We went along to Grand Designs Live, one of the best shows to go and get home or garden inspiration. The focal point for us are always the show gardens, it’s always interesting to see what will be representing the latest trends. This year’s brief was one word: contrast. This has been interpreted in very different ways by all four of the designers. Take a look and read our thoughts below:
Gardens by Grace
The concept behind this garden is that we experience both light and dark, happiness and sadness throughout life, and this garden represents an ever changing mood. You can look at the garden from the perspective of elevation or descent, with the eye drawn upwards towards the glass throne or down towards the murky pool and dark living wall. We love the pop of orange colour at the top, which would be a welcome splash of brightness throughout the seasons. It’s hard to tell from the pictures but the tree also has little glass apples hanging from the branches as a reference to the bliss of the garden of Eden. These are a quirky little extra that adds even more character to the garden.
Lace Landscapes Ltd
Somehow you can tell that designer Tatyana Shynkarenko used to be a mathematician, with this structured, symmetrical garden. Looking front on there’s a strong use of block colour, and it’s great to see something other than a shed or fence with a lick of paint! The designer follows the principles of earth, fire, air and light. Behind the green foreground there is a parallel pool that you can see from the side, and twinkling lights in the wall.
The Garden Designer
This garden by Liam Sapsford showcases a number of the latest trends in gardening like colour accents, living walls and big bold containers. The dark grey of the bench and containers contrasts nicely against the reclaimed wood used in the post and stumps, with the purple flowers spilling over adds an extra texture.
Cultivate Design
Designer Jennifer Huckstep had a professional couple in mind who need a place to relax and find balance in their busy lives. The decorative screen provides a private space, whilst the water wall is a focal point that draws the two sections together. This is perfect for an urban setting where there is limited space, and for the environmentally minded all the materials came from sustainable sources.
One of the big trends for 2016 was bold colour, and whilst there are blocks of colour in large panels or swathes of flowers, there is only one garden that uses something a bit more unusual. Similarly it was predicted that lighting would be a big feature for this year but only Lace Landscape Ltd have included any lights. Maybe the fact that it is indoors is a factor! Take a read of our trend report to see how they compare.
What do you think of the designs? Can you see yourself copying any of the ideas for your own garden?
