Cape Town florists Nick Paton and Daniela Guglielmetti, of Lush Flowers, recently raised the roof with one of their installations. It seems the sky’s the limit for this dynamic husband-and-wife duo.
Patrons of Hemelhuijs were recently met by a tapestry of colourful dried hydrangeas suspended from the roof of this decor and foody hotspot in the Mother City. Thanks to Nick Paton and Daniela Guglielmetti, this floral feat can only be described as artistry.
We catch up with them to find out more about their unique approach to floral arrangements.
We’re totally in love with the floral installation at Hemelhuijs. Where did you get the idea for such a unique way of using blooms?
The brief was specific in terms of the overhead component. We thought that using a single flower type en masse over such a large area would simplify the dramatic effect and create a “cloud” of flowers.
The colour palette is a mix of vibrant hues. How did you go about choosing the shades and patterns?
We allowed the venue and its existing decor to speak to us, and opted for jewel tones to offset the pastels.
Where did you find so many hydrangeas?
That is a trade secret! However, this local grower is passionate about hydrangeas and has perfected the drying process.
It must have been a huge feat to suspend the flowers from the roof.
We’re fortunate that we have team members with great practical and building skills. We were able to create lattices that were covered with blooms and then suspended without too much fuss. The installation took two hours altogether.
You’re renowned for your floral artistry. What sets you apart?
Our business is a team effort. We’ve been operating from the same shop in Kloof Neck Road for the past 18 years. We co-run the shop with the help of a wonderful team of florists, assistants and drivers.
Lush has a unique approach to floral artistry. Any trade secrets?
Nature is our greatest source of inspiration, and foraging is our primary “open” trade secret.
Also, our approach is inclusive and collaborative. Everyone has a unique background, and staff members introduce their African, South American, European and Asian heritage to the creative mix.
We also draw inspiration from arts in general, and everyone has specific fields of interest.
And your aesthetic mantra?
We’ve always preferred the simple and understated. We embrace the trends in international floristry, and love experimenting with new materials, forms and structures.
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