The Design Files Daily

Flowers

Thursday, January 05, 2012

The Flower Drum Semi Permanent POP UP

Holly Hipwell, Chief Flower Enthusiast at The Flower Drum, at the new FLOWER DRUM POP-UP in Sydney’s Northern Beaches!  Photos – Cloudy Rhodes.

Holly with her serious shopkeeper face on

I have such an immense girl crush on the fabulous and slightly insane girls from THE FLOWER DRUM!  I believe them to be the cutest, cleverest and funniest girls in Sydney. Their blog is so laugh-out-loud hilarious I defy any of you to check it out without smiling. I mean really. It’s just one massive petal pushing giggle fest over there.  (You may remember we featured The Flower Drum girls way back in Feb 2011 – worth re-visiting for a LOVE BOMB refresher course!  It was actually one of my favourite posts of last year.  So so cute and so so funny).

Anyway would you BELIEVE that on this fleeting and rather spontaneous jaunt to Sydney, I just HAPPEN to have found myself here on the same week that Chief Flower Drummettes Holly Hipwell and Mylee Grace have launched their first ever pop-up shop on Sydney’s Northern Beaches!?  C’est encroyable, no?!

SO of course this sweet project was just destined for a spot on The Design Files!   The pop-up itself is in fact a shop within a shop – it’s part of The Sugarmill Fine Surf Emporium – combining floral frivolity with custom surfboards, excellent coffee, clothing, not-for-profit fundraising and a great number of tanned and generally good looking Sydneysiders.

For their opening week (ie THIS WEEK!) The Flower Drum Pop-Up is open daily until this Saturday 7th Jan.  THEN they’re open every Saturday after that – possibly forever :) Do pop in and support the madness that is The Flower Drum!

The Flower Drum first ever Semi Permanent Pop-Up
The Sugarmill Fine Surf Emporium
1329 Pittwater Rd
Narrabeen NSW

Ph.02 9913 3332

PS – Flower Drum groupies will be pleased to know we’re roping chief flower enthusiast Holly Hipwell in again for some more flower-loving antics next month on TDF – watch this space!

Mylee and Holly with newly blonde hair and matchy matchy polka dots at Sydney’s wholesale flower markets! I do not normally allow instagrammed iphone photos on TDF but the cuteness overwhelmed me.  How anyone can look that cute at 5.30am is beyond me.
Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
Categories - Flowers, Sydney Comments (11)
Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Wunderplant

Gorgeous wedding flowers by Melbourne floral designer Amy Wright of Wunderplant

Such cute and unexpected floral combinations!

Amy wright is a multi-talented and perhaps somewhat indecisive local creative!   She is one half of design team Woot’n Wright, and co-runs A Shop called Milton with partner Jess Wooten (a shoemaker – blogged here).  She also has a passion for all things botanical and runs a floristry business called Wunderplant too!  Until recently Wunderplant was based out of A Shop called Milton, but this burgeoning little business has already outgrown its nest, so Amy has taken over a little studio just around the corner.  Here she creates all manner of floral treasures – posies for the shop and selected other retail outlets, creative installations, wedding flowers, buttonholes and corsages.

Wunderplant flowers emulate the simple garden posy – cute and quirky, not too structured.  Amy using seasonal flowers, unexpected foliage, herbs and even the odd common weed!   For more pics of her gorgeous work check out her website and blog.

Wunderplant creates flowers for cafés, visual merchandising, weekly flowers for small creative businesses, weddings and events.   My life will be COMPLETE when this ‘small creative business’ has a weekly flower budget.   I’m writing that into my five year plan as we speak.

Amy will be at The Melbourne Design Market on Sunday December 4th with her gorgeous blooms, alongside Jess Wootten and his fabulous handcrafted footwear.

Wedding flowers by Amy Wright of Wunderplant

Amy Wright of Wunderplant

Studio Wunderplant
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Friday, September 16, 2011

Interview – Clea Cregan of Miniscapes

Clea Cregan of Miniscapes at her Brunswick studio.

A Miniscapes terrarium!

Terrariums in waiting

It’s so weird how the world works in cycles.  When I was a wide-eyed kid straight out of uni, trying my hardest to get a job in the film industry, I ended up doing a kind of extended stint of work experience at Melbourne film production company Exit Films.  It was all a bit daunting because Exit did amazing work for pretty big clients, and you know, work experience is kinda scary and you always feel like you’re asking too many questions.  But, if you’re lucky, there’s usually one really nice person who you buddy up with, and it’s that person you feel you can ask when you have no idea how to work the photocopier or coffee machine?  Well, in 2002, Clea Cregan was that person for me!

