Tag: florist

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Art Design Designers Interviews Styling

Meet the Sydney artist who became Cate Blanchett’s personal florist

Doctor Cooper
Doctor Cooper

With a PhD in fine art, Sydney’s Lisa Cooper (aka Doctor Cooper) has explored many artistic mediums including painting, sculpture, installation and performance, but it was a chance job at a flower shop (Grandiflora no less!) that saw her really hit her strides. “I’d had international artistic success, but I’d never been able to nail a medium like I did with flowers,” says Lisa who took the job on a whim, not having even heard of her iconic employer.

Doctor Cooper
Doctor Cooper

Upon completion of her PhD, Lisa left the job and headed back to her studio, but the floral requests kept coming. “People kept asking me to do flowers so that’s when my own business really took off,” says Lisa who had one request that really sent her career into the stratosphere. Tasked with making a crown for the Sydney Theatre Company’s production of War of the Roses, Lisa soon became Cate Blanchett’s personal florist; the actor was the co-director of the theatre at the time. 

“I did the flowers for all of the Sydney Theatre Company’s events, but I would create arrangements for Cate’s house too. I remember arranging flowers in her kitchen and making small talk. I tried to act cool, but my mind was blown!” says Lisa.

Lisa’s installation at Sydney’s BLACK Bar & Grill is reminiscent of a Renaissance still life

Aside from private clients, Lisa is in residence at the Sydney Hermès store where she creates floral installations every fortnight. “I work for lots of luxury brands and art related businesses, but I am a bit pigeonholed. I can send a bouquet too!” says Lisa.

A butcher’s daughter and fine artist, Lisa was a perfect fit for The Star Sydney who are curating a carnival of pleasure throughout their restaurant venues this month. Lisa was commissioned to create an opulent Renaissance-style still life painting experience at its meat-focussed BLACK Bar & Grill.

Sheer abundance
Sheer abundance

Lisa’s floral installation is comprised of a rather arresting bunch of silk magnolias – it’s worth noting that real ones wouldn’t have lasted longer than a day. “You never see a big bunch of magnolias. For the scope of your vision to be filled with these big, soft, silken flowers is, for me, the true meaning of indulgence.”

This BLACK Bar and Grill dessert couldn't look anymore indulgent
This BLACK Bar and Grill dessert couldn’t look anymore indulgent!

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Preserved flowers: The latest floral trend!

Devoted readers of the site will know that we love a bit of trend-spotting around here and our latest find has got us rather excited indeed. From my Insta feed…
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Art Designers Homewares Interviews

A floral odyssey: Botanical photography by Flowers For Kate

While Katie Clulow boasts a 20-year floristry career, her floral skills go well beyond the creation of a simple bouquet. A self-taught botanical photographer, the Sydneysider is also a textile designer, fibre artist and basket maker too. “I find it hard to define what I do exactly but I certainly spend a lot of time admiring flowers!” says Katie.

‘Alice’ limited edition print

“I was lucky in that flowers seemed to find me. From florist to flower buyer, and spending a lot of early mornings at the flower markets, I started to document the flowers. Each season was so different, as were the changes in flower trends. When Instagram began, it was the perfect place for Flowers For Kate to unfold,” says Katie.

Open edition blue hydrangea print

And like many mothers, it was after the birth of her children that Katie’s career took a different turn. “As a mother of two kids I wanted to be present and at home as they grew up. Floristry requires long hours and is very physical, retail work. Flowers For Kate has grown from a need to create – as a mother, life can’t always be about nurturing others. We need to feed our own souls to be better at life. I love making, creating and designing and Flowers For Kate has enabled me to do that from home so I feel very fortunate,” says Katie.

‘Evelyn in decay’ limited edition print

Drawing primarily from nature; colour, texture and form are Katie’s biggest inspirations. “Simple and accessible natural beauty is usually the best inspiration, from dandelions on the street verge to a perfectly grown garden rose. I love how colour can affect an entire room and I am very aware of colours when selecting the flowers that I shoot,” says Katie who has recently began experimenting with macro lenses that produce all that gorgeous detail that is found in her prints.

