Located among busy streets, high-rise buildings and hasty crowds is Melanie Bernadsky’s flower abode. Bernadsky is the designer and co-owner of Freshcut Downtown. Her journey with flowers started when she was 16, and there’s been no looking back ever since.

Located in the Portage Place mall, Freshcut brands itself as “an everyday luxury, something green and natural in the concrete jungle of downtown.”

“I find (downtown Winnipeg) diverse, challenging, and it feels like home,” Bernadsky says. She is actively involved with the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ and loves the 9-to-5 business crowd.

After running her business for more than two decades, Bernadsky switched gears and started conducting workshops throughout the city.

“Beer & Botany is our most popular (workshop) with plants. We also do wreaths during the Christmas time and other things throughout the year.”

Bernadsky says the workshops help generate extra energy during the quiet pockets in the winter months and keeps the store abuzz.

Freshcut’s bright colour palette is in contrast with Bernadsky’s duplex home, which has earthy tones with subtle hues of green adding to its natural feel and warmth.

“I’ve been living here for over 10 years. I had the chance to do a cleanout and renovate three years ago when I moved to the ground floor.”

As a homeowner, Bernadsky is big on repurposing old items. Her place reflects a mix of both old and new things. A lot of pieces in her home are family antiques, such as her grandmother’s hope chest, beautiful teacups and glassware from her mother’s wedding luncheon.

“I’m a big fan of using things, trying to get a little creative and a little eclectic.”

Vintage Bloom

“This is my grandmother’s lamp.”

Something Old

“I’ve got a green, retro water jug, I remember, from when I was 10 from my mom. Now I’ve put some wooden spoons in them.”

The Photo

“This picture is from Dirty Donkey, an obstacle-course race. I like to stay active, and that’s why I have put a head-to-toe dirt picture in my bathroom, as suggested by my friend.”

The Sacrosanct

“This is something I invested in that I love. It goes in the house and in the store with me.”

The next Beer & Botany workshop takes place  on Sept. 8 at ManyFest.

Published in Volume 74, Number 1 of The Uniter (September 5, 2019)