After 14 years of working with flowers, Vic Brotherson decided to go it alone and open up her own business. Scarlet And Violet now delivers beautiful flowers across London – installing flowers in people’s homes or designing arrangements for weddings and events. We caught up with Vic to talk teenage daughters, family holidays and what makes her tick.
Your beautiful flower shop is well established now, but how did you juggle raising your daughter while starting up Scarlet and Violet?
It was, I am a disaster from start to finish but happy to say that my daughter has developed a resilience to my work only equalled by my husband. I am not an organised person and childcare is a challenge for everyone I think – unless your mum lives next door (mine is amazing but still works and is in Cumbria). I definitely juggled through and still am doing so but Bets is 13 now with head phones attached, a delight occasionally but has definitely studied Kevin and Perry for teenage behaviour! But I do have two sisters nearby who more than make up for my shocking time management.
Who or what inspires your stunning flower arrangements?
Its a funny thing really as we completely make it up as we go along. We go to Covent Garden flower market 6 days a week and try to buy flowers that will make our day easy. We aim to buy good but inexpensive blooms, but sometimes we can only get mediocre and expensive flowers in which case we have to work our magic, get budgets to work and still make beautiful flowers. I have no idea what inspires me other than the flowers themselves, I think I must be infected subliminally by all sorts of things, by the houses and venues I visit and people I meet.
Can you describe your personal style and do you have a favourite designer?
When it comes to clothes I like to stick to classics but my big thing is bags. I have a Miu Miu bag which was bought for me by all my friends when I was 40 last month, an Asprey lap top bag that makes it from home to the shop ( a brilliant gift in return for flowers), and a J & M Davidson satchel that has been indispensible.
Can you name three ladies who inspire you and why?
Nigella Lawson as I visit her home every week and every week I think, blimey she is cooking ,writing and looks so incredibly beautiful at home. Janet Street Porter as whenever I see her on TV I think brilliant and funny, individual and aspirational. And finally it has to be Constance Spry, sometimes cook sometimes author sometimes florist – how did she do that?
We are always looking for family recipes and we are wondering which recipes go down a storm in your house?
I am no cook so we are a family of spag bol, risotto, sausage and mash, roast chicken, stir fries and cornflake krispy crackles!
Do you have a favourite family restaurant? If so, where?
We have a curry at Bawarchi in Kensal Rise once a month. I think the new Bill Granger restaurant looks and sounds brilliant, we have installed flowers and he is the nicest man I have ever met so I truly believe his food and recipes must be equally as divine.
What book are you reading just now and do you have an all time favourite book and author?
I only get the chance to read on holiday and that generally starts with all the magazines from the world of interiors. House & Garden, Vogue, Elle Deco, and after that I will grab a best seller and will not move until I have finished it.
Can you describe your perfect non-working day with the family? How does your ideal Sunday go for example?
We have an amazing black Labrador, Nelly who we walk in Hyde Park or Hampstead Heath. This is followed by a quick visit to the farmers market in Queens Park for our Sunday roast, and then home to wash and sort everything and watch rubbish TV. We have two great family meals on a Sunday – Breakfast and a roast.
Can you share any top beauty tips with us? Do you have a favourite skincare range or a product you can’t live without in the shop?
I have a beauty regime of Dermalogica moisturiser that I keep on the van dash board! And I always have some Carmex or Kiehls lip balm in my bag.
Where do you love to go to get away from it all? How do you spend precious family holidays?
Almost all our holidays are spent in Cumbria. Betsy rides and we all walk, talk, eat, sleep and make plans for the next 6 months.
Do you have a favourite moto or quote which best describes your mission in life?
If you say it out loud it won’t happen.
Do you have any great tips for Christmas flowers this year?
Greenery and berries – fill all your jam jars with ivy and greens from the garden and light some candles. Use ribbon on the tree, and tie a great big swag of trailing foliage on your front door.
For more information on Scarlet & Violet visit scarletandviolet.com