Sarah Cioni comes back to Niwot

Sarah Cioni is synonymous with beautiful flowers, arranged in stunning arrays that create a perfect ambience for weddings and other important life events. After leaving Niwot four years ago for California, where she worked her floral magic with some of Hollywood's well-known stars, Cioni has returned to her roots in Niwot with a new shop, Belle Terre Floral, located in the runway of Cottonwood Square.

Cioni left her mark on Niwot with her former business, The Painted Primrose, also in Cottonwood Square. She is also responsible for creating Niwot's popular Enchanted Evening event, which she championed for several years.

Belle Terre Floral, which Cioni continues to maintain in California with her business partner, nephew Peter Cioni, who's in the movie industry, will open for business in Niwot on Wednesday, July 14. A grand opening party from 6 to 9 p.m. unveiling the new space uniquely decorated by Cioni, will be highlighted by an appearance from Marie Antoinette, but "the windows are covered with papers so nobody knows what's inside" until then, she said.

Cioni's primary work is providing flowers for weddings, but Belle Terre will also offer flowers and gift items for sale. "Everything is carefully curated," she said, "There's a very French theme."

She has plans to make the shop a community place, with classes and arts discussions. "I'll start Friday flowers where I ship in flowers from the LA market" Cioni said.... "I want the shop to be an experience for people. The four years in LA have allowed me to see things differently, I see flowers differently. I have an ordinary life, but my life is extraordinarily beautiful, and it's very simple. I've just come to appreciate the simplicity of simple beautiful things. And then there's a beautiful sense of smell. Belle Terre means "beautiful earth."

"The party is going to be special," Cioni said. "We'll have a DJ, and we'll swing from the chandeliers a bit. Everybody's invited."