Mayfair florist Louise Bermingham on her first arrangement, why she gave up acting to open her Mayfair shop Wild Things and her most unusual commission to date.
How has London’s taste in flowers changed since you opened in 1996?
Our core classic style with garden roses is the same but colours have changed. Mayfair is quite a traditional area and we have always sold a lot of white but now we also do super bright colours such as apricot, burnt mustard and gold and they can clash. It used to be straightforward shades of pink and lilac.
What’s hot for summer 2019?
A big colour is blush pink. It’s very soft, very subtle. Peonies are the most sought-after flower: we have to use roses that look like peonies because their season is so short.
When did you first fall in love with flowers?
As a young child, I mushed up roses and made perfume. Sometimes we had arrangements delivered to the house: I would pick delphiniums and pop them in holes that the florist had left.
Image above: Wild Things
Image above: Wild Things
What made you become a florist?
I wanted to be an actress and started a drama course which involved an awful lot of stress and I thought, “Oh, I just want to open a flower shop.” I taught myself – I don’t know if that’s good or bad, but it worked out. They do say that gardeners and florists are the happiest people!
What sets Wild Things apart?
We are a small business with only a dozen employees who remain strong on customer service. Sometimes people want exceptional things at the drop of a hat. I don’t live far from the shop so we can be reactive in a way that might be harder for a bigger business.
What is a typical day for you?
The Covent Garden Market run is not the thing it used to be. Nowadays we order flowers from Holland online and they come in around 4 or 5am the next morning. The store closes at 7.30pm but we are usually open after this time because people’s lives run late in London.
What do you like best about your prime position opposite Claridge’s?
It’s a busy area but it doesn’t feel frenetic and you meet interesting people who travel and have fascinating jobs. We are often asked to do flowers for events and weddings at Claridge’s and arrangements for clients in their rooms. I think they look out of the hotel window, see our shop and then pop in. Our customers are very loyal and include fashion brands and private clients. We have a mix as there’s a residential population and a lot of offices.
What has been your most unusual commission?
An enormous order of 1,000 red roses to be sent as a love message. We arranged them in lots of containers and took them to the house which wasn’t far away. Then the customer rang and said, “Can you pick them up, preserve them and prepare them for shipping elsewhere?” So we got them preserved – you use silica gel which keeps the texture and colour vibrant for at least a year – and had them shipped.
What do you consider your trademark arrangement?
Whites and greens are our trademark, with lots of blowsy heads. We are known for a romantic look – so we use pretty, heavily ruffled flowers such as poppies and ranunculus as well as peonies and vintage roses.
What are your future plans for Wild Things?
We are making our shop bigger and we want to have a table and invite people who can’t afford to pay for a workshop to share our skills. Flowers are a luxury but working with them brings so much positivity, it’s almost like therapy. We put a new photograph on Instagram every day and people say, “I look at your pictures and they make me so happy.” That’s amazing.
47 Davies Street, W1K 4LY, wildthingsflowers.co.uk
ORCHIDYA WC1E
Following strong demand from the public who admired Orchidya’s orchids at the Chelsea Flower Show, they have since blossomed into a full service florist. Their passion is to use imaginative and memorable plant and fresh flower arrangements, to create the most impressive displays.
42 Store Street, WC1E 7DB, orchidya.com
BLOOMSBURY FLOWERS WC2B
Opened in 1994 by former Royal Ballet dancers, Stephen Wicks and Mark Welford, Bloomsbury Flowers quickly became synonymous with beautiful flower arrangements. Offering a wide range of seasonal flowers, many of their bouquets end up on stage with ballerinas performing at the Royal Opera House.
29 Great Queen Street, WC2B 5BB, bloomsburyflowers.co.uk
Image above: Bloomsbury Flowers
THE FLOWER YARD SW3
Established for over 20 years, The Flower Yard London is synonymous with quality and perfection using creative technique and flair. A variety of style and design is achieved through traditional, contemporary and innovative methods.
29 Great Queen Street, WC2B 5BB, thefloweryard.co.uk
THAT FLOWER SHOP E1
Founded by Hattie Fox, That Flower Shop opened in 2012 and is situated within the Ace Hotel. Its bouquets are named after rom-coms and using seasonal flowers, they create beautifully unruly, sprawling bouquets.
100 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6JQ, thatflowershop.co.uk
NIKKI TIBBLES WILD AT HEART SW3
Nikki Tibbles Wild at Heart is one of the most celebrated British florists, renowned for an opulent, visionary and creative approach to flowers. Specialising in weddings and events Nikki has an A-list following, with commissions from some of the world’s most luxurious brands and venues. These beautiful flowers can be found in three popular locations across the capital; Westbourne Grove, Pimlico and Liberty London.
222 Westbourne Grove, W11 2RH, wildatheart.com
Image above: Nikki Tibbles Wild at Heart
PAUL THOMAS FLOWERS SW11
One of the leading florists of his generation, Paul Thomas has a unique approach to floral work. With inspiration taken from nature, the seasons and the English garden, Paul is constantly excited and challenged to incorporate this in his designs.
Arch 83 Queens Circus, SW11 8NE, paulthomasflowers.co.uk
PULBROOK & GOULD FLOWERS W1
Established by Lady Susan Pulbrook and Constance Spry-trained Rosamund Gould in 1956. Known for their breathtaking arrangements sourced from private English gardens and estates. Today, the philosophy that developed in those days is still evident. As requirements of clients have moved through many different styles, so has the look of their displays with settings ranging from sophisticated simplicity to the flamboyant.
19 South Audley Street, W1K 2BN, pulbrookandgould.co.uk
Image above: Pulbrook & Gould Flowers
