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Sarah Holland, a nature gardener and pressed flower artist from Worcestershire, England, brings her love for wildlife and sustainability to life through her unique creations. With a deep commitment to the environment, she organically cultivates all the flowers used in her art, ensuring her work is as eco-friendly as it is beautiful. Holland's passion for sustainable living is reflected in her gardening practices and her artistic process, which captures the delicate beauty of nature in its purest form.
ConsiderBeyond: What was the pivotal moment or source of inspiration that ignited the inception of Meadow and Thyme, and could you share the genesis of your journey into the artistry of pressed flowers?
Sarah: Every summer as a child, I would visit my grandparents' home in Southern England, where I was captivated by the wonders of their garden. I vividly remember pots overflowing with vibrant pink fuchsias, the air buzzing with bees, and butterflies fluttering gracefully. The scent of ripening tomatoes in the greenhouse still lingers in my mind. My grandmother, a talented florist, would often join me as we carefully picked and pressed flowers from the garden, creating lasting mementos of our time together. Six years ago, I moved to the Worcestershire countryside, to a house with a generous garden. Almost immediately, I set about transforming it into a nature sanctuary, filled with flowers and habitats to nurture wildlife. Not long after I arrived, my grandmother passed away. In her memory, I pressed the first forget-me-not flowers that bloomed in my garden. Those tiny blue petals reawakened my passion for flower pressing, and reminded me of the profound emotional power that flowers hold. The forget-me-not, with its delicate symbolism, became the spark for my Meadow and Thyme journey, and I feel the essence of my grandmother woven into every piece I create.
ConsiderBeyond: Can you guide us through your meticulous flower cultivation process and elucidate your methodology for selecting the most fitting blooms for your exquisite artworks?
Sarah: All the flowers and foliage I use in my artwork are organically grown in my own garden. I cultivate a blend of charming cottage garden flowers—roses, astrantia, honeysuckle, and hollyhocks—alongside an array of stunning wildflowers. To add a touch of drama, I incorporate tall plants like fennel and towering teasels. I make my own compost, harvest rainwater, and embrace the garden’s imperfections, such as nibbled leaves. In fact, I celebrate these signs of life, as they reflect a thriving ecosystem where wildlife can flourish. When selecting flowers for pressing, I seek out fresh blooms, as they have the best chance of pressing well. I’m particularly drawn to stems with character and interesting shapes—like the graceful curve of a sweet pea stem, which I find far more captivating than a perfectly straight one. It’s these unique quirks that highlight the beauty of natural materials and celebrate their perfect imperfections. Many flowers are pressed whole, while thicker blooms are carefully deconstructed and pressed petal by petal, allowing their delicate forms to shine in a different light.
ConsiderBeyond: Originating from Worcestershire, renowned for its scenic allure, how has the idyllic backdrop of this locale shaped your artistic vision and defined the essence of your brand?
Sarah: I find constant inspiration in my surroundings, and Worcestershire offers so much beauty to take in. One of my favorite styles is my Landscapes Collection, where I arrange wildflowers in a meadow-like design. Living amidst fields and nature, this collection reflects the stunning meadowlands that surround my home. My connection to nature runs deep, and my artwork is a direct celebration of the beauty I see every day. I truly believe that by cultivating and nurturing my garden, welcoming wildlife, and respecting the environment, nature gives back in abundance—providing me with the beautiful flowers and foliage I press and transform into art.
ConsiderBeyond: Your workshops are hosted at the enchanting Netherwood Estate. How does this picturesque setting act as a catalyst for your creativity and elevate the overall experience for your participants?
Sarah: The Netherwood Estate is an incredibly special place, and I always look forward to hosting my workshops there. The surroundings are breathtaking, offering a serene and peaceful atmosphere that feels almost dreamlike. The day is a wonderful experience—I get to share my knowledge of flower pressing with others who are just as passionate about flowers. We spend time exploring the stunning gardens around Netherwood Manor, where participants gather treasures from the grounds to fill their flower presses.
In the afternoon, we shift into a more mindful activity as participants create their own pressed flower artwork using blooms I’ve pre-pressed. I’m always struck by how quiet and calm everyone becomes during this creative process. There’s no noise pollution at Netherwood Estate, and the deep silence in the air is both cleansing and meditative. This tranquility is reflected in the participants, who leave looking visibly relaxed, having immersed themselves in such a peaceful and restorative setting.
ConsiderBeyond: Reflecting on your bespoke commissions and preservation of wedding florals, could you recount a standout custom piece or project that resonates as particularly memorable in your career?
