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Meet three of Perth’s most most innovative florists who are pushing the boundaries with their arrangements

Headshot of Jessie Stoelwinder
Jessie StoelwinderThe West Australian
FreakHaus owner Eden Ranelli.
Camera IconFreakHaus owner Eden Ranelli. Credit: Flossy Photo

FreakHaus

From creating alien-like foliage sculptures to using smoke machines and neon lights amongst her blooms, FreakHaus is not your average florist.

Eden Ranelli, who trained as an interior architect, mixes mediums and concepts for clients who dare to be different.

“I look at flowers as a material to build and create art, rather than just looking at them through a floristry lens,” Ranelli says.

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“I take inspiration from interiors and what is involved in that — structure, form, colours.

“I try and push the boundaries a bit more. I am definitely not your standard florist, I create my own beautiful things but they aren’t necessarily pretty and preppy. They have edge and they are innovative.”

Ranelli’s passion is making large-scale installations and she encourages her clients to put their floral budgets towards creating a wow-factor moment, rather than spreading their investment over small pieces.

“I like to think really big and bold, like ‘How can we make this the coolest thing we have ever made?’,” she says.

“That’s where I might not fit with everybody; I am tailored to a specific taste and I am OK with that as I want to connect with people who trust me to make those decisions on their behalf.”

While Ranelli loves roses and anthuriums, her preferred blooms are the non-standard type: “weird” orchids, aloe vera spikes and even carnivorous plants.

A favourite FreakHaus project was when she was asked to do the wedding for her former interior architecture tutors.

“The brief was extra-terrestrial, so we created a growing green beast that was growing out of the floor and smoking from a fog machine,” Ranelli says.

Floral installation by FreakHaus.
Camera IconFloral installation by FreakHaus. Credit: Keeper Creative
Floral installation by FreakHaus.
Camera IconFloral installation by FreakHaus. Credit: Keeper Creative
Floral installation by FreakHaus.
Camera IconFloral installation by FreakHaus. Credit: Adam Levi Browne Photography

Scape by S

The name says it all — Scape by S is the master of making floral landscapes overflowing with texture, softness and elegance.

Sarah Levitt considers herself a fine art florist, taking her cues from architecture, fashion and nature to craft organic arrangements that seamlessly flow into the surroundings.

Previously a lawyer, Levitt admits she was “miserable” and wanted a creative outlet, so quit on a whim five years ago to pursue floristry despite having no experience.

Now she is one of the most in demand in the business.

“I would say (my work is) sculptural, romantic, probably a little bit dramatic,” Levitt says.

“The way I make things is very intuitive. I know a lot of florists have recipes, so they will place an order based on this many stems for these number of arrangements. That’s not how I work. My clients give me creative license to do my thing and every wedding looks completely different.”

And Levitt isn’t one to follow the pack.

“I am aware of the trends, but because I have no formal training my work doesn’t really look like anyone else’s,” she says.

Levitt, too, lists roses as her favourite bloom because of their sheer diversity. But beyond that, the more interesting, the better. She even used bulbs of garlic in a recent install.

“Things that are rare and exotic are always fun to work with,” she says.

“I am big into tulips at the moment. But really it comes down to a gut feeling I get, certain flowers speak to me at a given time. I love all flowers; they all have a time and a place.”

Sarah Levitt from Scape by S.
Camera IconSarah Levitt from Scape by S. Credit: Michael Wilson/The West Australian
A Scape by S creation.
Camera IconA Scape by S creation. Credit: The Day Weddings
Scape by S florals.
Camera IconScape by S florals. Credit: Keeper Creative

Sir Botanical

The interplay between masculine and feminine is at the fore of Sir Botanical’s striking designs.

Founders Kate Esslemont, Georgia Brennan and Gen Stirling had each been working in the industry separately but several years ago realised they could deliver something next-level if they combined forces.

Sir was born and it has become a force to be reckoned with, dreaming up fantasy florals for weddings, events and special occasions.

No task is too outlandish for the trio, whether it is suspending clouds of hydrangeas and orchids among disco balls or spraying florals black for a deliciously Gothic aesthetic.

“We are drawn to beautiful, rich blooms,” Stirling says.

“We often use flowers rather than lots of foliage to create a serious atmosphere.”

Brennan adds: “We think our aesthetic could be a combination of masculine, moody and luxurious. We would say that when you see our designs you can identify it as Sir Botanical just by looking at the blooms.”

The team loves nothing more than pushing the mark when it comes to weddings, throwing out tradition in favour of a bold statement.

“We are noticing that couples are starting to really experiment with colour, which we love,” Esslemont says.

“While there is a lot to be said for the classic white bridal aesthetic, it’s been really fun seeing the colourful briefs come through.”

Sir Botanical has also branched out into other creative endeavours, including an online homewares store and photographic prints that take their flowers to unusual locations.

“We worked with local photographer Hannah Jones, and Anna Balston to create a divine print series, Submerge, that we are extremely proud of,” Stirling says.

A suspended Sir Botanical arrangement.
Camera IconA suspended Sir Botanical arrangement. Credit: Nectarine
Sir Botanical specialises in striking designs.
Camera IconSir Botanical specialises in striking designs.
A Sir Botanical creation.
Camera IconA Sir Botanical creation.

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