03
WINTER #Forflowerlovers 17’
/2 Floral design and image : @naturalartflowers
WELCOME Hello flower lovers - its cold outside – but then it’s winter! We are here to warm you up with a splash of colour. Our winter issue celebrates colour. Mother nature’s blooms and foliages provide a kaleidoscope of colour which transfers across creative aspects of our lives.
This issue we have collaborated with Porters Paints on a colour play of sorts – we have teamed up with several Australian based florists accenting their creative designs with the inspiring colour range of Porters Paints. We bring you an insight into Sean Cook’s life in flowers – one of Australia’s leading floral designers. The day we visited Sean in his studio he was prepping a massive lux wedding with his team – he could’ve said “no – sorry girls – just too busy” – but no – he generously said “come on in” - we felt super lucky to get a behind the scenes peek and extremely grateful for Sean’s time and warm welcome. Lovely Lean Timms photographer has captured our flower shop feature “The Grounds Florals by Silva” along with stunning images of Sydney based artist Leanne Thomas in her home based studio putting the finishing touches on her current body of work “The Garden”.
Our cover – is brought to you by Flowers for Kate - Katie Clulow – botanical photographer – maker and designer and we have included a cover story with a few of Katie’s range of botanical photo prints.
Enjoy – we have already started planning a super spring issue
Sonya Gardiner
CONTENTS
top 3 floral submissions
Thank you to all of our
contributors - this issue would not be possible without you. X
top 3 floral submissions
C O L O U R P L AY - P o r t e r s p a i n t s c o l l a b o r a t i o n MY LIFE IN FLOWERS - Sean Cook FLOWER SHOP - The Grounds Florals by Silva DESIGN -
“Florists of a different kind” Gloss Creative
ROAM -”Cherry Blossom Dream” Japan with Hannah Coomber HOME -
Annabelle Hickson, Foraged flora & foliage
HANDMADE - Organic cake artisan Gillian Bell ART FOCUS - Leanne Thomas Artist EVENTS AND COURSES COVER STORY - Flowers for Kate
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6 18 30 38 44 50 52 54 60 68
Floral design @fleurandthreads, image Jimmy Raper Photography @jimmy_raper
COLOUR PLAY
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COLOUR PLAY
Winter colour play Porters Paints transform interior and exterior spaces with their unique paint products and finishes - check out the Porters Paint website and explore their endless range of colours and specialty finishes. Our winter colour play accents just a few Porters Paint colours as backdrops for floral designs created by few of our talented Aussie florists. www.porterspaints.com @porterspaints
Floral design @trillefloral & photo : @laurareidphoto
COLOUR PLAY
Trille
FLORAL
Canadian born florist Cara Fitch @trillefloral using Porters Paints “Black Grape� white florals - white like snow bare winter branches snowflake like hyacinth petals
Image by @kyliemillsphotography /8
COLOUR PLAY
“White Like Snow”
Floral design @trillefloral & photo : @laurareidphoto
COLOUR PLAY
“ Living Botanic Art”
Floral design & Image @hattiemolloy_ /10
COLOUR PLAY
Hattie
MOLLOY
Melbourne based florist Hattie Molloy using Porters Paints “Burmese Grey� @hattiemolloy_ collects botanical elements and draws inspiration from still life artworks and the gentle techniques of ikebana creating truly unique individual eye catching designs
COLOUR PLAY
“Source + Support Local Suppliers” Mikarla Bauer is @wildernessflowers_ using Porters Paint “Black Grape” Mikarla loves to craft bold textured designs and sources/supports local and home grown suppliers when possible.
