Do you think flowers are a necessity or frivolous?
I think that when times become economically hard, flowers do become a luxury. However, being surrounded by a bit of nature is good for your wellbeing – whether you walk past a magnolia tree, or take a walk in the park and see carpets of daffodils. There have been all sorts of studies done which show that flowers lift your spirits and certain plants in your home clean the air. Plus, if you buy in season, you don’t have to spend much.
You’ve worked with celebs including Madonna, Kylie and P Diddy. Have you had any really outrageous celeb demands?
It’s not always the celebs who make the nutty demands. Madonna may be known for reinventing herself all the time, but she wanted all-white flowers and so did P Diddy, who also wanted white candles. We’ve felt like the floral SAS for some crazy requests, such as going into an actress’s home while she was asleep. It’s great to think of someone waking up surrounded by flowers. From the most sentimental things to the most outrageous things – that’s what really makes what I do fun.
Have you ever had a bad wedding request and how did you respond?
Sometimes bad taste can be fun. People come to me for guidance but I’m not trying to sell people my style; I try to get them to express what they want. Ideally I want the bride and groom’s close friends and family to come to a wedding party that we’ve done flowers for and feel that this it is an extension of the bride’s day. We’ve done everything, like a Mad Hatter’s Tea-themed wedding, where every single table decoration was different, but it makes it fun. As long as we do it in a tasteful way it can create a wow factor. If I think some things won’t work together then I try to steer the client in a certain direction.
There must have been someone who had genuinely bad taste?
My expertise counts for something, so if I can’t bring someone round – if they wanted baked bean tin cans on a table, for example – then I’ll have to say that maybe we’re not the florist for you. You can turn down commissions. I either want to do it right or not at all.
What are you most proud of and why?
What I’m most proud of changes from time to time – I can’t put it down to one thing. I was proud of commentating on the royal wedding last summer and I’m proud of seeing couples’ relationships develop as they communicate through flowers.
Where do you live and why?
Notting Hill because this area attracts lots of creatives and it has a nice village feel. It’s good to be around people who express themselves and I like the juxtaposition of different people who coexist in a nice way.
What do you get up to or where do you go for creative inspiration?
My inspiration comes from the seasons, but it could also come from the dress that the bride is wearing, or the way the interior is dressed a certain way – my flowers must speak to that. But also Paul Smith’s book says inspiration is all around you, you just have to look for it; so it could be spotting a bright punnet of red strawberries during a stroll down Portobello Road. It’s a mixture of things and it’s usually more about whittling down the inspiration to the occasion.
How do you chill out?
Music. Sometimes I’ll be walking down Portobello Road and there’ll be noises coming from everywhere and I’ll put on my iPod and listen to Nat King Cole’s Let There Be Love. I’ll also see my ‘body mechanic’, as I call her, who finds my knots and sends me out in a zen-like state. I also find being in my studio, listening to music while arranging flowers is peaceful and rather different to organising a party at the V&A, with a restricted time of two hours, for example.
What’s been your most memorable meal?
Rick Stein’s restaurant in Cornwall turned me back onto fish, but my most memorable meal is probably fish, chips and mushy peas while sitting on Brighton Pier, taking in the fresh sea air.
What are you currently reading?
At the weekends I buy four or five papers, from The Times to the Mail on Sunday. I love all the glossies from My Deco to Wallpaper. I like to know what’s current and which designer is doing what.
Where do you head to for after-work drinks and what’s your tipple?
The Electric for either a calming glass of Malbec or an Espresso Martini. I’m also a sucker for Champagne.
What’s your favourite flower and why?
The Gloriossa Superba is an amazing flower – it looks like a curled-up butterfly in flight. Whoever named it must have thought it was pretty special.
What’s your philosophy on life?
Love and be curious. It’s quite lovely to be open to what’s over the next horizon.
