When the lovely Valentina from The Stars Inside got in touch earlier this year to ask if I would like to create florals for a shoot she was planning at the incredible Somerley House, there was no way I was going to decline! Online blogs are awash with shoots these days, with some idea’s being done and done again – so I am always a little hesitant to agree to provide floral’s unless it is something I feel is really going to push my creative boundaries. I loved the idea of Valentina’s brief ‘First Dance’ – an exploration of grace, movement and authenticity, with a play on the contrasts between minimalism and meaningful details. I used heaps of Japanese inspired ingredients – Spring cherry blossom and shimmery dried lunaria to add a  graceful touch.

On the morning of the shoot, stepping through the front door of the rather played-down exterior of Grade II listed Somerley House, I was instantly blown away by the sheer interior brilliance of the neo-classical craftsmanship and decadence. My goodness the Art!! They have works by Gainsborough, Rubens, Reynolds and Canaletto to name but a few – the 80ft gallery is simply breath-taking, walking around this fine house could be likened to a day out at the British Museum. I had to spend a few moments just gawping to take it all in! How wonderful to have the chance to spend a day creating here.

For the floral installation piece– we ended up choosing an empty hidden away room awaiting renovation at the top of the house – because the light was just perfect and there was a beautiful marble fireplace to create a backdrop around. It suited our minimal theme perfectly.

Thank you to Valentina and Siobahn H Photography for organising the shoot and to the team at  Somerley House for making us feel so welcome. I decided I’d rather like to stay there forever and I don’t even think in that time I’d ever get bored of wondering around the house studying the amazing art and décor.

SHOOT TEAM

Concept & Photography
SIOBHAN H PHOTOGRAPHY

Planning & Styling
THE STARS INSIDE

Videography
WYLD WEDDINGS

Venue
SOMERLEY HOUSE

Flowers
JENNI BLOOM FLOWERS

Bridalwear
NAOMI NEOH

Flower Girl Dress
GILLY GRAY

Bridal Robes
DOMENICA DOMENICA

Cakes & Desserts
KATE BURT CAKES

Bridal Shoes
FREYA ROSE

Make-up
SUSAN YATES MAKEUP

Hair styling
HAIR BY GRACE BAILEY

Headpieces
SAMANTHA WALDEN

Stationery
ELIN’S ART STUDIO

Silk & Textiles
NETTLE TEXTILES

Pearls
JERSEY PEARL

Models
ISABELLA & Grace