Meet_the florist
Ruth Monahan - florist, writer, founder Appassionata
A Little about your work life story?
I’m the founder of Apassionata, a botanical design studio rooted in flowers, storytelling, and seasonal beauty. My path into floristry was a winding one—I originally studied communications and started my career in TV and multimedia. I was fascinated by narrative, but after a few years, I realised I was craving something more tactile and rooted in nature.
While travelling through Asia, I came across an article in the Bangkok Post about a Thai florist creating these extraordinary floral installations. It sparked something in me. I bought his book when I got to Bangkok and carried it around in my backpack for the rest of the trip.
Not long after, on my 30th birthday, I enrolled in flower school in London. At the time, floristry in Ireland wasn’t what it is now—people thought I’d be arranging church flowers. But I saw floristry as part of interiors, as something integrated into our homes and lives. That idea still drives everything we do at Apassionata.
Tell us about your book?
A few years ago, when Apassionata turned 15, we released a book called Bláthanna. It was our love letter to flowers in Ireland. We created a series of floral installations inspired by different locations and stories, embracing the wildness of the Irish landscape and the unpredictability of the weather.
It wasn’t just about pretty arrangements—it was about process, creativity, and capturing moments in time. The response was really special, and it was such a joy to make something physical that documented a part of our journey.
I still find so much joy in the hands-on part … whether it’s building installations, making bouquets, or just getting stuck into the garden at home in my overall, podcast in my ears.
— Appassionata founder Ruth Monahan
Is there a typical work day?
No two days are the same, which is exactly how I like it. Thursdays are for planning - meetings with the team, prepping for events, tweaking shop displays. Fridays are big flower drop days, so it’s all hands on deck.
The start of the week is a bit more creative: I work on our Substack, plan out content, and write. We also collaborate a lot with other like-minded creatives, and I love dreaming up those partnerships.
I still find so much joy in the hands-on part of the work - whether it’s building installations, making bouquets, or just getting stuck into the garden at home in my overall, podcast in my ears.
And when you’re not working?
I love going to exhibitions - there’s a brilliant one at the National Gallery (Mainie Jellett and Evie Hone) right now that I found really inspiring. And when I get the chance, we love travelling off the beaten path as a family, soaking up design, nature, and new ideas.
Yoga at Space Between is a big one for me. It’s a beautiful, quiet space in the city, and I love attending Stefania’s classes there. She is amazing. I’m also a big fan of early morning sea swims out at Seapoint because I can’t get home to Sligo daily - there’s something incredibly grounding about it.
At home, I spend time gardening, walking with my beagle Ella, and writing.
Who is capturing your imagination now?
I’m hugely inspired by people working thoughtfully with nature. Sasha Sykes is one of them - her botanical resin sculptures are breathtaking, and her recent project capturing flowers from her mother’s garden was just beautiful.
I also love Loulerie, Louise Stokes’ fine jewellery brand. Her work is elegant and timeless, and it speaks to the same kind of simplicity and texture I try to bring into floral design.
Another favourite is Superfolk I recently took a lino printing course with them - it was a Christmas gift - and it reminded me how joyful it is to learn something new, slowly. Their work is so considered, grounded in the Irish landscape, and full of meaning.
How do you like to wear your Overall?
Pretty much everywhere - from the shop to the garden to dog walks by the sea. I’ll sometimes wear it like a jacket, even backwards if I feel like mixing it up.
During Christmas it’s a must - I’m constantly moving, making, and need pockets for everything: scissors, string, tape, clippers, you name it. The overall is warm, practical, and it kind of hugs you while you work. It feels like this little uniform of creativity, which I love. And it somehow always looks smart, even when you’re covered in pine needles!
It feels like this little uniform of creativity, which I love.
— Ruth Monahan, florist
Appassionata Journal photos by Ultan Devaney, Sean Breithaupt and Veronica Devereau, thank you.
Sign up to read our next monthly Meet_ journal into your inbox
Over the last two years we have enjoyed watching so many people wearing their Abito overalls - for everything from pottery and gardening to cooking, writing, and partying. So we are sharing their work life stories, inspirations and musings each month in this Journal, in the hope that you will be inspired by meeting them and enjoy their musings too.
Sign up to receive our monthly Meet_series into your inbox. And we’ll also keep you posted about Abito new small batches and events, limited to a few times a year.
Thanks so much Ruth, love your story. And thank you for reading.
Catherine & Eve Anne