INTRODUCTION

Katie Coull founded her floristry business, 1 Hillside Studio, in November 2019.

Located in Bridge of Weir, she runs her business from her home studio, from where she hosts wreath workshops throughout December, and designs and created flower arrangements for weddings and events throughout the year.

I met Katie via Instagram, after she tagged me in a post, from taking inspiration from some of the work we do in our own studios. I love her work, and above all, I love her focus on helping others and beautifully capturing what floristry means to her - both the hard work and the rewards. I know you will love her story, capturing her thoughts, after a particularly hard and cold day in the studio, in December …

KATIE’s story - a PROFESSIONAL FLORIST

“The physicality of floristry in the run-up to Christmas might surprise people. Wintry, pre-dawn trips to equally chilly flower markets; hands in and out of cold water and weaving the tough stems of evergreens; keeping on top of supplies, correspondence and social media, flower orders and winter wedding styling; and preparing for and running 24 wreath-making workshops in 3 weeks.

I’m writing this in bed, exhausted, and it’s only early December. Everything aches. My hands are chapped and etched black with pine sap, my feet are sore from being on them all day and an annoying twinge in my back has returned. And yet I love it, and I can’t wait for everyone to arrive for tomorrow’s wreath-making workshop.”

FESTIVE WORKSHOPS

“My workshops have become an anticipated event — a tradition almost — in the run-up to Christmas for many people, some of whom travel from the other side of the city to the Renfrewshire village where my studio is located.

I welcome them into my own florist’s workshop, which I’ve decorated with an evergreen canopy threaded through with fairy lights — you can never have too many! Nature doesn’t need much help when it comes to the aesthetics: buckets of fragrant eucalyptus, feathered conifer, berried twigs, glossy holly and baskets of dried citrus line the barn.”

CALM & COMFORT

“Many of my workshop guests are women who shoulder the bulk of the festive mental load. The workshop is a chance for them to switch off from what awaits them at home, to be mindful and just concentrate of what piece of greenery needs to go where. Shoulders drop and faces relax as people immerse themselves in the task and lose themselves in the moment.

Playing with the colour and texture of nature is so calming. People are rightly proud of their creations, and I love that they’ll endure — unlike so many of our efforts at Christmas, these handmade wreaths will grace their doors for weeks.

At the start of this year’s Christmas wreath-making season, a dear friend’s son died very unexpectedly, and I wondered how on earth I could run workshops with all the thoughts and emotions in my head. But I have been amazed at how much of a distraction they have been. They have calmed me and comforted me — connecting with nature and other people is a very powerful way to deal with trauma and sadness.

I find involving other people in a creative process so up-lifting. The workshops are a chance for me to connect with others, to quietly nurture creative confidence. People get to spend time with family and friends, and to take away something beautiful they’ve made themselves. A rare, guilt-free moment! Our village is full of doors decorated with wreaths handmade in my studio and admired by countless people, and I think this is very special.”

LEARN HOW TO CREATE A FESTIVE WREATH