With the House of Flowers publication date just a few weeks away, Ashlee shares more secrets from the book’s creation process and what readers can expect to find inside
It’s almost time! The House of Flowers publication date is just a few weeks away and it’s been a hectic, but very exciting, lead up to the launch. Chris and I have been busy working behind-the-scenes to schedule book signings, live floral demonstrations, and a whole host of very special events that I can’t wait to share with you all. We’ve planned activities that will be taking place throughout the year so hopefully there will be something for everyone.
In the meantime, I wanted to share a little more about the creation of the House of Flowers and what you can expect to find if you pick up a copy on 16th March.
Inspiration and information
When I first started exploring my love of flowers, I wanted to learn as much as possible. I spent almost all my free time experimenting with supermarket flowers and scouring the internet to find the names of different flowers as well as helpful arrangement tutorials and techniques. While I enjoyed improving my knowledge and getting to try new things, I found it frustrating that I couldn’t find all the information I needed in one place.
With this experience in mind, I wanted my book to be both inspiring and informative. It was important for me to create a work that was beautiful and would encourage you to create your own floral arrangements while also including the knowledge I’ve accumulated throughout my journey so far. In the House of Flowers, I’ve shared several of my personal experiences alongside a wealth of tips, techniques, and technical details.
The book covers a wide range of topics from how to find inspiration and develop your style to practical advice on how to choose flowers, flower conditioning, and sustainable techniques. I’ve also included my favourite flowers, the blooms that never fail to capture my heart and my imagination each season.
The House of Flowers is very detailed, but it doesn’t read like a textbook. I believe strongly that flowers are here to be enjoyed and I’m passionate about making flowers accessible to all, no matter your age or experience. It’s this mission that has driven me to write this book and I’ve been mindful to create something that I would want to read, with language that’s fun and easy to follow. If you enjoy the way I talk things through in my video tutorials, then I’m sure you’ll love the style of this book.
Projects and Photography
I’ve included 30 projects in the House of Flowers, each using fresh seasonal flowers rather than our faux stems. There are projects dedicated to each of the four seasons so, no matter when you pick it up, you’ll find ideas that capture the spirit of the season and use flowers that are easy to find. The projects cover almost every type of floral arrangement imaginable, including spring planters, flower crowns, hand tied bouquets, seasonal wreaths, and tablescapes.
Each arrangement has been beautifully shot by the incredibly talented photographer Helena Dolby, but we aren’t just showcasing the finished product. On every page, you’ll find helpful images from throughout the creation process displayed alongside clear, step-by-step instructions detailing the techniques used as well as a full rundown of the flowers and foliage included.
If these insights have inspired you to pick up the book, you can find a copy here: The House of Flowers: 30 floristry projects to bring the magic of flowers into your home.
