flowers heal - kate rutter
More than ever, this past year many of us turned our focus into our homes.
By either force or fortune, we spent more time than ever inside, and perhaps all of the pandemic-induced isolation led us to think about ways to make our space feel calmer and more peaceful. A welcome contradiction to the outside world.
And if you’re not into tearing down walls and DIY, you might find yourself yearning for simple solutions to personalizing and freshening up your space. And then it hits you: flowers. What an elegant, custom way to make any space feel like home.
Kate Rutter would agree; flowers, natures cure for desperation and darkness, are the perfect remedy for the collective dullness we all may feel from time to time, pandemic or not.
Kate’s intuitive approach and ethereal air paired with her 70’s-style energy make her floral designs feel restorative, and reminiscent.
I got to spend some time with Kate at her home + studio and I have to admit, these photos are some of my favorites. I hope you enjoy getting to know Kate as much as I did.
Tell me how you start each day. Do you have any rituals that are non-negotiable practices each morning?
Mornings are my favorite.
I rarely get out of bed until my son Willie wakes up. Then, I always make a decaf coffee for myself and breakfast for him. I usually just sit and drink my coffee while he eats. That’s about all the routines we have.
Everyday is different from there, but we always do our market run on Monday mornings when the flowers are freshest.
Talk about the first time you fell in love with flowers. How did your love of flowers turn into your business?
I wasn’t introduced to floristry until I moved to Portland, Oregon when I was 27 years old, which was a decade ago.
I was an artist prior to becoming a florist, so I think more than anything, my medium just shifted to using flowers to create my work. Art has always been a means of expressing what was on my heart, usually when I was experiencing some sort of tragedy.
Because flowers are healers, this brought a newness into my work because I was able to express and heal simultaneously, which was huge for me.
I think I truly realized the love and appreciation I have for the flora in 2016 when I was struggling after breaking up with my fiancé while living in Portland. My whole life had shattered. The flowers called to me during that time and were a great support. Their physical presence is uplifting by nature, but I also found immense healing through flower essences, essential oils, and flower meditation and journeying.
A couple years later I became pregnant with my son. Within all the beauty that came with carrying a child and my excitement to be a mother, there was so much pain in regard to his father, who wasn’t able to be there for us.
Without the flowers, I don’t know how I would have gotten through that year. They held me in compassion and offered hope during that difficult time. That’s when I started my business and realized the value in offering this unique floral service. I want to give my clients access to the power of flowers. I do that through the comforting beauty of a fine art floral arrangement that nourishes on a spiritual and emotional level.
The flowers continue to offer gifts to me every day.
“Beauty is in honesty. Beauty is in healing. Beauty is where we look for it.”
What significance do flowers play in your personal life?
They are my greatest teachers and guides. They are healers and supporters of my heart. They have saved my life. . .
Tell me about your creative processes when you are styling for a shoot. How do these processes vary when you are working on an arrangement?
When I’m styling a shoot, it’s always a balance between gathering inspiration ahead of time and allowing space for an organic unfolding of whatever happens in the moment.
The same goes for creating a floral arrangement. Of course you want to be prepared if it’s a wedding or event by securing certain blooms ahead of time, but I really trust that the right flowers will show up for me and my clients.
There’s a certain magic you just can’t plan for with the analytical mind. There has to be an element of letting go and allowing my intuition to be the real way-shower.
How do your floral arrangements reflect your personal style?
I definitely have a specific taste level (I only use premium blooms with little or no filler or greens) but my arrangements are guided by my intuition through a process of energetic channeling of the recipient.
I’m not sure how that reflects my personal style per se but it definitely gives my floral work a specific look, even though each arrangement is really unique.
You state that all floral designs are “foam-free.” How did you learn about the science behind flowers?
I heard about the toxic nature of floral foam over the years but it wasn’t until I really researched it on my own that I understood it’s impact on our health and our planet.
I only use sustainable mechanics — glass or ceramic vases and metal hardware called "flower frogs.”
Flower frogs are basically lots of little nails that stick to the bottom of the vase that secure the flowers and allow for a really dynamic design.
Flowers are often synonymous with happy or sad feelings. Talk about the beauty of the “just because” flowers.
Flowers provide a gateway to reconnect with our inner compass.
They are endlessly generous and available all around us. Bringing flowers into your space bathes you in their feel-good effects. When you open yourself to a relationship with the flora, you’re engaging with your personal growth.
It's a form of self-care. When you consistently commune with flowers, you activate their transformative, uplifting and healing nature.
“Stop thinking about what you think you need to do in order to have a successful business and start creating from your heart. You don’t need a million people to kind-of-like what you do, you need a few people to really love what you do.”
Your aesthetic is very minimal – how did you arrive at this practice? How difficult is this since floral arrangements can sometimes represent maximalism.
I don’t use many greens or filler flowers and my arrangements are often limited in their "ingredients.” This allows specific blooms to offer their potency while creating a pleasing design.
How do you leverage social media for your floral business?
When I post, it’s because I feel inspired to share. I never post because I feel like I should.
I think people can sense that transparency. Plus, people love looking at beautiful things and flowers are inherently beautiful, so that helps!
If you’re having a day and feeling uninspired, what personal mantra replays within your inner self?
All I can really do is go to the flower room and engage with the flora.
Is there a sustainability side to selecting certain flowers?
Absolutely, I am most mindful of sustainability in regard to my mechanics. Unfortunately, living in Ohio with such a short growing season, we are at the hands of imports which can leave a heavy footprint.
In the summer and fall months, I source locally when possible or pull from my garden.
How has your definition of beauty evolved throughout your career?
Beauty is in honesty. Beauty is in healing. Beauty is where we look for it.
How would you like to see your business grow within the next year?
I’d love to teach about the healing potential of the flowers, and design too. I think I’ll have a shop in the next couple years once my son is in school.
What advice do you have for creative entrepreneurs?
Stop thinking about what you think you need to do in order to have a successful business and start creating from your heart. You don’t need a million people to kind-of-like what you do, you need a few people to really love what you do. And get a business coach, or a mentor!
