The RHS Chelsea Houseplant Studios proved that great design is all about the details. From clever glazing and atmospheric lighting to imaginative planting, colour and playful touches, these inspiring spaces showed how garden studios can become even more covetable. Here are six garden studio design ideas to take away.
Frame the view
The right window can be a garden room’s greatest asset.
From the expansive glazing of hugo & green’s ‘Heliotropic Carousel ‘ and the inviting window seat in Martha Krempel’s ‘Composer’s Cabin ‘, to the timeless character of the heritage windows in Conservatory Archives’‘An Ode to Endurance’ and the reeded glass window film of PlantsByThere’s ‘Lovehoney Presents: Aphrodite’s Hothouse’, every detail influences how a space feels and connects with the garden beyond.
Mix old with new
The magic happens when modern design is given an old soul.
The most inviting spaces combine fresh ideas with materials and details that feel like they have a story to tell. The warm tones of timber, the natural ageing of copper guttering and the planting that softens the roof of ‘The Composer’s Cabin’ create a sense of character. Bergs classic terracotta pots never go out of style and add earthy texture to ‘The Hanging Gardens of Botanica’, while the weathered furniture and climbing vines of Petersham’s ‘Conservatory’ create a feeling of a garden room that has always been there. Even the gnarly cacti at Conservatory Archives’ ‘An Ode to Endurance‘ show how the right plants can give a space heritage.
Lighting the mood Â
Lighting doesn’t just lift a space, it sets the mood.
From the positive effects of sunlight showcased by the Heliotropic Carousel, to the imported Italian statement lighting of Conservatory Archives’ houseplant studio, each space is a masterclass in the power of light. The darker, more dramatic interior of Petersham Nurseries’ Conservatory, the kitsch neon glow of Lovehoney Presents: Aphrodite’s Hothouse, the otherworldly globe lighting of Botanica Studio, and the candle-lit interior of Martha Krempel’s Composer’s Cabin all show how lighting can completely change the way a garden retreat is experienced.
Inside-out planting
The best garden rooms play with boundaries and overflow with greenery.
The Houseplant Studios challenge the traditional rules of where plants belong. The only rule? There are no rules. From a hanging garden that spills from inside a studio to climbing jasmine and philodendron enveloping the walls of a pavilion, or carefully curated bursts of colour in containers that move between summerhouse and deck, getting closer to nature has never been easier.
Be tickled pink
Colour is the quickest way to create atmosphere and personality.
Pink was certainly having a moment amongst the RHS Chelsea Houseplant Studios. From the ointment pink of Conservatory Archives’ Studio Pavilion to the baby pink of Botanica Studio’s houseplant studio. Just like the soft blush tones of the ‘Pink Witch’ Aeonium against its green-striped variegation, the pairing of painted exterior and lush green interior had us under its spell. Sitting at opposite sides of the colour wheel, the green grounds the pink adding warmth and energy.
Don’t be afraid to play
The most memorable spaces are the ones that make you smile.
Great design leaves room for imagination. Whether it’s the merry-go-round planting and carousel horse of Heliotropic Carousel, or the playful peep-show-style vignettes featuring heart-shaped specimens and suggestive forms for Lovehoney Presents’: Aphrodite’s Hothouse, these details show how a sense of fun can make an outdoor space into something truly unforgettable.
