Inspiration

On Sunday evening I decided to take another quick trip to Wisley so that I could see how the ice installation looked one week on.  Amazingly, the ice blocks were still standing, I guess because of the cold temperatures we’ve been having and, although the ice had changed slightly, the light was still shining through in quite a magical way…

It was great also to take another look at the light trail.  The coloured lights used really brought the trees to life, especially the mature specimens at the back of the Rock Garden.  Very frustratingly, I forgot to take the tripod with me so I’m afraid this is the best picture I have…

The picture I fear does not really capture the atmosphere of the display, but I hope it highlights how fabulous trees can look when lit, especially when they are stripped of their leaves.  Perhaps one of the most interesting things for me was that the trees at the back of the display (those that are blue in the above picture) looked really fabulous when they were lit with pink light, a colour that ordinarily I wouldn’t have considered for garden lighting.  The mixture of colours work here because they are at the heart of the display but there is no doubt in my mind that in a domestic garden setting it would just be too much!

From my point of view, visiting exhibitions like this really helps to get the creative juices flowing.  I always try to keep an open mind and consciously  take in what’s there.  Good or bad, I always come away with at least one thought about design and this alone makes it well worth the effort I made to go in the first place!

I have been trying to get to the Wisley Festival of Light for the past 2 years and was very pleased to have finally made it on Wednesday evening.  The lingering snow on the ground and cold temperatures really made it magical and exciting, reminding me very much of how I felt as a child when Christmas was just around the corner. Read more

Now that the autumn leaves have almost gone, and the snow has arrived somewhat early, I don’t feel quite so bad talking about the winter, which now feels very much upon us! Read more

I spent a glorious sunny afternoon at RHS Garden Wisley on Friday.  The light was fantastic with the low sun and it really highlighted how some plants come into their own at this time of year. Read more

I am very excited to tell you that I have recently undertaken a course in Colour Psychology with Bernay Laity, Creative Director of In:Colour.  I can honestly say that, as well as changing the way I approach my design work, my new found knowledge of colour and peoples responses to it has completely changed my life. Read more

1.  Sheffield Park Gardens, East Sussex – informal landscape that was originally laid out by Capability Brown in the 18th Century.  Rare trees and shrubs provide stunning colour in Autumn. Read more

My parents own a nursery (plants that is!) in Forton, Somerset, and this weekend was the Taunton Flower Show so I went down to help out.  It’s really hard work, but has a great buzz and is a brilliant opportunity to promote the nursery. Read more