TreeMasters primed the pump last fall to make a big splash for the Rita Nova Collection, set to debut at the April home furnishings market in High Point's Showplace.

TreeMasters President Bob Baker Jr. had described having a few of Rita Rondina's botanical designs in its showroom last October as a teaser. The Newton, N.C.-based vendor invited select customers to view the arrangements, which combined moss and branches for a naturalist look the industry associates with Rondina, formerly owner of Florita Nova.

"TreeMasters has done wonderful things with trees and green plants, but we're going to introduce a whole division of floral permanent accessories," Rondina said. "It will be florals, topiary trees, wall decorations and centerpieces. We'll be working with a lot of preserved, dried and materials that will be new to the manufacturing process here."

Baker and Ed Shuford, who co-founded TreeMasters seven years ago, were pleased to add Rondina's designs because they wanted to introduce something unique to the market — florals with more art, design, impact and realism.

To prepare for the launch, Rondina visited numerous fabric shops as well as silk and dried floral manufacturers who handle custom colorations. The result is a line that covers a broad spectrum of design needs ranging from the clean contemporary grooves that use solid colors in upholstery/window treatments to home decor with damask and traditional prints.

TreeMasters and Rondina also considered what's happening with prices for high botanical design. "Our industry's changing so much to where our most high-end buyers are also shopping price," Rondina said. "We have some very new looks and new designs, but they're also very affordable."

Buyers may remember Rondina's style of designing with botanicals that look as if they're actually growing. At Florita Nova, she focused on meeting needs of buyers who preferred fresh flowers to silk ones, but would use something else if they liked it.

"People still come to market to be entertained and to see what's new and exciting," Rondina said. "That's my goal with what we're doing with TreeMasters, we want to show something that's different, rich and what the designers are looking for."