Rose & Lee: A Curated Collection of Home, Flowers and Gifts

Rose & Lee began as an interiors and furniture store and has evolved significantly over the years, especially during the pandemic. The shift in focus has transformed it into a vibrant lifestyle store. Now, owner Fiona offers a diverse range of products, including homewares, clothing, gifts and even floristry. Rose & Lee has become a comprehensive lifestyle destination where you can find everything you need.

Fiona’s journey to owning her store was shaped by her background in antiques, working alongside her father. She reflects, “I’ve always worked in this world; even while pursuing my master’s degree, I worked in the events space. It felt like my natural habitat.” Over time, Rose & Lee has changed a lot from its original focus on handmade sofas and reupholstery to a more diverse lifestyle store. Fiona observed that customers now prefer spending up to £50 on themselves, so rather than waiting for customers to make bigger one-off purchases, Fiona decided to shift towards a broader range of products and a larger customer base.

Transitioning from corporate finance to managing a lifestyle store was surprisingly smooth for Fiona. Although she previously worked 90-hour weeks across the country and often felt disconnected from home, she notes, “The hours haven’t changed much. I probably work seven days a week now, but my passion for what I do makes it all worthwhile.”

“Everyone just sees me playing with really nice flowers or buying nice clothes, but there’s a lot that happens behind the scenes,” Fiona shares. She runs the store alone with occasional help from freelancers, based on demand. She also handles many events with floristry. “My dad recently passed away, so I think it’s given me a real kick up the backside to keep hold of the store, and it’s really made me feel this is where I am meant to be. I was brought up in the antiques business, so it’s something that I know I’m passionate about and something that I can crossover with my Italian heritage because that’s where I learned.”

Fiona has a house in Italy that she visits regularly. “I’m able to spend time in the area where we worked, and my dad built that up over 30 years.” She is fluent in Italian and conducts antique tours from her family farmhouse in the heart of Tuscany, where Michelangelo was born. Guests can stay there and join her on exclusive tours to antique fairs and hidden gems that are off the beaten path. Fiona takes care of shipping the best finds back home through her trusted contacts. The farmhouse also boasts a thermal spa right behind the house and is near some incredible dining options. Fiona’s tours offer a delightful three or four-day adventure, blending luxury with exceptional vintage and antique shopping, all while staying within a reasonable budget.