Popular wisdom says it’s better to have a neighbour nearby than a sibling far away. In the story of the new Flores do Mar, neighbours played a starring role. Without the antiques dealer next door – Armazém 105 – Canadian entrepreneur Paige Birnie would never have known this Estoril space was available just steps from her home in Vale de Santa Rita (where you’ll also find the gourmet grocer Supermercado Tradicional) and from the tunnel leading to Praia da Poça. Nor would her flowers be sharing the spotlight with vintage mirrors, chandeliers, vases and chests of drawers, all also for sale. Even the name of the florist came courtesy of that same neighbour, who gifted her a ceramic Iemanjá for good luck. “It was this goddess of the sea, along with the proximity to the beach, that inspired Flores do Mar”, Paige tells Time Out.
Her move from London to Cascais, after 15 years running a wedding photography business, happened “a little by chance”, she admits. “I think it was destiny. I met a Portuguese woman in the UK who was from here and I liked the idea of being close to the beach, but also the city. I found this apartment [above the shop] and fell in love with it”, she recalls. Packed in her suitcase was already the dream of creating a community project – one rooted, fittingly, in the neighbourhood. “I never just wanted a flower shop, a traditional florist. I wanted to organise workshops for kids, wine nights... to bring beauty into the neighbourhood”, she says.
To help her out – with the flowers, of course, but also with treasure hunts next door at the antiques shop and brainstorming future ideas – Paige counts on florist and store manager Kripa Giri, and decorator-slash-PR Joana Igrejas. How did they all meet? No prizes for guessing: they’re (or once were) neighbours.
The flowers – and everything else
Scattered among vases and jars of all shapes, colours, eras and styles you’ll find dahlias, roses, sunflowers, carnations, orchids and dozens of other varieties, plus plenty of leafy plants. Outside, bunches of dried flowers hang in paper cones, alongside a yellow table and chairs – the perfect spot to while away some time or put together a bouquet in the open air.
At the huge wooden table in the centre, arrangements are crafted in full view, all in the so-called “garden style”: relaxed, romantic, organic and seasonal. But that’s just the start. Flores do Mar also specialises in personalised touches – from creating centrepieces in vases customers bring from home, to styling private tables or large-scale events, and even offering floral consultancy for homes or businesses. “One client came in and said, ‘I’m killing all my flowers and all my plants.’ I went to his house and told him what would work where – and how to look after them. I’m basically a plant doctor!” laughs Paige.
On the counter you’ll find more vases of flowers – but also some seriously stylish postcards. Along one wall, shelves are stacked with candlesticks, candles and jars, while at the back a rack shows off the colourful, pattern-heavy pieces from Grateful Kai, including kimonos, wash bags and totes. “We’re trying to bring in more brands and products”, says Paige. “Just the other day, someone from the neighbourhood came by with candles for dogs”.
That’s not the only plan for the future. Families already stroll in and let the kids make their own little bouquets, but the idea is to build a proper agenda for them – and not just around flowers. Think ceramics workshops and beyond. For the grown-ups, there are plans for wine evenings, women’s gatherings, book launches, artist showcases and pop-ups from indie brands. Imagination is the only limit.
And because good neighbours are worth keeping, a collaboration could soon be on the cards – not just with Armazém 105, but also with Poke na Praia, which opened in July just around the corner. “Nobody realises we have a little shared garden at the back”, reveals Paige, already plotting what will come of it.
Rua Vale de Santa Rita 19, Estoril. Mon-Sat 10.00-19.00, Sun 10.00-15.00