JOURNAL | Friends of Corador

Friends of Corador: Leah Pipes Meltzer of Serracinna

Q: When will my order ship?

In stock orders ship within 5 business days of order placement.

Q: Do you ship internationally?

We currently only offer shipping in the contiguous United States.

Q: What is your return policy?

Returns are accepted within 30 days of order placement.

Q: What if my order arrives damaged?

Email greetings@corador.com upon receipt and we will provide you with complimentary return shipping and send a replacement.

Q: Can I cancel or alter my order once it’s been placed?

Orders that have not yet been shipped can be modified or cancelled by emailing greetings@corador.com. If your order has already been shipped, we can make changes through the return process.

Q: What’s the best rug pad size for my rug?

Our preference is to start with a rug pad the same size as the rug and trim it down to 1-2" smaller once it's laid out.

Q: How do I clean my rug and how often?

Regular vacuuming with your vacuum’s beater bar off is recommended. For immediate spills, blot with water and a towel. If needed, continue to blot with mild soapy water, followed by a mix of equal parts water and vinegar. Do not use oxygen cleaners on your rug. When you have your rug professionally cleaned, we suggest providing your rug cleaning professional with the fiber content and construction of your rug.

Q: What can I do if my rug is shedding?

Shedding is normal and will subside with regular vacuuming. Occasionally, a loose fiber or “sprout” may surface on your rug–these can be trimmed with scissors.

Q: Can I create a custom sized rug?

Absolutely. E-mail greetings@corador.com with your project and one of our designers will work with you to make it happen.

Design rooted in nature, brimming with artistry—this is the unmistakable voice of Serracinna. Known for stunning creations, Serracinna’s founder Leah Pipes Meltzer blends an eclectic professional journey with a deep connection to natural beauty, crafting works of floral artistry that feel timeless and true. From curating floral and vase combinations that reflect their surroundings to showcasing in-season flowers grown by local farmers, Serracinna's approach is as thoughtful as it is striking.

In this Q&A, we sit down with Leah, the creative force behind Serracinna, to explore the inspirations, rituals, and philosophies that shape her work. Drawing on a background in photography, fashion, and film Leah offers a unique perspective on design that’s both grounded and imaginative. Discover tips for creating your own arrangements, the joys of working with seasonal blooms, and how simplicity can speak volumes in design as Leah works her magic on pieces from our new Décor collection.

Special thanks to the Austin Proper Hotel, which served as our inimitable backdrop and where you can also spy florals and botanicals curated by Serracinna.

Photography by Kelly DeWitt Norman.

Your design work is stunning and has such a strong voice—it’s immediately recognizable as a Serracinna creation. Can you walk us through your journey to nature and design?

I went to Parsons School of Design and studied photography. I feel like that is the lens through which all of our works are imagined. As if they are photographs. My professional background has been very creative and sort of all over the place. Working in advertising/photography, films/movies, sales and fashion, event production, and even interior design. I sort of floated around for a while not sure what to dedicate myself to. Now we call that a “multi-hyphen”! But honestly it's like all the different parts of myself got merged into what we do with Serracinna. As for the nature part, my husband is really the inspiration behind that. He's a real naturalist and so knowledgeable and obsessed with plants, trees, and flowers!

How do you approach the use of light and color in your work?

I am always looking to take inspiration from the space in which designs will be seen. I want our work to be a living, breathing reflection of the context. Curating floral and vase colors for a space is one of my favorite things to do.

That's such a special approach to design. What practices or considerations are involved when you create your work?

Using as much locally grown floral is the first and foremost most important contributing factor to our designs. The bulk of our work is really just showcasing what our local farmers do. I feel so proud of how true and faithful we are to this ethos.

And, we also really prioritize using really unique and speciality vases. I think that is one of our major departures from other florists in the industry. I think people really come to us for that! We consider the flowers and vases to be of equal importance!

Can you walk us through how to make an arrangement?

Start by considering where the arrangement will go. What scale or volume is needed? Will it be 360 degrees or have one focal plane? NOW: Seek out your local flower farm! Consider subscribing to their CSA, see if they have a farm stand, or go right to a farmers market.

Review pictures of the space you are designing for while buying flowers. For large arrangements I often like only two varieties. Consider your vases. What does the product need? A wide mouth vase? Something very narrow? Should you go for a bunch of bud vases or something low and round? Tall and full? For me all the consideration goes in before you start “designing” in choosing the flowers for vases—not just picking flowers you like. That's where the work is.

Big rule for us—always give your flowers a fresh cut before sticking in a vase and make sure your vases are squeaky clean. Nothing will kill your flowers quicker than a dirty vase. Now, just let the flowers and vessel speak for themselves rather than doing a whole bunch of fussing over the design. A simple combination is best.

What’s your favorite part about working with flowers? Do you have a most beloved flower?

My favorite part of working with in-season flowers is how rapidly they change. It's like every week I fall in love with something entirely new! I always have a favorite flower—it's just that it changes constantly. This week it is French marigolds! Last week it was Texas native Maxamillon sunflowers! The week before it was celosia!