Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber England.
Hi Amber, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Working with my hands and creating is something that has always brought me peace and clarity. Roughage Floral is the product and creative outlet of a recovering healthcare worker during the pandemic. Someone in my neighborhood had bouquets on her doorstep and I inquired about lessons. I could spend all day in my garden and experimenting with a new medium seemed fun. That’s where it started and then a good friend asked me to do her wedding flowers. It was the push I needed to make my hobby formal. Then a second friend asked and I gained some momentum. I’ve had a few very talented mentors along the way and continue to meet the most supportive people in the industry. The saying, “I get by with a little help from my friends”, rings true here.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Roughage Floral has been evolving, as many small businesses do. We’ve been building a family and that’s had several starts, stops. and pauses over the course of the busy summer seasons. With that being said, our focus has shifted from larger weddings to smaller, more intimate events and interior design florals. I’ve wanted to really concentrate on details that make a design personal and reflective of the project.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At Roughage Floral, we believe that beauty lies in the imperfect, the organic, and the fleeting. Inspired by the wabi-sabi philosophy, we create floral designs that embrace the raw, natural elegance of each bloom. Our arrangements are flower-forward, celebrating the untamed grace of seasonally appropriate, sustainably grown flowers.
Community is at the heart of what we do. We collaborate with local farmers, artisans, and small businesses to create meaningful, sustainable floral experiences. Whether it’s sourcing blooms from nearby farms, partnering with independent makers, or supporting neighborhood events, we believe in strengthening the connections that make our communities stronger.
Roughage Floral draws design inspiration from seasonal flora and foliage. We note the natural color patterns and pairings.
We incorporate regenerative gardening practices, such as planting pollinator-friendly flowers in our tiny garden. There are a lot of perennial varieties but we also plant annuals that compliment the colors for upcoming events if we can. Not only is this a great way to plan for the seasons to come, it’s the best feeling snipping a few stems from my own yard to add a finishing touch on a bouquet. Gardening is a great reminder of how much work goes into this art. It is important to look at the bigger picture and acknowledge the environmental impact floral design has.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Even several years in, I still get that Imposter Syndrome feeling. We all start somewhere and getting started is the hardest part. I think it’s important to just jump in. I’m trying to lean into the evolution of it and enjoy the ride. Pivot. Everything is fleeting- especially floral design. Try to enjoy the many stages of life and realize that some of it is earned and some of it is luck.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.roughagefloral.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roughage_floral/
Image Credits
Savanna Klear – Personal photo
Jordan Katz – Additional photo 5
Sarah Virginia Co (photos) & Avery Carter Design (interior design) – Additional photos 6 & 7