Image by @johnmangila
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COLOUR PLAY
Wilderness
FLOWERS
Floral design + image @wildernessflowers_
COLOUR PLAY
Katie
MARX
/14 Design and image: @katiemarxflowers
COLOUR PLAY
“Organic Seasonal Ingredients” Katie Marx florist Melbourne Porters Paint “Black Cockatoo” whether its a small or large design you can always count on Katie’s signature style to include organic seasonal ingredients here it is the persimmons roped up raw with other fresh winter elements to shine
COLOUR PLAY
“Winter Always Makes Me Think of Citrus” Jardine Hansen @Jardinebotanic Porters Paints “Bronze Gold” Winter always makes me think of citrus. The scent of the cumquats was the starting point of this design. Next the baby blue delph and then pairing special botanical elements from my beloved garden. My favourite silver speckled begonia - wisps of passionfruit vine and creamy camellias. Finally - as I have a soft spot for natives, a swooning branch of banksia sourced from the lovely Craig @eastcoastwildflowers
/16 Image : @luisabrimble
COLOUR PLAY
Jardine
BOTANIC
Floral Design and image: @jardinebotanic
/1 68 Floral design @mrcookflorist Image : @leantimms
Business: Mr Cook – Florist Located: 10/34-46 Ralph Street, Alexandria NSW 2015 Orders and appointments: T: 02 9693 1593 E: sean@mrcook.com.au We b s i t e : w w w. m r c o o k . c o m . a u
TIMELINE From school to David Jones as a visual merchandiser and dressing the window displays -
Next – worked with a production company doing big corporate events and travelling events which brought an opportunity to work with flowers for event styling-
Wa n t i n g s o m e t h i n g w i t h m o r e c r e a t i v e flair I approached the newly opened Grandiflora at Potts Point and worked there for 14 years -
Five years ago I established my own business Mr Cook with a floral store at Double Bay and working with clients for weddings and events -
Last year I moved the business into a studio warehouse space at Alexandria which has been an absolute dream – giving me the space to work and create with my team – host workshops and operate the business on the larger scale it has grown to
LUX tablescape
/20 Floral design : @mrcooktheflorist Image : @blumenthalphotography
Keep up to date with Mr Cook online @mrcookflorist
/22
Editors Note As a flower lover in the audience and a huge fan of Sean Cook’s talented floral work - I can honestly say that I have unashamedly stalked Sean through his floral career – why? because I admire every design – whether large all small – Sean’s designs have a special balance and movement to them –always premium materials – presented beautifully and often with an outstanding use of his signature love for colour. For more than a decade – I along with other flower lovers have watched Sean’s outstanding talent grow and flourish. Attracted to visual merchandising when he left school it’s obvious that Sean was attracted to the thought of hands on – visual creative work and his depth of experience over time - coupled with his passion and hard work to create exciting concepts and installations for his clients - makes him one of the most sought after and inspiring florists in Australia. Sean has hosted a few workshops in his studio space over the last year and if you enjoy and admire his work take yourself to one of these workshops it’s an incredible opportunity to not only meet this warm and generous man but learn a few technical tips and techniques from one of the industry’s best.
Floral design : @mrcooktheflorist Image : @blumenthalphotography
Studio Prep Day
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Floral design @mrcookflorist | Image : @leantimms
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Image courtesy of Diane Khoury - Styling and Planning @dianekhouryweddingsandevents Photography - Jessica Abraham @jessicaabraham_moments
“Sydney University - Grand Finale magic - Where the collaborative concepts of clients / stylists / vendors come together�
INSPIRED
Cecilia FOX
FLORAL DESIGN & IMAGE @CECILIAFOX /28
INSPIRED
“A Flower Does Not Think of Competing With the Flower Next to it. It Just Blooms.” bespoke design from the studio of Cecilia Fox
FLOWER SHOP
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Location : @thegroundsfloralsbysilva Image : @leantimms
FLOWER SHOP
FLORALS SILVA BY
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FLOWER SHOP
/32 Location : @thegroundsfloralsbysilva Image : @leantimms
FLOWERSHOP
“This is SILVA”
Located in the Atrium of The Grounds
There is a bounty of market fresh
of Alexandria NSW you will find Silva
seasonal blooms, gorgeous bouquets,
Issa the creative director and passionate
bespoke giftware choices including
florist behind “Florals by Silva”. Silva
potted orchids to choose from and
a florist with more than 15 years’
the friendliest most helpful staff on
experience feels the luckiest florist in
hand to assist you. This floral shop has
the world to be running this bespoke
a wonderful community vibe – being
floral shop in a landmark location.
