NATURAL DREAMS

Outdoor sanctuaries

Have outside space; will be free. Extend beyond the four walls of your home by opening things up, living the natural life and building a recharging escape for yourself. Get your pulse running with a heavenly sanctuary garden soon to be launched at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and take advice on creating a sanctuary from local design and construction experts...

Manicured lawns, tidy flower beds, exotic blooms, fenced patios and hanging display baskets are absolutely not on the agenda for the new Sanctuary Garden by Hamptons, to be created for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show from 23–28 May. Hamptons is the principal sponsor of the show garden – a tranquil and sensory garden in which to relax and unwind – partnering with award-winning designer Tony Woods from Garden Club London and working in collaboration with Koto, an architectural and design studio.

The concept draws on the rise in flexible working and working from home, which has brought an increased desire for space, especially outdoor and garden space. This garden sanctuary has been designed to reflect the desire to incorporate the garden as a living area, a place to step away from the home environment into the outdoors where you will be distracted by the sights, scent and sounds of nature, nurturing creativity, positivity and calm. Tony Woods from Garden Club London comments: “The garden will be a celebration of the small domestic green spaces which have taken on extra importance in the last few years. Designed with sustainability at its heart it’s a tranquil and sensory garden with a work/leisure space that creates separation from everyday life while increasing living space and adding extra value both in terms of lifestyle and property value.

To complete the scene, Koto Design has created an iconic carbon neutral garden cabin nestling into the garden setting as a space to read, work or just sit and enjoy. The small, sculptural structure is designed to function as a place of seclusion and meditation, an immersive space to connect with the surrounding power of nature and plants. Zoe Little, co-founder of Koto Design, comments “Working collaboratively with Tony and his team we have sensitively paired the stunning garden with a considered space designed for multi-uses. A sanctuary that ultimately connects you nature while delivering a carbon neutral building.”

Under the canopy of pine and birch trees the sound of water gently trickles through the garden. The charred timber exterior (shou-sugi-ban) draws from Japanese design influence and the ancient Japanese philosophy Wabi Sabi, focused on accepting the transient nature of life and the beauty in imperfection. The structure frames immersive views of the garden.

Rounded glacial boulders and natural stepping stones contrast with the building and provide an intentional way to slow the journey to the cabin, through the planting and across the moving water. Boundaries of Fagus sylvatica (beech) hedging and charred larch panels provide a foil to show off the stunning bark of the Betula nigra (water birch) and Pinus sylvestris (Scot’s pine).

The garden is rich in pollinating plants with water for wildlife and densely planted trees to encourage birds. Sweetly scented favourites including phlox and Syringa (lilac) repeat through the planting to provide clouds of scent as the visitor meanders through.

Turning the vision into reality

Sam Selby, Selby Landscapes; selbylandscapes.com “Our business has seen a dramatic increase in people wanting to use the garden as an extension of their home or as an alternative working space as more people appreciate the benefits of working from home. The last two years have opened people’s eyes, too, to what’s right in front of them. In this case it’s gardens: open space, fresh air and calm.

“A garden workspace means that here are no noisy commutes, no polluted road rides, just a 30-second walk, coffee in hand, through plants and fresh air to a peaceful sanctuary where your productivity is likely to be way better than in a busy office. On your way you can

take a moment to stop and crush the lavender between your fingers, watch the birds hopping down the fence and take some deep breaths of fresh air before you start your working day. These spaces can also be used to exercise in or to relax in after hours, and lunch breaks can now be spent with family or in the fresh air, rather than queueing up for the office microwave.

“We often get asked to build outdoor rooms or sheltered entertainment areas, whether that’s for al fresco eating with friends on a balmy summer’s afternoon, somewhere private to play your drum kit or a fire pit to gather round on a cold winter’s evening.

“The possibilities of these spaces are endless, and very rewarding, and there are many construction options. Many of our big suppliers do off-theshelf shelters with built-in lighting and electric blinds. Bespoke made-tomeasure buildings can also be installed so whatever space you have, something amazing can be done to maximise usage. You can try cladding the outside with local timber or green walls to blend in with the surroundings, or go for a contrast with composite tongue and groove.

Crisp contemporary blends perfectly with Georgian history in this walled garden.by Selby Landscapes

“The garden sanctuary project at Chelsea Flower Show this year sums up this growing trend perfectly. A green nook, nestled in the dappled shade of overlooking birch trees, reached by a peaceful stroll through the garden. This should be a lesson to all of us to slow down, breathe, work with what we’ve got and appreciate what is right in front of us.”

Create a sanctuary with a summerhouse

Ben McPhee, Garden Affairs; gardenaffairs.co.uk “Managing the constant demands of a fast-moving world, many of us are looking for a place of escape, somewhere to embrace the simple comforts of nature, reflect on the good things in life and restore our energy. So what better way is there to do this than with your own peaceful retreat, tucked away from the hectic pace of indoor life? If you’ve got a garden with some extra space to be creative with, then now could be just the time to embrace the onset of spring and find your own summerhouse garden sanctuary.

“The beauty of the summerhouse is its ability to add a charming aesthetic to your outdoor space, without dominating it. Our small and unpretentious garden buildings, with echoes of the Victorian folly or oriental pavilion, will bring an eye-catching yet subtle extra detail to your garden. Because of their diminutive size (a footprint of around five square metres is typical), it’s easy to tuck them away, almost unnoticed, in a tranquil, perhaps forgotten, outdoor spot, the perfect location for your garden sanctuary.

“With a pleasing symmetry and built from natural materials, the summerhouse is a popular choice for a garden retreat –it’s easy and relatively inexpensive to set up, and fits so comfortably with a natural environment.

“These exquisitely crafted buildings come in a selection of shapes and sizes, from rectangular and corner to the eight-sided Prima Lilac summerhouse (ideal for smaller gardens), or the ten-sided Wraysbury, if you’re after a larger entertainment space.

“A summerhouse is a perfect space in which allocate some precious time to yourself, giving you that enervating yet chilled feeling of being inside in the outdoors, protected by timber and glass, immersed only in your thoughts and the warm aromas of the wood surrounding you.”

Choosing the right summerhouse

Ben McPhee, Garden Affairs; gardenaffairs.co.uk It’s not difficult to find a low-priced summerhouse, but if you’re after something that looks good and has a long life, then there are a few important guiding points:

• Choose the right timber – slow-grown is more durable. • Invest in double-glazed windows and doors – they’ll help reduce moisture levels. • Generous double doors will allow you to let the outside in when the weather permits. • Add some style with a tongue and groove floor. • Remember: location, location, location. Be sure to find the best spot in your garden, with a view to inspire and restore you, and as much privacy as you can get. • Get professional help where necessary – our summerhouses can be installed by our in-house experts. n • Find out more about Garden Affairs summerhouses: gardenaffairs.co.uk

Octagonal Summerhouse by Garden Affairs

Garden design by Selby Landscapes