Millefleur | Floral Studio | England

 

1. How were you introduced to the world of flowers?

Growing up deep in the countryside, far way from any shops, roads, family’s or other children nature was my playground and became my closest friend. 

 

2. Why do you love working with flowers?

When I have green stems between my fingers and I’m creating with flowers, I’m truly at my happiest, completely content. Problems fade and nothing else matters in that precious moment.

 

3. What is the best advice you have received through your floral arrangement studies?

Don’t spend too much time looking at other people’s ideas it will paralyse yours. 

 

4. How did you manage to turn your passion into a business? 

With determination, positivity and a relentless belief in my creativity. 

 

5. Are there any artists who you look up to or inspire you most?

Nature is my inspiration, unfolding though the seasons and involving each year. 

I like to wander admiring the weeds with their beautiful tangles, delighting at the overgrown verges and waysides, to come across secret billowing meadow and hedgerows alive with bird song. 

 

6. Where do you source your materials, vases & tools?

I love to scour a good antique or thrift shop. I find that really inspiring and exciting with the possibility of finding something forgotten or unique. I have never really liked having the same things as everybody else so sometimes I also make my own vases and vessels, I find that way the end result is totally pure. 

 

7. How would you describe your style of floral art?

Inspired by the wild, seemingly effortless, light and airy with attention to every detail. 

A kind of Curated Nature. 

 

 

8. Do you have a favourite material or season?

Who could or would have a favourite flower? I like to admire the often over looked, the shy and delicate types….even a so called weed. I like to elevate the notion of them play with the idea of what is beautiful. If your mind is open then all flowers are beautiful.

With regards to a favourite seasons, it’s rather like a book you need all the pages to understand the story… but if I had to choose it would be the transitions, when summer blends to autumn and the colours faded to gold… those fleeting moments are so delightful.

 

 

9. What is the advice you would give to someone who is studying or wanting to study floral arrangement?

Practice, practice and keep practicing, never stop. Choose inexpensive stems to play with and take time to enjoy the process. Don’t fret over mistakes you’re learning through them and maybe you will come up with a great idea or solution in the process. 

10. Do you have any good floristry secrets / tips to share?

I think you have to fine tune most techniques to work along side your style. I like to think about how I want something to look and then figure out what the best way of achieving it. In the process your techniques become an integral part of your style. 

In other words do your own home work! 

11. What is ahead in your flower future? 

As a wedding and event florist I love discovering amazing new venues, the adventure keeps things fresh. Creating a whole atmosphere with flowers is truly amazing and year on year the designs are getting more and more interesting. I also hope to be involved in more creative projects and exhibition pieces where I can let my ideas flow to their full potential. I also love to teach, it’s a real pleasure to see students ideas unfold and flourish and in turn that’s truly nourishing and up lifting. 

12. For flower lovers – where would you recommend they visit in your area in a 24 hour visit?  

We have some of the most beautiful gardens here in the Cotswold and you can’t miss a visit to Hidcote it’s exceptional. The gardens are divided by tall box hedge, rather like rooms, each one with its own colour palette. 

Take a walk along chalk downs near Marlborough where you can see the surrounding countryside for miles and miles unfold, you might even spot a rare chalk blue butterfly. 

For shopping it has to be Tetbury with the wonderfully inspiring antique shops. Full of unusual finds beautifully curated like Josephine Ryan antiques. 

 

13. What’s your opinion on fake flowers?

Why use them? There are so many beautiful flowers each one more wonderful than the next. 

I suppose it’s because people think they are easier and they last longer? 

But surely the beauty of flowers is that they are fleeting here today and gone tomorrow? In any case if you do want everlasting flowers there are always dried flowers which can be even more beautiful than the fresh. 

Also why are fake flowers trying to be like real ones? if you’re going to make a plastic flower invent something truly blinking unbelievable… there is beauty is paper flowers snipped by a toddler or artisan ceramic petals but mass produced cookie cut versions are definately not for me. If we separate ourselves from real flowers, real grass, real trees honestly I don’t think we stand a chance. 

 

 

14.  Are there a lot of local flowers available in your area? Or where do you source your flowers?

Yes, it’s taken me time to form relationships with my surrounding growers and not all can produce enough flowers for events. It can also be an effort to collect from a multitude of different growers but the end effect can not be replicated by mass produced flowers. 

You don’t get the wiggle on the stems or the surprise flowers that growers pop in for you, those visits to the flower fields they are pure inspiration. Imported factory flowers can’t compare to the beautiful local blooms grown with so much love and attention doted on them. 

Business Details

Website: Millefleur.co.uk 

Instagram: @millefleurpearl

Services: Wedding & Event flowers, special commissions, workshops, 1:2:1 workshops

Upcoming events: Strawberry hill flower festival a gothic mansion in Richmond, London. Over 25 established floral artists take over the house from Friday 22nd September to Sunday 24th. I exhibited a couple of years ago and can’t wait to be back.