MEET KIRSTIE DEANE OF RUBY & THE WOLF

‘I’ve dreamed of becoming a florist for many years but only made the leap last year (in 2013). Now, of course, I wish I’d done it years ago! I trained at the wonderful Tallulah Rose Flower School in Bath in the South West of England in May and launched Ruby & The Wolf in July so everything stills feels very new! I currently work from home – at our kitchen table. We are building our own house this year and we’re planning to build a workshop in the garden that will become Ruby & The Wolf HQ. I can’t wait!  I’m based in Bristol in the South West of England and will travel throughout the South West, or further for the right event.’

So, without further ado, let’s check out Kirstie’s fun interview and don’t you just love her ‘selfie’ image she sent over…so cool!!  Enjoy!!

TBC:  What wedding trend would you like to see disappear?

KD:  I think trends are a good thing in some ways; refreshing the way things are done. Of course many things become ‘over done’. I suppose I don’t really understand the trend for having lots of props that don’t have any real connection to the venue or to the couple. I like more natural elements like flowers and candles. But then I would say that wouldn’t I!

KD:  Someone thoughtful and creative.  

TBC:  Where do you find inspiration?

KD:  I love design and I’m inspired by so many things; art, film, fashion, and especially photography and interiors. My previous career was in the animation industry. I worked at an amazing company called Aardman who make very British films about a man called Wallace and his dog Gromit. Animation is such a visual environment where every ‘frame’ counts and I think I became accustomed to seeing the tiny details in everything.

I’m also inspired by the countless amazing florists you have in the states – in particular, I love Amy Osaba’s work. Two of my favourite British florists are Jo Flowers and The Blue Carrot. If they lived closer to me, I’d beg them to let me intern with them!

TBC:  Describe your design style.

KD:  I think my style is natural, elegant and timeless. I really hope that’s how other people see my style too.

TBC:  To date, what has been the highlight of your career?

KD:  Getting my first wedding booking that wasn’t a friend! I’m sure that sounds really lame to those who have been in the game for a while, but it felt really, really good.  And I was giddy when Jo Flowers and The Blue Carrot followed me on Instagram. Getting a ‘like‘ from people I’ve admired from afar really helps me feel like I’m on the right track.

KD:  If I’m conditioning flowers then I love to listen to loud music and have a bit of a dance! I like to find new music and I’m currently loving a British artist called Ella Eyre. I tidy up before I start working on the actual designs, I like to have a clear space so I can really see the flowers and the design coming together and I like a quiet space, so I usually turn the music down and get completely lost in what I’m doing.  

TBC:  What’s your favorite part about weddings when it comes to the florals?

KD:  I love quietly stepping back at the venue when everything’s finished and in its place; seeing the overall design come together.

KD:  In terms of fashion, I like to be casual but classic. I shop on the high street and pretty much have a uniform of jeans and a T-shirt with a tailored jacket and usually a statement necklace or ring.
 
For the home, I really love shopping at reclamation yards and antiques fairs. I love Anthropologie and British designer Abigail Ahern but I like to shop around to avoid anything looking to ‘coordinated’.