camberwell greens, reds and soft pinks at florist

Francesca goldstone's studio

― By Holly O'Mahony

oneself to cheer the soul. We treat each design as its own unique and momentary piece of art. It is this honest expression of our fundamental beliefs that became the foundations of Goldstones Flowers.

HOM: What are your favourite flowers at this time of year?

FG: Narcissi, specifically Paperwhites, are my favourites in late winter. Their scent is pure heaven and lifts even the greyest of February days. Our wholesalers get their cut narcissi from the Isles of Scilly, off the coast of Cornwall. Even better is to plant a few bulbs so you can watch them grow and enjoy that heady scent for a little while longer. When the flowers die the bulbs can be stored and planted anew next year.

HOM: Have you spotted any floral trends this year? What are you expecting to be popular?

FG: I think the focus is shifting towards considered, artful colour pairings within bouquets, with more of a range in flower variety. As well as this, our customers want transparency as to where their flowers come from, so I expect British flowers to become even more popular.

HOM: We're in the lead up to Valentine's Day. What bouquets are you expecting to be popular? Do you have any best-sellers?

FG: Our ‘Saint Valentine Bouquet’ is always a firm favourite. It’s a mixed bouquet with a palette of deep Continues on page 11 reds, soft pinks and natural nude tones from salmon to brown – utterly joyous! The ‘Half a Dozen Naomi Roses’ is a close, classic second.

HOM: What advice would you offer a flower novice on buying flowers for a loved one?

FG: My advice for the flower novice would be to find your local florist and have a natter with them. They can work with you and guide you on budget, colour combinations and seasonality. That added bit of rapport will make future ordering much easier!

HOM: Your studio is based in Camberwell. What’s special about running a business there?

FG: So many things! I am a born-and-bred south Londoner, originally from Clapham and now living in Herne Hill. (I didn’t get that far!) Our much-loved studio is just up the road in Camberwell, down an old cobbled street off bustling Peckham Road. Its inconspicuous turning opens up into the remnants of a beautiful old Victorian luggage factory, now home to a small community of fellow creatives – from

Five romantic things to do this valentine’s Day

― at. Past years have seen it offer special Valentine’s Day menus too, and you’ll want to book soon to nab a table –its New Year’s Eve seven-course feast sold out.

L’Oculto, 325 Brockley Road, Brockley, London SE4 2QZ. Thursday 12pm - 3pm and 6.30pm11.30pm; Friday & Saturday 12pm - 3pm and 6pm11.30pm; Sunday 12.30pm - 4pm. www.loculto.co.uk/

3 ceLebrAte Love Like A true cinePHiLe

Brixton’s Ritzy cinema is hosting a short film night in honour of Valentine’s Day: ‘Feels. For the Lovers’. Pick up some popcorn and your tipple of choice, and take your seats for an evening of flicks exploring all sorts of love and relationships – those we have with friends, family, faith and ourselves. They’ll be bringing the reels, so come with the person you, er, want to feel?

The Ritzy, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, London SW2 1JG. February 13, 6:30pm. Admission: £8. www.picturehouses.com/cinema/the-ritzy

1 stArgAze At tHe royAL observAtory

From hit series Friends to Hollywood movie La La Land, rom-coms love to show us the romantic potential for a planetarium date and a chance to gaze up at the stars together. London is home to its very own Royal Observatory, which stands atop a hill in Greenwich –home of time itself. Stand tall together on the Meridian Line, from which Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) itself is set, then cuddle up in the planetarium’s darkened auditorium and contemplate the sheer magnitude of outer space – thanking your lucky stars for the universe bringing the two of you together.

Royal Observatory, Blackheath Avenue, London SE10 8XJ. Open daily, 10am - 5pm. Admission: planetarium shows £10pp. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/planetarium-shows

4 mArk it WitH your gALentines

Single? Stick a middle finger up at the schmaltzy celebration of romantic love by grabbing your reliable gal-pals and heading to VAULT Festival, where a sordid evening of oversharing awaits. Comedy duo KAT & KAT are busting taboos around sex and dating with their show The Whoreing Twenties. From ‘how to be a hoe’ to advice on avoiding ‘f*ck boys’ on Tinder, no topic is off-limits in this raunchy sketch night. They say: “Everyone is welcome here, if you like sex and laughter this is the show for you!”

The Whoreing Twenties is showing at Vault Festival, The Vaults, Leake Street, London SE1 8SW. February 10, 10:30pm & February 11, 10pm. Admission: £13. www.vaultfestival.com/events/the-whoreingtwenties/

5 sAy cHeers WitH A vieW At ForzAWine

ceramicists and gardeners to set designers and artists. It is an immensely friendly oasis of calm that we are very happy to be a part of.

HOM: Where can our readers find you?

FG: Our studio is appointment only, but customers can click and collect online or email us for anything bespoke. We also run a weekly stall at Brockley Market every Saturday, 10am-2pm, with lots of flowers and plants.

Goldstones Flowers, 7K Vanguard Court Hours, 36 - 38 Peckham Road, London SE5 8QT. Monday - Friday, 10am - 6pm. www.goldstonesflowers.co.uk/

2 book A meAL to remember At L’ocuLto cocinA

This recommendation comes with our heartiest of apologies to SE4 residents, whose best-kept-secret we’re loudly tooting: tapas joint L’Oculto (meaning ‘the hidden one’), has got to be one of the most authentically romantic restaurants south of the river. A carefully selected wine list, a passionate head chef, an everevolving menu of dishes made with seasonal produce are just some of its selling points. For the more fickle, or perhaps ambience minded, so are trendy interiors (exposed brick walls, the warm glow of fairy lights) and a buzzy atmosphere. Entirely women-run, the restaurant is the lovechild of business partners Teresa Holmes and Ana Gomez, with Galician chef Irene Lorenzo Muñoz heading up the kitchen. Brockley resident or not, L’Oculto is a restaurant to celebrate and to celebrate

While its natural wines and Italian-led small plates are fit to make all foodies swoon, it’s the views at Forza Wine (and the potential to blush in front of a fiery red sunset on clear nights) that make this sky-high bar worthy of hosting your romantic night out. Leave the hustle and bustle of Peckham’s lively streets below as its lift takes you swooshing up into the air, and toast one another while enjoying a bird’s eye view of your stomping ground.

The Rooftop, 133A Rye Lane, London SE15 4BQ. Sunday - Thursday, 12pm - 11:30pm; Friday & Saturday, 12pm - 12:30am. www.forzawine.com/ dalodu design studio

Simple design, designed beautifully studio@dalodudesign.co.uk www.dalodudesign.co.uk