Constance Spry

Constance Spry (5 December 1886 – 3 January 1960) was a British educator, author, and florist. She is best known for her role in popularizing floral design as an art form and her influence on British interior design.

Early Life

Constance Spry was born as Constance Fletcher in Derby in 1886. She was the eldest of four children. Her father was a railway clerk and her mother was a schoolmistress. She was educated at the Metropolitan University, London.

Career

Spry started her career as a nurse and social worker in Ireland. In 1928, she opened her first flower shop, Flower Decoration, in London. She quickly gained recognition for her innovative and unconventional flower arrangements. Spry's designs were characterized by their use of unusual containers, such as urns, baskets, and even kitchenware, and her incorporation of unconventional materials like weeds and berries.

In 1934, Spry established the Constance Spry Flower School in London, which attracted students from around the world. She also authored several books on flower arranging and home decoration, including "Flower Decoration in the House" (1934), "Garden Notebook" (1940), and "The Constance Spry Cookery Book" (1956).

Spry's influence extended beyond floral design. She was also a pioneer in the field of interior design, advocating for the use of color and texture to create a harmonious living environment. Her work was influential in shaping the aesthetic of the post-war British home.

Personal Life

Spry was married twice. Her first marriage, to James Heppell Marr, ended in divorce. In 1942, she married her second husband, Shav Spry, who was a painter and sculptor.

Legacy

Constance Spry's impact on floral design and interior decoration continues to be felt today. Her approach to design, which emphasized creativity and personal expression over rigid rules and conventions, has been a major influence on contemporary floral and interior designers.

See Also

• Floral Design
• Interior Design
• British Design

References

• Constance Spry: A Biography by Sue Shephard
• The Surprising Life of Constance Spry by Alyson Haywood