I’m not someone that has ever shared very much online of a personal nature, a snippet here and there so a blog for my new business may be a bit of a shock to some that know me well. I’m that person that has literally come late to every party- facebook, instagram, pinterest, now blogging and I have not even entertained the thought of twitter (I’m sure it’s also great) but I thought a blog would be a great way to speak about my work in more detail, share my passion with you, my inspiration for designs, some tips or just share what I encounter as my journey unfolds.

My name is Renata and my business is called Wall Flowers. If you still haven’t guessed from the name of the company, the business is a florist and I want to bend the ear off you chatting about flowers and all things that in any way, shape or form relates to flowers and floristry.

By way of some back story I thought I might tell you what led me to become a florist.

I’m half Dutch but born and bred Irish and as a child spent most of my summers in Holland. I have such amazing memories of fun filled weeks every summer spent with my dutch family.

Much like the beautiful patchwork and rolling hills of green that you see from the air when you’re flying over Ireland, Holland has a beautiful patchwork of colour. Fields and fields of tulips in red, yellow and orange on the flattest land I've still, ever seen. Those masses of colour always amazed and enthralled me.

I remember going to the Bloemencorso (a Dutch word which means flower parade) and being astounded at the floats of huge animals, people, boats, planes and so much more decorated or covered in flowers. If you haven’t been to a bloemencorso and you love flowers you have to go!

My influences were not only one sided though, my Irish grandad grew and sold wallflowers and dahlias from his garden. I would sit in his shed most Sundays and watch as he pottered about doing this and that. He advertised his beautiful blooms on a painted, wooden sign at the side of the road ‘Wall Flowers For Sale’ so there’s never been a question in my mind what I would call the business.

I didn’t however come to floristry straight out of school or college. I’ve had a whole other life in the financial sector working in accounting and payroll. A successful career with an internationally recognised professional services firm saw me seeking some stress relief and pursuing that old, fleeting dream with a course in an introduction to floristry. This course reignited my passion for flowers. I decided to pursue that passion by seeking the best possible training with McQueens floristry school in London. McQueens is world renowned with an unparalleled reputation for excellence in floristry. Having completed the course with McQueens I just had to follow my dream so I handed in my notice, moved to London and after some work experience I gained a position with the company.

I can’t explain how terrifying it was to leave the career I had built for myself behind but that passion was my driving force (as well as a very supportive boyfriend willing to come with me) and it was so exhilarating and fulfilling to follow my dream and make it a reality. I developed my skills and creativity working alongside the very best in the business. I was based in both the flagship store in East London and in the prestigious Claridge's Hotel in Mayfair where we created florals for luxury weddings to A-List film junkets, corporate clientele and VIPs to name just a few in some of the most luxurious spots in London. My vision is to take all the experience and knowledge I have gained working for Mcqueens and bring a

sprinkle of that prestige and glamour to Irish floristry while pursuing my passion for flowers. I hope Wall flowers will grow to be a nationally recognised Irish brand and leader in the irish floristry industry.

R x