Hydrangea linen cushion

“With my photography, I started printing on textiles as I found it more forgiving – organic linens, canvas and crisp cottons for soft furnishings,” says Katie who prints her designs on paper too. “I am loving the textural matte finish and printing on paper was always a huge goal for me. These last six months have been a massive learning curve but rewarding too,” says Katie.

‘Coral Peony’ limited edition print

As for the wide and enduring appeal of flowers, Katie puts it well. “Coming from a floristry background, flowers were bought for a first love, to heal, to mark the birth of a new baby, to give to a friend, sell a home, to say sorry and to mark the end of a life. Just the fragrance can transport us to a different time or place. They really are magical,” says Katie.

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Expert Tips Styling

How to get creative with flowers at home: a florist’s tips

By Vicki Kerr

Decorating your home with flowers should be an exciting project. Follow your instincts, use what you love and don’t try too hard. You don’t need an enormous amount of flowers to create a beautiful effect.

Vicki Kerr
Vicki Kerr

I like to think of home floral decoration as creating your own installations. It is so much fun as it leads you not only on the path of sourcing beautiful flowers, but also finding other interesting pieces that will complement the flowers. It’s time to start looking at the back of the cupboard for quirky containers or looking in the windows of Vinnie’s to see what treasures they might have. This could be a set of espresso cups that would look great with flowers floating in them or a mismatched collection of dinner plates that would really complement florals on a table. It’s really about thinking this is my home, how can I decorate it beautifully with interesting props and beautiful fresh flowers.

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Always buy fresh flowers in season. Ask your florist when the flowers came in from the market. Don’t be tempted to buy flowers that are on special or are sitting in the sun or in the wind outside the shop. It is really worth spending the extra dollars to buy good quality. You will be much happier getting a week out of your flowers as opposed to two days. Always cut the flowers on a slant and place them in fresh water. Change the water regularly.

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It is now time to look around your home and see where flowers might lend themselves. An unusual jug, a collection of glasses or bottles, an old rusty bucket from the side of the house. How gorgeous would that be with fully blown roses in it? Pick a colour palette so you don’t end up with too many colours. One week it might be pastels, the next bright and the next monochromatic. Ask yourself: what else do I have that might make this vase of flowers sit beautifully in my home? You might add a scented candle next to it, a beautiful shell or a plate. Try and create a feature that will become a talking point for family and friends. Really open your eyes to what is around you and at your fingertips.

If you have guests, a bunch of something small and scented on their bedside is an instant and beautiful welcome gesture. Frangipanis and gardenias in summer, Daphne in winter and Lily of the Valley in October. It is so nice to use all the different flowers throughout the year.

Experiment and buy a flower you don’t usually use. A large float bowl at the front door filled with frangipanis is simple but very effective.

Once you start decorating your home with flowers you will realise how much they add to a space. You will grow in confidence with what you use and how you use it. The lovely thing about flowers is that you can keep experimenting with what you do. You can arrange flowers in anything as long as they have a water source. Don’t be afraid to use interesting combinations of flowers — succulents with soft flowers, natives with roses and tulips. There are no rules. Just enjoy!

–With nearly 20 years’ experience as a florist, Vicki Kerr has worked with well-known names including Susan Avery, and spent several years as the in-house florist for a large Sydney private club. After selling her Bondi business Miss Lily Trading in 2009, Vicki created The Flower Store, operating from a cooperative studio space in Darlinghurst that she shares with two other florists.

Vicki’s book, Floral Alchemy, is released this month, RRP $79.95. Buy it online.

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Competitions Styling

Launch your floristry career with this money can’t buy prize

Budding florists listen up… there’s a blooming beautiful (I know, I went there!) future awaiting you.

bay 10 florist prize

Introducing Project Rosie, a money can’t buy prize that will see one talented florist receive mentoring, financial assistance and free rent for nine months at Bay 9, an incredible heritage warehouse office space located under the iconic Harbour Bridge at Lavender Bay.

