shoes are courtesy of Saks Fifth Avenue, Bal Harbour Shops!



Every detail is considered and addressed in the photo shoot, as well as in each of Jose Graterol Designs' events, too!  The entire setting including chairs, table, vases, containers are custom-designed by Jose Graterol!  

Call us on 305-788-0562 to discuss your upcoming special event!  

Sincerely,
Steve & Jose

  

Design Studio: Showroom Soiree!

We recently held a D(Sign) party at our newly appointed "Imaginarium" or design studio!  We coined the term "imaginarium" because your imagination can be magnified infinitely in a model space, and you can be transported to another place with all of our special containers, candleholders, furniture, accessories, and pieces which Jose Graterol has custom-designed for the events!

The entry piece shows the true inventiveness and artistry of Jose Graterol's designs!

Unique Hydrangeas, Orchids, Peonies were provided by The Farm Agency, www.thefarmagencyblog.com  

Roses were provided by www.virginfarms.com




Innovative catering was provided by Lyon + Lyon Catering, www.lyonandlyon.com  They also had chef demonstrations during the evening, too!




Samm Mapp sang great jazz numbers for the crowd!  

Velati Candles, www.velati.com provided many candles for our event, including those hanging in our tree, too!


JM Lighting and Fabric used his own unique draping and great moving lights to enhance the space!  

Mokafe provided delicious coffee drinks, too!  They can be reached on:  https://www.facebook.com/mokafe



We are so proud of our new design studio!  "Original, organized, exciting" are a few comments we have received from visitors!  It captures the spirit of-- and highlights-- Jose Graterol's design talents!




Patty Nash of Nash Weddings, nashweddings.net  took all of the photos on the wall and in this blog!  She has great eyes for the best shots...and the unique ability to capture reality from the best perspective!




For your own personal tour of our space, call us on 305-788-0562...

Steve & Jose

Leaders, Never Followers!

Jose Graterol Designs is looked upon as an Industry Leader for custom-tailored event designs!! 

Jose's videos on www.Youtube.com/josedesigns have been viewed by more than 540,000 people around the world!

Lately, we have become aware that vendors from right here in South Florida, as well as around the world, are copying Jose's arrangements, Chuppah designs, event designs and even his custom-designed tables, containers and centerpieces!  Jose and Steve recently attended an industry show in Las Vegas where Preston Bailey gave a presentation about his own success. When he was asked about people copying his arrangements, he said that he hoped he "inspired many people to create."  We feel the same way, inspirational...but not direct copies!! Preston Bailey said that people can only copy what you have made in the past, not what is in your head or ideas for the future!  We all know that adage "Imitation is the Best form of flattery!"

Here is a 9' High entry arrangement that Jose "Dreamed up", right on the spot, during the set up of an amazing birthday party we did this season.


This birthday party was all black, white flowers, silver accents!  Elegant and chic!

Jose designed unique lamps and lamp shades for some centerpieces! Floor length mirrors, a Mirror stage set, Cocktail Tables, all of the draping, lighting, floral arrangements and linens were designed and specified by Jose Graterol for this event, too!  The Black-Twinkle dance floor was imported from Orlando!  The room was sparkling and striking!
Patty Nash Photography took amazing decor shots for us!  Check out her work on www.pattynash.com !



The linens were custom-made for Jose Graterol by Over the Top, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, www.overthetopinc.com  

The lighting and custom draping is from Jose Martinez, www.jmlightingandfabric.com  
Turnberry Ocean Colony, Sunny Isles Beach, FL, was the venue for this unforgettable night! A special "Thank You" goes out to the staff at Turnberry Ocean Colony for their support!
Bubble Miami, www.bubblemiami.com and Nuage Designs, www.nuagedesigns.com provided the chairs.

The dessert room was luxurious and spectacular!  Contrasting colors, textures, flower types and a custom mirror made the setting extra special!


