In a garden bed of roses you'll find local botanical enthusiast Sammy Bate dreaming up her next sensory experience. stemming from her childhood Sammy continues her passion for nature, plants and flowers in her floral project "ffoliar" using inner imagination with colour and shape.
INTERVIEW BY ANNA HEYLIGERS
IMAGES BY ANNA HEYLIGERS
in a garden bed of roses you'll find local botanical enthusiast sammy bate dreaming up her next sensory experience. stemming from her childhood sammy continues her passion for nature, plants and flowers in her floral project "ffoliar" using inner imagination with colour and shape.
INTERVIEW BY ANNA HEYLIGERS
IMAGES by anna heyligers
Tell us about yourself and what you do?
I was born in a beautiful leafy town nestled in the Southern Highlands. I spent most of my childhood absolutely obsessed with my parents backyard, roaming around every single inch of their (what seemed like) endless, overgrown, mini rainforest. I was so comfortable exploring and rambling through the property I often wonder if that's why the natural world will always feel warm to me. As a teenager I grew very fond of the arts and somehow flowers fell into my lap. Officially i've been a florist since I was 16 years old and now I run and own my own floral project "ffoliar".
Have you always had an interest in flowers?
I've always had an interest in botanics but my appreciation for flowers in particular sky-rocketed when I was surrounded by them more frequently. Now, I'm heavily distracted by them.
Dare I ask, what kind of flower brings you the most joy?
Ah this is such a hard question!! I definitely am fond of sensory considerations. Scent, in particular, always leads me to incredible garden roses, they have always made me feel so wonderful.
Otherwise, Dahlia's with peachy faces or candy striped petals are definitely high on the list too.
Tell us about yourself and what you do?
I was born in a beautiful leafy town nestled in the Southern Highlands. I spent most of my childhood absolutely obsessed with my parents backyard, roaming around every single inch of their (what seemed like) endless, overgrown, mini rainforest. I was so comfortable exploring and rambling through the property I often wonder if that's why the natural world will always feel warm to me. As a teenager I grew very fond of the arts and somehow flowers fell into my lap. Officially i've been a florist since I was 16 years old and now I run and own my own floral project "ffoliar".
Have you always had an interest in flowers?
I've always had an interest in botanics but my appreciation for flowers in particular sky-rocketed when I was surrounded by them more frequently. Now, I'm heavily distracted by them.
Dare I ask, what kind of flower brings you the most joy?
Ah this is such a hard question!! I definitely am fond of sensory considerations. Scent, in particular, always leads me to incredible garden roses, they have always made me feel so wonderful.
Otherwise, Dahlia's with peachy faces or candy striped petals are definitely high on the list too.
What is the creative process you go through when styling for an event or making an arrangement?
I'm consciously aware that colour is always the start of my creative process. I can imagine colours before I can imagine shapes. So once i've found colours that evoke a certain response from me, I move onto "what weird, interesting shape can I make out of this space."
Are there any florists you are loving right now?
So many, I'm so inspired by the work of others. Mary Lennox, Hattie Molloy, The Colourblind Florist-- to name a few.
Your home is full of plants (love)! Tell us more about this little passion of yours.
Ahh plants are just so wonderful. When I routinely take them out of the house to water, I step back and look at how much value they genuinely add to my little home. I'm just so fascinated by leafy greens! As mentioned before, I suspect it stems from my childhood. I genuinely find so much joy in watching them mature as well, knowing that I've helped them grow is fulfilling.
Do you have any tips for hitting the flower markets? It’s a flower crazed world up there!
Walk in with a clear mind, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle. Take a friend, and together soak it all in.. I used to love trying to identify as many flowers and specimens as I could see. The more you potter slowly, look intently, you discover the most beauty.
What is the creative process you go through when styling for an event or making an arrangement?
I'm consciously aware that colour is always the start of my creative process. I can imagine colours before I can imagine shapes. So once i've found colours that evoke a certain response from me, I move onto "what weird, interesting shape can I make out of this space."
Are there any florists you are loving right now?
So many, I'm so inspired by the work of others. Mary Lennox, Hattie Molloy, The Colourblind Florist-- to name a few.
Your home is full of plants (love)! Tell us more about this little passion of yours.
Ahh plants are just so wonderful. When I routinely take them out of the house to water, I step back and look at how much value they genuinely add to my little home. I'm just so fascinated by leafy greens! As mentioned before, I suspect it stems from my childhood. I genuinely find so much joy in watching them mature as well, knowing that I've helped them grow is fulfilling.
Do you have any tips for hitting the flower markets? It’s a flower crazed world up there!
Walk in with a clear mind, it is easy to be overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle. Take a friend, and together soak it all in.. I used to love trying to identify as many flowers and specimens as I could see. The more you potter slowly, look intently, you discover the most beauty.
Tell us about the most memorable event you’ve worked on in your career?
Oh I have so many! I was helping with an event for the wonderful women from Spell and the Gypsy Collective. Julia Stone was the live entertainment.. It was pretty special setting up with her magical voice as the background music. I'll never that.
How has COVID effected the floristry industry, I’d love to know your thoughts on this.
COVID has been tough for the fLoristry industry. In particular I noted the immense pressure many hold on imported products. When imports stopped, flower markets were riddled with empty space. Just coming off Mother's Day the demand for local flowers was already huge.. then Covid19.. It's a lot to take into consideration. I feel though that now, normality is settling back in. Our industry is filled with lots of kindNess and that has been evidently shared during this uncertain time.
Where to next Sammy, any plans for the future?
ffoliar is at the top of my list. I'm pouring as much love into my clients and projects as humanly possible. Thinking of the future I don't have a particular goal, just grateful for the opportunity to create/work with nature and share that. I'm excited to see what all of this has in store for me!
learn more about SAMMY here
Tell us about the most memorable event you’ve worked on in your career?
Oh I have so many! I was helping with an event for the wonderful women from Spell and the Gypsy Collective. Julia Stone was the live entertainment.. It was pretty special setting up with her magical voice as the background music. I'll never that.
How has COVID effected the floristry industry, I’d love to know your thoughts on this.
COVID has been tough for the fLoristry industry. In particular I noted the immense pressure many hold on imported products. When imports stopped, flower markets were riddled with empty space. Just coming off Mother's Day the demand for local flowers was already huge.. then Covid19.. It's a lot to take into consideration. I feel though that now, normality is settling back in. Our industry is filled with lots of kindNess and that has been evidently shared during this uncertain time.
Where to next Sammy, any plans for the future?
ffoliar is at the top of my list. I'm pouring as much love into my clients and projects as humanly possible. Thinking of the future I don't have a particular goal, just grateful for the opportunity to create/work with nature and share that. I'm excited to see what all of this has in store for me!
Learn more about Sammy here.
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common people #36
from the mountain tops in japan to the photography studios of sydney, you'll find louise wellington flexing her creativity with a camera in hand and sometimes, if she's lucky a dog in tow. louise challenges herself working between landscape, studio and interiors photography pursuing a beautiful aesthetic in every shot that she takes.
COMMON PEOPLE #36
From the mountain tops in japan to the photography studios of Sydney, you'll find Louise Wellington flexing her creativity with a camera in hand and sometimes, if she's lucky a dog in tow. Louise challenges herself working between landscape, studio and interiors photography pursuing a beautiful aesthetic in every shot that she takes.