such a welcoming open plan design it
Such a special store to visit – an
encourages customers to step in and
abundance of premium fresh flowers spill
enjoy the floral beauty. It truly must
out of the shop onto the footpath giving
be the most photographed flower shop
a flower market feel and then when you
in Australia – happy customers visiting
step in - it’s like stepping into a Parisian
are constantly stopping to capture the
flower store – beautiful french style
beauty.
décor and a sea of flowers adorns the central table. /26
FLOWERSHOP
“The Ultimate Flower Shop Experience” /34
FLOWERSHOP
Working with the philosophy of The
I have to say I walked away from my
Grounds to create unique spaces and
interview with Silva completely in awe
exceptional experiences for customers
after seeing first hand the scale of
to step into and enjoy has presented
operations – organisation – long hours
not only the opportunity for Silva to
and multi-tasking genius planning it
run one of Sydney’s most beautifully
takes to be Silva which is all driven
styled flower shops but also work
by Silva’s passion – an absolute love
hand in hand with The Grounds
of flowers– the people she works
management teams designing and
with – the growers – designing and
producing creative florals for inhouse
a genuine desire to provide her
weddings, corporate events, private
customers with an experience that is
events and large scale community
above and beyond what they expect.
events hosted at The Grounds. In
If you are in Sydney – drop in and
addition to running the shop and
visit this beautiful store – more than
day to day site events, Silva and her
likely – you will spy friendly and
talented team also co-ordinate and
smiley Silva on the shop floor or
plan florals for offsite events and
prepping flowers in the background
weddings.
otherwise you can keep up to date with Silva on instagram @thegroundsfloralsbysilva
Location : @thegroundsfloralsbysilva Image : @leantimms Words : Sonya Gardiner
FLOWERSHOP
/36 Location : @thegroundsfloralsbysilva Image : @leantimms
FLOWERSHOP
For all enquiries please contact 0424 696 163, orders@thegroundsfloralsbysilva.com.au or visit online at : www.thegroundsfloralsbysilva.com.au
“Florists Of A Different Kind”
Image : @caitlinmillsphotography
Gloss Creative is one of Australia’s leading visual design companies. In a nutshell the Gloss Creative team specialise in creating exceptional awesome experiences. They strive to meld visual merchandising design techniques, concepts and elements to create scenography –temporary scenes, spaces and places that captivate clients via a visual sensory experience. Dependent on the brief - floral design is often a key visual element present in Gloss Creative productions. When we think floral design – we often think traditional fresh flower designs and this is a great example of where the magic of the Gloss Creative team comes into action. Amanda Henderson – Founder + Creative Director of Gloss Creative provides this insight into how floral design has appeared in her personal life and how floral design is often incorporated in Gloss Creative productions: /38
“Super Botanica” Myer Marquee image: @gloss.creative Botanic graphics @lizzy.wilson Fresh florals : @ceciliafox
“Super Botanica” Myer Marquee image: @gloss.creative Botanic graphics @lizzy.wilson /40
The Back Story... My adoration of faux flowers began a long time ago. As an eight year old I have very clear memories of my mother hand cutting giant cardboard flowers to place on the wall above the mantle and fireplace in my bedroom each flower made up of orange and white layers largest to smallest. It was the most exciting thing I had ever seen, I was beside myself with joy. I spent my subsequent childhood making any kind of flowers I could, crepe paper flowers, ‘Dippity’ glass flowers and pressed wild flowers on cards. I drew daisies on every notebook I owned.
“Romantic Dining Experience with Viktor + Rolf� /42 Images : @gloss.creative Florals : Cecilia Fox
Fast Forward To Now... At Gloss Creative we create temporary scenography packed with visual emotion. Its the reason we get up in the morning. Nothing make us happier than to design scenography that makes people feel something. We see flowers as one of our most loved signatures. No design is complete until flowers are included. We work with some amazing Australian florists using fresh flowers to heighten the senses and bring fragility, beauty and narrative to our environments, but mostly we create flowers of a different kind. Every project brief takes us on a new creative path, each time we express our floral dreams in a new way, sometimes printed in two dimension, mostly three dimensional using digital techniques to sculpt our ideals. Digital techniques have helped us to accurately control our designs. Our installation works have been made from paper, metal, printed fabric, embroidery and silkscreen. We have used flowers on runways, in marquees, theatres and mansions for fashion and luxury clients. We have used varied materials and craft techniques that have almost always given rise to an overwhelming emotional reaction from our audiences. Over three decades and I can tell you that we have done literally dozens of projects with all /48
kinds of floral expressions, we must be Florists of a different kind ... -Amanda
ROAM
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ROAM
Cherry Blossom DREAM Japan with Hannah Coomber - Head Florist, Merivale @_flowerhead_
ROAM For three weeks late March to mid April this year I travelled with my partner Liam to explore and experience the spirit of the spring blossom season in Japan.