Jose Graterol designs events infusing your personality and his infinite creativity! Unlike other floral designers, Jose is not "married" to a singular style! Every design, every event, every arrangement is made to incorporate your personality into it!  That's why we never repeat arrangements, parties or weddings!  

When you are ready to have Jose help you design your unforgettable special event, call us on 305-788-0562!

Sincerely,
Steve & Jose


"Artists First!"

We are Artists First!  Jose Graterol is known as a mover and a trend-setter!  He is truly "Ahead of the Curve!"  

Jose Graterol Designs has declared that:

"Bling has Blung!!"  Bling is out, old, so 2008! Even Walmart and IKEA are carrying the Bling-Bling, so it is time to discover the next trends!  If your favorite floral or event designer is still pushing-selling-specifying Bling, it is time to RUN!.....FAST!! ...and directly to us! 

We are in a New Year, 2012!  We are looking toward the future and into the past for what's "HOT!" and what's "NOT!"

  


The Apple Green "pops" when combined with Black, Silver, and White!  The backdrop was enhanced with beautiful, pleated black draping and lighting.

Bold Patterns, Greens, Metals, Rich Textures, Layering, Undulating sight-lines, Repeated patterns, Purples, Black is back!, Gold, Bright Colors, individual special touches are all in fashion, events, and interiors now!

Unique ways to seat guests are more popular than ever!  This client wanted a fun, active party rather than guests sitting at big tables all night long!  


Dessert Displays are bigger than ever, too!  Here we incorporated bookshelves, cabinets, even drawers of the buffet into the dessert extravaganza!  Flowers are strategically placed so that your eyes dance around the treats, too!




All of our events incorporate the client's personality into the arrangements and layers. Every personality is different, so every event and arrangement is unique! 


Jose Graterol's floral arrangements and event designs are truly original!  



This is the table for the sushi display!  Elevations which coordinate and add light are the rage now, too!  Jose is proud to consider every detail in the event's design!

We appreciate all of the vendors who helped us on this event: BubbleMiami, Crafty Events for Desserts, Hitched Event Rentals, Jose Martinez Light and Fabric, Over The Top Linens, and Patty Nash Photography, Turnberry Ocean Colony!

For your upcoming event, kindly call us on 305-788-0562.  We are ready to help you in every way we can! 

Steve & Jose


Acqualina Resort Wedding!

Jose Graterol Designs, http://www.josedesigns.com had the best time working on this wedding!  The bride and groom were as detail-oriented as Jose Graterol, so he attended to every design aspect!  The weather prediction was for rain, so a clear tent was constructed to protect everyone from the elements.  Saturday was warm, then rainy, and our production team added all the finishing touches to what was deemed the BEST wedding at the hotel!  The Acqualina Resort's, www.acqualinaresort.com , workers came into the tent provided by www.regencyparty.com/ just to peruse its pure beauty!  Susan Wesselhoft was extremely helpful in her role as hotel liaison and Director of Catering.  Jose Graterol designed the wedding based on the dreams and desires of the bride and groom:  sophisticated, elegant, organic, orchids, purple, succulents, modern and unique...all rolled up into an amazing night!  The planner, Mariel Ruiz with http://www.eventsbymariel.com/ was great!  Patty Nash of http://nashweddings.blogspot.com/ provided her photography expertise for this wedding!
3,600 White Roses with deep Purple Orchids along with stunning Manzanita branches with orchid plants hanging in natural formations created the backdrop for the ceremony and d.j. during the reception.  Vision djs, http://www.visiondjs.com supplied his own color-coordinated screen to the reception!



The bride's bouquet was a unique piece of floral art!

The Place Card display was unique and provided an idea of what the reception was going to show~


The reception was breathtaking!!







A special "Thank You!!" goes out to Jose Martinez of J.M. Lighting and Fabric Design for his amazing work on this wedding!  Todo Dulces provided the cake, http://www.tododulces.com/


If you want a custom-designed event made especially for you, then contact us!  We never repeat events or arrangements!  Also, we are not an event or flower factory and do not sign more than one client per day!  Jose Graterol is with you every step of the way!  