As with all good things, this amazing launch pad comes with some conditions. If you want the space and the chance to be part of a community of like-minded creative entrepreneurs, you have to show Bay 9 in words and pictures your creative and business plan. And promise to keep the herb garden alive at Bay Ten Espresso, the super cool cafe that’s right next door!

bay 10 florist

Entrants will be whittled down to a short list of six who’ll be given $200 each to refine their business plan. There’ll be a chance to pitch your proposal before the winner is selected on 18 March 2016, ready for an early 2016 start-up. There’s a low-interest $10,000 loan available to get the business up and running and to buy stock, plus free mentoring and assistance with getting the business plan right.

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Bay 9 is a funky as anything concept for start-up and up-start businesses who want a flexible creative space in a cool environment with the bonus of seriously good coffee at Bay 10 Espresso next door. Bay 9 host Mark Davidson, knows a thing or two about start-ups and he wants to give a leg-up to a florist with creativity and entrepreneurial flair. Why? Because he believes in the Hindu idea that every day should begin with immersion in something of beauty. And because he believes that talent needs to be supported.

“What we’re doing at Bay 9 is all about providing a place where people with good ideas can make them happen,” says Mark. “We’re signing up tenants at the moment and what they all have in common is a dream that can become real given the right environment and encouragement. This is the coolest work address this side of the Harbour Bridge and possibly the other side too and would be an amazing place for a florist to launch their career and business.”

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For florists who think they’ve got what it takes to put their petal to the metal this is the stuff you need to know. Bay 9 on Middlemiss St, Lavender Bay, is located in one of the heritage listed warehouses under the Harbour Bridge. It will be occupied by start-up and entrepreneurial businesses who want flexible, creative space in an address that is iconic and memorable. It is walking distance to Milsons Point and North Sydney train station and 1,500 cyclists ride past each day with foot traffic of 300 and growing. There are 300,000 people working in North Sydney making it the fourth largest CBD in the country and there is a resident population of 25,000. That’s potential for a whole bunch of flowers needed to say thank you, sorry, I love you and have a happy day.

Expression of interests need to be in by 19 February 2016. The shortlist will be notified on 25 February and invited to a Pitch Day on 14 March. Winner will be notified on 18 March.

To be in with a chance send an expression of interest, which you can find here.

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Art Expert Tips Styling

5 tips for arranging flowers at home by top Sydney florists

I’ve never attempted to arrange flowers at home because I have absolutely no idea how! So I thought it was time to call in the experts and ask five of Sydney’s best florists how amateurs like me can create some floral loveliness at home. 

Aleksandra Keast of Aleksandra: (Jen’s wedding florist no less!) “When you have spontaneous guests, use your fruit and veg as your flower arrangements! Adding sweet-scented orange and peach blossom and fruit on the branch such as cumquat, pear, fig, apple and mandarin, is a beautiful en masse vase filler and looks great for the kitchen and dining room. You then get to reap the rewards and eat it too! Rosemary and fresh bay leaves look beautiful next to the stove top and are on hand when cooking.”

Aleksandra. Photo credit: Luisa Brimble
Aleksandra. Photo credit: Luisa Brimble

Louise Reeves of The Posy Supply Co.: “I specialise in posies or little bunches of blooms so the most important tip I like to give is to use a size-appropriate vase. Little arrangements look beautiful in jars or small vases that narrow at the neck. A little jar of flowers on the bathroom vanity or bedside table can have just as much impact as a huge arrangement. Try mixing different flower types of varying size and texture such as a big feathery Protea with delicate Geraldton Wax, along with some lovely fresh foliage like Dollar Gum.”

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Louise

Claire Simpson of Willow and Dune: “To keep flowers looking fresher for longer always remember:

  • To remove foliage from the stem that sits below the water line; this prevents the water from getting polluted.
  • Cut stems at an angle to maximise the area for water absorption.
  • Re-cut stems and change water in the vase every two days.
  • Keep floral arrangements away from warm sunny areas and heaters.”