Clea hadn’t been at Exit Films very long when I bumbled in… and she was so patient and kind and gave me jobs to do and made me feel like I was being helpful!   Who would have thought nearly 10 years later, I’d be writing a blog post about her burgeoning little business making bespoke terrariums?  :)

Miniscapes started as a hobby for Clea about five years ago whilst she was still working fulltime in the film industry.  She was instantly hooked by the tactile nature of the craft – working with her hands and making something beautiful, organic and sustainable.   After she’d basically filled her whole house with her creations (and any glass vessel she could get her hands on!), Clea started taking orders. It wasn’t long before she was fielding requests from workplaces, events companies and local restaurants.  All this tied in well with the birth of her son Harlan (now 2) – she took a little time off work, and before long Miniscapes began to fill the void!

Clea’s work is full of such beautiful details – of course each terrarium is filled with layers of rich soil, moss and lush leaves, but there are also tiny little characters hiding amongst the foliage!   I especially love her work for the Australian Open VIP lounge – complete with miniature tennis players battling it out on that distinctive blue tennis court!

This week Clea has just installed some of her gorgeous work in a window display at Monk House Design in Brunswick – it’ll be up for the next 2 weeks, and she’s also got a few pieces for sale in there too!  Do pop in and check them out!  Miniscapes also has a super cute blog where you can keep up with Clea’s latest creations and inspiration.

Huge thanks to Clea for her time with this interview, and for being so nice to me in 2002.  :)

CLICK HERE for the full interview and many more pics!

Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
Categories - Craft, Flowers, Gardens, Interview, Uncategorized Comments (14)
Thursday, February 10, 2011

The Flower Drum LOVE BOMB!

The Flower Drum flower enthusiasts Holly Hipwell and Mylee Grace, showing off their fantabulous LOVE BOMBS!  All photos by Sarah Christensen (aka ‘Saresy’).

Gorgeous Love Bomb shots from The Flower Drum blog

OK GET READY.  These guys are TOTAL geniuses and will have their own TV show within about 3 weeks so I hope you’re paying attention!

Holly Hipwell is a self confessed 24 hour (7/11) flower enthusiast.  With Mylee, her trusty partner in floral crime, Holly trawls the fresh flower markets in Sydney and makes amazing kooky flowery creations.  The Flowerdrum is their diary of ‘wreckless & overly enthusiastic flower adventures’.  Holly says the growers out at the flower markets always ask ‘what do you do with all of these flowers if you dont sell them?!’.  Her response – ‘We create things just for the Flower Drum blog, and we do it for the love of flowers!’.

INTRIGUED?  You should be. OH YES.

Luckily for US, Holly and co have created a special project just for The Design Files – just in time for Valentines Day!  I PROMISE this year I will not blog any pink / red / heart shaped novelty presents… instead here is a gift money cannot buy – a LOVE BOMB lesson from the Flower Drum!

Over to you Holly! -

Valentines day is fast approaching!  Show your loved one how much you adore them with a LOVE BOMB! Do away with the dozen roses which will cost you approximately 50 billion dollars from the gorgeous florist in that ritzy suburb… And get ready to make some love bombs.

Here’s what you will need.

- A LOT of flowers. Depending on the size of your love, you may need up to 10 bunches!

- Carnations and roses work best. “Carnations?!” I hear you say… just trust me on this one.

- Floral foam – you can buy it in pre-made spheres which is really handy, usually available from florists and craft stores.

- Scissors (don’t act surprised)

- A large vessel of water to soak the floral foam.

- Love, usually available from within, but also available from your local hardware store.

LETS GET STARTED!

Trimming flowers, soaking foam balls. All photos by Sarah Christensen

1) Trim your flowers down, so the stem is about 1-2 inches long. Be sure to cut the stem on an angle for extra stabbing power. If you are using roses, take away any petals that have turned into crusty demons or have slightly discoloured.

2) While you are doing this, get your handy assistant (if you have one) to throw a foam ball into water, let it sink to the bottom to ensure it soaks up as much water as possible!

Petal pushing!

3) Start petal pushing! Push the flower heads into the foam. We were feeling a bit fancy and decided to do designs on our flower bombs, you can see mine has a heart on it, however feel free to express your love in whatever design you want.

Halfway there…!

It can take a fair bit of time to make these, so don’t be making plans to meet your buddy at the movies in 5 minutes! You might just need their helping hand to finish filling in the underneath of the bomb. They can become very heavy, like 100 kilo’s heavy! You will see what I mean when you are making yours…

Getting a little help with the underside of the bomb

4) Keep plugging away until the flower bomb is looking completely gorgeous and lush, tie some string or ribbon through the top knot and you are ready to swing on over to your lovers land and gift them with your creation!

OMG. Who would NOT want to receive a Valentine from these two…!?

