[Case Study] Natura and PUCCI Café & Dog Boutique

We dig into the details of Natura’s project with PUCCI Café & Dog Boutique and explore how our collaboration resulted in a captivating living wall that breathes life and elegance into the space.

PUCCI Café & Dog Boutique, is a luxurious store in Katy, Houston that offers high-end designer dog accessories, exclusive dog spa products, and a chic café with a breathtaking lake view.

When owners, Bobby and Maria Davidson, wanted to add striking greenery to replace a dull brick wall, they reached out to Natura to explore their options. The result? An exclusive and unforgettable destination in Houston. 

The installation of Natura’s living wall at PUCCI marked a turning point for the café, revolutionizing the entire ambiance and establishing itself as an extraordinary marketing tool. In a matter of minutes following its installation, customers were drawn to the wall, capturing its beauty through photographs and sharing them across various social media platforms, leading to an explosion of exposure for PUCCI. Beyond its social media impact, the living wall has also significantly influenced foot traffic and revenue, as customers are drawn to its unique allure. 

Keep reading about how Natura made this happen in the below case study…

Image Source: Supplied by PUCCI Café & Dog Boutique

About the client

PUCCI Café & Dog Boutique is a new and innovative concept in the United States, located in LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch in Katy, Houston. The café features a spacious back patio that overlooks a lake and provides a canine-optional space where people can relax and enjoy pastries, wine, charcuterie boards, coffee, and tea from the on-site café. Meanwhile, their furry friends can run around in the Bark Park, a supervised play area that is complete with watering and waste stations.

Patio overlooking the lake. 
Image Source: Claudia Casbarian for Julie Soefer Photography
Learn more about PUCCI Café and Dog Boutique. 

The Challenge

This pup paradise boasts a sprawling 2,500-square-foot back patio, complete with multiple levels and a picturesque view of the adjacent lake. Despite the meticulous attention to detail that went into crafting the store's glamorous and elegant ambiance, the PUCCI team were dissatisfied with one aspect: a dull orange-like brick wall on the building's side. From the very beginning, Natura was intricately involved in the original design plan, which incorporated the exquisite combination of the dark blue wood façade and the living wall. 

Bringing together the dark blue wood façade and the living wall meant overcoming:

• Red tape and administrative challenges from the shopping center where PUCCI is located 
• Supply chain issues stemming from COVID-19’s impact on the global economy
• Communication challenges with the signage providers 

Here at Natura we strongly believe in creating durable, long-lasting solutions that stand the test of time. Natura is not in the business of quick fixes - we're committed to delivering results that exceed our client's expectations and leave a lasting impression. Our experts worked closely with the PUCCI team to design and install a living wall that would not only replace the unsightly brick wall but also serve as a focal point for the entire space. From selecting the perfect plants to ensuring proper irrigation and maintenance, the Natura team paid attention to every detail to create a living wall that would thrive for years to come. Although the project was a huge success, it was not without its challenges. In the below sections, you’ll discover some obstacles that Natura and PUCCI encountered, and how we worked diligently to overcome them. 

The Solution

• Challenge: Navigating the rigorous selection process at La Centerra

La Centerra at Cinco Ranch (the lifestyle shopping centre where PUCCI Café is located) isn't your average shopping and restaurant center - it's a luxurious, high-end destination that only allows the best of the best to rent space within its coveted vicinity. And when it came to securing a spot at La Centerra, PUCCI had to go through a rigorous selection process that tested every aspect of their brand. In addition to that, La Centerra initially thought the living walls were faux, so in a matter of days, ownership had to convince them to allow Natura to install the irrigation systems.

“We had to sell ourselves. We had to create a storybook that talked about our background, our vision, and our concept. They checked every detail to decide if we had the wherewithal to do a project like this.”- Bobby Davidson, Owner of PUCCI Café and Dog Boutique. 

• Solution: PUCCI and Natura secure a spot at La Centerra with a green solution

PUCCI managed to stand out by approaching Natura to incorporate a stunning living wall and lush greenery into its storefront. Not only did these natural elements enhance the beauty of their space, but they also captured the attention and admiration of the decision-makers at La Centerra. 

Due to a misunderstanding by La Centerra regarding the authenticity of the plants, there was some initial confusion about the need for proper irrigation systems. However, with PUCCI's team acting quickly and efficiently, they were able to convince La Centerra that the plants were indeed real and required an adequate irrigation system to thrive. PUCCI's team took the initiative to explain that the living wall was composed of real, live plants, and without a functioning irrigation system, the plants would inevitably wither and die.

With their innovative and visually captivating approach, PUCCI successfully won over the hearts and minds of those in charge and secured a spot in the exclusive high-end shopping and dining center.    

If your business is looking to enhance your workspace with innovative greenery, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of our Natura experts. 

Challenge: Overcoming the aftermath of COVID-19 

The aftermath of COVID-19 presented some supply chain challenges, which caused delays in the completion of the project. Although the build-out was initially expected to take between 120-150 days, it ultimately took more than a year to finish due to numerous factors to consider. These included managing water sources, plumbing, and unsightly irrigation boxes, which posed difficulties for both PUCCI and Natura.

