Karla, Floral Designer

Karla has been working with flowers since she could just about walk, well maybe a little older but not much!

Her exams and stuff She has a recognised level 5 qualification in Floristry, formally The NDSF, her teacher training Cert Ed and Assessor awards, She is now fully onboard as a 'Balloon trainer with BAPIA' and a bag full of cetificates in some crazy subjects, including barbaring ! ( Claim to fame was having the highest marks in the country for that year in the level 4 ICSF in the practical exam.)

She was lucky enough to start her florist life working for some super florists that were considered rather elite for the time, and she was privvy to go along to Chelsea flower Show and Hampton court to name a few as part of the design team back in the early 80's (for the Teleflorist team and The Society of Floristry), albeit as one of the ones in the back putting all the thousands of stems in water.

Karla feels she was extremeley fortunate that her initiation into the floral world that both her bosses were brilliant teachers with very different approaches which then gave her the skill sets for teaching Floristry for over 15 years and in house training. Still to this very day she drives the team insane as she always goes into teaching mode. Every day's a school day.

Karla has designed gardens and created spaces for outside, flew to DUBAI to look at designing a space for a private ZOO.

Royalty has held some of Karla's flowers also walking amongst a whole plethora of designs at the renowned South of England Show, headed by Karla whilst Tutor at Brinsbury College.

Having honed her technical skills Karla then went on to freelance in London with some rather prestigious Event Companies, working on large scale weddings with large installation pieces and other Society events. Working with huge teams of florists covering some incredible venues , including the Savoy and The Dorchester and many more.

Other Passions

Karla has a great passion for photography. Composition is relatively easy for her as her design skills are used in the same way. Anything floral or landscapes are her go to although black and white form is also as one of her favoured photographers is Imogen cunningham and John Rankin

Karla's aim is for her and the team to be recognised for their skill and attention to detail. To be known as forever elevating their work and striving to find new ideas and being challenged! to be known for creating ALL the floral work for events and being creatives. Florists have always been the experts on Decor, anyone trained to higher levels is worth valuing for there skill set and this is where Karla would like all great florists to come back to!

Lylee Junior Florist

Lylee is joining the team this summer 2023,which we are really excited about. Her enthusiasm and determination to learn is truly refreshing. So we've asked her a few questions about what she likes and how she's feeling about starting ! So here goes!

Whats your favourite food

I love Italian, I could eat pasta every day !

What music do you like to listen to ?

Ooh, I like 70’s, Fleetwood Mac is my favourite, Its between,Rhiannon and The Albatross that I like best!

On leaving College.

Since leaving college I feel I am now learning a lot more on the job. I studied at college for 2 years whilst working at Blooms & Balloons as I had to do my work experience in a shop so I worked alongside Karla and the others. Working at the 'bench' gives you much mor realsitic timelines etc

How do you feel about starting at the shop fulltime and becoming apart of the team ?

I'm so excited. I get to do what I love everyday rather than once a week. I know I am going to learn so much because these guys have been doing it forever and know so much !