My Life - Ronny Colbie
We chat to Ronny Colbie, Creative Director & Founder of Ronny Colbie Ltd
How would you describe yourself?
Always rushing around and working the hardest to bring the joy of flowers to my customers and VIP clients. From expert advice to large scale events, to everyday bouquets, being a perfectionist doesn’t come easy.
Where is home? And work?
Home throughout the week and where I work is Balham London. A cosy corner of South West London, filled of dog parks, city coffee shops and local parks where I find myself each morning walking the dogs with a coffee in hand. On the weekends or whenever my partner and I can escape the big smoke we are at our home away from home in the Cotswolds. Our village is tucked between Daylesford Farm and Soho Farmhouse, the perfect place to entertain our city slicker friends and enjoy the best bits of the countryside.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
When I was younger, I wanted to be in fashion. Prior to my career in floristry, I spent time in Paris with a very infamous fashion designer. With him, I quickly learnt the industry was too fickle for me. I was nineteen when I fell in love with a florist, and though our relationship had ended my love for floristry flourished. Working with flowers means I work alongside so many other creatives who appreciate flowers as much as I do. From interior designers, fashion events, and set designers, wherever you look flowers are in situ, understated, yet impeccable and fill me with so much inspiration.
What or who inspires you?
My mother raised my brother and I to take pride in where we lived and how our homes represent a part of our personalities and creative preferences. Today I feel so blessed to work with many clients that have such beautiful homes and interiors. Walking into some of these spaces, my mind flickers around the room, thinking of how one of my floral designs can elevate a space further, to complement, enhance, not overpower and dominate. Of course, my garden is a huge inspiration for me too, the fragrance of the French roses and peonies, a real naturalness of an English garden.
What was the last gift you gave someone?
This Christmas after partnering with both Jo Malone and Ralph Lauren, it followed that everyone around me were given the gift of their fragrances. My personal favourite is Ralph Lauren’s ‘California Dreaming’, which I gave the entire collection to my partner Steve. My mother and friends were given ‘Orange Bitters’, my favourite scent in the Jo Malone range at Christmas.
Tell us a secret/fun fact?
In December, I was filming a segment on ‘This Morning’ and gave myself a third-degree burn on live television without anyone knowing. Not sure how I managed as I was in agony, I guess I can thank my stage mother for that!
Your mastermind subject?
Horticulture is the obvious one, but I love a good music category. I listen to music 80% of my day and have memorised more lyrics than anyone I’ve ever met.
What’s been your biggest life lesson?
I think my biggest life lesson is learning to surround myself with people who uplift me and not allow myself to get bogged down by people and situations I have no power to control. I’ve learnt everyone in life has a different perspective and I can’t judge the steps they’ve walked, the decisions they make or their reactions. I’ve learnt that the only one who has the power over myself is me, so I focus on that and enjoy being my own best friend and learning new lessons each and every day.
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