London Events Florists To Know

From everyday management and business administration to those complex projects that require a helping hand, Lifestyle Manager and BBB Member Phoebe Maddrell is well-versed in delivering unparalleled results to UHNW clients.

We recently sat down with Phoebe to discuss work life balance, neurodivergent minds and how she is poised and ready to help clients lighten their load…

Let’s start a little before the beginning if you don’t mind. How did you come to realise that the meticulous planning and organisation of other people’s lives would be something that you would excel in?

I fell into the organisation side – I had worked in corporate businesses for over 8 years before deciding to work onboard yachts in my late twenties. From yachts, I evolved into the role of a Lifestyle Manager which meant I oversaw the clients personal lives, business affairs and multiple properties. With my first land-based position I was lucky enough to work for two talented architects, so there were elements of project management and interior design involved too. I loved the problem solving and strategy required to deal with lots of assets and personalities.

Could you describe your job role to us and the services that you offer to your clients?

I help UHNW clients and their teams accomplish streamlined communication, asset management and an improved work/life balance. So that staff have reduced burn out and the client experiences curated luxury. Without the chaos of lost information, misunderstood requests and frequent staff turnovers. There are also long standing clients who I have previously worked with who ask me to manage individual projects, like a house move or launching an art inventory.

What is it about your role that you enjoy so much?

I’ve always loved the diversity of conundrums to solve and people to work with. I love being engaged to work with an estate or business team and seeing the transformation from disorder to calm, which improves the lives of the clients and employees. I meet a lot of people who feel like an island working in this industry but there’s actually a lot of repeated patterns and problems which can be solved by external oversight. I feel very lucky that I am able to get insight into the inner workings of so many clients’ lives.

Why do you believe that a client should opt for your services over that of a competitor?

I haven’t found any competitors offering what I do, specifically. I feel it’s more common that they do ‘off the shelf’ solutions on how to instate systems which are software based. My offer is more diverse and bespoke. I work with employees or vendors directly via mentorship. I often work with clients directly for full lifestyle audits and implementation – this usually means ensuring all assets and associated admin is accounted for, estates are run efficiently and lifestyles run smoothly. I support all parts of the process and evaluate how we can make things better. The only thing I need is a client who is ready to embrace change.

How do you distinguish a healthy work life balance and what tips do you have for people perhaps struggling to achieve that?

I truly think it is the biggest issue facing our industry as a whole and many talented people are leaving because they are struggling to achieve a balance and feeling very burnt out after the pandemic.

The most important thing is to instate boundaries, especially around your time and availability. A simple tip I regularly recommend is to take a step back and ask, “Is this a me problem, or a them problem?”. This industry has a knack of making us feel that when something goes wrong or becomes difficult it’s a “you” problem, when it may not be. Learning to understand that difference can be vital in maintaining balance and experiencing less stress.

You’re also a proud supporter of neurodivergent minds. Would you mind telling us a little bit more about why this cause is so close to your heart?

Broadly speaking, I think neurodiversity is in its infancy in terms of how we understand what that terminology means. At its heart I think that we are moving towards a more inclusive world, where we recognise that not everyone thinks the same and not everyone learns the same. This really ties into the heart of my business and ethos: when we build systems and hierarchy we need to play to people’s strengths and understand that it is not a ‘one size fits all’ approach. That’s how you get the best out of everyone and make the magic happen.

And finally, what goals are you still looking to achieve in your career?

I am really passionate about growing my own empire in this industry by creating a positive change for staff and a meaningful difference within this sector. I want to empower women to negotiate higher salaries and feel valued. To help staff avoid burnout and recognise when jobs are damaging their mental health. And finally, to make my mark on even more estates to create a legacy of knowledge to help them run smoothly for years to come, regardless of what unforeseen circumstances may occur!

Want to know more about how Phoebe could help you? Reach out to her directly by heading on over to Phoe.co.uk or you can also stay up to date by following her on Instagram and LinkedIn.

By Anya Cooklin-Lofting

Entertaining at home is an art many of us perfected over the pandemic, hosting small groups according to the rules of the day while the restaurants were closed. As many of us learned, it is an art that requires great food, compelling company and an atmosphere of relaxed fun. Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together or an elegant soirée, the key to dinner party success lies in truly delighting your guests. This week, we’ve gathered insights from three expert entertainers, London-based florist, Ronny Colbie, Emma Campani, Head of Marketing at Plain Jane Events,  a full-service creative events agency, and Dan Pamment, Director of Maven Odyssey, the specialist entertainment agency, to provide you with must-know tips for hosting unforgettable gatherings at home. 

