Flowers bring life, colour, and a fresh energy into a décor scheme that cannot be replicated in any other way. They immediately lift your spirits – nothing is more cheering than a big bunch of fresh blooms on the kitchen table, beautifully bringing the natural world right into the living space. I cannot advocate enough the importance of having flowers in the home, so much so, I actually wrote a book about it, Living with Flowers. And not only do flowers visually enhance your home décor, they also scent it in a completely unique way.
To ensure blooms all year round and to spark joy and hope during the bleaker winter months when fresh flowers are less readily available, I rely on having floral fabric throughout the home to bring nature inside. I love to contrast big blousy, chintzy florals with delicate ditsy prints for an uplifting interior that has a welcoming, homely feel.
How did you get into floral styling?
I have always been in my element around flowers and for me they are an essential part of life – I think it stems from growing up in the Cotswolds where my sisters and I were encouraged to roam around wildflower fields and spend as much time in nature as possible. I studied History of Art at the Courtauld Institute, which was integral to teaching my eye to appreciate and value form, line, and colour, which are key when creating clever floral arrangements. My early career working for designer Matthew Williamson was an immersion in a beautiful kaleidoscopic world of print, texture, and pattern, which are also vital when it comes to styling. The combination of the two synergised in my mid-twenties, when I had a lightning bolt moment of realisation that what I really wanted to do was pursue my love of flowers. I took a basic floristry course to learn the fundamentals, set up shop, (literally, a tiny pop-up shop is where it all began) followed by a bigger studio split between Notting Hill and the Cotswolds. The business has flourished organically, and I am incredibly lucky to work on the most inspiring projects, both big and small – from creating a tablescape for an intimate supper party, to a huge showstopper of an event for a global brand – and everything in between. I count my lucky stars that I get to do this for work.
Do you have any tips for bringing florals into a home décor?
In a purely aesthetic sense, I love how transformative florals can be to an interior – you can use colourful seasonal blooms to either compliment or contrast with your décor scheme, which I find endlessly inspiring. So, one tip would be to consider where your flowers are going to be positioned and whether you want them to work harmoniously with the prints, colours and textures at play or if you want to create a contrast. The fantastic thing about floral displays is their ephemeral quality, so you can take risks with colour and form that are fleeting rather than permanent. This interior, where natural blooms beautifully complement an oversized chaise covered in Belleville, Louis fabric, is, for me, petalled perfection. Not only is green and pink one of my all-time favourite colour combinations, it is just a wonderful example of how choosing fabric, flowers, and natural elements to work sympathetically with one another creates such a calming feel. Who wouldn’t want to curl up with a cuppa and a good book in this chic, natural décor!
Another tip would be to spread the flowery joy, as whilst I am a maximalist at heart, even I must admit that it’s not always about ‘bigger is better’. Sometimes quiet little touches of natural elements around an interior – perhaps a single stem on a bookshelf, or a little posy on a wooden table – can have a far greater impact than a ginormous urn arrangement in the hallway, and will create a more homely feel. And without a doubt, the easiest way to bring florals into your home décor is with a tablescape. Even if it is the simplest Monday night supper, a few fresh blooms on the table will instantly elevate your place settings, bringing joy to an otherwise everyday moment.
An upholstered piece is a brilliant way to bring nature into an interior, and I love the bold drama and scale of this pure linen floral fabric. The striking monochrome palette gives the living space a slightly more masculine feel, offering a refreshing, modern twist on a classic. More natural elements come in the form of a vase of fresh flowers and framed linocuts depicting simple arrangements – a sign that spring is round the corner.
Which designs in The English Garden stand out to you and why?
The standout floral fabric for me has got to be Albertine, Classic Rose, as its style is just so unabashed in all its big, blousy, bloomy beauty. Not only does it so gorgeously depict my favourite British garden flowers – I spy rambling cottage roses, frilly parrot tulips and anemones – but it also comes in my ultimate dream colour palette of reds, pinks, and greens. It is both nostalgic and charming but still retains a modern sense of style, perfect for contemporary living. It really is just the most joyful celebration of everything I love.
How would you bring the collection into your home décor?
I've just had my first baby, so my husband Johnny and I have been busily getting our little cottage in the Cotswolds ready, bringing natural elements into the schemes. I somehow convinced Johnny to let me indulge my ultimate pink bedroom fantasy, so Albertine, Classic Rose is going to be the feature fabric on curtains in there. And very excitingly I am in the process of having an Edwardian daybed (originally from the magnificent Cholderton House), reupholstered in Hester, Classic Blue. The English oakleaf motif really spoke to me, and I loved the contrast of the decorative scalloped edging, which brings a modern twist. I cannot wait to see how it turns out.
Your use of colour and pattern is fantastic, how do you make different prints and colours work?
Thank you, you are very kind to say so. I think ultimately, if you are choosing prints, patterns and colour that really make your heart sing, you can’t go wrong. It is all about having the confidence to trust your own sense of style and not be led by trends, or images you might have seen in print or Instagram. Having a specific colour palette in mind for a project always helps with this, and then pick prints that bring you joy. For me, this means a lot of pinks and blues rooted with earthier greens and golds. And then my classic go-tos when it comes to patterns and prints are always florals, stripes, and a touch of leopard print (both for personal style and the home), which I love to play around with in terms of scale and colourway - they help me to create a home décor that works for me, where I feel in my element.
It's been such a pleasure discovering the floral joys of The English Garden collection. I cannot wait for spring and summer to roll around again, when the garden will be teeming with nature and I can create some beautiful floral arrangements inspired by the designs, but until then I will thoroughly enjoy the beauty of my Albertine linen curtains and daybed covered in Hester; these fabrics will help me through the winter months.
Follow Rowan Blossom @rowan_blossom.
FAQs
Is natural décor timeless? An interior that focuses on nature transcends trends and helps to create an uplifting feel within the home. Botanical prints never go out of fashion, while a resurgence in natural materials – from a chunky jute rug to a stone countertop to a simply crafted wooden table – beautifully complement organic patterns and serve to create a homely feel.
Does bringing nature into your home have notable health benefits? The main benefits of being in nature are known to be a reduction in blood pressure and tension, and a general improvement in mood, and the same goes for a natural décor: it can have the effect of instantly shifting your frame of mind to a calmer, more optimistic one. Fresh blooms, plants and floral prints all play a role in creating a natural décor, providing the sense of bringing nature right into the home.
What’s the ‘modern twist’ for flower arrangements in 2022? This year we have seen floral arrangements in a very natural style, a sign of a return to a simple, organic aesthetic that goes hand in hand with an emphasis on craftsmanship. Dried flowers continue to be hugely popular, one of their main benefits being their longevity and their ability to capture an element of nature throughout the year. Simple floral touches really can make a difference: single stems in bud vases dotted around place settings will bring an uplifting feel to a dinner table, while a few fresh blooms on a bedside table offer the perfect start – and end – to a day.