This Mother’s Day, we sat down with Doris and Lindsey, an extraordinary mother-daughter duo who founded Willow Tree Flower Farm out of a love for community, family, and of course, fresh-cut flowers. They sat down to speak with us about their business and love for BED|STÜ, and they shared their quick tips on how to keep flowers fresh – many of them parallel to the best ways to naturally extend the life of your leather goods:

1. Watering and Moisture: Just as leather needs conditioning to stay supple and avoid cracking and maintain flexibility, flowers need fresh water to stay properly hydrated. Keep your vase filled with fresh water, changed at least every other day, and trim the stems regularly to ensure optimal water absorption.
2. Proper Placement: Flowers, like natural leather, are susceptible to over-exposure to the sun’s strong UV rays. Place flowers away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent wilting, just as you should store leather shoes away from extreme conditions and sunlight that can cause damage and faded coloring.
3. Keep Away from Harmful Substances: Flowers should be kept away from ripening fruits and vegetables because they produce natural gasses that will cause them to wilt more rapidly – just as natural leather should be kept away from harmful chemical substances (or even too much water!), which can cause it to become brittle and lose its natural elasticity and vibrancy.
4. Regular Cleaning: Remove any wilted or dead flowers from your arrangement promptly to prevent the spread of decay, akin to how you clean and polish leather shoes regularly to maintain their lustrous appearance.
5. Keep it Natural and Organic: There’s little need for the “extras” when it comes to preserving the health of fresh-cut flowers. Clean water and a regular trim to the stems will work wonders, just like a simple regimen of natural conditioner and sealant will keep a pair of organic leather boots looking as good as new.

Lindsey’s first pair of BED|STÜ boots (13 years ago!) was our fan-favorite Glaye boot, and she looks forward to handing them down to her down to her daughters in the future. It’s a real-life testament to how a little natural care and a lot of love can make all the difference in preserving the beauty and longevity of cherished gifts, whether it’s a beautiful bouquet of fresh-cut flowers or a pair of high quality, organic leather boots.