LITTLE IDYLLS Transform your outdoor space with help from the experts

LITTLE IDYLLS

GARDEN EXPERTS AND STYLE MAKERS ON HOW TO TRANSFORM OUTDOOR SPACES

THE RUSTIC FINISHES OF RECLAIMED MATERIALS ARE IDEAL FOR GARDEN SETTINGS. PAIR TARNISHED IRON TABLES WITH WEATHERED WOODEN BENCHES, SOFTENING THE LOOK WITH VINTAGE CUSHIONS AND THROWS.

ALEX COOKE, co-founder, Nkuku

PHOTOGRAPH (WATER FEATURE) ELLIE WALPOLE FEATURE ROHINI WAHI When embellishing the garden with decoration like a sculpture, consider its surroundings and the impact this may have on your overall design. Decorative items can both harmonise with their immediate surroundings in tone, texture and form or create a striking contrast. For example, a bright, bold reflective metal piece will both mirror its immediate environment and borrow character and charm from the planting and landscaping surrounding it.

DAVID HARBER, sculptor We often commission pieces by craftspeople to depict the character of the gardens we design. Here, a decorative woven willow panel is used to divide a formal lawn area from a meadow, with the swirling shapes within the willow work repeated in the meadow flowers. It is important to consider the detail within vertical elements, particularly in town gardens where boundaries and zones are often necessary.

HARRIET FARLAM, creative director, Farlam & Chandler

USING LIMEWASH PAINT ON A WALL CAN MAKE AN OUTSIDE SPACE SEEM MORE LIKE A ROOM. LIMEWASH AGES NATURALLY AND WITH ITS UNIQUE TEXTURE AND DEPTH OF COLOUR, IT WORKS BEAUTIFULLY WHEN USED AS A BACKDROP.

BRONWYN RIEDEL, co-founder, Bauwerk Colour Water is a wonderful element to incorporate. The magnificent scale of an antique limestone trough adds immediate importance to this garden. We framed it with a combination of climbing roses and an evergreen jasmine.

BUTTER WAKEFIELD, garden designer →

SCREENS ARE AN EXCELLENT WAY TO BUILD SANCTUARIES. BE CREATIVE, USING THEM TO SECTION OFF AREAS TO MAKE SPECIFIC RELAXATION ZONES. HOW ABOUT A KIDS-ONLY AREA AND A COSY SNUG FOR THE ADULTS?

SOPHIE BIRKERT, founder, Screen with Envy

For an outdoor table setting, I like to take inspiration from the surrounding landscape, bringing nearby flowers and greenery on to the table. By doing this, even with just a few stems, the whole garden becomes part of your design, you lose boundaries and also, importantly, your arrangements are working in harmony.

PHILIPPA CRADDOCK, florist

It’s the norm to paint outdoor details in harmonious colours to blend in with surroundings, but we love the idea of adding unique paint combinations for a more Mediterranean feel. Pair a piercing blue paint like Marine Blue on architectural details with a hit of bright sunshine yellow via plant pots painted in Mister David.

RUTH MOTTERSHEAD, creative director, Little Greene I like to sit as comfortably outside as I do inside and so I am not precious about piling up my block-printed cushions and scattering over the garden benches and chairs. I will also throw a tablecloth over the garden table and hold it down with jam jars full of bunches of herbs or flowers. My garden is mostly green and colourful cushions and cloths really pop in the summer sun, but do remember to bring them in at night.

MOLLY MAHON, designer

A DECORATIVE TENT IS A THEATRICAL BUT PRACTICAL WAY TO CREATE A LIVING SPACE THAT CAN BE LEFT UP DURING THE WARMER MONTHS. A TRADITIONAL INDIAN TEA TENT TAKES UNDER AN HOUR TO PITCH (YOU’LL NEED A METRE CLEARANCE AROUND THE TENT TO PEG IT DOWN).

NICKY MARKS, founder and MD, Raj Tent Club

Throughout the year, but especially in the warmer months, our gardens and outdoor spaces take on more meaning and become an extension of how we live. I like to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor by continuing a colour that I have used inside through to the outside. Add accessories in the same way you would inside –cushions, rugs, throws and even a banner of floaty fabric – you will be amazed at the difference it makes to your outdoor space.

TRICIA GUILD OBE, founder and creative director of Designers Guild

Alongside their main function of providing heat and atmosphere for a space, firepits can serve as a sculptural piece in your garden when lit or unlit. Handcrafted metal pits will age beautifully over time, creating an artistic focal point for people to gather around.

ANDREW WEBB, founder, Magma Firepits I LOVE USING MIRRORS IN ANY SCHEME TO OPEN UP SPACES, BRING MORE LIGHT IN AND TO ADD GLAMOUR. GARDENS ARE NO DIFFERENT AND IN FACT MIRRORS WITHIN GREENERY CAN ADD INTEREST AND INTRIGUE TO AN OUTDOOR SPACE. I LIKE THEM AS OLD SALVAGED WINDOWS WITH A PATINA – THE MORE A MIRROR LOOKS LIKE IT’S PART OF ITS SURROUNDINGS THE BETTER.

LINDA BORONKAY, interior designer

Incorporating decorative tiles into a garden scheme can create a transition from the house to the garden, particularly if the same tiles are used inside and out, and can help to define zones. Decorative tiles also work particularly well in small gardens and can be used on the floor and walls to create an inviting feature or outdoor room.

LEE THORNLEY, founder, Bert & May &