“Why is a raven like a writing desk?” is a riddle proposed by the Mad Hatter during a tea party in Lewis Carroll’s classic 1865 novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alice was unable to answer the riddle because there was no answer. The Mad Hatter admitted as much.

Such preposterous musings are the foundation of what we do here, at Flora Fauna – and why not? We love the absurd, the quirky, and the whimsical. This is more than just a shop, it’s an experience. Come and soak in delight and magic, in curiosity and above all – wonder. Flora Fauna is after all, a wunderkammer.

The idea of a wunderkammer (cabinet of curiosities) first came about in the 16th century, as collections of notable objects. The term cabinet originally described a room rather than a piece of furniture. Wunderkammers were, infact, the world’s first museums. 

A long time coming, Flora Fauna is a concept that started out as a simple flower shop that I dreamed about with my Mum, years ago now. 

A dream for the future I thought….

In a weird and tragic turn of events, my Mum passed away really suddenly almost two years ago now – leaving me with the means and desire to realise this dream sooner rather than later. So much of what this space is, is her. Her tastes, her aesthetic. She was with me when I bought the black velvet couch – ‘for the shop’ she said jokingly! And there are pieces in here that were in fact hers, so she is here, realising our dream, with me. 

She instilled in me my intense love of the natural world, and so the simple little flower shop has transformed into a full blown tribute to Nature, and all the wonders it beholds. I didn’t want to limit what it contained, other than that – so you will find anything from books to butterflies, from peacocks to philodendrons. That is the concept behind Flora Fauna – A gallery of treasured art and objects that pay homage to the greatest mother of them all – apart from mine of course! 

Flora Fauna has been a massive undertaking to say the least, at a time when opening a new business is either seen as really really brave, or really really stupid – but I always like to say fortune favours the bold….and time will tell I suppose!

So please come along and have a look, and discover your wonder…..