Story
Life is better when you slow down
When you cut out clutter and focus on what really matters. It’s the same with floristry. I made a choice to slow down, to give flowers the time and space they deserve. Now I want to share my new approach with you.
My first flowery memory is eating rose petals on my grandmother’s lawn when I was about four years old. I can vividly recall the velvety texture and bitter taste. Maybe that’s when my passion for flowers was seeded. Or it might have been before that, when my parents gave me the middle name Fleur. Either way, I think it was meant to be.
When i found my stride
Despite the early signs, it took years for my purpose to become clear. Then in my mid 20s I cofounded the Flower Appreciation Society. Running a floristry business in London for a decade taught me to think big, work fast and push the boundaries of what flowers can do. That chapter culminated in publishing a book and ended when I had my second child and moved to Somerset with my husband.
Redefining what success means
Starting again has been hard—no brand behind me, no business partner—but now life is calmer. It’s only a short walk from my house to ancient beech woods and open fields. My foraging missions for bracken and old man’s beard turn my studio into something resembling an apothecary’s workshop. My eyes are opened to the wonders of drying and pressing that reveal the afterlife of plants. With better access to the natural world and the seasons more obviously apparent, I feel constantly inspired.
Constantly learning from nature.
At the other end of life’s cycle, growing flowers has grounded my practice and acquainted me with patience. Nature won’t be rushed. Raising a plant from seed is immensely satisfying and, when things go wrong, heartbreaking. But whatever happens, I learn. Battling slugs and snails, early frosts and epic downpours: it’s all part of the journey.
Growing, or buying locally, also means shrinking the distance between me and the flowers I use. As a human being, I place great importance in reducing my impact on the planet. I don’t use imported flowers or floristry foam. I build sustainable floristry practices into my classes, making them accessible and practical.
Flowers continue to delight and surprise me every day. I look forward to exploring their mysteries with you.