New Year, New mini series! I’ve been reflecting on my unconventional route into Garden Design, how my previous career in the art world has shaped the way I approach designing today. People talk about transferable skills and you might think it’s a bit of a leap, going from restoring Old Master paintings to designing gardens, but my time at the easel has turned out to be pretty invaluable 💚 I’d love to hear your career change stories - please share in the comments!
#gardendesigner #gardendesigneruk #careerchanger #paintingconservation #artrestorer #oldmasterpaintings #londongardendesigner #marlowgardendesigner
What an honour to be named Rising Star 2025 at House&Garden’s annual Design Awards at Christie’s last week. Thrilled to receive this accolade from category sponsor Emma Finch of Hector Finch Lighting and to be greeted on stage by the one and only Richard E. Grant. A pinch-me moment if ever there was! The stunning David Harber trophy has now taken pride of place in the studio - its sculptural form created from a bronze ribbon offcut from their signature spherical sundial.
I’m thankful beyond words to the team behind this fabulous publication - for their recognition and enthusiasm for my work. Privileged to share the stage with horticultural legends Sarah Price and Nigel Dunnett, as well as a wealth of talent from the interior design world - congratulations to them all 💚
Sponsor: @hectorfinchlighting
Trophy: @davidharbersculptures Main photo: @_sophia_spring_
Host: @houseandgardenuk@christiesinc@richard.e.grant
Special thanks to Gardens Editor @clarefostergardens for putting my name forward
Over the moon that Hestia Garden at The Plough Shiplake won its category at the SGD Awards 2025! Thanks to Hillier Nurseries for sponsoring the award and to David Harber Sculptures for the beautiful trophy. And to my friends at Vande Moortel for hosting me at their table 💚
#sgdawards2025 #sgdawards #pubgarden #gardendesignaward #awardwinninggardendesigner #henleyonthames #marlow #shiplake #landscapedesignawardwinningcompany
@societyofgardendesigners@hilliertrees@davidharbersculptures@brickworksvandemoortel@theploughshiplake
Studio outing to The Glasshouse Collective for hands-on material sourcing. Touching textures, comparing tones, understanding real finishes. Because specifying materials isn’t guesswork - it’s experience.
Real conversations about outdoor materials, buildability, design intent and technical excellence - thank you for hosting us Miles @miles_adezz Leigh @gradsystem_uk and Ryan @ryan_schellevis@the.glasshouse.collective
And we left with a boot full of samples to show our clients - natural stone, recycled concrete, Corten steel, solid timber decking and clay bricks. Because, honestly, we can never get enough of them!
#gardendesign #hardlandscaping #landscapedesigner
Weekend sketching… in the glasshouse. Where no one can find me.
No snack requests.
No “can you just…?”
No pumping up netballs.
My little escape. My reset.
And a new garden design concept drafted!
We all need a place to disappear to sometimes.
Where’s yours?👇
#gardendesign #landscapedesign #gardenlovers #designinspiration #creativeescape
It was such a pleasure to be back at The Plough Shiplake this Spring, this time to speak to a group about ecological planting design. There’s something really energising about how these discussions unfold and I really enjoy the process. It was a bonus to see the Amelanchiers in blossom in the garden too! These fabulous specimens were supplied to us four years ago by @deepdaletrees #plantingdesign #ecologicalgardening #gardendesigner
First light, first task!
I mostly keep this space for gardens, but every so often something else earns a share. A frosty morning, everyday moments, kids on breakfast duty, and the all-important job of breaking the ice on the water trough 💚
What’s your first job of the day?
#WinterMorning #lifebeyondthestudio #everydayrituals #ruralmoments #backyardanimals
2025 asked a lot of me…
Ending much as it started, on the sunny south coast, there was time to reflect on some incredible moments: winning an SGLD award, being named House & Garden Rising Star, and building gardens for clients who chose me for my design ethos. New connections, meaningful conversations, and the steady growth of the studio - allowing me to take on more, while still maintaining design authenticity.
And then there was the loss: my mum. Learning how life keeps moving - because it has to - and how you learn to move with it. Making time for those who need me, and for what really matters 🤍
Holding all of this as I step into a new year. Grateful for good friends, my little family and our four-legged companions. Hello 2026. Happy New Year, everyone!
#YearInReview #HoldingItAll #LifeLately #fourleggedfriends
12 DAYS OF WOW: Garden transformation Number 12 💚 A closer look at the Marlow courtyard garden and proof that even the smallest space can be transformed through bold, imaginative design. Abundant planting and semi-mature trees add depth and scale, making the garden feel twice its size, while a considered palette of materials and bespoke details like our integrated bench, create an inviting garden that feels effortlessly connected to its surroundings. Photographed here at its fullest in late summer 💚
FOLLOW and ♥️ to keep in touch!
Project: Courtyard Garden, Marlow Photograph (After): Emily Marshall @emilyr.marshall
#gardentransformation
#beforeandafter
#courtyardgarden
12 DAYS OF WOW: our garden transformation round-up for December 💚 Number 11: carpark to garden!
Corten steel was used for bespoke features in the dining garden at The Plough, defining each zone. From the seating around the fire bowl, to a drinks area centred on the fire beacon, to the dining bar at the outdoor kitchen. Chosen for its longevity, the material also references the character of old farmyard machinery, creating a subtle link to the pub’s namesake, The Plough 💚
PLEASE HIT ♥️ TO SEE MORE FROM US!
Project: Hestia Garden at The Plough Shiplake @theploughshiplake
Photographs: Alister Thorpe @alistergthorpe
#gardentransformation #gardendesignoxfordshire
#bespokegardendesign
💚 12 DAYS OF WOW: Garden transformation Number 10 💚 A favourite small back garden project that demonstrates the power of plants. Using deep beds next to a boundary fence makes a garden feel bigger, creating a sense of privacy and enclosure - the perfect spot for a seating area 💚
Enjoying our Before & After reveals? Please hit ❤️
Project: Courtyard Garden, Marlow
Photograph (After): Jason Ingram @jasoningram
#gardentransformation #beforeandaftergarden #smallgardenideas
💚 12 DAYS OF WOW: Garden transformation Number 9 💚 Paths and routes! The main garden on this site was to the side of the house, leaving a narrow strip along the back. Our aim here was to make the walkway feel like part of the garden - every inch counts in a small garden like this! My clients are always amazed at the difference planting makes and here we packed in as many as possible: a biodiverse mix of grasses, perennials and small shrubs to green up those walls 💚
Please ❤️ to see more small garden design inspo from us!
Project: Courtyard Garden, Marlow
Photograph (Terrace, After): Emily Marshall @emilyr.marshall
#gardentransformation #beforeandaftergarden #smallgardenideas
