Posted: 1st May 2011
If you want to add a little dressing to the rooms in our central London venue then some well chosen flowers can make our period rooms look spectacular. We caught up with our favourite florist Thierry from ‘The art of flower’ to hear a little bit more about his work.
What’s your typical day?
Selecting flowers according to freshness, seasonality and appearance for displays and decoration.
Creating original bouquets and bespoke bouquets for individual customers. Helping customers choose the right flowers for a particular occasion. Attending special functions and events to create flower displays
How would you describe how you came to be such a successful florist?
I gained my Level 1, 2 and 3 Diploma in Floristry. As soon as I started studying floristry I loved it. The atmosphere was really relaxed and I learned a lot – flower names, different designs, which flowers to choose for special occasions and what were the best colour combinations. My group got on really well together and it was a real fun course. I also did a couple of hours each week with a florist working in Covent garden, which meant I was gaining experience as well as knowledge from college. When I finished my studies I opened my boutique which has built into a successful flower design business establishing an excellent reputation in the corporate world and hotel industry.
What is the best part of your job?
Every day is a challenge, but it is so rewarding to create something that makes someone happy or gives them a “je ne sais quoi” feeling. I consider flowers a gift from god, so the customer really feels they are receiving a gift when the order is delivered.
And the worst part?
Driving around London and basic administrative tasks such as book keeping.
Where does your inspiration come from?
It generally come from the flower market after choosing the flowers, but also art trips and museum visits give me a huge amount of inspiration.
What is the best arrangement or event you have ever worked on and please talk us through it?
The best time I had as a florist was when I was invited by the BBC to appear on the Ruby Wax Show. I had to teach her how to design flowers in vase with Michael Greco who played Beppe di Marco in Eastenders.
What is your favourite floral arrangement and why?
My best designs are anything on a large pedestal! Bigger is always better when designing flowers, it’s much more fun.
When you’re not at work where would you be?
Socialising, the gym, shopping or walking around the park relaxing and forgetting about the world.
Where do you see yourself when you’re old & grey?
In a cottage with a large garden, travelling around the world and enjoying life.