Inspired by Russia

[attach]6428[/attach]Ruth Slavin and Margarita Oudalova are bringing a taste of their Russian homeland to the city.

Inspired by floral design in Moscow, the mother and daughter duo opened Bouquet Flowers & Gifts on Mt. Pleasant Road at Manor Road E. in July to offer bouquets and arrangements for weddings, corporate events, bar and bat mitzvahs, fundraising galas and everyday floral décor.

“The best flower shops are in Russia,” says Slavin. “It’s easy to be inspired. I still have passion for it and I’ve been in this business almost 20 years.”

In addition to incorporating branches, dried palm leaves, shells and more into her work, they also create custom designs based on customers’ taste and whether they want a classic, modern, rustic or traditional look.

“It’s personal,” says Oudalova, who has a background in interior and fashion design. “It should be customized because it’s flowers and it should be personal.”

Although there are other flower shops in the area, they chose the neighbourhood because it felt like a small town in the city. Since opening, they’ve enjoyed getting to know the community.

“People, neighbours, owners of other business are coming in saying, ‘Hi, how are you?’ It’s such a nice feeling,” says Slavin. “We’re looking forward to meeting more people and talking to them, making their day special.”

Oudalova says her two younger sisters also help out in the family business and they enjoy creating designs for customers regardless of their budgets.

“I think that you can make anything beautiful on any budget because it’s all up here,” Oudalova says, pointing to her head. “If you have the ideation, money’s not an object.”