Stalk of the Town

WORDS Debbie Loots PHOTOS Shavan Rahim

When two floral stylists recently moved their business, Stalk of the Town, from Salt River to Gardens in Cape Town, things started to blossom in all sorts of new directions.

On a quaint little road just off the busy Kloof Street perches the new premises of Rini Harrington and Estelle van Niekerk’s flower design company, Stalk of the Town.

Their move from industrial Salt River to this bright, sparkly new urban space has the duo very excited. Not only will they continue to create their unique floral designs for corporate clients here, but they also plan to explore all kinds of new possibilities – like crafting spontaneous floral arrangements for walk-in customers. While waiting with a cuppa in hand, they can delight in the beautiful interior and maybe buy some of the local hand-crafted products on display – all themed around flowers, of course. Think botanical-printed cushions by Evolution and Zunette Mulder’s delicate leaf- and petal-inspired range of jewellery.

“We want customers to have a complete floral experience in our new space,” says Rini, “and why can’t it be in all kinds of beautiful forms?”

But that’s not the end of the story. Soon the two will be presenting floral design workshops for adults and children, sharing their flower arranging secrets and tips but most of all inspiring everyone to get creative with flowers.

Which won’t be difficult, you realise as you cast an eye over the colourful bunches dotted around the airy space. There are strelitzias and king proteas and pretty fringed tulips. Not to mention the potted succulents swathed in bright shweshwe that have been cultivated by Rini and Estelle to lend a special touch to arrangements when required.

Why, it all looks blooming marvellous.