The Quiet Botanist: Rebecca O’Donnell's Botanical Store in Hudson, NY
Photography courtesy of The Quiet Botanist. Taking a moment amongst the flowers is something that Rebecca O’Donnell mentions often when talking about the inspiration and mood of her transportive store, The Quiet Botanist in Hudson, New York. Before she and her family relocated from the city, looking for a slower-paced life, the Australian creative director’s days were a whirl of work and travel. The beautiful entrance to the store. Tables are bordered with mini dried flower bouquets or sage bundles that combine foliage and flowers with a sage smudge stick ($30). The Green Wild Wreath is $220. Rebecca describes herself as a constant gardener but also works closely with local growers in Stuyvesant, including Farmstead and Damsel Garden, who supply almost all the flowers except for some specimens, like banksia, that will not grow locally. Rebecca creates bespoke arrangements presented in handmade vessels such as this Signe Vase made by Brooklyn-based ceramicist, Sarah Donato; $320. From the botanical on the cover to the moody gold sleeve, and then the actual chocolate, which is sprinkled with petals. The Nature Lover botanical bar ($16.95) is a milk chocolate bar with hazelnut praline, dates, and bee pollen. A cloud of 25 to 30 stems of baby’s breath is $28. Mini bouquets and beautiful bunches lined up in the store. The floral theme extends to apothecary and home products, too, which are all natural and some organic, such as Corpus Naturals’ vegan cleansing bars ($22). The atmospheric interior makes visitors feel at home.