Meet James Whiting
James Whiting, known online as @Plantsbythere, is the eclectic houseplant enthusiast transforming the traditional Kew Garden Room into a contemporary garden bar and entertainment space for those wanting a piece of city nightlife in their own gardens.
James utilises his spare time as a Houseplant Stylist working with everyone from fashion brands and event companies to corporate planting companies dressing hotels and offices in and around London.
Stylist and Curator
James is a stylist and curator with a love for enhancing spaces with houseplants and ceramics. From a young age James was surrounded by plants and flowers with his grandparents who were passionate about plants.
James’ creative practice has been self-taught, he has always enjoyed making things and trying things on a budget which has led him to explore how to make things without the usual tools and materials. Design is at the forefront of everything that he does from window displays to photoshoots to home-styling, which is where his passion for plants comes from.
James says “I’ve always had to change every living space I’ve had to suit my personality. I’m not scared of colour and I like to layer a lot of objects and bring collections of things together to create scenes. I’m definitely a maximalist and I’ve always had to do it on a budget, which has encouraged me to experiment and find new ways to create a space that satisfies me and suits my personality. Houseplants have always played a major role in this. They’re really affordable, they grow and change as time passes and they really soften a space and inject life into it. I can’t imagine living somewhere that doesn’t have real plants in it, you can enjoy them in different ways every single day.”
Planet Studio
James lead the team we worked with last year on The Green Room, our RHS gold medal winning Houseplant Studio.
James says “It was always a childhood dream to exhibit at Chelsea Flower Show as an independent designer and this year Malvern Garden Buildings are allowing me to do just that. Planet Studio is a true representation of my style and vision.”
James’ ultimate goal is to bring fun and a contemporary eye to a flower show steeped in tradition and heritage. Taking inspiration from the way houseplants and floral displays were used in the famous Studio 54 venue, alongside James’ love of the Palm House at Kew Gardens and childhood memories of his 90s-bedroom, Planet Studio will be an ‘out of this world’ club experience for show visitors.
Meet the 2022 Collaborators
A collision of houseplants, bespoke ceramics, textiles and retro lighting will convey the eccentricities that were synonymous with Studio 54.
Find out more
