We first connected with Matilda Martin (@deep_blooms) when she entered our competition to join our Ikebana Academy. I was absolutely delighted with her submission and video where her openness to experimentation and love for wild, unconventional beauty stood out. I knew she would love ikebana. Based in Western Australia, Matilda is the founder of Deep Blooms, a floral design studio inspired by her background in coastal engineering and a lifelong love of Australia’s wildflowers.
In this interview, Matilda shares how seasonality fuels her creativity, why imperfection and unpredictability are central to her style, and how ikebana has become a meditative reminder to create slowly, for herself. Tilly, we absolutely adore you, your down to earth Australian-ness and your laughs & good vibes in Ikebana class.
Firstly, tell me a little about yourself, your work and how were you introduced to the world of flowers?
My name is Matilda Martin, I am from Perth Western Australia. I vividly remember the day I decided I wanted to explore the art of floristry. It was a combination of challenging my science dominated brain and the fact I had fallen in love with the wildflowers on a bush walk in the southwest corner of Western Australia.
Why do you love working with flowers?
I love the seasonality. I love that every few weeks the material that is available changes, keeping me on my toes and forced to think outside the box. I feel like every year I am using a new method or technique to transform the material. So much so that the name of my business reflects this:
Deep Blooms draws inspiration from the fluid and unknown nature of the ocean. The intent of my work is to be ever evolving, unpredictable and captivating.
Even more captivating is the human emotional response to flowers. No matter the situation, you cannot be too upset when receiving flowers right?
What inspired you to turn your passion for flowers into a business?
I would be lying if I said that Deep Blooms was created with a vision to be a business. It was created as a passion project that has evolved and changed so much over the last five years. I am forever grateful for what flowers have allowed me to do and very excited to see where they take me in the future.
I guess what catalysed the evolution into a business was the fact I was living in a region that is a very popular wedding destination. So weddings naturally dominated my client base. This gave me the opportunity to work in some really beautiful venues and alongside very talented local vendors. I still love being involved with weddings.
Are there any artists who you look up to or inspire you most?
A person that inspires me in a lot of ways is surfer, artist, singer songwriter Jaleesa Vincent. I think it’s super cool how she radiates the belief to just be yourself and have fun. At the end of the day, I believe that’s the whole point.
A florist that inspires me is Hattie Molloy. She seems to be continuously pushing boundaries and creating things that I’ve never seen before. From large scale installations to her personal vase collection. Her creativity and ideas seem to operate in a different realm to the majority of us. I’d love the opportunity to work with her one day.
I am forever inspired by the natural world. Specifically, the coastal space. A lot of my life revolves around the ocean; boating, fishing, surfing and I am actually a coastal engineer by (other) trade. As I mentioned earlier the namesake of my business is inspired by the unknown element of the ocean. Which I think reflects my work.
Where do you source your floral materials, vases & tools?
I have been experimenting growing flowers in my garden for the last 6 months, I am hoping to use them in my work this coming season. I do love foraging, although I source mainly from the local flower markets in Perth.
How would you describe your style of floral art?
Evolving. I prefer not to be totally locked into an idea before I start sourcing. I am drawn to imperfections, colours that wouldn’t stereotypically work together or stems that have twists and turns. One of my least favourite things to do is set a colour palette.
I think this comes from the fact that I enjoy the flash of confusion across people’s faces when a stereotype is challenged. Then watching as they warm to the idea. I like doing things that people tell me I shouldn’t. Where this stems from, I am not exactly sure but it’s something that I’ve consciously done throughout my life. Not saying that I am living this hyper alternative lifestyle, but intrinsically it motivates me.
Do you have a favourite material or season?
Mulla Mulla, it flowers in central western Australia in winter. It is used as bush medicine by indigenous Australians. Although this answer is forever changing.
What is the advice you would give to someone who is studying or wanting to study floral arrangement?
I found studying floristry at TAFE to be quite laborious and restrictive. In reflection I now understand the course was designed to teach base technique and has added so many invaluable tools to my toolbox. It’s up to you whether you want to carry/or not carry them through your work. Style is something that you will develop in your own over time.
Do you have any good flower arranging secrets / tips to share?
I often find myself doing a lot of the arranging as I find it difficult to communicate how I want things to look. However, I have learned the importance of building a strong team around your business is priceless. Look after your freelancers because they will look after you.
What do you love the most about your flower career? What do you find are your biggest strengths?
I love that my flower career has allowed me to leverage both my engineering background and explore floral art. The engineering practice has developed my organizational and problem solving skills. Which definitively help with all things business management as well as spotting fires in high stress environments. The creative aspect keeps me thinking outside the rat race sphere and has allowed me to form connections with so many amazing people.
What are the biggest challenges you face working with flowers as a job?
Although the everchanging available material is one of my favourite things, it is also one of the biggest challenges. Abrupt season ends, delayed/cancelled shipments from farms, climate changing, high demand are just a few reasons why product may not be available. Definitely keeps me on my toes.
For flower lovers - where would you recommend they visit in your city in a 24 hour visit?
Ooh what a great question! Hopefully my garden in a few months. Otherwise take a drive into the wheatbelt north-east of Perth in the spring. The carpets of wildflowers are out of this world. Or inner city is Kings Park Botanic Garden, visiting in Spring is an absolute must.
What is ahead in your flower future?
I have really enjoy pairing florals with products. Creating a scene or a moment where they co exist. I hope to continue to explore this through more styling and content creation work.
Finally, you are making so many beautiful Ikebana arrangements as part of the Ikebana Academy. What made you interested to study Ikebana and what are you enjoying the most about it?
The very first flower class I did with my Mum many years ago, the word Ikebana was mentioned. I remember being so intrigued by the practice and have had it on my floral bucket list for a long time. The Ikebana Academy has provided the perfect opportunity to do just that. I can definitely see Ikebana infiltrating into my work in the future.
My favourite thing about Ikebana is the slowness. I treat my practice as a form of meditation. Arranging for yourself is something special, its been a nice reminder to arrange for myself. Paying attention to the finite details of the material, the structure, spending 10 minutes deciding whether 1 small leaf should be removed. It’s really special.
You can follow her work on Instagram at @deep_blooms or via her website www.deepblooms.com.au. Through her studio, Deep Blooms, she offers event floral design, installations, styling and content creation, and will soon launch Flower Mail. Based in Fremantle, her home studio is open by appointment only. Her bookings for Summer 2025/26 are nearly full, with Summer 26/27 now open for bookings.
