Spirit of Summer Fair Archives

Ruby & Grace floristry workshop at the Spirit of Summer fair

May 19, 2014 By Rona 1 Comment

I hope you had a lovely weekend. Wasn’t the weather here in the UK wonderful? On Saturday, I visited the Spirit of Summer fair at Olympia in London. The main reason that I went was to take part in a floristry workshop, which was being run by Hannah Bignell of Ruby & Grace. It was scheduled to start at 11.30am and when I arrived at the fair at 10.30am, there was already a queue! I was taken a little aback and at the same time happy to see how popular floristry is!… Read more

Florist at The Dorchester, Phil Hammond’s workshop at the Spirit of Summer Fair

May 16, 2013 By Rona Leave a Comment

Yesterday, I visited the Spirit of Summer Fair at Olympia in London. And I was delighted to take part in Florist at The Dorchester, Phil Hammond’s workshop.

Here’s the bouquet that I made below, which is now brightening up my office…and the scent is gorgeous!

Phil showed us how to make this, his new signature bouquet for the summer season.

It featured ‘Miss Piggy’ roses, pale lilac freesias, alchemilla mollis, mint and salal.

He talked us through conditioning the flowers and foliage.… Read more

Win tickets to the Spirit of Summer Fair at Olympia

May 6, 2013 By Rona 20 Comments

Later this month, the Spirit of Summer Fair in association with House & Garden magazine is taking place at Olympia in London.

And I’m delighted to be giving away two pairs of tickets to the show, which is on from Wednesday, 15th May until Saturday, 18th May.

If you’re looking for floristry inspiration or ideas for your garden, the Spirit of Summer Fair is the perfect place to visit.

Here are details about the floral and garden related workshops and talks which are taking place:

Summer Lifestyle Workshops

Fabulous Flower Arranging with Philip Hammond, The Dorchester – 11.30am – 15 & 16 May

Join designer florist Phil Hammond as he demonstrates how to create his new signature bouquet for the summer season.… Read more

Interview with Wendy Black at The Dorchester

July 2, 2012 By Rona 6 Comments

I hope you had a lovely weekend. Today I’m delighted to feature an interview with Wendy Black, designer florist at The Dorchester in London.

I had the pleasure of meeting Wendy earlier this year at the Spirit of Summer Fair and took part in her workshop.

Could you tell us what prompted you to become a florist?

I was working as a restaurant manager and our florist kept increasing her prices, so my boss asked me to do the flower arrangements instead.… Read more

Floral highlights from the Spirit of Summer Fair 2012

May 17, 2012 By Rona 2 Comments

Yesterday, I attended the Spirit of Summer Fair at Olympia in London and this afternoon, I thought I’d share my floral highlights with you.

Wendy Black – The Dorchester

At the show, there are a wide range of great workshops and presentations which you can attend.

And every day at 12.30pm, florist Wendy Black from The Dorchester is leading an interactive workshop where you can make your very own spring bouquet. For me personally, attending Wendy’s workshop was the high point of the day…

Beautifully fragrant spring blooms such as narcissi and hyacinth, plus calla lilies, irises and stephanotis were kindly supplied by The Flower Council of Holland for us to arrange together.… Read more