Ronny Colbie, a seasoned host from the Cotswold countryside, knows the secret to creating an unforgettable atmosphere when entertaining at home. “City slickers are best kept busy,” he says, “so provide them with luxurious comforts, from the food to the decorations, that seem effortless.” He believes in the power of simplicity; classic dishes that don’t keep you tied up in the kitchen. foraging for local ingredients and using handpicked items from the surrounding countryside. Combined, these elements can make your meals not only delicious but also a memorable conversation starter. “Whether it’s fresh nettles for pesto, wild garlic for soup, or homegrown veggies and herbs, these unique touches will leave a lasting impression on your guests,” he says. 

In terms of style, Ronny suggests embracing the lived-in feel of a countryside home. “Farmhouse tables, eclectic furnishing, layers linens and rugs create a cosy feel for both ourselves and our guests,” says Ronny. He and his family also always ensure there’s a roaring fire in the winter months, which he says allows everyone to feel instantly relaxed. “When I was a child,” he says, “I read a fabulous book by Kate Spade called ‘All in Good Taste’ which was basically the bible when it came to rules of entertaining. Having a roaring fire I recall being a rule of thumb to never be ignored when you have guests due to arrive!”

And let’s not forget the power of flowers. “Being a florist does rather set the expectation that I’ll have some stunning blooms throughout the house,” says Ronny. “For me, flowers enhance a space, adding a sense of calm and evoking happy memories,” he adds. For Ronny, florals should always be seasonal; vases of peonies in the spring, roses come the summer, and berries and mixed foliage in the cooler months. “A few small touches throughout your home, fragrance, flowers, food, all make for a memorable time for the guests you welcome into your home,” says Ronny, adding, “taking pride in your home never goes unnoticed by your guests.’

Emma Campani from the Plain Jane Events team revels in adding a touch of “pizzazz” to her clients’ events at home. Whether she’s throwing a casual get-together or aiming for full-blown extravagance, she likes to work to a four-point strategy, “to help you to prepare to entertain like never before.” First comes decoration. For Emma, “considering additional decor is a must to set the tone of your event.” It also adds personality and style, whether you opt for a themed extravaganza or a casual evening in, thoughtful decorations will go a long way to create a memorable night. 

Closely connected but warranting its own quarter in the four-point rule is lighting. For Emma, “it’s the magic wand that can instantly set the mood in your space, from cosy and quiet to lively and electric.” She recommends candles and dimmed lighting from multiple sources, which can have a “huge effect on the atmosphere.”

The third rule is music. Emma says that, “crafting the perfect music playlist is like adding the groove to your room’s decoration, setting the vibe that makes it feel alive and gets people grooving.” Finally, and unforgettably, is food. If all of this feels overwhelming, Emma suggests reaching out to expert event managers who can turn your party dreams into reality, who can “turn your wildest party dreams into reality.”

Dan Pamment from Maven Odyssey is a pro when it comes to levelling up your home entertaining experience. For Dan, hosts should never underestimate the significance of audio quality. “Don’t scrimp on a budget Bluetooth speaker,” he says. “You want to create an inviting atmosphere and a great speaker or audio system will do this.” He believes it’s essential not to compromise on this aspect, whether it’s investing in top-notch audio equipment or even considering the rental of an audio setup for larger events.

Next, and similarly to Emma’s note on music, Dan suggests anyone planning to entertain at home should think about getting the music right. Music holds the power to shape the mood and memories of your gathering, so selecting your playlist thoughtfully is crucial. “Spotify is amazing for this and I’ve sometimes just put one track on and let Spotify do the rest,” he says, “but, if you have time and you know your guests well, some personalisation is a lovely touch for your guests.” 

For larger events like birthday parties or other special occasions, how about incorporating live performances into your home entertainment? If your budget allows, this can be a fantastic way to leave a lasting impression on your guests and create an impactful evening. However, Dan advises that, “singers that can also play an instrument are great for lower-key occasions as they can adapt to smaller spaces, or an acoustic violinist brings a wonderful ambience to pre-dinner drinks.” But as the evening turns to night, “a brilliant party DJ can be the perfect way to end. Your guests will be dancing around your kitchen into the early hours!”