Say it with flowers

Newly-opened Elsa Flower Service accepts only phone bookings, that too 24 hours in advance, but this has not made it any less popular with its white-collar clientele.

Elsa invites fashion designers, architects and interior designers to do some of the arrangements, as "they add a distinctive touch" says company manager Wang Jian.

One popular creation for this season is the "Japan table flower", comprising mainly umbrella palms and purple-colored flowers, placed in a white porcelain vase. Priced at 296 yuan, it is a good choice for the living room. You can also put it on your dining table and match it with a British-style, checked tablecloth.