Personal Space: At home with Grandiflora founder and florist Saskia Havekes

Sydney florist Saskia Havekes of Grandiflora lives in Woollahra with photographer husband Gary Heery and their two daughters, Sunday and Ginger. Their 1920s cottage is filled with all of Havekes’ loves – art (including many of her husband’s bird prints), ceramics, antiques and vases made by her late father Gerard Havekes.

She’s famously made a floral bouquet for Princess Diana, lined the most recent Paris Fashion Week virtual runway show for Zimmerman with native flowers and works with French perfumers to develop fragrances. Her namesake scent is on the way from Paris in time for Christmas.

“My home is pretty unexpected in that people might be surprised if they saw it,” Havekes says. “It’s quite eccentric and borders on a Californian bungalow treehouse.

“There’s a beautiful tree that grows over the house – it’s rambling and disjointed in some ways, but a great creative space. I like the imperfections.”

Just as the Magnolia grandiflora is her muse in the floristry business, Havekes leans on all her favourite olfactory uppers in the home, too. You’ll always find vases brimming with flower arrangements throughout.

Havekes’ latest and sixth fragrance captures a top note gardenia and petrichor evokes the smell of rock and soil just before it rains.

“It’s been an interesting journey to work with fragrances over the years,” says Havekes, who also collaborated with Lexus on its spring racing marquee.

A few of Saskia’s favourite things …

My father’s ceramics

My father, Gerard, was a ceramicist, painter and sculptor. I grew up in a pottery surrounded by clay, glazes, kilns and potter’s wheels. I spent a lot of time in the pottery watching him firing the kiln late at night. I have been able to keep some in my own home. I love to see flowers in those vessels. They are bold and strong with rich, earthy tones.

Kilim covered armchairs

These chairs were a gift from my sculptor friend John who helped build the interior of my shop 26 years ago with that famous old wharf counter. My father and I bought this beautiful Kilim rug at an antique shop and I had an upholster cut it up and cover the chairs.

Calligraphy pens

My first calligraphy pen was a gift from Australian artist John Olsen when I was eight. I showed an interest in his handwriting, and for my birthday he gave me my first calligraphy set. I was a close friend of his daughter. I am still very fussy when it comes to handwriting and you’ll always find a calligraphy pen either at home or in the shop.

Susan Norrie painting

This slightly abstract flower painting was a gift from my mother, Louise, when I first started working with flowers 30 years ago. This painting really touches my heart the most. I still see the artist, Susan, around. I love her work and feel very connected to her, too.

Velvet cushions

These are the ultimate affordable luxury for me. I purchased these on Queen Street, Woollahra. They’re my go-to at home. I love perching on a velvet cushion – it feels decadent. They also remind me of flowers with a velvety appearance.

Tony Assness beeswax candles

Tony Assness is a creative director for large-scale events – we’ve worked together for years on functions. He makes 100 per cent organic beeswax candles in his kitchen. He came up with the idea because he was always looking for candles to put on tables. They’re exquisite and I burn them every night. They’re wholesome, warm and really give you time to reflect and calm down. We are developing a candle together, due for release at the end of this year.

 Dark shell-encrusted mirror by Paul Bruce

Paul Bruce became famous for his shell work and lived near my shop in Potts Point. If he were still alive, he would say I got him onto the idea of framing his coral pieces. I bought this for my 40th birthday and he passed away shortly after. He never made one like this before – his work was usually bright, white and light, and this was darker. It’s very precious and I love looking at it.