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Each year, Jess Brown, also known as The Plant Stylist, creates a knockout wreath for her friend Alanna Smit’s front door. Interior designer Alanna is also a fellow resident and co-founder of Cove Creatives, the studio space Jess and others share on Sydney’s northern beaches. Having developed “a bit of a cult following on Instagram”, Jess says each abundant, verdurous Christmas arrangement takes its cues from the owner’s preferred palette. “This year, Alanna painted her door white so I went with something dark and moody to contrast.” Sprawling fan palms, preserved hydrangea and amaranthus, succulents and native ferns take this year’s creation to lush new heights. Turn the page for more details.
Aa stint working overseas and a summer spent soul-searching, Jess Brown decided to enrol in a floral design course to test the waters. Work experience soon turned into a part-time job, which led to a full-time love of everything botanical, and from there the bulb of entrepreneurial pursuit blossomed into her current business, The Plant Stylist. Here,
Jess shares her top tips for keeping our flowers happy and creating breathtaking blooms for this year’s festive season.
What do you love about creating loral arrangements? I love being the last piece of the puzzle. Whether it’s an event, home styling or editorial floristry, I am usually the last person to create the magic that ties the whole story together.
Is there any di erence in how you approach an event installation as opposed to editorial styling? The two are very similar in that their moment is fleeting. The focus is on all flowers being in perfect-bloom for that very moment. Before a photoshoot, I can spend seven days waiting for bunches of tulips to bloom perfectly. This is di erent to how I style a client’s home, where the focus is on longevity. I would never put a week-old rose in a corporate arrangement, but that same rose is ripe for me to gently peel back the petals to be the star of a beautiful bridal bouquet!
What are you favourite lowers to work with and why? My signature look is tropical foliage and orchids. The majority of new clients come to me for the same look that I am not only known for but also love creating! Cymbidium and phalaenopsis orchids are some of my favourite flowers because their shape is clean, the colours are pure and their longevity is often predictable, which is important for homes and corporate styling.
Are there easy ways to make a statement with lowers in our own homes? The most fool-proof way to make a statement at home is to use flowers en masse. Five bunches of the same type of flower in a big wide vase will always make more of an impact than a mixed bouquet.
What are your favourite ways to create a festive feeling with plants or lowers? A mix of traditional and seasonal flowers. Long and low romantic table arrangements, filled with native wildflowers and tropical orchids that will withstand the summer heat. Florists and flower growers are often closed for a couple