HOW TO YOUR OUTDOOR UPDATE SPACE
As our gardens increasingly become an invaluable extension of our lives at home, we asked three experts to share their design and style secretsé
“I hate it when people rip out established shrubs to put down a boring lawn, or worse – a concrete patio ”
SELINA LAKE STYLIST
Creating a garden that serves as an outdoor room has never been so important, but how to make the best of what you have? We asked three experts – a landscape architect, a stylist and a garden centre owner – to share their knowledge…
WHAT’S TRENDING FOR GARDENS NOW?
‘Lots of people are looking to create a liveable garden – another room of their home,’ says Nigel North, owner of Middlecombe Nursery. ‘Outdoor kitchens, built-in seating, striking architectural plants and interesting features are all regular customer conversations.’ Landscape architect Victoria Wade has seen a rise in the outdoor kitchen, too: ‘People are also wanting to be more connected to nature, to make their gardens eco-friendly to attract wildlife, which is fantastic,’ she says. Stylist and author Selina Lake believes we all need an outdoor sofa: ‘somewhere that’s comfy and stylish to chill out.’
HOW DO I TAKE MY INTERIOR STYLE OUTSIDE?
‘Choose items in similar colours, materials and aesthetics,’ says Selina. ‘For example, I love a Scandi look inside and out.’ Victoria takes things one step further: ‘There are no rules to say you can’t use indoor furniture outside as long as it’s robust and you don’t mind bringing it in when it rains. I take cushions and blankets from our living room to the patio.’ If your style is more minimal, then as Nigel explains, you can use topiary, small hedges and block paving. ‘This echoes the clean lines of a modern home.’
WHAT DECORATING IDEAS WORK OUTDOORS?
‘Think of your outdoor spaces as rooms and style them just as you
would inside,’ says Victoria. ‘Cluster lanterns, use lighting creatively, style cushions and blankets, lay a rug, as well as using beautiful tableware.’ Nigel says to think of those unique features of your home and transfer them outside: ‘Just as you’d buy a mirror or piece of art, do the same for outside. Look at gardenalia sections of garden centres, where you’ll find architectural and agricultural salvage items that create style and interest within a planting scheme or on a patio.’ A word of advice from Selina: ‘Think practically – solar lighting, washable textiles and metal lanterns that still look good even when they begin to rust.’
HOW DO I CONNECT THE SPACES INSIDE AND OUT?
‘Hard surfaces either side of doorways laid with similar (or the same) materials in terms of colour and texture give a seamless feel, while planted pots placed next to patio doors can give the impression the garden is starting inside,’ says Nigel. ‘Houseplants reinforce the link between indoor and out.’ Look at paving options, agrees Victoria: ‘There are some fantastic porcelain products that have both indoor and outdoor options in exactly the same size and colour so you can get a seamless transition from one to the other. I’d also choose colours in the planting that complement your interior – flowers that are similar to artwork, for example, will help to connect the spaces.’
SHOULD I MATCH PLANTING TO MY HOME’S EXTERIOR STYLE?
‘Not necessarily,’ says Selina.
‘You can create different styles in different parts of your garden with planting. At the bottom of our garden, where the shed is, the look is cottage, with lots of perennial
plants in a herbaceous border, which fits the style of our Victorian home, but then we have a meadow area that feels more prairie than suburban, leading to a Mediterranean-style patio with olive trees, rosemary and lavender, then on to decking that has a mid-century feel, with an amazing wisteria. What ties these elements together is the materials: galvanised metal, rusted plant supports, and the shed, pots and decking all painted black.’
Nigel thinks a garden should reflect you and your needs, ‘not the building that adjoins the space.’ Victoria though, thinks there should be some unity, especially if you are starting from scratch: ‘If you are in an urban setting, go for more architectural planting, or if you’re in a more rural spot, then taking inspiration from the surrounding countryside can help anchor the garden into the landscape.’
LAWN OR NO LAWN? WHAT ABOUT ARTIFICIAL GRASS?