The image to the right was taken in Kanazawa – just one of the countless surreal moments of joy I felt – the landscape of meandering canals lined with the shades of pink and white blossom trees is something I will never forget – whilst my partner Liam was also very taken with the beauty – he was not prepared for hearing me say over and over countless times a day “how is this even real?” and then there were the photos at every step – I had to capture it all and Liam was so patient – I came home with more than 3,000 images and a stash of handcrafted ceramics, forged scissors and secateurs.
“hanami” is the Japanese traditional custom of enjoying the transient beauty of flowers “hana” is flowers “sakura” is cherry “sakura-zensen” the cherry blossom forecast (yes! like a weather forecast you can follow where the blossoms will be blooming” /46
Kanzawa Blossom
ROAM
Every day in Japan brought magical experiences. There is just so much to discover and enjoy. Spring morning sunshine warms the blossom tree blooms scenting the air – there is a festive vibe among the crowds of people not only visiting but those that live here.
We really enjoyed discovering and learning about the culture of this country old and new – the polite and friendly nature of everyone we met and seeing the love and joy pets bring to the residents of Japan. Amazing food fuelled our daily travels.
The images to the left here are from a visit to the Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse Tokyo – a must visit for flower lovers – it’s the dream café – a combination of a florist shop and a tea house – feel rejuvenated as you sit in this glasshouse like cafe and enjoy a tranquil tea – an irresistible botanic dessert – and soak up the décor – potted spring plants divide the tables – bud vases and bottles with spring blooms are dotted along table tops and benches – truly special.x
ROAM
Magical bamboo grove walk Kyoto Arashly
/48 I adore the organic gentle perfection of Japanese design
ROAM
Stepping into the studio of brilliant floral artist Azuma Makoto Tokyo was another highlight. Specimen bottles line skylight lit rooms. Azuma cultivates most of his materials from scratch. Visit and be spellbound as I was by all Japan has to offer if you can. The spring season is March through to May. - Hannah x
HOME
Foraged Flora + Foliages Foraging as the cool winter weather descends is a challenge. There are far less choices. It certainly gets harder as the plants are forced into a hibernation of sorts waiting for the warmth of spring to generate new growth. Thanks to a glorious sun filled autumn I have the luxury of the last of the roses and the long, floaty frost-bitten grass.
This combination of the juicy, sweet roses and the dry, crunchy grass, ah I love it so much. They are both so feminine in their very distinct ways. I’m probably more of a dry grass frond than a rose and as such am very pleased to see more and more images of dried floral elements being mixed in with fresh. It is somewhat validating to see these wrinkled versions of beauty – not full-blown dried flower arrangements al la Kenneth Turner 1987 – thank goodness – but just a hint of them in amongst the floral fecundity out there on the internet.
/50 Annabelle Hickson : Words & Images
HOME
“Foraging As The Cool Winter Weather Descends Is A Challenge”
“Has Whisk Will Travel”
Gillian Bell | Image : @the_lane
GILLIAN BELL organic cake artisan Gillian Bell believes your wedding cake is the most special cake in your life so it deserves to be made with all the love, attention and special ingredients the occasion deserves. Approaching baking like an artisan, bringing the romance of the kitchen garden and the hedgerow to the creation of her cakes, sourcing the best, seasonal ingredients, mixing cakes by hand in vintage baking bowls with home-made wooden spoons. Cakes with flavours - like raspberry and rose, fig and violet, elderflower and strawberry, lemon and lavender, dark chocolate and cumquat and filled with homemade curds, preserves and organic buttercreams. Made “naked” or finished with a light dusting of icing sugar, freshly made soft frostings, buttercreams or couverture chocolate ganaches (no fondant icing), and simply decorated with edible flowers organically grown in Gillian’s garden or sourced locally on location. Gillian cooks her cakes with organic,seasonal and local produce. When commissioned to cook a cake in another country Gillian seeks out local producers to meet her genuine commitment to cook with the best ingredients.
