One of the biggest benefits I discovered after starting my own business has been the chance to connect with other creative professionals, freelancers, and independent business owners. Many self-employed people will recognise how important it is to build a supportive network—friends, peers and cheerleaders who understand the highs and lows of working for yourself. These are the people who celebrate your wins and lift you up when things are difficult. In my case, the design and interiors world is often centred on London, so living outside the capital in Royal Leamington Spa meant I had to be more intentional about finding local peers. Over recent years I’ve focused on cultivating relationships with business owners and creatives closer to home, and it’s made a big difference.
I first met Sarah about a year ago, though I had admired her work long before then. She has run a well-loved flower shop in Leamington since 1980, a remarkable achievement given the pressures facing small retail businesses today. Sarah is energetic, inspiring and deeply passionate about her craft. She has demonstrated floral design internationally and has been recognised with major awards; her enthusiasm and dedication are contagious.
A few years back Sarah began drawing while working on a project linked to the Chelsea Flower Show. Translating her intimate knowledge of flowers into pen and ink opened up a new creative path and she developed a distinctive, intricate style. She later launched Sarah Horne Botanicals, a collection of gifts and homeware featuring her botanical illustrations—candles, fine bone china, original art and cards. The range celebrates plant forms with a freshness and depth that clearly come from a lifetime working with flowers.
I met Sarah for a drink—her favourite being gin—and asked her about the inspirations and principles behind her work. Below she shares the words that describe her approach, what inspires her, and how she likes to spend her time.
Which three words best describe your work and design ethos?
Craft
Craft is fundamental to everything I do. I believe you can have craft without creating art, but you cannot create art without craft. Technical skill and attention to detail are the foundation; on top of that you need a strong idea or composition to make a piece stand out.
Distinctive
I aim for work that is instantly recognisable. Distinctiveness is a goal in itself, and ultimately I hope some pieces will feel iconic.
Uncompromising
I keep refining until I’m completely satisfied. If something isn’t right, I’ll put it aside and start again rather than accept anything less than my best.
Who or what inspires you?
I’m inspired by people who are skilled and confident in their field, especially creative practitioners and free thinkers. My own work draws heavily from flowers and the natural world, but I also respond to elegant lines and well-proportioned forms in architecture, objects and the human figure. Weekly life drawing classes push me beyond my comfort zone and consistently refresh my perspective; the human form has a timeless ability to inspire.
What is your most treasured object in your own home?
Aside from her gin collection, Sarah treasures an original drawing by Neil Moore titled “Other Men’s Doxy,” a piece she received from someone very close to her. It holds both artistic and sentimental value.
Where’s your favourite place to be?
Sarah describes herself as a person of contrasts. She loves travel and the energy of cities—London feels like a second home—yet she also values quiet, reflective time at home in Leamington Spa, whether lounging in the sun or walking her dog Bandit. She enjoys being in places that offer space to think as well as settings where she can have meaningful conversations with interesting people.
What would you be if you weren’t a designer?
Whatever the medium, Sarah would still do something creative. Her career has already spanned flowers, ink illustration and product design, and even running a business involves creative decision-making and strategy. She follows her creativity wherever it leads.
What are you reading right now?
At the moment she’s reading Vivienne Westwood’s diaries, which she finds compelling both for Westwood’s design vision and her outspoken, independent approach to life and business.
Which words of wisdom do you try to live by?
Sarah is drawn to a passage by Friedrich Nietzsche that emphasizes the value of individuality and the cost of maintaining it. The sentiment—about the loneliness and occasional fear that can accompany independence, and the high price paid for owning oneself—resonates deeply with her. She also appreciates the idea that limitations often come from perception rather than possibility: what seems impossible may only be unimagined.
For more about Sarah’s work and botanical collection, visit Sarah Horne Botanicals.
Product photography by Design Hunter. Portrait of Sarah by Katie McCullough.