You run a successful florist, what is the key to its success?
Very much my team – I am very fortunate to have a team of talented women who work together like a little hive mind. I think open lines of communication are essential, especially when you’re having ‘one of those days’, everyone is incredibly supportive of each other and jumps in to help.
What is the most asked for flower or combination? Are clients quite specific or do you get a lot of creative freedom within your assemblage?
We don’t have flower ‘recipes’ as such so no two combinations will ever be the same. Everything we create is bespoke and created based on our client budget, occasion and a question we are often ask is ‘what kind of person is receiving the flowers? Trendy, classic, girly/blokey?’. This way we get to know the person receiving them albeit with a snippet of information about that persons personality. One of the biggest pleasures of the job is making flowers for someone you know and creating the embodiment of that person into a bunch of flowers.
The interior of your shop compliments the floral arrangements so beautifully. I love the contrast of dark elements to the brightness of the florals; how does this relationship affect your designs for the store?
When we first opened we all noticed that our designs were more bold and stronger. It’s wonderful to see how much an environment has on your imagination.
What is your favourite floral combination?
I love anything contrasting – something soft like a rose with a ballsy protea. Or something wild and angular like Hakea with a puffy flower like Hydangea. Something odd and out-of-the-box that someone may never have seen before and will get people is a must in every bunch!
There is nothing better than fresh flowers throughout a space, what would be your ideal bunch/ type to fill your bowery?
Anything scented – garden roses, gardenias, lemon myrtle, jasmine. My home hardly ever has flowers but when I do take them home, it is usually just one, single, bloom. That way I can admire it’s simplicity and every intricate detail.
Everyone knows that early starts are key to a florists career, are you the one still going to the markets every day or are you on more of the creative design part of the business?
Up until recently I was going three days a week, Mon, Wed, Fri but when you finish the day at 7pm on those days you quickly realise you’re not functioning at your best. So I have had to let go of that control and empower my team. My team need to have their chance to learn the idiosyncrasies of the flower markets and grow their potential too!
Floristry is not just bunches of flowers…what are some memorable events/ installations or clients that you have worked with?
I have seen it all over the last 15 years in other jobs, so many wonderful flower adventures. I have been fortunate to work with some of Australias best florists who I am lucky enough to call my mates. Recently I travelled to the Middle East and assisted my dearest friend on a wedding that was beyond comprehension. I’m not sure it was even real, it was that unbelievable! But my favourite memories are the little things – the lady going to the country races wanting flowers to go on her Akubra, to the person simply writing ‘Meow’ in the message card and to the man on his way to the registry office buying his soon-to-be-wife a bouquet to walk down the aisle with. These are my favourite memories!
Where do you look/ go for inspiration?
Instagram but it is a double edge sword isn’t it – it’s too much of an influence and everyone end’s up doing the same thing. I prefer to use what we have on the flower stand that day to influence me or choose what I want to use for an event literally on the morning of the event at the flower markets. If it is a big event and I know the quantities of a certain flower might be hard to get, I do preorder them however I think the element of surprise of something unexpected in a bunch or an installation means the imagination never stops growing and the flowers become less of a ‘recipe’.
Not all roses are created equally in my eyes, some can have that amazing English Countryside aroma, others…nothing? Are non-scented flowers meant to be that way or is this a sign of a ‘off’ flower?
Haha I’ve never thought of it like that. Imported roses generally speaking don’t have a scent but they can last a freakishly long time and often look impressive with big heads. At other times, imported roses have travelled long distances and their lifespan can be shortened by this once it reaches your vase at home – we tend to avoid these as much as possible. We favour our local growers and their sweet smelling garden roses – check out B_N_B roses on Instagram for delectable smelling roses that you wish you could pluck off your feed and inhale.
How long should a good bunch last and what are the accurate care instructions…do those sachets really do anything?
Those sachets will help prevent a stinky vase but don’t do anything to extend the life of your flowers. The best way to get the most out of your blooms is to trim the stems, thoroughly clean your vase and replenish the vase with room temp water every day or two – this prevents bacteria and a whiffy vase too!
