TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY INTO THE WORLD OF FLORAL DESIGN?

 From an early age I was interested in the garden and drawing. My family ran a Green Grocer store and I was always creating arrangements with the flowers we sold. I found the more I sold, the more I made, and I loved the customers’ reactions. I took this passion for creating floral arrangements and decided to go to a local Agricultural college to study floristry, and I completed a three year City & Guilds certificate.

WHICH HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE FLEURS DE VILLES DESIGN?

My first design at St James Quarter in 2022 for Fleurs de Villes FEMMES, a floral celebration of remarkable women. We represented in florals the Scottish model and actress Eunice Olumide. It was my first floral mannequin and a chance for my team and I to let our creativity flow, and to show everyone that floristry is not just bouquets and wedding arches – it is an artform.

WHAT'S THE MOST UNUSUAL OR CHALLENGING DESIGN BRIEF YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?

One of my most challenging briefs was when, only a few days before a wedding, the bride changed her mind completely on the floral designs. She had decided to go from a completely elegant white mix throughout, to a Tropical Caribbean theme with tons of birds-of-paradise flowers. We didn't panic – we saw it as a delightful challenge and in the end the wedding flowers looked fabulous and matched her personality perfectly.

WHAT'S THE MOST THOUGHTFUL OR SURPRISING FLORAL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED FROM SOMEONE?

The most thoughtful, surprising and brilliant floral gift that I received was from one of my daughters when she was only about three years old. She had gone on a walk with her older sister and picked loads of wild flowers, daisies and dandelions and gave them to me with a huge grin on her wee face. It was special and my heart melts at the memory.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?

What I enjoy most about my job is the look on a client's face when they receive their flowers. It doesn't matter if it's an everyday order, wedding, funeral, or a bespoke piece for an event or business. Seeing their reaction, the “WOW” look on their face or in their eyes gives me a buzz every single time. I will never stop enjoying the feeling that I’m making a difference to someone.

IF YOU COULD SPEND A DAY WITH A FLORAL EXPERT, WHO WOULD IT BE, AND WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO LEARN FROM THEM?

The floral expert I admire is designer Tony Marklew. A self-described “event imagineer”, he has an amazing imaginative and creative flair with flowers, a true fairytale maker working with a luxurious style and definitely an eye and imagination for design.

IF YOU COULD ATTEND A FLORAL FESTIVAL OR BOTANICAL GARDEN ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY?

I would love to visit the Singapore Botanical Garden. The SuperTrees Structures and the Orchid gardens are mind blowing. Having seen it numerous times online it is my idea of heaven and I know that once I get there, I won't want to leave.

This is definitely  at the top of my bucket list.

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE MOVIE OR BOOK – ONE THAT INCORPORATES FLOWERS IN A BEAUTIFUL WAY?

Father of the Bride from 1991 a comedy about a bride's father creating his daughters perfect wedding in their home. It blew my mind as to the depths we can go to as floral creators. A more up to date film that makes me laugh too is Bridesmaids, I love a sense of humour. What both films share is how far you can go with creative design using flowers and colour to make fantasies come to life.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE FLOWER-RELATED QUOTE OR SAYING THAT RESONATES WITH YOU?

My own personal mantra has always been: Let the flowers flow naturally. Allow the butterflies to fly through. Always believe to achieve.

LASTLY, COULD YOU OFFER OUR READERS A SNEAK PEEK INTO ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS THEY CAN LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING FROM YOUR FLORAL STUDIO?

We always offer workshops that we change to suit the season or for special occasions, so there is always something new to come learn with us. We are also creating the florals for a wedding at a Castle in Peebles Scotland in August this year. It will be totally bespoke due to the uniqueness of the venue and I can't wait to post the completed images on our social media.