Here's the COVER with the book jacket flap fully opened to reveal Cynthia Zamaria's charming floral studio. (c) Robin Stubbert
Welcome to a very special episode of the Slow Flowers Podcast -- Episode 500 -- in our weekly podcast series about Slow Flowers and the people who grow and design with them. Since we launched this special program in July 2013, I have regularly featured the voices of influencers, stylemakers, pioneers and heroes in the Slow Flowers Movement -- and today we celebrate an impressive milestone with Episode 500!
Meet Cynthia Zamaria, looking so content in her creative space, featured in Where We Bloom (c) Robin Stubbert
It's been a busy and exciting week here at the Slow Flowers Society! In January, I introduced you to creative director Robin Avni, my partner and co-founder of BLOOM Imprint, the book publishing branch of Slow Flowers Society. You can listen to our conversation from January's Episode 490 here, in which we discuss the goal of telling stories by and about Slow Flowers members through the medium of books!
BLOOM Imprint's first title is at the printer right now and we can't wait to tell you all about it. Where We Bloom is an information and idea-packed volume filled with 37 intimate and inspiring floral studios, workshops, storefronts and growing spaces like greenhouses and barns -- all home to creative floral enterprises of Slow Flowers members.
You may have seen the cover art because I've shared a few sneak peeks across social media and in Slow Flowers' newsletter, but today I'm excited to introduce you to the woman responsible for the delightfully engaging space featured as our cover destination to illustrate the concept of Where We Bloom.
Please meet Cynthia Zamaria, Toronto-based designer, flower grower and stylist whose studio is called Cynthia Zamaria House & Flower. Cynthia will share a bit about her journey with flowers and the three of us will discuss the central themes of Where We Bloom, about which I write in the introduction:
The importance of devoting space to the pursuit of one's artThe way environments can inspire individual expression and reflect one's aesthetic styleThe ways one's studio or workshop can inspire the senses.
There is also the intangible feeling of security and comfort that creative individuals may feel when they can escape to a destination where their ideas flourish and, yes, blossom!Debra Prinzing, where we bloom
Let me tell you a bit more about Robin and Cynthia:Based in Gig Harbor, Washington, Robin Avni is a creative veteran in the media + high-tech industries. Her experience includes more than 15 years in the publishing industry and eight years at Microsoft in design and creative management. She has successfully managed innovative, award-winning design teams and high-profile projects as well as received numerous national design awards and photo editing honors for her own work. Robin has produced 10 books, including collaborating with Debra on the Slow Flowers Journal.
Robin Avni, co-founder and creative director of BLOOM Imprint
In 2004, following Microsoft, she founded bricolage*, a consultancy specializing in creative strategy, content development, and trend analysis for home + garden. She has worked with Fortune 500 companies, national advertising agencies and award-winning media properties, applying timely actionable insights to their businesses.
Robin received a BA in journalism from Indiana University, Bloomington and a Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowship at the University of Michigan; she holds a Master of Communication in Digital Media from the University of Washington.
Find and follow Robin Avnia & BLOOM Imprint at these social places
Robin Avni on Instagram
BLOOM Imprint on Instagram
Cynthia Zamaria (c) Lisa MacIntosh
Based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Cynthia Zamaria is an interior and floral designer known for character-filled spaces and carefree flower displays.