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Keep up to date with Gillian online @gillianbellcake and her website www.gillianbellcake.com.au
ART FOCUS
Leanne Thomas ARTIST
Exhibition on now “The Garden” 27 June 2017 - 10 July 2017 at Art2Muse Gallery 357 New South Head Road Double Bay NSW /54
Image: @leantimms
ART FOCUS
ART FORAGE FOCUS
ART FOCUS : LEANNE THOMAS Leanne Thomas has childhood memories
the colours and thought process are
of the joyful feeling she felt when
also meditative – not without frustration
drawing and playing with colour and
though – Leanne says that “making
design. Looking towards a staple income
mistakes is also part of the process” –
saw Leanne move into the world of
part of learning and as she develops a
graphic design which over time led her
piece she experiments and takes risks
to be an art director in the fashion and
– some work – some don’t. For me,
cosmetics industries.
someone in the audience that has been fortunate to discover Leanne’s work
Next came her beautiful two children
via social media to meet her – to view
and a pause from the commercial working
her beautiful artwork in real life was
world. Frustrated and yearning for a
something very special – the photos we
creative outlet Leanne started to draw
see on social media depict it well but in
and felt that energising joy she felt as
real life the texture and the colours –
a child.
the scale is breathtaking beauty.
Encouraged by her husband, Leanne
As a flower lover I was so drawn to the
enrolled in an oil painting course which
magical blue tones of the hydrangea and
opened a pandora’s box of techniques
the wispy feather like pink peonies but
to learn. Enrolling in The Charlie Sheard
I also love the ocean and Leanne paints
Studio School in Redfern followed and it
the most mesmerising ocean/water pieces
was this three year course that enabled
– the water has this beautiful movement
Leanne to harness the techniques and
and the colour is out of this world.
principles of the masters. This course was Leanne’s dream and platformed her
Leanne’s current body of work “The
confidence to then create concepts and
Garden” is currently available to
develop her own unique style as an artist
purchase 27 June through to 10 July
as well as multi task and run a busy
2017 at an exhibition with Art2Muse at
family life.
357 New South Head Road, Double Bay NSW. Enquiries and commissions please
Each piece of Leanne’s art is created
make contact via the website www.
over time – often over a number of
leannethomas.com.au or direct message
months. Oil painting is an age old
via Instagram
process of many layers – it’s a slow
@leannemthomas.
contemplative process Leanne loves – time stands still when Leanne paints – /56
Words : Sonya Gardiner Image : Lean Timms
ART FOCUS
Studio pooch “BLU”
ART FOCUS
insert credits here please /58
ART FOCUS
“Oil painting is an age old process - a contemplative process Leanne loves”
/56
keep up to date with Leanne’s work @leannemthomas
EVENT
Company Three’s
{An open studio}
Meet the makers buy their wares: Bridget, Hattie & Leila
@bridgetbodenham : Ceramic Vessels
@hattiemolloy_ : Florist
LAUNCH NIGHT Fri 11 August 5 pm to 7 pm then Sat 12/8/17 - Sat 19/8/17 10am - 6pm Where: 74 Rupert Street Collingwood Vic /60
enquiries to leila@skinnywolf.com.au
@skinny_wolf : Rosettes
EVENT
LEARN
Learn the flower basics The “Introduction to Floristry” course is perfect for those without prior experience of arranging flowers. It is also suited to those wanting to refresh skills.
crown workshops are very popular for hen’s parties and just for fun! Classes are tailored for you!
On the completion of each of the ten classes you will take home stunning arrangements of flowers. You will also gain new knowledge and skills in each class including treating and conditioning of flowers. Building a firm foundation for any further classes and courses.
