Love is at the center of Toca Florals, Chamblee’s newest flower shop, delivering elevated, structural designs for every occasion. Husband-wife duo Tiffany and Luis hail from their previous shop in Orange County, California. Luis, Toca Florals’s sole floral designer, has no formal training. His childhood in Mexico was surrounded by family-made bouquets and arrangements, setting the stage for his natural-born talent and love for the craft. In his twenties, he worked alongside top talent in downtown Los Angeles (the heart of the flower market), and his style reached exceptional heights. While developing a creation, Luis works lightning quick, almost as if in a trance-like flow state. He doesn’t plan; he just starts and doesn’t stop moving until it’s complete. The results are absolutely stunning. There’s a movement inherent in each arrangement, as deftly placed stems bundle and find angles that exude luxury.
Toca Florals’ name derives from “Toca”, the Spanish word meaning “touch”. It highlights the artistic touch brought to every arrangement, big and small, in a vase or expertly wrapped. Structurally complex and completely creative, no two pieces are ever the same, as Luis crafts each almost as if channeling. Toca Florals opened this past autumn on the border of Chamblee and Brookhaven, and they are thrilled with the community they’ve discovered. In truth, they stumbled upon their location after deciding against a space right next to Whole Foods. They love their complex, their neighbors, and the family-friendly atmosphere. Their two-year-old daughter is a beloved fixture at Toca Florals, and it is important to them to cultivate a “cozy flower shopping environment.”
The couple met in a story that echoes romantic comedies galore. Luis designed all the arrangements for funerals at a shop in Orange County shortly after leaving Los Angeles, and Tiffany was newly working at the affiliated funeral home. He would deliver spectacular, larger-than-life masterpieces, and she had no idea he was the designer; she assumed he was the delivery man! Eventually, she learned that he was the artist behind the creations that took her breath away—his courting of her involved weekly deliveries of massive floral arrangements to her office. This went on for so long that she eventually agreed to a coffee date. As they spent more time together, the magnetism between the two of them heightened, bringing them closer and closer. Eventually, “we couldn’t stay away from each other,” Tiffany laughed. For her birthday that first year, he expertly wrapped 75 bouquets of multicolored roses and placed them all across the top of her car. In short, Luis understands the power of romantic spectacle.
Their courtship demonstrates the deeply felt impact of thoughtfully crafted and delivered flowers. Toca Florals brings West Coast elevation to the industry, which you can experience through its artistry. A trend in Orange County that they’ve brought to Chamblee is the art of bouquet wrapping. They only use handcrafted tissue paper from California, and each sheet of material is chosen carefully to accent the arrangement it’s intended for. Even the paper is given distinctive shapes: lines, curves, and angles bring stunning sculptural intensity to the bouquet wrapping. Gorgeous bows are added and meticulously shaped, resulting in an eye-catching display. These types of details and signs of extra effort make all the difference.
Toca Florals is a two-person operation. Luis, the designer, creates every single arrangement. Tiffany manages the website, taxes, and other logistical business matters. “But I do love flowers myself,” she clarifies. “I did fall in love with them.” Her admiration for her husband’s talent is palpable. His almost otherworldly ability to put together these stunning pieces in such short periods of time, demonstrating a high level of grace and ease, still impresses her. Tiffany gushes, “Everything you see is made by him.” The act of gifting flowers is in itself a thoughtful act of luxury; they soften hearts for every occasion and life transition. At Toca Florals, you can request your favorite flowers, show inspiration photos, or let Luis fly. The work is always outstanding and is deftly created with the confident hands of one who knows their own innate talent. It truly is an art form. Their offerings continually evolve, adding more options based on customer requests and preferences. Dried arrangements are their newest addition; people love their long-lasting impact and rustic chic look. Five months into Toca Florals’ arrival in Chamblee, they’ve set themselves apart with their West Coast stylistic elevation and wide range of available styles. Truly, the sky is the limit here, and this family-run business has its eyes set on ever-evolving expansion through the power of artistic passion.