A room with the view
Above: A Space Within
Above: Absolute Garden
Above: Baltic to Burren
Above: Dragonflies and Flutterbies
Wikipedia’s definition: “A trend is something that becomes popular within mainstream society over a period of time. It is the direction of a sequence of events that has some momentum and durability.” Dry and boring definition, don’t you think? Simpler way to explain trend is: “a new development“in any aesthetic area.
Garden Design as an area of design and as increasingly important industry is prone to changes and influenced by other design areas, trends and human needs.
Even though we are lately more aware of the nature around us, and fashion in garden design is creeping towards return to the wild, trend of designing outdoor rooms in our gardens is still evident and is continuing to flourish.
Above: Hampton Court Flower Show’07
Above: Hampton Court Flower Show’07
Above: Bloom’07. “Five Senses Garden”
In my opinion, there are two main reasons for this.
Most of us find ourselves living in cities and towns, fighting for the space. It’s getting harder to walk on the street passing all those people, to find a parking spot, to create enough space in the house so to make our home comfortable for us. We feel a need to expand our breathing space out in to the open keeping all the comforts of our home.
In this materialistic world we are living in, modern man is proud and showy. We are eager to create personal space that will accommodate all our needs, but which will also be a symbol of our style and success. Creating our bespoke interior space is not enough; we want our garden to match the style of our indoor living space.
As a result of these needs and requirements, an outdoor room garden is created. Through time, from long into the past, people loved to spend time in the garden. To be able to feel comfortable like in your living room, and be outdoors in the same time! Think of the Romans and Greeks; remember Moorish gardens, Mediterranean long fiestas. Outdoor room – garden is all but new thought, but still a trendy as ever.
Above: Bloom’07. “Harmony With Nature...Every Little Helps”
Above: Bloom’07.” In the spirit of a Formal Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden”
Above: Bloom’07.” Keelings Naturally Fresh Show Garden”
Idea is to follow interior design and style, and expand similar or same design theme out into the garden. An illusion of spacious, tasteful and original theme is created, one unbroken living space.
Foundation of this idea is most easily achieved by using hard landscaping materials to match interior finishes. So for example, designer would use decking material to match colour and finish of the wooden flooring of the room that opens to the garden, thus creating visual effect of unity between areas.
Water is an important addition of this trend (as any!) in the garden. Water is adding texture, soothing sounds and freshness to the space. Positioning water feature so it could be enjoyed equally from inside and from the garden could be the strongest point of the design.
Another example would be matching colours and/or finishes of the interior walls to colours designer would use to render boundary walls, fences and such.
Palette of ideas and tricks to achieve this unity is endless. Let me just give you some ideas. Match fabric patterns, colours and finishes used in interior design, with those of garden furniture cushions, parasols, throws. Introduce outdoor curtains and screens to “dress up” garden, thus making it visually united with interior of the house.
Important to notice is that the design of the garden can work as an inspiration for the interior design. Texture, colour, pattern in the garden can be transported indoors too, even when interior is not to be remodelled for this purpose. Try using indoor plants that match those used in the garden planting scheme for example; plant them in containers with finish similar to those used in any material or finish in the garden.
All this is useful tool in creating bespoke and inspiring space, which would be a comfortable to live in, and would show client’s style and taste.
Above: Bloom’07.” Orchard Home & Garden”
Above: Bloom’07.” Outspace 1- Galleria”
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