It’s Florist Friday and today I’m really delighted to feature an interview with Frida Lejonmark-Haynes and Sophia Hodson of Frida & Sophia Floral Design. I’ve been admiring their work for some time now and back in April, they kindly asked me if I’d like to be a guest instagrammer on their Instagram account. Now, it’s the ladies turn to be in the spotlight…!
Could you tell us what prompted you to become florists?
We both decided to become florists for very different reasons. Frida as a young girl used to read a Swedish alphabet book, which had a different flower for each letter. Her favourite was ‘P’ for Peony. The picture of the little girl in her summerhouse resting on the peony leaf used to make Frida wish she could be that girl. She also used to pick wild flowers in the Swedish countryside and set up a pretend florist stall for her mum and friends to play shop.
I, Sophia, on the other hand, had worked in the events industry until I started a family, and I was after a change in career that I could work around home and family life. My father had been very ill and it prompted me to go and see a medium. (I’d always been skeptical.) The medium spoke mostly about the past and current situations in my life, but then turned her attention to the future. She said she could see me in the creative industry, working with old-fashioned flowers, as that’s what my grandfather had loved. It had never occurred to me until that point, but it gave me the idea to become a florist. So, a few weeks later, I was booked onto a Floristry Diploma course at the local adult education centre. Whether I was always destined or she’d just put the idea in my head, I’ll never know. But I’ve never looked back.
Could you tell us how your floristry careers have progressed?
After meeting at college whilst studying for our Diploma in Floristry, we became good friends and started off one Christmas making wreaths for a local farmers market. This then progressed to friends’ weddings and then word of mouth started to spread. We still do the occasional vintage wedding fair, but we find photoshoots are a great way of reaching out to potential clients. We love working on photoshoots, it gives us free rein creativity, which we thrive on.
When did you start your business and where are you based?
We started Frida & Sophia Floral Design in December 2010. Our workshop is in Tenterden in Kent.
What kind of floristry services do you offer?
As we’re freelance florists, our main service is wedding flowers. We love meeting with the couples and getting to know them. When we deliver the flowers and the bride starts crying because you’ve produced something that overwhelms her, you know you’ve done a good job! That’s a very rewarding part of being a wedding florist.
Where do you get inspiration for your floral designs?
Our inspiration comes from nature and romance. Frida is Swedish and I’m English, so I think there’s also some cross Nordic/English mix going on there somewhere…
How would you describe your style?
Our style is bohemian and alternative. It’s relaxed with an imperfection, which gives a unique and elegant style.
What are your plans for the remainder of 2014?
We have a busy remainder to 2014…lots of weddings and a couple of wedding fairs thrown in towards the end of the year.
What are your favourite flowers?
For me it’s easy…it would have to be a rose, particularly the garden roses which often have a beautiful scent. Frida found this question more difficult. For her, it would have to be sweet peas, poppies, delphiniums, lily of the valley and lilac…she loves them all!
Thank you so much to Frida and Sophia for all their help in compiling today’s blog post. Do pop over to the Frida & Sophia Floral Design website to see more of their wonderful designs!
Social Media
To keep up-to-date with their news, here’s where you can find them on social media:
Facebook: Frida & Sophia Floral Design
Twitter: Frida & Sophia Floral Design
Pinterest: Frida & Sophia Floral Design
Instagram: Frida & Sophia Floral Design
Blog: Frida & Sophia Floral Design
P.S. Look out later for a brand new blog post series starting today!
(Images: Rebecca Douglas Photography – 1., 11., 12. & 14. / Kerry Ann Duffy Photography – 2., 3. & 4.)
What gorgeous arrangements and bouquets. I shall be following these lovely ladies for sure. x
Thank you Sarah 🙂 x
That very same swedish alphabet book is up in my daughters bedroom and was my inspiration when I recently started my own business… these ladies have a gorgeous style and I will definately follow their journey… especially since one of them is swedish, just like me… many thanks!
What a very small world Caroline! 🙂