Though Derby Farm flowers & gardens has been in Arlington Center since 1999, it has been run under the designer eye of Barbara Popolow since 2005. She thinks of her store as a European-style home boutique and says it focuses on "garden and home enhancement, bringing the inside out and the outside in." With a background in landscape design, Popolow creates floral designs that have a garden and wildflower look, using exotic flowers only when they are specifically requested by customers.
She also offers garden design services. The store buys flowers almost exclusively from the Boston Flower Market and designs for events as well as one-time bouquets. The store also carries home decor items, baby gifts, lotions and soaps. All the staff members are local residents, and customer service is a priority.