Canberra’s wedding scene is certainly heating up! This week for ‘Behind The Door With….’ I visited Moxom and Whitney, Canberra’s most exciting and truly unique florist shop. I’m back in trendy Braddon, home to hipster cafes, designer stores and also All Grown Up Weddings Photography who are located just above the florist in the brand new super modern building.
Moxom and Whitney is run by Lou Moxom and Belinda Whitney who have close to twenty years experience in the floral industry between them. Previously working in the Lonsdale St Traders building across the road, they jumped at the chance to take on the brand new bigger store they now lease. When I ask what they love most about the new space it’s obvious it was a good move. “The space we have now is full of light, we have street frontage, windows and a front door ( it’s the little things we didn’t have that we love the most! ) and storage, waaaaay more storage than we had before” says Lou.
The first thing I notice is the glinting gold lettering on the window, the style is whimsical and yet mysterious, a perfect example of what I find inside. There is sense of being in a rainforest, greenery and lush plants are everywhere in the little space. One wall is completely decorated with terrariums ranging from tiny glass baubles to giant jars. These are a Moxom and Whitney specialty and are famous for the intricate and often quirky little scenes inside. There might be a tiny murder mystery or a mini romantic picnic complete with tiny people.
As with any space it has its challenges. “It’s a real challenge to keep the space warm in winter and cool in summer and for our customers it can sometimes be a challenge to find parking. Lonsdale Street is a hive of activity and there seems to be a new building going up every month….construction noise isn’t always melodic if you know what we mean?!” laugh the ladies.
As well as Belinda and Lou there are seven other florists who work in the store, creating arrangements, filling corporate orders and designing terrariums. Clearly the staff love working in the area, “The coffee, the food, the fashion, the ever-changing architecture, the people, the small independent traders….there is just such a lovely buzz about Braddon – everyone gets along, everyone respects each other and most importantly – everyone supports each other” they tell me.
The space is constantly changing depending on the flowers in season and whatever weddings or events the staff might be working on. “Everyday something happens or is said that will literally have us in fits of giggles or floods of tears. We people watch, we hear conversations, we hold classes…we often joke that we need our own reality TV show but that’s just the world of floristry – we are there for every major event on the time line that is life and with that comes so many moments” say the staff. What fun!
Images by Amanda Thorson
Ms Chinoiserie Says: What a fun, whimsical shop to visit – and such beautiful flowers. Love the terrariums too!
About Amelia Waddell of Make Your Day Wedding Styling: I’m a wedding stylist and proud store owner who loves to chat weddings with everyone and anyone! I love to talk shop with other business owners (particularly over some chocolate cake!) and am the first to try and have a sticky beak behind the scenes of any event. My free time is spent ‘investigating’ new cafes, stores and events.
Hi There Ladies,
Our elderly Aunt has just lost her beloved sister. Do you have flowers, beautiful and sweet smelling, to cheer her?
Regards,
Robyn
Hi there Robyn,
We’re sorry to hear that.
Since we are an online wedding publication we do not have flowers. But Moxom and Whitney who we write about here might! Simply click on the link in the first paragraph to contact them.