On Saturday 21 March, Toast Notting Hill will be launching a six week Pop-up with independent plant and lifestyle store Botany. Wediscovered Botany last Autumn on a trip to Chatsworth Road in East London. Nestled in the heart of Hackney's creative community, Botany houses a carefully curated selection of ethically sourced hand-crafted products, organic skincare and paper goods, alongside an abundance of indoor plant life - from unusual succulents, cacti and house plants.
Botany was founded in 2014 by Angela Maynard, after a 12 year career in Product Development for various British brands.Like Toast, Botany believe that "good useful design and considered surroundings make for a beautiful and balanced life".
Last Friday we headed to East London, to meet Angela. Here is her Q&A...
Where did the idea for Botany come from?
Plants and my home are my creative outlet. I trained in design but could never quite crack the drawing part! My strengths lie in product sourcing, selection and curation. I am strongly influenced by my surroundings and my environment has a huge effect on my state of mind. Beautifully designed and functional items give me pleasure; if I felt that way I had a feeling others would too.
What did you do prior to Botany?
I was a Menswear Product Manager for 12 years, developing and sourcing garmentsand accessories for various UK brands before setting up Botany.
How did you discover your love of plants?
When I realised I could plant something and succeed in helping it grow.I have had a fascination and a love of plants since I was very young. Which I think was partly formed by time spent with my grandmother who looked after both her own plants and our garden as well as a local Georgian garden in our Fitzrovia neighbourhood. I also collected beautiful old botanical books for years. This helped me decide on the name 'Botany'.
What is favourite succulent / cacti?
Sedum rubrotinctum 'Aurora'- Pink JellyBean Succulent Plant. Its formand colour are amazing!
What do you wear to work?
Normally jeans and a woolly jumper or tee as I get so mucky potting plants. Ohand ofcourse my Toast Linen Apron!
Thoughts on collaborating with Toast...
It's so exciting! A dream come true to be asked to collaborate withToast. I'd always admired Toast's non-comfirmity to trend and appreciation for well-made, considered, non-throw away design.It's a brand that stays true to a simple aesthetic of beautifully designed un-compromised design and has had a hugeinfluence on me.
The TOAST + BOTANY Pop-up will be running in our Notting Hill shop from 21 March for six weeks;
TOAST, 191 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, London, W11 2SB.
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