Coast Candle Co.
A story of scent-led memory and the nostalgia of a place we can call home.
FOUNDER STORIES
Sarah Holland is the founder of the creative flower pressing studio, Meadow and Thyme. She works with flowers grown in her own garden, traditionally pressing them and turning them into beautiful natural works of art.
Her much anticipated debut book, The Pressed Flower Handbook, will be released in May 2026, inviting us all to slow down, connect with nature and discover the magical, mindful world of flower pressing. Here’s Sarah’s story.
Gardens and nature have shaped my whole being. My childhood memories overflow with beautiful days exploring meadows, woodlands, glades, the joy of dipping my toes in streams, watching dragonflies dancing around, hearing bees buzzing and the distinctive, glorious smell of earth surrounding me.
I adored visiting my Grandparents’ garden in southern England, helping them water large pots brimming with bright pink fuchsias, and oh my, the heady-smell of my Grandpa’s greenhouse full of tomatoes was something else! We spent many gorgeous days sowing seeds, cutting flowers, harvesting vegetables. My Granny was a huge inspiration, teaching me how to grow, arrange and press flowers. My Mum also has a talent for gardening and I recall feeling very pleased with myself when aged 6 she gave me my own little area to cultivate in our small suburban garden – although I think it was always rather wild and unkempt!
After studying at university, I started an office-based job as a data analyst. I always felt a little lost in the corporate world, and whilst I had a ‘good job’, I felt far from fulfilled. Shortly before my 30th birthday, I became unwell, and found myself admitted into hospital. I was subsequently diagnosed with a chronic illness called ulcerative colitis. It has been a journey adapting to living with an illness that impacts my daily life, but reflecting on it now, it gave me the push I needed to put myself first, re-find myself and pursue a lifestyle that nurtured my soul. There was never any doubt in my heart that my calling was to work with nature and flowers.
My husband and I moved to a house in the Worcestershire countryside with a lovely big garden (albeit it was mostly mud when we arrived!), and I started to put my stamp on it straight away. Shortly after, my Granny passed away, and in her memory I pressed the first forget-me-not flower to bloom in the garden; the stunning tiny blue flowers are a symbol of remembrance, everlasting love and devotion.
My love of flower pressing was reignited and this poignant moment marked the start of my Meadow and Thyme journey.
The once neglected garden has now been turned into a nature-filled haven. It has without doubt helped me to heal and I feel so grounded there, deeply connected to nature and Mother Earth.
The Meadow and Thyme garden is predominantly grown for nature and wildlife, and in return it gifts me with a bounty of enchanting flowers to pick and press, allowing me to preserve an array of flowers and use them to create pressed flower artwork.
My artwork is a celebration of the beauty of nature, inspired by the garden and natural landscapes such as wild meadows. I traditionally and sustainably slow-press all of the flowers I use in my pieces using gorgeously tactile wooden flower presses. Wildflowers are my favourite blooms to work with – their simple, flowing forms mean they press well, and it’s wonderful to be able to elevate flowers that are often overlooked, and highlight how breathtakingly beautiful they can be – imagine a piece of artwork full of buttercups, daisies, Queen Anne’s lace and grasses, their stems meandering across one another, dancing on the canvas – a moment in time, preserved.
I also create pieces celebrating the elegance and intricacies of single flower types, pairing each with a stunning vintage frame. I am always charmed by flowers with pretty meanings and those surrounded by folklore, and this inspired me to start encasing symbolic pressed flowers in gorgeous vintage lockets, each with its own special story to tell.
My work is always led by the garden – if I have an abundance of a particular flower then it will feature heavily in my artwork, and in contrast, if a plant provides only a few precious blooms, I won’t pick them, they’ll be left for the wildlife and I’ll hope that more grow the following year (they often do, as I encourage self-seeding around the garden – it’s great finding surprise new plants!).
I love anything with character – a curvy stem, a little nibble out of a leaf, a quirky petal shape, and searching for these treasures immerses me even further into my surroundings, allowing me to appreciate and connect with every element of the garden: details that many would never notice. I embrace every season in the garden, there’s always something to press – favourites include vibrant forget-me-nots in Spring, stunning scented sweet peas in Summer, inspiring colourful leaves in Autumn and the interesting forms of mistletoe in Winter.
2026 is set to be a very special year for me, as it marks the release of my debut book, The Pressed Flower Handbook. The book will teach readers how to traditionally press flowers and provide inspiration for creating unique pressed flower pieces, whilst also encouraging readers to slow down, notice the beauty that is all around them, and develop a deeper connection to the natural world.
The book is set to the seasonal rhythms of the Meadow and Thyme garden and contains stunning photography of the garden, nature and pressed flowers; I hope it will bring comfort and promote calm, mindful moments, whilst also boosting wellbeing through the gentle act of flower pressing.
It feels so special to create artwork with flowers that I’ve grown and nurtured, and each piece really is created with so much love and a deep connection to my materials. I’m truly grateful for my garden – it is the medium for my artwork, a space to unwind, a calming place to help restore my health, and the motivation I need to get outside even on days where I don’t feel my best.
I can’t wait for The Pressed Flower Handbook to be published, allowing me to share my processes and passion with the world. I hope my lovely Granny would be proud of me – it feels as though she is with me on my journey, always.
What a delightful read, thank you Sarah for sharing your story with us. I’m inspired by the idea of preserving tiny glimpses of nature as little reminders of moments in our lives. I’m excited to see your book, I can see a new hobby coming! – Lyndsey | Editor
The Pressed Flower Handbook is available for pre-order now from all good book shops, published 2026 by Quarto: ‘Whether you’re new to flower pressing or returning to it with fresh eyes, The Pressed Flower Handbook invites you to engage deeply with the natural world—and to create beautiful things that last. It’s both a how-to guide and a celebration of sustainable creativity.’
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A story of scent-led memory and the nostalgia of a place we can call home.
A story of turning early inspiration into a thriving, thoughtful business.
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