UK-based designer Leigh Chappell is a lover of the seasons and all things botanical. Inspired by the unique flora and fauna of her hometown in South Wales, Leigh took her passion for flowers and transformed it into a career. After studying Botanical Illustration at Swansea Art College, she worked as a Graphic Designer in London before switching to a full-time job in floristry. Today, Leigh is a celebrated floral artist, known for her romantic, garden-style arrangements that focus on sustainability. Her business recognizes that flowers —through their varying shapes, colors and scents—create emotions and help satisfy our need for natural beauty.
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1. What is your idea of the perfect flower arrangement? One made spontaneously.
2. How did you get started in the floral industry? I was working as an illustrator and a friend asked if I’d like to do a short floristry course. It was like painting with flowers.
3. If not a florist, what would be your fallback profession? An illustrator or a photographer.
4. What’s your present state of mind? Hopeful.
5. What is your most treasured possession? My kitchen table. It’s the one thing that we invested in many years ago, and so much has happened around that table since then.
6. Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Being Welsh, probably: “there we are then!”
7. Where do you find inspiration outside the flower world? In art galleries and cinemas.
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I’d like to worry less.
9. What do you consider your greatest achievement? My children.
10. What’s one thing you would tell your younger self? Enjoy today!
11. What event or job has been your favorite? Setting up the Strawberry Hill Flower Festival for the incredible beauty created and wonderful camaraderie amongst the floral designers.
12. What is your most marked characteristic? Needing things to look right.
13. Who are your heroes in real life? Thomas Heatherwick and Gareth Southgate.
14. Who is your floral hero? Constance Spry.
15. What would you call your style of design? Nature-inspired.
16. What is your favorite tool for working with flowers? My Niwake snips.
17. Who’s on your playlist? Tom Misch, Khruangbin and Fleetwood Mac.
18. What’s on your to-do list? Cost a wedding, order tulip bulbs, plan a kitchen redo and collect flowers for a wedding this week.
19. What flower best represents your personality? Why? A garden rose called 'The Simple Life.' It sits quietly for a while and then blooms, putting on a show when necessary.
20. Who is your favorite artist? I have several, but I especially love Banksy’s social statements.
21. What’s the last book you read (and loved)? “Rebecca” by Daphne Du Maurier.
22. Any pets? A very naughty Irish Terrier.
23. Are you prone to routine or more spontaneous? Spontaneous.
24. How do you unwind after a long day? Losing myself in a movie.
25. Favorite beverage? It’s a tie between coffee and tea.
26. What do you see trending in floral design? Expressing yourself.
27. What’s out? Not trying something different.
28. What is your flower motto? "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
29. What’s your motto in life? "You don’t know till you try."
30. How would your friends describe you? Messy!
31. What would surprise us most about you? I don’t have a math GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education).
32. What have you learned from flowers? How absolutely amazing nature is.
33. If you could invite 3 people (dead, alive or fictional) to a dinner party who would they be? Describe the centerpieces. Vivien Westwood, David Attenborough and Thomas Heatherwick. The sustainably-sourced flowers would be few, likely displayed in a contemporary ceramic dish. The arrangements would also be beautifully simple so that each flower could have its space to sing.
34. What’s your best advice to someone just starting out in the flower industry? Make something floral every day and photograph it; that’s the best way to really look at what you have made. Also, meet as many florists as you can because they are lovely people and will help you.
35. What did we forget to ask? Maybe: “What area of floristry do you most enjoy?” In my case, it’s probably running workshops because they are so sociable.
To stay connected with Leigh and view more of her work, click on the links below.
Leigh Chappell Website | Leigh Chappell Instagram | Leigh Chappell Facebook | Leigh Chappell Workshops