Sarah: It’s always a true honor to be entrusted with a commission. I particularly love working with wedding flowers—each bouquet is completely unique, and I find it fascinating how every piece takes on its own character. There’s something magical about feeling the love and emotion radiate from the flowers themselves. Beyond weddings, last year I had the privilege of creating a deeply meaningful commission in memory of a young man who adored sunflowers and the color yellow. Pressing sunflowers is notoriously challenging due to their thick centers, and I was initially concerned that I wouldn’t be able to do the piece justice. However, with patience, care, and attention to detail, I was ultimately thrilled with the result. Throughout the process, I felt a strong connection to both the flowers and the sentiment behind them, which filled me with profound emotion. Creating pieces like this, that hold such deep significance for the recipient, is incredibly humbling and one of the most special aspects of my work.
ConsiderBeyond: How do you nurture your creative ingenuity and continually innovate within the realm of pressed flower art?
Sarah: Flower pressing has been a cherished craft for centuries, and the core techniques remain largely unchanged. While modern methods exist, I prefer to stick with traditional pressing techniques, as I believe they preserve the magic of the process. That said, I am always refining my approach and continue to learn with every new pressing.
I’ve even designed my own flower press, drawing on all my experience and knowledge to ensure that each pressing is of the highest quality. Using the best tools really does make a significant difference in the final result. Creatively, I’m constantly inspired by the uniqueness of each pressing. No two are ever the same, and the ways they can be styled are truly limitless. This endless variety keeps the creative process fresh and exciting, ensuring that it never feels repetitive.
ConsiderBeyond: Nature seems intricately woven into the fabric of Meadow and Thyme's identity. How does your deep connection with nature influence your creative process and the themes you explore through your pressed flower artworks?
Sarah: I’m guided by the seasons and the flowers that bloom abundantly in my garden, which means my work is ever-changing and deeply connected to nature. The flowers that flourish in a particular year are the ones that naturally find their way into my artwork, making Mother Nature my true guide. This organic process fascinates me, as I watch my work evolve with the subtle shifts and nuances each year brings to the garden. It’s a beautiful reflection of the constant ebb and flow of nature, and I love how it shapes the direction of my art.
ConsiderBeyond: The cultivation of a vibrant community surrounding Meadow and Thyme, both digitally and in-person, has been pivotal. How has this community influenced your artistic pursuits and how do they inspire you?
Sarah: I meet so many people, both in person and through social media, who share how deeply they feel connected to flowers—whether through memories tied to a specific bloom, a flower linked to a loved one, or even one associated with their birth month. Stories like these constantly remind me of how meaningful and inspiring flowers are in our lives. Flowers hold such rich symbolism and are cherished by so many, and it’s a true joy to share my artwork and passion for flowers with others around the world.
ConsiderBeyond: Your artistry with pressed flowers requires a profound understanding of botanical specimens. Could you elaborate on the significance of this knowledge in transforming flowers into timeless pieces of art?
Sarah: Through years of experience, I’ve developed a good sense of which flowers press well and which ones are more challenging. Yet, I’m always learning and experimenting with new flowers and foliage. There are times when I’m pleasantly surprised by how well something presses, even when I thought it might be difficult—especially with thicker, moisture-rich blooms, which are notoriously tricky. A strong understanding of form is crucial in my work, as I often deconstruct flowers for pressing and then carefully reconstruct them once pressed. Having a deep knowledge of botanical structures is invaluable to this process.
ConsiderBeyond: Among the myriad botanical treasures you work with, do you have a favorite flower that holds a special place in your heart? If so, could you share what makes this particular bloom so meaningful to you?
Sarah: Forget-me-nots will always be my favorite flower. Not only because of their beautiful symbolic meanings—eternal love, remembrance, and devotion—or the personal connection they hold to my grandmother, but also because they are a dream to press. Their vibrant blue petals are simply divine, and they serve as a symbol of hope when they bloom each spring. Pieces featuring forget-me-nots are my best-sellers, so it seems these flowers hold a special significance for many others as well.
ConsiderBeyond: Looking ahead, what are your forthcoming plans for Meadow and Thyme? Can we anticipate any upcoming projects or collections that you’re excited to unveil?
Sarah: During the summer months, I focus heavily on wedding flower commissions while also filling my flower presses with blooms from the garden. As we move into autumn and winter, I’m looking forward to having more time to create new pieces using the flowers I’ve pressed throughout the year. I’m planning a major restock of my popular Vintage Collection, which pairs stunning vintage frames with beautifully pressed flowers mounted on handmade paper. There are also some very exciting projects on the horizon, but for now, I’ll be spending most of my time in the workshop, mindfully immersed in the art of pressed flowers.
Photos by
Sarah Holland
