Suffolk is my county of origin. A place of vast open skies, bountiful hedgerows, rugged coastlines and agricultural heritage. With a linear appearance concealing the drama which shapes it; this ever-evolving landscape is pounded by wind, sea, salt and heat.

Above all other considerations, texture leads the design here at Wildstone Botanica. Texture is the foundation of the work, be it fresh, dried, minimal, or expansive. Texture is the quality which can be decided by touch. Rough, smooth, delicate, soft, hard. How a botanical material feels. How it makes us feel. Also, it is how a surface – of leaf, flower, bud, stem – presents visually. For me, texture is multi-sensory. It is the direct route to emotion and connection.

Daucus Carota Dara is a staple of my work for a variety of reasons. As a fresh stem, this impactful umbellifer ranges from dark burgundy – rich and elegant, to a creamy white, with all the nuances in between. Sturdy stalks hold the featherlight florals tall and proud. Solo stems cast shadows with their strong silhouette. Clustered together, Daucus creates undulating mounds of soft inviting textures, which appear to ebb and flow.

Winter can be a challenging season for some, but I am quite the fan. With an early January birthday, the first month is full of joy, celebration, rest and reflection. Having introduced the concepts of ‘Birthday Eve’ and ‘Birthday Month’ into the family unit, I unapologetically revel in all 31 days.