Suzie Anderson Home | Interior Stylist & Retailer
- As a renowned interior stylist and retailer, what initially drew you to Florabelle Living's products for your stores in Bowral and Moss Vale?
Florabelle provides a vast range of decorative objects, florals, lighting, furniture, mirrors and art that suit a wide range of styles. As we have three distinct stores, each with its own personality, and within our largest one, many different themes, Florabelle can provide our stores with several products to suit. The Florabelle showroom is a wonderful space to view products beautifully merchandised, as are the Florabelle stands at the trade fairs.
- How do Florabelle Living products align with your philosophy of helping clients create a home they love?
Whilst Florabelle is always across current trends, there is a core of staple products that are classic and timeless in style. These are the items that I most resonate with, as I love Customers to buy items that are timeless and classic, and they can mix and match with existing pieces they love. Many of the Florabelle products are in muted tones, natural and easy to layer into both Country, Urban and Coastal settings, so essentially, it is the versatility that aligns with my philosophy.
- With your extensive experience in home styling, what sets Florabelle Living apart from other suppliers in the market?
For more than a decade, I have been consistently purchasing from Florabelle due to the relationship I have with Glenn, Peter and the team. We are not just seen as someone to sell everything to; the owners have visited our stores, understand our aesthetic, and value our feedback and our relationship. This established relationship is a great place to start. It is then, as mentioned before, the care, the interest and inspiration they invest in their showroom, innovation and range of products. Importantly, in my experience, the Florabelle Team is not only there when things go well but also if we ever have a product quality issue/breakage etc. As we aim to have this same relationship with our Customers, we value suppliers that align with our values. This is not always the case with other suppliers.
- Are there specific Florabelle Living collections or products that have become staples in your homewares stores?
Yes, core staples would be the range of wall sconces, table lamps, lampshades, faux florals and consoles.
- What role does Florabelle Living’s one-stop-shop approach play in simplifying your sourcing for retail and styling projects?
The fact that the website is so comprehensive means I can browse and shop the site at any time of day/night however, as our contact Alice is so brilliant, I usually save my wish list and send it to her for an availability check, and she then confirms the order. She is such a reliable and efficient person, which makes ordering with Florabelle effortless.
- What’s your secret to creating show-stopping Christmas window displays, and how have Florabelle Living products contributed to these magical designs?
I guess loving the beauty and magic of Christmas is a good starting point, but then it is a matter of settling on some themes that may be inspired by travel, a piece of fabric, something I have seen in a movie or a childhood memory. I love to mix vintage/antique with modern and always love to incorporate my 5 L’s of styling. Something with Living energy, something Loved, something with Lustre, layers and, of course, lighting. Florabelle products can be incorporated to fulfil these elements!
- How do you approach styling home spaces that are both functional and visually stunning, and what role do Florabelle Living products play in achieving this balance?
It is important to understand how the space owner wants to feel in their home. What is the desired way they/and others who share the space like to live in the home? Understanding the individual psychological needs of the home's inhabitants determines the objects, scents, and textures selected. As Florabelle has such a range to choose from, a piece or pieces always fulfils a need. Importantly, Florabelle’s selection of vintage/antique pieces adds to this choice, enabling us to create unique, curated spaces for our Customers.
- As a retailer and stylist, how important is the quality and craftsmanship of the products you source, and how does Florabelle Living meet these standards?
As previously mentioned, I want to create long-lasting spaces that my Clients don’t tire of, and this sustainable approach means it is important to work with suppliers of high-quality, well-made pieces that aren’t thrown out on the footpath after a year due to poor construction/finish. I love that Florabelle stands by their desire to provide its Customers with the highest quality product at a reasonable price and will quickly rectify any items that may have slipped through any of their quality control measures. The intention is always for both form and function, which aligns with our ethos of “The Beauty is in the Detail”. Something may have the ‘look’, but how do drawers open and close, can the dining chairs withstand constant use, both looking good and feeling comfortable and sturdy.
- Can you share a memorable styling project where Florabelle Living products made a significant impact on the final look?
Yes, I recently assisted a couple who were moving abroad and needed to put their house on the executive rental market. Our brief was to add decorative touches to create an inviting, welcoming space that would appeal to a range of prospective, high-quality executive renters. As the owners would not be there to maintain any living energy within the space, we were able to use Florabelle's real touch florals and interesting vessels to add colour and vibrancy to each room, from the entrance vestibule to the bedrooms, bathrooms and even the kitchen with the high-quality faux fruit for the fruit bowl! We could transform their existing floor lamps with beautiful fresh shades and adorn the walls with stunning mirrors and artwork. It was a wonderful outcome achieved very quickly by using Florabelle Stock.
- What advice would you give to other retailers or stylists about incorporating Florabelle Living products into their collections or projects?
I would make an appointment with one of the fabulous Florabelle staff to view the expansive showroom as a starting point, to see the breadth of what is available to suit their store or their styling jobs. Ask for some testimonials from other stylists/retailers who work with Florabelle to provide their experience of working with the brand, and follow them on Instagram, as there are always fabulous snippets of how the products are styled in the showroom or styling projects.