The Sweetest Collaboration: Levain Bakery and Julia Testa
Sometimes, being a florist means tackling long hours, heavy lifting, and finger-aching work. Other times, it’s spending your day hopping from bakery to bakery, indulging in world-famous cookies while doing what you love.
This week, we had the absolute pleasure of doing the latter.
If you haven’t heard of Levain Bakery, you might just be missing out on one of New York’s sweetest treasures. With features in The New York Times, New Yorker Magazine, Travel & Leisure, Bon Appétit, and countless other publications, Levain is more than a New York institution—it’s a cookie empire.
About Levain Bakery
It all started in 1995 with a small team hand-baking loaves, baguettes, and rolls every day. The cookie that put Levain on the map? A happy accident. Founders Pam & Connie, both triathletes, created a massive chocolate chip walnut cookie to fuel their intense training sessions. Little did they know, the test batch would sell out instantly—and a legend was born.
From its cozy beginnings as a neighborhood favorite, Levain grew into a destination for food lovers from across the globe. Now, nearly 30 years later, Levain boasts 17 locations—including 9 in New York—and a loyal fanbase that spans the country.
How We Decked the Levain Bakery Halls
Taking on a multi-location project is always an exciting and creative endeavor, and working with Levain Bakery was top-notch We infused the spirit of their brand into each space, traveling across New York City and beyond, from their Upper West Side flagship to Astoria, NoHo, Williamsburg, and even Wainscott in the Hamptons.
For this holiday season, we adorned their storefronts with weeping cedar designs and playful, asymmetrical touches that matched Levain’s warm, whimsical vibe. Clusters of ribbons in varying sizes and multi-peaked arrangements brimmed with festive cheer. The result? A design that felt just as inviting as the aroma of freshly baked cookies wafting through each location.
Every space came to life in its own way, but Wainscott and the Hamptons stole our hearts. So much so, we might just find ourselves *Popping Up* back there for some exciting summer plans. Stay tuned!
This project was a joy from start to finish—spreading holiday cheer, one cedar sprig at a time, and indulging in Levain’s iconic cookies along the way. From bustling city streets to the charming Hamptons, it was an honor to be part of Levain Bakery’s journey and help make their spaces shine this holiday season.