How did you get into the big installations you’ve been
doing so much of?
I knew that I wanted to go into designing big installations
the moment I had seen them. I was so fascinated and in awe
and I knew that it was something I could do – and do well.
Luckily, the opportunity presented itself when my fiancé
and his partners were opening his new bar. They wanted
something floral and gave me free rein in terms of designing
the whole thing. I couldn’t believe it. My brain was mad
with ideas! I loved creating the wild ceiling vines with all
the colours and textures; I was so happy with what I had
created and, thankfully, so were they! During this project, I
had the opportunity to work with Perrier Jouet. This allowed
me to exercise my skills in liaising with other businesses:
they provided a brief and we constantly sent images back
and forth to each other until they were happy and gave me
the green light. I wanted to provide something that truly
represented their brand and ended up creating a 10-metre,
show-stopping flower wall on the roof terrace. This area of
work is something I have continued to build on.
I frequently have brands approaching me for installations
all over the UK. I have worked with a number of bars in
Liverpool city centre, another bar in Northwich, and
numerous salons and shops all over the country. I absolutely
love the idea of brands using flowers as a way to push their
business. Nothing says it better than flowers!
As well as this, with everyone being at home during
lockdown, I have had the privilege of creating projects for so
many gardens, making everyone happy at home by bringing
my bespoke designs to life!
What’s your favourite part about floristry?
Without wanting to sound cliché, I love that it makes people
smile. From receiving a bouquet to seeing someone look at
an installation, the smiles are always the best part. When
I first started out, I really struggled when dealing with
funerals and used to cry near enough every time. It wasn’t
until my auntie pointed out that flowers are the last gift you
can give to someone from their loved ones that I was able
to put my services into context and realise how important
floristry can be. I don’t have a favourite aspect of floristry
itself, but I love how it can lift people’s mood, and I love
making people smile.
How has your work progressed from fresh flowers to the
artificial?
The installations I’ve completed in the past have helped with
this, and this is due to the fact that artificial flowers have
progressed so much in quality that they can be confused with
fresh. I often get asked whether my installations and recent
bespoke home items are fresh or not. I love researching new
ideas and seeing what other florists are doing around the
world and blending these with my own. I feel I’ve recently
started taking my ideas around floristry into the direction
of interior design, as many of my clients ask for something
bespoke to match their home décor. Of course everyone
still loves receiving fresh flowers, and I still love doing them,
but the competition from supermarkets has taken its toll on
florists and so I’ve had to continuously adapt.
My passion has always been weddings. Seeing somebody’s
vision come together with your help is incredible. I love it
when a bride gets emotional after seeing her flowers for the
first time. As there isn’t any ‘rehearsal’ for wedding flowers
like there is everything else in the wedding, the client has
to put a lot of trust in you and this is an amazing privilege,
especially when you manage to bring their vision to life on
the big day. I pride myself on not doing any one wedding
the same. Of course a bride may like some of my previous
work, but I will always adapt these ideas and make them
bespoke to the bride to maintain that sense of uniqueness
on the client’s day.
How do we book you?
Now that I have a studio next to my own house (a big
improvement from my dad’s basement), I can invite clients
here for a consultation, particularly for weddings. However,
I’m equally happy to go to the client. This is always useful if
they want something in their home or garden as it allows
me to give much better advice on colours and style. I do a lot
of bookings on my socials, so my Instagram and Facebook
are the best ways to get in touch, especially with everything
that’s going on at the moment, social media is the most
practical and safe way to contact me.
What is the future looking like for bloom room?
At the moment I am so happy with how it is progressing
from day to day, and I’m incredibly proud and excited by
how much the business continues to grow. As I mentioned
earlier, I am constantly getting ideas and am always looking
for new ways to innovate and push the boundaries of
floristry. My goal would be to hear, ‘I’ve just got a bloom
room original; every house must have one!’ and for my floral
artistry to be recognised by everyone.
Instagram – Instagram.com/bloomroomflowers
Facebook – www.facebook.com/bloomroomflower
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