Interview with Annabelle Arnold.
The idea to start Kits Coty Flowers came about after a meaningful conversation I was having with my mum about 18 months ago. I have been hairdressing since I left school at 16, and she’d asked if I thought that’s what I’ll do forever. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do since being a child, so I think she was a little surprised when I said no. Although I absolutely love my career, it can take its toll on your mind and body. Working long days on your feet and making conversation for hours on end, which can often turn quite emotional since I work one-one. So when she asked what else I’d want to do, I replied “I’d like to have a flower farm”. To be honest I don’t know exactly where the idea came from, it was just something I imagined doing as I got older. My mum has always loved gardening and was immediately excited by the idea, so I suggested that we do it together. A few days later she had rented a cutter and was outside digging up turf! And that’s how Kits Coty Flowers was born.
Tell us about where you are located and having the ancient stones close by?
My parents moved to Kits Coty back in 1998 and that’s where I’ve lived all my life. In the fields behind us is Kits Coty House, an ancient burial chamber from the neolithic period / new stone age. There’s not much known about the origin of ‘the stone’ as we call it, but I’ve always been fascinated by it. To me it serves as a beautiful reminder of how brief our time on this earth is in comparison to the permanence of nature. These stones have been here long before me, and will remain long after. It’s a humbling reminder to stay present and enjoy the time we have.
Can you describe your relationship with flowers and nature?
I have always had an admiration for flowers, but once you begin growing them yourself you gain a whole new appreciation for nature. There are certain varieties that never interested me until I took the time to see how impressive they are. For instance the perfect geometry of Dahlias, a great example of the Fibonacci sequence in nature. Watching the petals unfurl into a completely symmetrical yet complex structure completely captivates me. Even seeing how sunflowers change direction throughout the day to face the sun or cosmos will open in the day and close their petals at dusk to protect themselves will never not leave me in awe.
Working and being creative with nature-what is it like for you?
My mum and I often work together, but day to day we have slightly different roles. She does most of the hard work behind the scenes, sowing seeds, planting out, pinching out, watering, weeding etc. My role includes more of the floristry side, so picking, arranging and promoting. I think being a hairdresser the creative element comes quite naturally to me, even more so when I am surrounded by nature. I’d say my taste when it comes to bouquets is a bit whimsical and fairy-like. I find I’m often inspired by how I’m feeling and what I’m seeing around me already, so I try to lean into that.
Can you say something about the benefits of flowers?
My morning usually starts by making a fresh cup of coffee and stepping outside barefoot to pick flowers. This has become such a sacred part of my routine and I really notice the difference when I can’t be there to do it. The combination of my bare feet grounding on the grass (especially when it's dewy), that first sip of coffee and the smell of the sweet peas in the breeze. While I’m picking flowers and listening to the morning birdsong. It’s such a sensory experience and always fills me with such joy. I’ve even had days where it’s brought me to tears with gratitude. It has become a practice I look forward to each morning, and something I really miss during the winter months.
Something about the seasonal flowers and how they affect us in different ways/moods?
Did you know scientific studies have proven keeping flowers in your home actually makes you happier? Flowers can boost your mood, reduce stress, and even improve social behaviour. Not only that but their colours and scents actually change throughout the seasons and have a deeper cultural significance too. For example spring blooms like tulips and daffodils uplift us with their bright colours giving a sense of new beginnings after winter. Whereas winter blooms like hellebores and snowdrops represent endurance and faith during hardships or a quiet beauty in darker times.
What is your hope for the business?
Our hope with the business is that we can give back some of the joy we feel each morning by sharing our home grown, organic bouquets. Our goal is to reach a larger audience and to encourage people to buy local and support small businesses so we can continue doing what we love.