Wildflower – Lam Lighting

An interview with Rebecca, who created Wildflower Illustration Co. with her husband and fellow creative Karl.

Tucked away in the heart of Cheltenham’s picturesque streets lies a haven for lovers of all things handcrafted and heartfelt. Wildflower, a charming boutique owned by creative duo Rebecca and Karl, beckons passers-by with its whimsical window displays and inviting storefront. Stepping into the shop feels like entering a world where traditional craft and hand finishing is the underlining foundation to all of the beautiful greeting cards, stationery and all things print, where every stroke of the pen and brush tells a story on luxury handcrafted papers.

Every delicate greeting card and intricately designed print bear the unmistakable mark of Rebecca’s masterful calligraphy and illustration skills. Here, handwritten letters are not just a relic of the past but a cherished tradition kept alive with passion and purpose.

We had the pleasure of meeting Rebecca and Karl to uncover the inspiration behind Wildflower, and their decision to use Lam Lighting to illuminate their workshops and showroom.

Rebecca: I’ve always absolutely loved anything handwritten and tangible – notes of friendship from friends at school, cards from my parents, or sketches sent by my great uncle who was also an artist. As the world has grown progressively more digital, and so much of our lives are now lived online, these things have only become more important to me. I think it’s so rare now to have something to hold, that is ‘alive’ almost. I see letters and cards that way – something magic and real in a world that can sometimes feel quite superficial.

As fellow small business owners, what drew you to collaborate with Lam Lighting for your shop’s lighting?
I actually painted the picture of our shop, with some vintage looking lights that have a surprising resemblance to the Giselles, without actually having seen your specific ones! When I went in search for something that would work, I was disappointed to find that a lot of the lights out there were mass produced. I came across Lam whilst trying to find beautiful, British made lights and was pleasantly surprised that they were affordable!

Could you share your vision for the lighting design in Wildflower, and how Lam Lighting’s fixtures have helped bring that vision to life?
We wanted the shop to be a timeless experience that hints at the simpler days before technology whilst also embracing some interior trends and feeling relevant today. The middle of the shop is where we do a lot of our work, and because it’s a fairly dark space, we knew we needed some statement lights on the wall above our desks. We couldn’t be happier with how Lam Lighting’s fixtures have helped us acheive this aim perfectly!

The choice of lighting can greatly influence the ambiance of a space. How do you believe the lighting choices at Wildflower contribute to the overall experience for your customers?
Many people have told us that the three lights in the shop window – that stay on through the evening past the shop opening times – have gently enticed them to return to the shop at another time when we have been open. They are so beautifully classic and yet have an artisanal quality that fits perfectly with our values and aesthetic. In the fading evening light they emit a warming and welcoming glow, as well as illuminating the products on display in the window.

What made you select specific Lam Lighting fixtures for different areas of the shop, such as the window display, studio area, and counter?
The light above the counter provides a perfect element of interest that divides our work area from the shop as well as illuminating the items chosen as we carefully wrap them for our customers to take away. The Bergholt Giselles above our workspace are really lovely and gentle as well as adding character to a newly panelled wall.

Why would the plug-in Flatford wall light be a good option over your showroom shelf and also your display area in the downstairs showroom?
The plug-in Flatford is such an elegant light that is the perfect combination of classic and contemporary – by sitting above our shelves of curated stationery, it both illuminates them gently whilst providing additional interest to our walls.

In what ways do you see the synergy between Wildflower’s artisanal offerings and Lam Lighting’s commitment to craftsmanship and quality?
We feel so lucky to have found Lam Lighting to light our shop, as the synergy between our brands is so perfectly matched. The lights introduce the warmth and sophistication that we had been searching for for quite some time. It feels really important to us to use British-made brands that reflect our environmental and ethical values. We are always so pleased to share details with customers (and we are always asked as the lights are so admired!) – it feels a bit like passing on a secret gem!