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One of Claire’s bouquets

Sophie Rothwell of Little Flowers: “You should always arrange the flowers in their natural form, be it wonky, kooky or perfectly perfect. By leaving them in their natural state and not forcing them into a position they are not suited to, the flowers not only live longer and flourish, but it allows the arrangement to take on a beautiful, uncontrived freedom. Depth is also important because it encourages the eye to look at every individual element of the bunch instead of just the bunch as a whole. You can create depth by layering your stems and placing different floral elements at different heights throughout your arrangement.”

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Sophie

Holly Hipwell of The Flower Drum: “There’s nothing worse than getting home with an armful of beautiful blooms only to realise you don’t have the perfect vessel. Be sure to have a good selection of the basics. Every home must have a tall cylinder vase with a heavy base for big blooms and blossoms; a fishbowl vase for tulips and posies of roses; a tear shape vase with a narrow neck to keep arrangements from splaying out of control; a cone shape to construct a relaxed looking masterpiece; and a couple of old pasta jars for garden picked treasures. Making sure your flowers are in the correct shape vase is really the number one trick to making your florals look good.”

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Holly

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Art Designers Homewares Interviews

Florist to the stars Jeff Leatham on his lavish projects

As the artistic director of the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris and the go-to florist to the stars, Jeff Leatham has come a long way from the boy who used to lock himself in his room so he didn’t have to mow the lawn!

Jeff Leatham Fleurology_Lifestyle 1

Falling head over heels for flowers in 1995, Jeff is often referred to as a contemporary artist, creating works of art, rather than simple floral displays. “I do see myself as an artist in the way I approach my designs and creations. I think you can create striking, living sculptures with flowers. They’re not static, they move and respond to light and other elements. And like art, floristry can evoke emotions, trigger memories and speak to the viewer.”

Tina Turner's wedding
Tina Turner’s wedding

Tina Turner's wedding
Tina Turner’s wedding

Counting the likes of Cher, Tina Turner, Oprah and Kylie Minogue as his clients, he has a wealth of projects under his belt. So the challenge comes to name his most luxurious job: “One of the most lavish events would have to be Tina Turners’ wedding to her partner Erwin Bach in 2013. I wanted to create special areas throughout the gardens. So we had a huge red rose wall — homage to Tina’s red lips — that took 34 hours to install. We had to work overnight because there was a heat wave in Zürich at the time and we didn’t want the roses to wilt. It was magical.”

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Jeff has also created some truly unique displays at the extravagant Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris. As the artistic director he is in charge of all the floral and sculptural arrangements, the most jaw-dropping being their annual Christmas display, where he designed red-mirrored polar bear sculptures, which he affectionately refers to as his “babies.”

Red Polar Bears Image
Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris’ Christmas display

Working to design and create sculptures has also led to Jeff’s latest collaboration, Fleurology by Jeff Leatham. Designed exclusively for Waterford Crystal, it comprises of three capsule collections of fine crystal vases and rose bowls. Inspired by Jeff’s provocative combination of shapes, angles and geometric precision, the pieces reimagine traditional floral arrangements. “I love to work and collaborate with high-end, luxe brands that understand and respect the design process and producing timeless pieces. Waterford Crystal embodies all of these things and together we’ve produced a sculptural and bold collection. I personally think that great floral design starts with the vase.”

Fleurology
Fleurology by Jeff Leatham

Waterford Fleurology by Jeff Leatham is available online or in-store at Myer, David Jones and selected independents.

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Dining Furniture Styling

The Tabletop Project day 6: florist Holly Hipwell

Christmas is all about gathering together for a feast with your favourite people. Sydney furniture makers Mark Tuckey asked seven of their favourite creatives to create a Christmas table (Some are glitzy, some are glam, some are just plain dotty) and we’re sharing one with you each day this week.