A HUGE THANKYOU to Holly and Mylee for brightening our week with their floral madness, and to their friend Sarah Christensen for the stunning pics.  If you would like to see more Flower Drum action on The Design Files please leave a comment and let us know…!  I would love to invite Holly back sometime if you’re keen to see more flowery antics!  Meantime make sure you bookmark the fantabuous Flower Drum blog!

Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
Categories - Craft, Flowers Comments (28)
Monday, November 01, 2010

New guest blog – Spring Flowers with Cecilia Fox!

Stunning image from the website of Cecilia Fox!

Goodness we’ve had such a supremely excellent few weeks of guest blogging… I am loving the sheer variety over there…. from travel diaries to home cooking to ballet and now - spring flowers with Cecilia Fox!

You may remember the very clever Melanie Stapleton (aka Cecilia Fox!) mentioned during Georgie Kay’s guest blog – Melanie often collaborates with the clever girls at Georgeous, because everyone knows, no party is complete without beautiful blooms!

This week Melanie will share with us some gorgeous ideas for flowers and gardens – cute, easy and affordable ideas to bring a little nature and spring colour into your home and garden!  We have to be EXTRA GRATEFUL to Melanie for her time because truly, we are slap bang in the middle of the busiest time of year for talented local florists!  This past couple of weeks has seen Melanie filling marquees full of roses at the Caulfield Cup, beautifying lavish weddings and Moroccan-themed birthday parties across town(!) – and even installing a window full of flowers for Portmans!  I am not sure when she had time to dedicate to this…. SO please make Melanie feel very welcome over on the Guest Blog all this week!

ps) Melanie has THE MOST GORGEOUS website and blog too… you are totally missing out if you don’t pop over for a visit!

Beautiful blooms by Melanie Stapleton aka Cecilia Fox
Posted by Lucy at 5:55 am
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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Melbourne Home – Katie Marx

The gorgeous home of Melbourne florist Katie Marx.  Incredible artwork by Katie’s friend and neighbour Dane Lovett. WELL that a coincidence because I seriously LOVE-IT!

Stunning blossoms all over the house!  Paper ball sculpture by Kristina Sundstrom.

OH yes sorry another similar photo but  couldn’t choose :) Amazing artwork by Dane Lovett.

Gorgeous open plan kitchen.. screenprinted boxes by Bonnie + Neil, vertical garden planter by Joost.  And she has some of those fabulous LPG bowls by Industria!

Kitchen details

I know I seem to say this about every second house I ever feature but SERIOUSLY this has got to be one of the bestest Australian Homes ever, right?!  This is the STUNNING Northcote loft apartment and studio of Melbourne freelance florist Katie Marx – better known to her nearest and dearest as ‘Katie the Fabulous Florist!’

Katie is indeed fabulous!  She is truly just so utterly gorgeous, bubbly and fun and full of energy…. and as you can probably see she is also one very clever creative lass too!  Ms Marx is one of Melbourne’s most talented freelance florists, working on a great variety of projects including weddings, private parties and events including Spring Racing carnival and many others!  After just a few moments chatting to Katie it’s clear how much she just LOVES her work – being her own boss, rising at the crack of dawn to source the most gorgeous blooms at the market, or daytripping out of town to collect the perfect rustic branches for her clients!  When I visited, parked outside her studio was her transit van, piled high with an enormous bundle of prickly branches for an upcoming installation.  It was seriously HUGE!  “How on earth did you get all that up there all by yourself!?” I asked…. “oh I’m used to it, I’ve got it down pat now” Katie said casually.  Jeepers creepers.  Not just a pretty face, this one!

Katie’s warehouse-style apartment above her studio is full of so many beautiful pieces she has made or pinched from creative friends.  In these shots you’ll spot a chair by the very talented Greg Hatton (aka Twiggy!), incredible pieces designed by Katie’s friend and mentor, Joost Bakker,  as well as beautiful artworks and prints by friends including Dane Lovett and Bonnie + Neil.  You’ll also see gorgeous flowers absolutely everywhere of course!

Now Before I go I must share one more beautiful little anecdote which perfectly sums up Katie’s unique outlook on life and her passion for beautiful flowers!  As I dashed about taking these shots, I commented about the fallen blossom petals strewn across her apartment… “aren’t they beautiful!?” she chirped, without any irritation or compulsion to sweep them up!  Instead Katie shared a little story with me about laying awake the previous night with blossom petals falling across her bed from the huge branches in her bedroom… and explaining how magical it was to have them floating to the floor in her bedroom whilst she nodded off to sleep…. with not a moment’s frustration about having to clean them up in the morning!  Awwww… I love that!  Katie is one special girl.

The fabulous florist herself!  And yes, leopard skin jeans.

CLICK HERE for many more pics of Katie’s beautiful home and workshop!

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Posted by Lucy at 6:00 am
Categories - Australian Homes, Flowers, Uncategorized Comments (24)