The Secret Garden of Florence: A Hidden Muse for My Iris-Inspired Designs
Craft of Meaning - Design led studio, surface patterns, photography, bespoke art, storytelling
Part 1 of 2: The Story Behind the Collection
Some collections come from trends or briefs. This one came from a moment of quiet magic, hidden behind a gate in Florence…
Back in May 2019, we visited beautiful Florence. My partner and I aren’t much for planning—instead, when we arrive in a new place, we simply explore. We stroll the streets, see what gems might be uncovered. Sometimes there are big “must-see” items on the agenda, but not always.
On one of those walks, after climbing what felt like an endless number of stairs, we reached the crowded Piazzale Michelangelo. No surprises there—it offered a stunning panoramic view of the city, bathed in golden afternoon light. But to the side of the square was a gate—quite unassuming, especially compared to the grandeur of Florence laid out before us. We watched small groups of people come and go. Curious, and eager to leave the crowds behind, we went to check it out.
And I’m so glad we did.
Behind the gate, down a little flight of stairs, lay the Giardino dell’Iris —a fleeting seasonal beauty open for only a short window of time each year, but one that truly knows how to leave an impression.
With over 1,500 varieties of irises in every colour imaginable—a sea of purples, yellows, whites, deep reds, and pinks—it felt as if we had stepped into one of Van Gogh’s paintings. Strolling through the rustically arranged flowerbeds, surrounded by magnificent olive trees and with the panoramic backdrop of Florence just beyond, time seemed to dissolve completely.
The peace and quiet of the garden, nestled so close to one of the city’s busiest tourist spots, was an unexpected gift—a perfect retreat from the crowds, a chance to leave behind the city’s hustle and reconnect with the gentle beauty of Mother Nature. In many cultures, the iris symbolizes a divine link, and there’s no place where that feels truer than here.
Iris also holds a special place in my heart. I remember my maternal grandmother always had them blooming in her garden in summer. That garden was the source of so many cherished childhood memories—and the iris remains part of that memory, forever tied to her.
While it might not feel like it, the iris is actually a flower found on every continent—except Antarctica! The plant grows naturally in a wide variety of environments, from deserts to marshes. With over 300 species, the iris is one of the most widespread and diverse flowers in the world.
During our stay in Florence, we returned to the garden every day, drawn back by its tranquility and fleeting magic. Even now, the images I took there—hundreds of them—continue to inspire me. I revisit them often, both for visual reference and as a way to relive that moment of magical discovery.
That garden nestled itself in my heart, and when it came time to build a new collection, it became my quiet compass. The first step was to build a mood board to help hold that memory in place. Come along in the Part 2 of this series.
Have you ever visited a place that stayed with you long after you left? We’d love to know what landscapes or experiences have inspired you or left a long lasting impression.
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