If you are a regular reader of my blog you’ll know that I use colour psychology to enhance my design process.  When I meet new clients to take a full brief I ask them to put together a “mood board” before the meeting so that I can really understand what their personal style is and how this fits in with the colour seasons.  This series of images, textures and objects provides a platform for dicussion which helps to bring out elements of the brief that might otherwise remain unsaid.

When I worked with Fiona Humberstone at Flourish Studios to develop my new website, we went through exactly the same process so that we were sure that the design truly delivered the message I wanted it to.  Mood boards are a really effective tool to clearly present the things that motivate and switch us on.  I mention my website experience because I think it really demonstrates what I mean.

I hadn’t always felt uncomfortable with my initial website, but as my business progressed and moved forward I had started to feel that it didn’t really represent who I am as a designer.   I don’t have a picture of the home page to show you but I do have an old document cover which demonstrated where I was…

Putting together the mood board below painted a very clear picture of me and my business enabled the Flourish team to develop a website that truly feels my own.

…and look how brilliantly my new website fits in…

Using mood boards in the garden design briefing process works in the same way as it provides me with a snapshot of the things that motivate and excite my clients.  This picture not only provides information about their personal tastes but also gives me invaluable information about how their style and colour choices fit in with the world of colour psychology and in which direction the design of the garden should move.

Just before Christmas I was commissioned to produce a concept design for the front and back gardens of a small period cottage in Wimbledon.  The house is currently in the process of being renovated and because the back garden can only be accessed through the house, I needed to produce the design quickly so that the work in the garden could be carried out before work to the house moved inside. Read more

There’s always something to be getting on with in the garden, whatever the season, but in the deepest depths of January it’s often difficult to motivate yourself to get out there, especially when it’s grey and cold.  Read more

Well it’s almost here, Christmas that is.  If you have young children, they are no doubt beside themselves with excitement…I haven’t been a child for a long time, but I still remember not being able to sleep on Christmas Eve! Read more

I paid a last visit to my project in Sutton last week as the hard landscaping elements are now finished.  Because it’s a bit late in the season to plant, we have only been able to put the trees in, but the beds have been prepared ready for the rest of the planting to take place in the Spring. I thought I’d share the pictures I took.  This is the front garden… Read more

I’m always talking about English Garden Joinery and there’s a reason for that…they’re brilliant at what they do and they’re great to work with!  The best thing about them is their ability to take a concept idea and work with you to develop the design into something really amazing.  They also love a challenge so they’re very happy if the task in hand involves a bit of head scratching. Read more

I am very excited to announce that I have just launched a “Design Your Own Garden” workshop in conjunction with Melissa Merchant at MakeMe Workshops.  The first one is planned for Saturday 31st March 2012 and will take place at the Medicine Garden in Cobham, Surrey. Read more

Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’ is one of my favourite shrubs.  I love the colour and texture of the leaves, it’s neat domed habit and the fact that it provides interest in the garden all year round.  It’s a great plant to define pathway entrances and can also be used as a low growing hedge. Read more

Now that winter is well and truly on its way, it’s sometimes a challenge to find plants that will flower in your garden throughout the next few months. Read more

I made a site visit to my project in Sutton yesterday and it’s really starting to take shape now… Read more