About Animula

Animula loosely translates as ‘piece of soul’ or ‘little soul’. This one little word helps articulate what home means to so many of us.

Home isn’t simply bricks and mortar, it’s a feeling. A sense of belonging, calm and comfort. That feeling of home is universal. It goes beyond four walls, and expands across the patchwork fields and woodlands, right to the tip and down to the toes of the United Kingdom.

Celebrating home

The things we have scattered throughout our homes aren’t simply objects of use or beauty, but what makes a house, well, our home. Those collections of items and oddbobs in our homes are collections of memories, mementos and heartfelt choices. Home is a celebration of who we are, our lives, and how we’ve chosen to live it.

Design heritage

The U.K. has a rich history of craftmanship and design that has long celebrated our coasts, mountains and moors. Some traditions should be cherished, and the tradition of craftmanship is one we hold dear.

Animula Stores is proud to support the talented makers and artists found in all corners of the U.K. I firmly believe that these industries of craftmanship will only continue to flourish if we value and support them. That’s why you’ll only find products made here, in the U.K at Animula.

Let me introduce myself

Hello, I’m Róisín, the founder of Animula Stores.

I was extremely fortunate to grow up in an area of outstanding natural beauty in North Yorkshire. I had no neighbours, my family home was nestled away in a valley with woods, streams and fields to play in. Not many people can relate to herding milk cows back into the fields on your walk home from school, but I loved being surrounded by nature.

The morning I moved out I cried at the thought that I may never live anywhere as secluded or as beautiful again. As the birds sung and the trees swooshed and swayed I packed the car and moved to Manchester.

One short year later I moved to Sweden to become an au pair. This is where I began to understand what made the U.K. unique and beautiful. I could appreciate it more at a distance.

Since moving back to Manchester over 8 years ago now, I got Wilma, my cat, and I met my Husband, Tom. We both need our nature fix, so regularly escape to Wales for long walks and a respite from the city. In our home, food is everything, maybe it’s the Irish in me, but you will be fed!

I always knew I wanted flowers to be a part of Animula. I think it’s the act of bringing the outside in that I love so much. For me flowers offer a connection to nature and the seasons, this has always grounded me. So, training as a florist was a natural fit.

So, welcome to Animula Stores. A celebratory place of home, nature, tradition, and slowing down to enjoy what’s truly important.

Come in. Make yourself at home. I’ll pop the kettle on.

Love Róisín x