Solution: Natura’s partnership with PUCCI 

Natura’s effective communication, consultancy, and collaboration with PUCCI and Gin Design were instrumental in ensuring that the project remained on track.

With a high level of professionalism, Natura played a crucial role in guiding PUCCI and coordinating with the suppliers and contractors. Natura’s efforts significantly eased the stress associated with managing the supply chain challenges that arose during the pandemic. The Natura team fulfilled every commitment and delivered as promised. During the process, Natura acted as an extension of the PUCCI brand and became a partner in their project.

“We were super happy with Leah, our representative from Natura. She is almost like family to us now because she was just a fantastic partner throughout the process.”-Bobby Davidson, Owner of PUCCI Café and Dog Boutique. 

Challenge: Signage integration challenges

Natura and PUCCI encountered some hiccups regarding the signage, as it was not positioned far out enough to allow the plants to be properly placed behind it. This required both parties to regroup and strategize a solution. PUCCI had a specific vision in mind, with the plants being integrated in a manner where vines were woven between the letters and foliage was situated behind them. However, the task proved challenging for both Natura and PUCCI because of the signage company's ineffective communication.

Solution: Incorporating faux plants and lighting to the signage

To achieve a polished appearance for the signage,  Natura opted to include some faux plants. Additionally,  the team elevated the signage's total impact by implementing lighting, which rendered a stunning visual effect during nighttime. 

To address the prior communication challenges with the signage company, Natura established a better rapport with them and ensured that PUCCI was kept informed throughout the process.

The end result of Natura’s work was truly remarkable, with the signage becoming one of Bobby and Maria’s favorite features of the wall. The improved communication with the signage company allowed for a smoother execution of the project, ultimately contributing to the success of the signage's integration into the overall design.

Should you be looking to incorporate creative solutions into your business aesthetics, feel free to contact our Natura experts today. 

Image of the wall at night: Supplied by PUCCI Café & Dog Boutique

The Results

• The installation of the living wall at PUCCI has resulted in an explosion of social media exposure, with customers constantly taking pictures and tagging the Café. (Astoundingly, within a mere 5 minutes of its installation, there were already customers in front of the wall snapping pictures for social media). With the potential to go viral, the wall has proven to be a highly effective marketing tool.
• In addition to its social media impact, the living wall has also generated a significant increase in foot traffic, resulting in longer customer stays and ultimately leading to greater revenue. Even during the winter months, when some plants were missing, customers were still drawn to the wall's captivating beauty and continued to showcase it on social media.
• Customers are undeniably drawn to the wall's unique allure, frequently approaching it to touch the plants and expressing amazement at their realness. This makes PUCCI stand out as a distinctive and memorable destination in the minds of its customers and gives them a competitive edge. 
• Based on Natura’s historical research across multiple projects, a focus on natural greenery in the workspace has been proven to increase happiness among employees. 
• Customers of all ages, including school children attending dances and other events, are eager to take pictures in front of the wall, making it a beloved part of PUCCI’s ambiance. 

All in all, the living wall has proven to be a highly effective, results-driven investment for PUCCI.

Conclusion

PUCCI are pleased with the living wall, and their customers love it just as much as they do. Despite significant challenges faced in the selection process and supply chain, Natura skillfully provided effective solutions that precisely met and exceeded PUCCI's requirements. This successful partnership between PUCCI and Natura stands as a prime example of how our collaboration and expertise can overcome even the most daunting challenges to achieve remarkable results.

The living wall is a focal point of the café, elevating the dining experience and becoming a source of pride. 

Overall, the project exceeded expectations, and the owners are grateful for Natura's partnership. The living wall symbolizes their commitment to luxury and innovation and sets them apart from competitors. Natura is proud to have been a partner in bringing it to life.

What the customer had to say 

“Natura and the whole team were truly fantastic during our project. Leah Cicardo, our representative from Natura, was highly engaged during project planning from the beginning of the initial concept and through the completion of the project. She was very attentive, offered many ideas with regards to the design, style, and type of plants we should use that included our exterior living wall when considering the west sun in the afternoons, but still gives us the aesthetic look that we wanted to achieve. Once the project commenced, the whole team was ready on the large exterior living walls within the timeline (even though a moving timeline due to construction challenges) and to deliver and have it ready when we opened the doors for business. The response to the living was truly amazing. Within, literally, five  minutes of completing, we had people taking selfies for their socials.”-Bobby Davidson, Owner of PUCCI Café and Dog Boutique. 

“Once again, from Leah, to the installation team, to the maintenance team, we could not be happier with Natura as a company. There is no doubt we will use them for future locations if we are blessed with a growing company. If anyone is looking for this type of product, I would trust no one else and look no further than that of Natura.”- Bobby Davidson, Owner of PUCCI Café and Dog Boutique. 

Ready to transform your space with lush greenery? Connect with us and let our expert team help you create a stunning living wall that’s sure to impress. 

Explore our extensive portfolio of green solutions.