Exposing the roots

Dundee Butcher

I grew up in a very athletic household in Houston,Texas.I played tennis in college and then became a long distance runner. After marrying in my 20’s, having four children and a busy family life the kids grew up! I found myself living in London with a hard working husband and twin teenagers busily going about their life with little need for ‘smothering mothering.’ With running being my only real outlet I needed something more creative. 

 We lived right around the corner from a lovely flower shop in London, which I walked by daily. The window was always filled with fresh flowers which seemed to spill perfectly out of French flower buckets. One day I gathered up my courage and went in to ask if they needed any  help? My life has not been the same since. Of course I loved the flowers, the creativity and the people but something woke up in me that day that I had no idea was there. I became completely enthralled by nature’s artistry.

We moved to Healdsburg in Northern California in 2013 where I opened a flower school and events business. After working with some of the finest florists in formal London floristry I thought I had all the training that was needed to run a successful business. I quickly realized how much more I had to learn. In 2013 California was all about local farm grown flowers and informal loose design.  Sustainability was of utmost importance.

It was time for a new approach.I planted a large garden to serve the business, met every farmer I could find in Sonoma County and loosened my grip on the formal hand tied bouquet. I have been fortunate to spend a good amount of time in Japan in recent years which has hugely influenced my appreciation for simplicity and authenticity.