Ivy Shed - an interview

I am so excited to be able to bring the first in what will be a series of interviews with fabulous women doing really cool stuff. Megan and I are fortunate to know some pretty talented ladies who have know how and insider tips in a range of fields that we can share along with you all.

I am especially thrilled to kick the series off with an interview with Debrah, founder and operator of Ivy Shed at Stirling in the beautiful Adelaide Hills. 

This interview is close to my heart for a few reasons: Deb is a long time close friend of my parents and I've been lucky to have her in my life. Deb was also the genius behind the flowers at my wedding last year - what she created was simply stunning and left me speechless (in the literal sense - I forgot to thank her in the speeches).

The beautiful garland created by Deb for my wedding last year - a million times, thank you
(image credit: Aunty Sandra c/o facebook)

Debrah's passion for floristry has not only enabled her to build a respected career, but led to some amazing business enterprises spanning 20 years. Before her recent return to Adelaide, Debrah established Rococo in Sydney's Darlinghurst, which became a prominent feature of Sydney's eastern suburbs. Rococo quickly became not only an institution, but also the preferred floral design of retail establishments and various celebrities around Sydney - a point that Deb is quick to play down, which emphasises her passion for her work and is a true reflection of her professionalism.

Deb's exciting new venture is Ivy Shed - bespoke flowers and eceletic gifts. This beautiful shop is located in Stirling in the Adelaide Hills (a stone's throw from the city) and is a charming space. Surrounded by natural beauty, Ivy Shed is situated among other thriving businesses such as Patch cafe/ restaurant, which creates a sweet outlook. The shop itself is a converted stone barn that is perfect for the florist space, but can easily been adapted for other ventures - which Deb is eager to explore and expand on. Deb is so graciously sharing with us what inspires her work and how we enjoy and include blooms in our everyday lives. 

Why did you decide to return to Stirling and establish Ivy Shed?

When I came back to Adelaide, Stirling was an obvious choice for what I wanted to create. Stirling has a village appeal and I'm surrounded by enthusiastic and passionate gardeners. I feel like I'm amongst the nature I'm inspired by and a cooler climate suits me perfectly.

How does this space suit your aesthetic?

Ivy Shed is a space that suits my visual nature, and there are many local people who appreciate the relaxed and rustic style. Nature is the best background for what I try to create and this space is a reflection of the Adelaide Hills - the Adelaide plains is quite built up, whereas the Hills still have a country sprawl.

How would you describe your style? What is your inspiration?

I tend to focus on creating practical pieces that can be enjoyed for a long time, that last longer than a moment. I'm not tied to a certain style or look, but I'm constantly inspired and changing. I often use muted or nude colours, but I also love discovering new colours. I like to create clusters of flowers, then add interesting foliage such as herbs or autumn leaves to achieve a tonal palette that I might have in mind. I often look to nature and I aim to enhance what is already naturally occurring to ensure that what I've used in an arrangement compliments each other. I am inspired by people's gardens, especially flowers in nature. I like to spend time in gardens to draw on those natural elements that I love. Getting my hands dirty and getting back to the earth, doing jobs like raking or sweeping - it's mundane loveliness that I relish.

What are common mistakes people make when it comes to buying flowers?

It's a good idea to speak with your florist when buying arrangements, but common mistakes people make are transferring flowers straight into a vase. It is SO important to recut the stems! When flowers are wrapped, the bottoms seal over and they need to be reopened. Also, regularly change the water with a few drops of bleach to keep flowers fresh. Always wash vases between use with bleach and don't add sugar - it encourages fungus. Choosing the right vase is important to achieve the florist's intention for an arrangement and ensure it falls into place. 

What are some simple things people can do to maximise their floral purchases?

It all starts with your choice of container or vase when arranging flowers at home. People tend to buy big vases that need a lot of flowers to fill it. It is much better to use small vases with blooms that have big heads, as bigger headed flowers create a greater proportion than you actually have. Also, be creative with containers and use alternatives to vases, such as olive oil tins when they're finished. This will achieve something interesting to look at and paired with foliage from your garden can be very effective. It's very important to buy seasonal, as it is often cheaper - winter is my favourite season because all the spring blooms come early in floristry: tulips, bulbs, jonquils, narcissus, hysteria - growers are able to grow what would usually come up in spring, making the prettiest flowers available in winter. 

What are you hoping to achieve at Ivy Shed?

What I am doing at Ivy Shed is stepping back from 'high end' to a style that is relaxed and focuses on interactions with people. I found that the bigger the enterprise, the process and focus changes and becomes driven by a different agenda. I want to be driven by creating beautiful things that are in line with the vision that clients have for what they want to achieve.  I have the opportunity to work with smaller growers and local people, which is an important part of my process. People sometimes cry at how beautiful the shop is, which is so lovely and encouraging - it reminds them of their childhoods or a special place. I love it when people bring cuttings or flowers from their garden, and would love for every single person with a garden in Stirling to be my suppliers, so that I wouldn't even need to buy from wholesale growers. This space is very special and is available for people to use, such as a dinner party or exhibition - a beautiful outlook for a special occasion that I can adapt and dress to suit individual style.

Deb is available for creating blooms for an event, bespoke arrangements and everyday gifts. Ivy Shed is also available for private hire throughout winter. For more information, you can visit the Ivy Shed Facebook page here.

I hope you've enjoyed Deb's beautiful creations and Ivy Shed - please 'like' the Ivy Shed page for updates and leave a comment below or at our Chaotic Favourites Facebook page.

with love and chaos

E x