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We love the work of super fun ‘chief flower enthusiast’ Holly Hipwell of The Flower Drum. “I was over the moon to be given the Loop dining table and my fave Egg Cup stools for The Tabletop Project, simply because the table is massive which means LOTS OF FLOWERS!

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“For me, Christmas isn’t just about one special day, it’s the Festivas! A whole month of summer sunshine, jasmine-filled nights, fun decorations, celebrating, dancing and of course, the turkey!

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“I love everything en masse — hand picking all of my favourite flowers and piling them up high. I think that’s why I love the Mark Tuckey products — beautiful hardwood, pine, Oregon and oak, all selected with the intention of making something pretty special and unique. I can never get enough of a good thing!

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“For my table I used in-season favourites – wild field roses, peonies and hydrangea atop a mirrored runner (used to amplify the florals) and colourful honeycomb lanterns in pop (non-Christmassy) colours. I’d also like to congratulate myself for flying those beautiful blue plates down from my mum’s place in Queensland without breaking them. I needed them because they matched my outfit. Thanks Mum!”

Photography by Cameron Bloom.

THE TABLE TOP PROJECT HOLLY HIPWELL from www.shayneallen.com on Vimeo.

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Art

Artist and florist collaborate with colourful results

Alesandro (left) and Sean

Wow, these are just beautiful, aren’t they?

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This is what happens when an artist (Alesandro Ljubicic) and a florist (Sean Cook of Mr. Cook) collaborate! Alesandro’s highly textured, abstract oil paintings on linen are inspired by Sean’s floral arrangements and a new exhibition (on now until 24 November) will also feature Sean’s floral installations. It promises to be stunning!

Alesandro (left) and Sean
Alesandro (left) and Sean

Alesandro is not yet 30 but has dedicated his whole life to his passion, art. He not only owns and runs one of the largest fine art supplies stores in Sydney, but is already highly awarded, and has had the opportunity to give awards while judging art prizes. Alesandro’s awards include Finalist in the Paddington Art Prize in 2009 and Finalist in the 2010 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize, the richest Australian portrait prize, and also the richest portrait prize in the world.

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Alesandro works in an open plan studio, painting four to six paintings at once. He explains: “The main thing I’m interested in is, essentially, colour. The flowers are obviously important, but they are really just the starting point for something much broader that I’m really trying to communicate through my paintings. What interests me is how a painting can make you feel, and how colour can change our experience of things and how it can change our perception.”

Alesandro in his studio
Alesandro in his studio

Fellow Sydneysider and friend, Sean, inspires the beautiful still life paintings and he frequently supplies Alesandro with the flowers that he paints. For 20 years, Sean has created intriguing and inspired floral designs for private homes, restaurants, fashion shoots, corporate events and weddings with his signature organic luxe style.

Alesandro Ljubicic (left) and Sean Cook
Alesandro Ljubicic (left) and Sean Cook

What: An exhibition of paintings by Alesandro Ljubicic in collaboration with Mr. Cook

When: Until 24 November 2014

Where: Art2Muse Gallery, 357 New South head Road, Double Bay

Photography by Jacqui Turk.

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Homewares

Country Road offer free flowers for Mother’s Day shoppers

With Mother’s Day this Sunday, Country Road is here to help last-minute gift buyers with their pop up florist, The Flower Carts.

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At Melbourne’s South Yarra and Chadstone stores and Sydney’s Chatswood Chase store, cleverly designed plywood carts will be filled with beautifully wrapped fresh white tulips and packaged bulbs to plant at home. The Flower Carts will be in stores today (Friday 9) and tomorrow (Saturday 10 April), with bunches costing $16 or free with any purchase over $100 from the Women’s category.

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Interiors Addict

Get the look: the Interiors Addict guide to wedding styling

Today it’s 2 months since I married my love. How times flies when you’re honeymooning, moving house and enjoying married life! Before I completely let go of being a recent bride and get on with being a wife, I thought I’d share one last wedding post with you, this time about the styling aspect.

interiors addict wedding styling

It will come as no surprise that I was more interested in what my wedding would look like than what I’d look like! I don’t DO dresses. I do however, do decor! So I had a lot of fun with this part of wedding planning. Here are some highlights and details of all my suppliers.

