Wee Birdy testdrives: Rebel Rebel flower school

I recently found myself on a particularly dark and dismal Monday afternoon in the warm environs of one of my favourite London florists, Rebel Rebel, surrounded by the most exquisite and vibrant blooms. I was test-driving their first-ever flower school, which will be popping up at East London restaurant Bistrotheque in a couple of weeks’ time.

The first lesson involved a quick tour around the shop’s seasonal flowers, followed by a tutorial in de-thorning roses (super-easy thanks to a rather nifty little tool) and lots of hands-on practice. Then it was time to put my floristry skills to the test, with a workshop on how to make a hand-tied bouquet. After practicing on roses it was time to pick my own mix of blooms, which was a very Rebel-Rebel assortment of ruby hydrangeas, Italian mint, pistachio foliage, purple anemones and yellow dill. Here are some pics of my tutor, Gus, going through the steps…

For the finishing touch, I was tutored in the fine art of tissue and cellophane wrapping – and how to make a little water bubble to keep the flowers fresh. Et voila, here’s the final product, which is now taking pride of place in my living room… what do you think?

The first afternoon flower school will be held on Friday 20 November from 2pm to 5pm. You will learn how to make your own hand-tied bunch of gorgeous, seasonal flowers and foliage, which you can take home at the end of the day. £80 per person.

There will also be an all day Christmas workshops on Saturday 21 November from 10am to 4.30pm, where you will learn expert techniques to create your own door wreath or table centrepiece. Lunch at Bistrotheque  included in the £195 fee, and you get to take home your wreath and other goodies.

For more details, call Rebel Rebel on 020 7254 4487 or email [email protected], or visit the website.

Comments

[Eva from zafrán]

I can't thank you enough for this! That would be a great thing to do on my next stay in London. My friends do cooking and dining courses when staying in France or learn Ikebana in Japan or how to play the traditional jaw's harp in the Austrian mountains. I've never done anything like this. But now I'll start. Ha! I'll learn how to make a hand-tied bouquet in London. I'm so inspired by flowers. A big part of my collection of accessoiries features floral designs. I know how to photograph them, but when it comes to arranging them in a vase I'm lost. Great introduction!

[Susan]

Absolutely beautiful. Really cheered me up, as it must have you (or still is, as the fleurs are in your care, yes?).

[skirmishofwit]

What a beautiful bouquet! I love the colours you chose.

[walkthesand]

This is something I've wanted to do for so long! Great post, I'm off to find a course in chilly Scotland!

xx

http://walkthesand.blogspot.com

[the likkle girl who wurves pwetty things]

Very pretty blooms you picked, Top Bird! xx

[Rose]

Rebel Rebel is also my favourite florist. In fact I have their postcard with the handbag on my bed side table in lieu of actual flowers (sob sob!!).

I would love to go along to one of these- or in fact to gift it to one of those people who have everything as a cool present.

[bridebug]

That's gorgeous! You are so helping me with table centre pieces in my wedding marquee!

[Char]

Wow, bet they smell divine too. Love the idea of mint in a bouquet.

[Sam]

Beautiful flowers, love the colours - nothing beats a vase full of flowers I think for sprucing a place up!

[Gourmet Chick]

This sounds amazing and like something I would love to do

[Fionnuala]

Wow wow wow. Definitely something to stick on the list for when I am earning actual real money!

[Gervy]

Lovely lovely lovely!
I have a craving to learn flower-arranging. It's such a proper old-fashioned lady thing to do.

[Ali]

Looks good!! Quite expensive though. I did one with Todich Floral Design which was a 3 hour course for £25 - learnt how to make a hand-tied bouquet, vase arrangement and a basket arrangement, which was brilliant value for money.. the woman was very nice as well and learnt a lot that day! Is the Rebel Rebel course geared at beginners? I'd love to test run it to see how much of a difference £170 makes! :)

[Top Bird @ Wee Birdy]

Hi Ali, yes, the course is geared towards beginners, but you might want to check the next dates with Rebel Rebel. xx

[cathy]

Wow, I am always please to see pictures of nice flowers arrangement. I love flowers and recently I did a workshop at Hiden Floral Design in Marylebone. I thoroughly enjoyded and feel I have learnt some new skill. Now I feel that I would like to know more about flowers. Do you know if Rebel Rebel is running a three days classe?

[Top Bird @ Wee Birdy]

Hi Cathy - I'm not sure if Rebel Rebel are currently running classes. Your best bet is to contact them directly and express your interest. xx