Keep up to date with us on Facebook, too!
Steve & Jose 305-788-0562



What's New?

We have been super-busy with lots of new and exciting projects!  Jose Graterol has been hired to design a new restaurant in Lighthouse Point, FL!
It should open in late November!

We participated in an exciting networking event created by photographer Jonathan Scott www.jspstudio.com, held at Bubble Miami's Aventura, FL, warehouse, www.bubblemiami.com.  Jose redesigned their showroom making many room settings to showcase the modern rental furniture collections.  Here are a few photographs from this event and the showroom, too!

Jose Martinez spent days hand-pleating his custom drapes for the entire showroom!  His pleating, draping and lighting are beyond compare, www.jmlightingandfabric.com !

Jose Graterol designed many exciting floral arrangements to highlight several of the room's vignettes!  The Farm Agency, Miami, FL, provided the flowers for Jose's use, www.thefarmagency.com .Jose featured many of his newest accessories to design the stunning tabletops and ceiling, too!  Our new showroom and warehouse are full of amazing, special candleholders, lanterns and the best in tabletop items for every type of event!


Jose Graterol Designs is imparting perfectly executed events in many South Florida venues!  We have received great praises from managers of the Ritz Carlton Ft. Lauderdale, www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/FortLauderdale/Default.htm, Mandarin Oriental Miami, www.mandarinoriental.com/miami/, Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center, www.atjc.org/,  Acqualina Resort, www.acqualinaresort.com, and the Riverside Hotel, www.riversidehotel.com.  These venues agree that Jose Graterol designs the most unique and best events ever in their respective venues!
 
Here are a few arrangements from Aventura Turnberry Jewish Center for a recent Bar Mitzvah!  The planners were Ivonne and Pierina of Flornaments, www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1467146191.  They attend to every detail and are great to work with for any type of event! 
 
A round of applause goes to Patty Nash, pattynash.com/, for capturing the spirit in her photography! 









For your next Special Event, call us!  We guarantee that it will be unique and memorable!!

Jose & Steve






New Trends! Old Values!

Clients and industry professionals are asking us,  "What do you see as new trends?"  The answers which Jose Graterol and Steve Levine give are varied, according to which part of an event the client is interested in discussing.  

For example, food has shifted from traditional sit-down meals to more interactive food experiences, smaller plates with samplings of many exquisite flavors, modern-chic cocktail parties replacing heavy dinners...  

For decor, the shift has been towards mirrors, different metals and natural patinas of metals, vibrant colors, strategically-placed floral designs, great design in accessories, and interior design-meets-event decor.  There is more movement around a room than in the past.  With our media, cell phones, and computers, society expects everything to change quickly, so people are out of their seats more, to enjoy every inch of the space! 

However, the traditional values have become important more than ever! These are the qualities that elevate Jose Graterol above all of his competition:  Infinite imagination and the ability to translate it into great event experiences, never repeating arrangements or parties, amazing customer care, non-factory attention to detail, unique design, custom-tailored events, actual client personalities infused into each event, offering the newest and best quality flowers in the marketplace, precision in every aspect of the event, ability to finesse the flowers into extraordinary masterpieces...These are the high standards in which Jose Graterol Designs excels and our clients expect!  Jose Graterol Designs offers a new service which is unique to our company alone:  "White Glove Service"!  Our team members oversee each of our events prior to its "grand opening" donning white gloves  to polish, shine, clean, remove fingerprints, so that the tables and accessories are immaculate!  Our original motto which we defined more than 7 years ago is timeless and rings true to our beliefs today:  

Passionate  Artistry, 

Attentive, Personal Service

Sophisticated Environments 

Stylish Table Settings  

Innovative Floral Design 

Original Custom Style  

Nature's Inspirations  

Jose's sheer enthusiasm and passion for his work are contagious!  Everyone can attest to that fact!  

So, when you are ready to believe in the unbelievable, give us a call! 

Steve & Jose, 305-788-0562

We extend a special "Thank You!" to our photographers here, NeoArt, Patty Nash, and Jose Graterol! 

