Natalia Willmott: Yorkshire collector inspired by flowers

Natalia Willmott is a collector and curator who ‘finds’ lovely things then sells them from an online store.

Her Stillingfleet home – a converted barn near York – is also a showroom of sorts; a place of treasures you might have known you needed.

Occasionally she invites people to a showcase of her collections of unusual homewares, glass, gifts, jewellery which are sourced from around the globe and available for sale.

In the summer flowers play a part inside and out. Here she reveals some of her favourite floral pieces inspired by nature.

Natalia Willmott. supplied ‘Flowers have long captured the imagination of people across cultures and centuries’, says Natalia,

‘These blooms do more than just decorate – they inspire, uplift, and deeply influence our lifestyle, from the spaces we live in to the clothes we wear.’

Across the world, flowers have long carried powerful meanings, rooted in traditions, stories, and rituals. Over time, their symbolism has only deepened.

She ads, ‘In the Victorian era, the language of flowers – known as floriography – allowed people to send hidden messages through carefully chosen blooms. Floral dictionaries, such as Kate Greenaway’s Floral Poetry and the Language of Flowers, helped decode these secret sentiments. Today, the magic of flowers continues to weave through our homes, gardens, and wardrobes.’

Style up vases and jars with strong coloured flowers for maximum and seasonal impact. NW Undoubtedly, fresh flowers remain one of the simplest ways to bring life into a home, influencing mood through colour, scent, and energy. From calming lavender to the energising brightness of sunflowers, floral decor – whether fresh arrangements, patterned textiles, or art – connects us back to nature’s rhythm, creating homes that feel alive throughout the seasons.

In the garden, flowers offer a living connection to wonder and patience. Succession planting, wildflower meadows, and formal designs alike teach us to appreciate the evolving beauty of nature, day by day. Each bloom is a reminder of growth, resilience, and transformation.

And what about wearing your blooms?

‘Flowers also continue to shape fashion, offering a timeless elegance that speaks directly to the heart’, says Natalia – who has original prints of Laura Ashley dress designs in her collection.

Zirconium floral ring from Natalia’s collection. photo Damian Bramley ‘Floral prints, botanical jewellery, and even fresh flower accessories allow individuals to express confidence, romance, or joy. The natural world’s inspiration is also seen in sustainable fashion, blending beauty with responsibility.

‘Ultimately, flowers are far more than beautiful objects — they are living stories, symbols of impermanence, resilience, and joy. By welcoming blooms into our homes, gardens, and wardrobes, we invite a daily celebration of life’s fleeting beauty.’

nataliawillmott.co.uk

A mid-century oil painting of a bouquet of flowers Natalia has long been a collector and loves building collections of everything from art to glass, which she often sells on to fund the hunt for more treasures.“I especially love pencil drawings and quick sketches as they are often the first idea an artist has. I’ve also got several hundred perfume bottles,” she says.Her eye for what is beautiful and useful is innate, but she may well have been influenced by her childhood in France.