Carefully crafted, meticulously executed…
Simply by Arrangement is a must-follow for anyone who finds joy in flowers and beauty in the small, meaningful details of life. Curated by Sarah Statham, once a criminal lawyer, now a renowned florist, her work celebrates the poetic charm of seasonal flowers and the slow, intentional art of floral design. Her Instagram @simplybyarrangement, followed by nearly 80,000 people, is a gentle gallery of abundant urns, tender still life’s, and creative glimpses into her ‘small corner’ of Yorkshire. Her website is equally captivating, with a beautifully written blog and seasonal newsletter that invite you to pause, slow down, and savour each word and image.
In a recent interview at the American Slow Flowers Conference, Sarah spoke about her offerings of destination workshops for flower lovers, which draws people from across the globe to her hillside home just outside Hebden Bridge.
Carefully Crafted - a Career Course
Sarah’s Carefully Crafted Career course is exactly that: a thoughtfully designed and deeply personal year-long programme, created for those who are looking to shape a fulfilling and meaningful career in floristry. It’s a personal mentorship disguised as a workshop - it’s a mix of gentle challenge, beautiful flowers, business grounding and creative self-discovery.
Before you even arrive, Sarah has already begun her work: she’ll spend time listening to your goals, your dreams, and the direction you hope to travel. She will ask ‘what would you like to get out of your day?” because the day is always about you. She’ll gather flowers, always seasonal and locally grown from her favourite growers, preparing a palette that speaks of the time and place in which you’re creating.
Intertwined with monthly phone call meetings throughout the year, each of the four full-day sessions, begins in Sarah’s welcoming kitchen, with a pot of Yorkshire tea and a thick slice of homemade buttered tea loaf. You sit and chat about the day ahead, share how your business is unfolding, and bring any hurdles or questions to the table. Mr S often pops through with a quiet hello, and Molly, their sweet (and now blind) rescue terrier, gently hovers for a biscuit.
The Studio in the Garden
From the kitchen, you take a short stroll through the garden to Sarah’s studio. It’s a calm, light-filled space designed especially for flowers and creativity. Floor-to-ceiling windows (when not draped in Yorkshire rain!) fill the room with soft natural light. Shelves are stacked with vintage urns, handmade ceramic vessels, and all the tools you need to bring your vision to life. The workbench is a floral treasure trove, bursting with carefully conditioned stems, from delicate tendrils to grand branches, laid out for you to choose.
This is where the magic begins.
Sarah’s teaching is quiet, assured, and intuitive. She creates a space that feels safe and it’s somewhere you can try, learn, and grow. Each session involves selecting a special branch, the quiet process of ‘flower fettling’, and asking yourself three quiet questions as you arrange. You’re encouraged to trust your eye, listen to your instincts, and slowly build your creative confidence.
Business grounding, creative growth
Lunch is a delicious home-cooked affair, often made by Mr S, and over the table you explore the nuts and bolts of business: pricing, branding, storytelling, and staying financially sustainable. These aren’t rushed conversations, but practical, thoughtful chats that align personal values with professional ambition.
Lunch… Simply Style
The afternoons are spent refining your work, perhaps with one final stem picked from the garden and photographing your creations. Sarah’s approach to photography is as inspired as her floristry. Whether in the garden or her new studio, she finds the right light, the right corner, and captures the story your flowers are telling.
Sarah’s course is so much more than technical training. It’s a creative partnership. Her teaching gently challenges, always encouraging you to find your own style, your voice, and your place in the floral world.
She is a quiet observer of trends, never swayed by fleeting fashion. People at all stages of their careers turn to her for clarity, insight, and direction and might book ‘A Tea and Simply’’ session. Whether you’re starting out or carving a new path, she offers space to reflect, regroup, and move forward with purpose.
A personal reflection
A few weeks ago, I completed my Carefully Crafted year with Sarah and I will carry her teaching with me always.
Over those months, I also cared for my mother, who died from cancer. Sarah’s kindness, patience, and support during that time meant the world to me. She held space for both my creative growth and personal grief - something I will never forget.
Last week, during my final class I created an abundant urn filled with La Belle Époque tulips and a delicate tablescape, all beautifully captured on film by the wonderful Sarah Mason @sarahmasonfilm. I left with a full creative cup, a spare bucket of flowers in the boot, and a clearer sense of the path ahead.
I feel closer now to knowing what it is that I want to do… that is, to grow beautiful, homegrown flowers and create flowers for others to hold in their hand, place in their home, and mark life’s most meaningful moments.