Below is the table Jose Graterol designed for Jamie Lipman of Absolute Events for the W Ft. Lauderdale Beach Hotel's WowVows evening.  The W Hotel has unique, gorgeous spaces!  http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=1522 

One guest stated:  "Jose Graterol put the WOW! in WowVows!"



Here are two recent tables Jose designed exclusively for La Gorce Country Club, Miami Beach, http://www.lagorcecc.com/





For a special client, Jose designed a centerpiece that can live forever!  The white phalaenopsis orchid plants will be attached to the trees in the yard, and the succulents will be planted in the ground!




BizBash Expo Booth, Ft. Lauderdale, April 12

All eyes were on our booth at BizBash Expo, in Ft. Lauderdale, April 12!!  

The booth was shared by: 

Jose Graterol Designs, www.josedesigns.com   Jose designed the entire booth, tabletop design, floral designs and mirrored containers for the table.

Bubble Miami, www.bubblemiami.com  Bubble provided the tables, sofas, chairs, dance floor.

J.M. Lighting & Fabric Design, www.jmlightingandfabric.com  Jose Martinez hand-pleated on frames, all the fabric for curtains for the booth.  He also provided pin-spotting and LEDs for the booth, too!

Virgin Farms provided all the flowers for Jose to use, Joe Pruna can be reached here~  www.virginfarms.com   

The booth was photographed for live feed on Twitter and other places, too!  Here are some talented photographers who sent us images!  

Patty Nash Photography did stunning images for us, www.pattynash.com

Jose designed the napkin treatment, boxes instead of plates, mirrored obelisks which hold the butterfly centerpieces and specified the candlelight options!  Jose Graterol Designs also cut the purple mirrors for the tables!  

The overall effect is fun, delightful, a feast for your eyes, tons of details & above all, ORIGINAL! 




NeoArt also took some great shots of our table, too!  Jason and Ela do wonderful work, www.neoartphotography.com   See the photos below here!





Let Jose Graterol Design your next event to complement your personality!  Call us on 305-788-0562.  

Steve & Jose

New Website & Tons of Thanks!

We are pleased to announce our New & Improved Website,  http://www.josedesigns.com
  
We hope you will view it and leave comments for us!  Please share it with your friends, contacts, families, clients!  

Of course, we have to extend our heartfelt "Thank You!!!" to many people and businesses who have made our new website possible!  We share our contacts with the world and are happy to refer each one of you!  You may visit the website and/or Facebook page of each of our contacts!

Christopher Vazquez is our talented artist-web designer who is able to meld the images, ideas and copy into an amazing format to convey our messages!  http://www.christophervazquez.net

Nicole Henry, who granted us permission to incorporate her meaningful tracks as our music options!  http://nicolehenry.com

Photographers:  We appreciate your images showcasing Jose Graterol's vision and talent in each event! 
Catalina Ayubi, Sharon Eliasi, Gastelbondo Photography, InFocus Studios, Roy Llera, Alain Martinez, Pep Menendez, Munoz Photographers, Steven Arrow

Planners:  We are grateful you choose to work with us!  
Victoria Chase, Cymbidium Events, The Event Production, Flornaments Planners, Forever Events

Vendors:  We and our clients believe you are the best at what you do!
BubbleMiami, Mayela Camacho, GoDaddy.com, Granada Printing, Jose at JM Lighting & Fabric, Panache Linens, Niki at Papery & Cakery,  Christian V. Siriano, Tina's Original Cakes

Venues: Our clients, along with our guidance, have chosen you for countless reasons!
Bath Club, Brazilian Court, Fairmont Turnberry Resort, Four Seasons Miami, Indian Creek Country Club, Mandarin Oriental Miami, Mar-a-Lago, Paris Theater, Safra Temple, Viceroy Miami, and many private locations, too!

Call us to arrange an appointment and discuss your upcoming event!

Sincerely,
Steve & Jose
305-788-0562

  

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