Floristry – Jeffrey Mundell

In all my time as an actor, working at an event florist has to be one of my favourite side-hustles to date – there is a constant call for creativity that speaks to the artist in me.

This festive season has seen a flurry of activity at Lucy Vail Floristry with a number of Christmas installations, workshops, heaps of conifer foliage, miles of garlands, countless wreaths, baubles, lights and trees.

For two of the installs I was tasked with creating a pair of striking, oversized bows. The challenge was not only the scale of these props, but that they were being displayed outdoors for well over a month and needed to hold out against whatever winter weather blew their way.

Challenge accepted, I set about constructing the bows on a foundation of wooden board, galvanised wire, screws, staples and mesh; then overlaying it all with a fabric skin. The trick, of course, is to conceal this rugged construction and give the impression of a bow made only of velvety, flowing, festive ribbon. Thought they turned out pretty well.

Jeffrey Mundell with Lucy Vail Floristry installation at Cole & Sons in Chelsea, London; (above) at Koyn in Mayfair, London.

When I took the job at the florist to support my acting work I didn’t ever imagine I’d be asked to construct a pagoda to fit on top of a classic mini. I have a knack for handy-work. I like a challenge. I said I’d give it a go.

Lucy Vail Floristry instillation for KOYN in Mayfair, London.

My primary concerns were weight and weather: the mini’s roof rack can only carry around 150lb, so the structure had to be light, but strong enough to withstand all weather, especially the wind. I came up with a design that used OSB board and narrow timber that held together like an oversized ‘slot-together’ toy with wire mesh to support the floral display.

When I was done I could pick the structure up single-handed and it managed to carry my entire weight standing on top of it (that’s around 200lb of Jeffrey Mundell). The florists then worked their magic and off it went to Mayfair, where it stood for well over a month, laughing in the face of some of the worst wind the British weather could throw at it and smiling pagodashingly for all the passersby.