Creating and inspiring florists of the future
A variety of arrangements are covered including : hand tied posies, vase arrangements, table centre pieces, buttonholes, corsages and head circlets. Our pop up vintage post and flower
Visit : www.theflowerschool.com.au
The Flower Schoola registered training organisation offering certificate 2, 3 & 4 in floristry
for further details and to enrol
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07 3868 2939 | INFO@THEFLOWERSCHOOL.COM.AU | BRISABANE, QLD 4007
LEARN
INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNING FLORISTRY SCHOOL
EXPLORE OUR COURSES & BOOK ONLINE WWW. MATT HE W LA ND ER S. C OM
LEARN
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LEARN
Feed your soul with flowers. WWW.BLOOMCOLLEGE.COM.AU
EVENT
BUTTERLAND Flower Workshop
with
Katie Marx When : Sat 9th September 2017 Where : Butterland, Newstead VIC
Please register your interest to : hello@butterland.com.au /66
LEARN
BE CREATIVE SHORT COURSES
BOUQUETs, POsIEs & VAsE ARRAngEMEnTs
WEDDIng DEsIgns FOR THE BRIDAL PARTY
WORkSHOp
WORkSHOp
In this workshop you will create a bouquet, a posy and a vase arrangement all while learning tips and tricks on how to get the best out of your flowers and vases you use around your home.
Learn some of the most popular wedding designs for the bridal party and some insider tricks! You will make a bridal posy, a simple flower crown and a bridesmaid’s bouquet.
$295
$295
$295
SuNDay 10am-4Pm 1 Day COurSe
SuNDay 10am-4Pm 1 Day COurSe
SuNDay 10am-4Pm 1 Day COurSe
FLORAL FOAM ARRAngEMEnTs WORkSHOp Create a gorgeous table centrepiece, a floral garland that can be used in so many creative ways, and a wreath design all while understanding the variety of designs that can be created using floral foam.
COURsE InFORMATIOn
PsF EVEnIng FLOWER DEsIgn CLUB
FLORA DEsIgn
WORkSHOp SERiES
SERiES
Experience In this class theyou simplicity will make and beauty a beautiful of playing arrangement with the seasonal using theflowers very best andseasonal produce designs materials. toget replicate a taste the forever the changing fundamentals seasons. of floristry Exploreand the awaken fundamentals your creativity of floristry where and awaken you become your creativity the designer! where you become the designer!
Learn the fundamentals of floristry techniques. Every week, as you are guided through inspiring designs from beautiful bouquets, lush table arrangements and gorgeous vase designs that you can adapt and use again and again!
$120
$695
TueSDay 6Pm-8Pm 2 HOur COurSe
3.5Hr SeSSiON Per Week Over 5 WeekS
WHaT iS inClUdEd All seasonal blooms and props are provided including flowers, ribbons and the bits that make your designs so pretty. WHaT TO bRing nothing but your curiosity and eagerness. COURSE lOCaTiOn All courses are held at 50 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010 Please check our upcoming course dates at pearsonsschool.com.au Click here for TERmS and COndiTiOnS
pearsonsschool.com.au school@pearsonsflorist.com.au (02) 9550 7755
COVER STORY
COVER story FLOWERS FOR KATE
Katie Clulow is “Flowers for Kate” visit her online store at www.flowersforkate.com to view the stunning range of Kate’s photographic prints documenting her passion for floral beauty and the natural world
“Introducing Alice” – a garden rose in the most perfect state of decay. Delicate blush pinks, decaying petals, the perfect patina on a grey backdrop. A limited edition of 50 only – available in 3 sizes – signed and numbered by Kate. Check out the online print store at /68
www.flowersforkate.com
COVER STORY
Keep up to date with Kate’s latest work @flowersfor_kate
FLORAL DESIGN BY @HATTIEMOLLOY_
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Connect & Contribute : Email submissions & concepts to theflowerseekers@gmail.com
FLORAL DESIGN BY @ELOISE__JENKINS
Coming to SPRING Wedding flo r a l s s p r i n g / s u m m e r botanical flower s t u d i e s / f l o we r f a r m f e a t u r e s how to guides a n d t i p s / d e s i g n i n s p o and s o m u c h m o r e .
FLORAL DESIGN BY STYLIST CAITLIN MELLING @CAITLINMELLING
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Connect with like minded flower lovers @theflowerseekers or contact : theflowerseekers@gmail.com 0428 842 096