Perhaps the most talked about things at my wedding were: the dress, the flowers and the vintage caravan which I had arranged to serve tea and biscuits (I know, how English) as a fun and pretty time-killer after church and before the reception. That Vintage Caravan were brilliant. I’d seen their pink caravan (Sweet Jane’s Travelling Teahouse) at events before but when I found out they had a new addition, Spencer, who was not only very handsome but also navy and therefore on colour scheme, it was just meant to be!

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Suffice to say none of my guests had ever been to a wedding where they served tea from a caravan parked on the street outside the church before and everyone said it was “very Jen”. The priest, in his wisdom, didn’t hesitate to give us the go ahead. Kelly Holcroft and her team did a top job of styling the grassy area around Spencer too, which suited the relaxed, pretty vibe we were going for. Total event professionals!

Continue reading “Get the look: the Interiors Addict guide to wedding styling”
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Expert Tips

8 top tips for displaying flowers in your home

Stylist Samantha White shares her top tips for using flowers in your home or at your next event and these photos of her work. From combining focal flowers and filler flowers, to changing the water every 2 days, to using foliage, there’s bound to be a nugget of useful information for everyone. 

1. Instead of using traditional vases for arranging flowers, try bringing a little personality to your arrangements in a design theme.

2. Using your favourite homewares or quirky vintage pieces with your blooms is a fun and interesting way to add style to your home. Our rusty vintage typewriter and Art Deco birdcage are perfect accessories for floral styling.

Continue reading “8 top tips for displaying flowers in your home”

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Interiors Addict

Nest Designs pops up in Paddington with a florist and a fashion designer

Stylist Emma Blomfield of Nest Designs is having a one-day-only pop-up shop this Saturday with florist Willow and Dune and fashion designer Katie Perry. Emma’s launching her new cushion line and selling other pretties, Willow and Dune are selling beautiful floral arrangements and Katie is selling her fashion. So why not pop along and treat yourself?

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Continue reading “Nest Designs pops up in Paddington with a florist and a fashion designer”
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Interiors Addict

14 gifts for mum: a $25 bunch of flowers including delivery!

Today on Interiors Addict, I’m starting 14 Gifts for Mum: two weeks of a gift idea a day for your mum in the lead up to Mother’s Day.  Don’t buy something mediocre at the last minute, when you still have plenty of time to buy something lovely that she’ll treasure! All gifts are under $100 and available online.

It’s usually an expensive business sending flowers, but if you’re in Sydney, that’s all changing thanks to startup business Little Flowers. They will deliver a bunch of seasonal flowers, fresh from that morning’s flower market, for just $25. I know, that cheap! I’ve used them twice and the recipients have been delighted both times.

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You can’t choose which flowers, as it depends what’s looking lovely and in season at the market that morning. But is there such thing as a bad flower (apart from a gerbera)?! And they don’t deliver on weekends or public holidays BUT they’re making an exception for Mother’s Day. Also, delivery is currently only in Sydney city and eastern suburbs. And when they run out, they run out. They even text you to let you know when your bunch has been delivered. That’s service!

Continue reading “14 gifts for mum: a bunch of flowers including delivery!”
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Interiors Addict

Floral eye candy for your walls from Prunella & Simon Griffiths

To celebrate their second birthday and a love of flowers, Prunella florists Vanessa Partridge and Caris Haughan have teamed up with renowned photographer Simon Griffiths on a limited edition series of floral photographs.

The images evoke the still life paintings of the Dutch masters and allow viewers to experience the essence of Prunella through Simon’s expert lens. I don’t know about you but I could gaze at these incredible images all day. Just divine!

Continue reading “Floral eye candy for your walls from Prunella & Simon Griffiths”