In the Studio With Nikki Tibbles

Nikki Tibbles photographed by Kirt Truman

With its cascading blooms, intricately tied bouquets and dazzling displays, Nikki Tibbles’ florist, Wild at Heart, has framed Liberty’s main entrance for over a decade.

Inspired by her love for creativity and the colours of nature, Wild at Heart’s opulent hand-tied bouquets and eclectic creations speak to Liberty’s inherent artistry. Liberty sat down with Tibbles to find out more about her brand, her love for blooms and the ways florals cascade through her every day life.

Can you tell us a little bit about Wild at heart, how did it all begin?

I have always had a love of flowers, and I always wanted to do something creative. I can't write or sing or draw or pain, but I find working with flowers to be such an amazing medium. It’s ever changing and inspired by nature: the colours and the textures.

When I used to work in advertising agency, some friends of mine asked me to help with the flowers for their weddings and I loved it. At the time, I didn't know what I was doing: I didn't even know that I had to cut the stems of flowers to put it in the water first!

That was my first foray into flowers, but I loved it so much that I left my job in advertising and instead went to work for a little flower shop in Fulham Road.

Why flowers are important to you?

Flowers bring so much joy to people. One day I just thought: “You know what? I could really do this”. It’s in my nature, I like to do different things every day, and with Wild at Heart no day in my life is the same, it's just it's perfect. I love it. It’s a joy, a dream.

How would you describe your aesthetic and ethos?

Having a spirit of generosity, which is something I like to portray in life generally. An abundance of flowers and a richness of colours and texture. Working with such beautiful flowers with all different species and colours is just wonderful.

When it comes to your own taste, have you always been drawn to florals, or did that come after setting up your business?

I love a flower on anything. I always wear floral prints and am drawn to floral fabrics. I like colours that shouldn’t go together and print-on-print-on-print. Up in the sitting room I’ve got a geometric rug, a floral print sofa and striped cushions. Most people are like, "woah"! I like mixing lots of things.

What are your favourite flowers to have in your own home?

I love roses and foliage. Going out into the garden and cutting branches is a really nice thing to do all year round. I don’t often have flowers in the house because it’s a bit like bringing work home but if I do then I have roses and peonies and sweet peas. I like really traditional, old fashioned English country garden flowers.

My personal favourite flower is probably something terribly traditionally English like that: perhaps a peony or a rose.

What do you do to relax?

When I’m at home I walk the dogs, cook, watch something fabulous on TV. I like a good box set, on the sofa with the dogs.

How many dogs live with you?

Six. I set up my dog rescue charity Wild at Heart Foundation in 2017 with an amazing woman Nadine. I wanted to set it up as I had been bringing dogs over from Romania, Spain and Greece on my own and then I realised just how many dogs here were in need around the world. I felt that as my business was doing well, it would be good to give something back. I feel very lucky, so it’s very important to me to do something where I can make a difference, no matter how small.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Inspiration comes from everywhere, but mostly nature and nature of the colours around us. Different shades of green, the colour of the sky, buildings, architecture, fashion, fabrics.

How did your partnership with Liberty come about?

It’s been some time now that we've been here [at Liberty] and I feel very grateful to be part of such an amazing store.

It's my favourite store in London, and I remember years ago, even before I started doing flowers, seeing the flowers at the entrance of Liberty and thinking how beautiful they were.

Walking past and walking through Liberty, and the smell as you walk through the doors, was always a joy. We applied and we were accepted! We've been here 12 or more years now, which is wonderful. I feel very grateful to be part of Liberty.

With a thriving business and the Foundation, how do you keep yourself balanced?

I like being busy. I like waking up in the morning knowing that every day will be different. I meet amazing people and go to incredible places. I feel very blessed and I love what I do and that is the fundamental thing. Every day is a nice day.

What would you say is the secret to your success?

The key to all success, I think, is having an amazing team. Without the team, Wild at Heart wouldn't exist. It’s important to stay current and evolve the work we do, and we also use the best quality flowers. But it is all about a team who love what they do. We are very passionate about the work we do, and that's important.