The internet can be a strange and confusing place, but every once in a while it can be pretty wholesome. Pure, even. That was the case with the rise of September Studio in Sydney’s Darlinghurst. It started out as a space for founder Bryce Heyworth to host creatives, teach ceramics and explore his flourishing interest in flowers and their arrangement. As Heyworth got more and more into floral arrangements, he would post his increasingly intricate work to social media.

“The style of flowers that we do just seemed to resonate with people,” says Heyworth. “We’re not doing the same thing that everyone else is doing, and it gave us the creative freedom to build it into a brand.”

Heyworth’s bouquets have more in common with elaborate still-life paintings than they do to a typical bouquet. These beauties are their own ecosystems: elaborate floral collages that tell their own story – of place, of season, of emotion. And they’re often housed in intricate vases that only a lifelong ceramicist would know to pair with them. People have been noticing. Now, September Studio has well over a million followers and Heyworth and his flowers are sought after around Australia, and even the world.

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But with success comes stress, and it’s harder than ever for Heyworth to get to his purer places – from his home to his favourite spots around Sydney. We caught up with him to hear about how he’s finding a balance between work and play, and making time for the things that matter while still getting out there and going after his goals.

Making yourself at home

Heyworth uses his time at home to recharge and escape the chaos of the outside world. If you want to purify your space and make it more of a sanctuary, Heyworth suggests ¬– unsurprisingly – using flowers to brighten up your home space.

“There’s all sort of reasons that people buy flowers, whether it’s to decorate a space, or to elevate a mood, or even for times and sadness and reflection,” says Heyworth. “Florals, to me, change a space as much as hanging an art piece does.”

And the advantage of a floral arrangement is that it has a fleeting shelf life. It forces you to take stock of the beauty and enjoy it while you can. Plus, it’s a great way of experimenting with your home without the kind of long-term commitment that furniture and art bring.

“I love how temporary it is,” Heyworth says. “It makes you appreciate things while they’re there.”

His other biggest tip? Find somewhere with sun – or at least some natural light.

“We have a beautiful little sunroom that I sit in most days – just to read a book or watch the ferries go by on the water. I love it there.”

Making a ritual out of getting into nature

We all want to get out into nature more, and everyone always feel great after they do it. But it never seems to happen – some errand, some busywork, some distraction always takes priority.

So how does Heyworth find time among the craziness to keep getting out there? He schedules it like it’s an appointment, and he never misses it.

“Every Friday, I take my sailing boat out onto the harbour, rain, hail or shine,” he says. “I use it as a therapy; I’ll go out and sail with buddies at sunset, or I’ll take it to have a swim at Taronga. It just keeps me connected to the water and home, where I grew up on the coast.”

And if he’s not working or on the water, there are two other places where you’re likely to spot him. Heyworth uses nature to get out of his own head and find a pure place, so the first is the Royal National Park, where he’ll sneak away for a bushwalk and a swim whenever he can. But sometimes he needs the total opposite – needing peace, calm and quiet, to spend time with his own thoughts – so, unconventionally, his purest place is where he works every day: September Studio.

“I know it sounds weird, but my studio is definitely a place where I relax,” Heyworth says. “When we’re closed I’ll come in, make ceramics and just sit in the empty space, with no music, just to wind down.”

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Pure Blonde, from a place purer than yours. Drink responsibly, 18+ only.