‘In the right setting, artificial grass is great – we use it a lot in small gardens, particularly where the clients have kids and want them to be able to play outside year round – a small lawn used heavily all year will turn into a patch of mud pretty quickly in a wet winter. Personally, I love a real lawn and I like to embrace those weeds that grow into it, too,’ says Victoria. ‘In our garden, which is nearly finished,
I’m going to sow low-flowering wildflowers, such as daisies, clover, bird’s-foot trefoil and speedwell along with grass seed to create our lawn. I really hope my daughter enjoys making daisy chains and
“I’m not a fan of perfect ultra-slick gardens that are designed more for looking at from the house rather than for spending time in”
VICTORIA WADE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT
looking for a four-leafed clover as much as I did when I was little.’ Selina agrees: ‘A real lawn is so good for wildlife, looks natural all-year-round… plus, you get the scent of freshly cut grass.’ Both real and artificial need work though, as Nigel explains: ‘Environmental issues aside, a faux lawn still requires maintenance in terms of weeding and cleaning.’
WHAT’S TRENDING FOR BORDERS AND BEDS?
Wild planting, with lots of lush greens and bee-friendly flowers and the ability to grow-your-own cut flowers, according to both Victoria and Selina. While at Nigel’s nursery, he’s noticed sales of ferns and foliage plants are on the rise, ‘along with perennials and shrubs with big bold colour, such as lupins, dahlias, azaleas and hydrangeas.’ ‘There’s also an increased interest in growing edibles,’ adds Victoria.
HAS DECKING HAD ITS DAY?
‘Traditional wood decking, maybe,’ says Nigel. ‘Many of us have found its lifespan to be considerably shorter than expected. This is where composite decking has certainly come to the fore, as it offers improved longevity and durability.’ Victoria advises to look out for eco credentials on composite decking: ‘It’s often made from recycled materials.’ Selina prefers giving old timber a new look with a wood stain. ‘If buying new, do your research first,’ she says,
‘as there are so many woods to choose from.’
WHAT PAVING STYLE WILL LAST BEST?
‘Trends come and go,’ says Nigel. ‘In terms of durability, natural stone laid well could last 100 years with periodic maintenance, while cheap paving slabs laid poorly could need redoing in 10 years.’ Victoria loves a natural look: ‘A clay paver path or a gorgeous York stone patio with moss growing in the gaps – for me, it’s all about the rustic natural materials that will last for years.’ Selina would go for reclaimed bricks or bound gravel every time.
HOW CAN I MAKE IT BOTH FAMILY-FRIENDLY AND STYLISH?
‘You don’t need to fill your space with enormous play kit to make it fun for the kids,’ says Victoria. ‘We love designing natural play spaces incorporated into planting areas – using logs and tree stumps as climbing structures and balance beams. If you have a tree you could build a tree house. If a trampoline is a must, you can always sink it into the ground to make it more subtle.’ For Selina, it’s all about creating boundaries: ‘Screen off play areas and invest in stylish storage boxes to tidy away the toys.’
WHAT SHOULD I REPLACE MY OLD FURNITURE WITH?
Victoria loves a built-in area around a firepit, positioned where you’ll catch the evening sun, while Nigel says to choose furniture that will last. ‘There are too many products on the market that aren’t built to last. They might give instant
gratification for a season or two, but not much longer. Good quality wood furniture that’s maintained and sheltered in winter is my preferred option. Even old wooden and industrial seating can be repurposed.’ Selina agrees: ‘Yes, try making your own from recycled materials, such as breeze blocks and reclaimed planks.’
HOW CAN I MAKE MY GARDEN ECO FRIENDLY?
‘There are a number of ways you can take a positive approach to this,’ says Nigel. ‘Use organic fertilisers and natural solutions to garden pests and diseases. Reusing plant pots, reducing plastic use within the garden, and using more eco-friendly paints will all help, too.’ Selina agrees: ‘The trick is to choose items made from natural materials that will eventually biodegrade, or from metal or glass that can be easily recycled.’ Victoria also encourages planting trees for birds, choosing bee and pollinator-friendly flowers and avoiding chemicals.
“I love to see people being creative in their gardens – no matter what the outcome; it’s good for mental and physical wellbeing, spending time with family or friends” NIGEL NORTH MIDDLECOMBE NURSERY