- Ula Maria’s garden of childhood memories<\/a><\/li>
- Discover Ula Maria’s award-winning garden at Chelsea <\/a><\/li>
- How to create a private garden<\/a><\/li>
- All the Main Show gardens at Chelsea 2024<\/a><\/li>
- How to design your garden<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
How should I start to design my garden?<\/strong><\/p>
Ula Maria designed this small garden in London using the same materials that appear on the interior and exterior of the house – brick and wood. – Photo: Rachel Warne<\/figcaption><\/figure> It\u2019s essential to re-assess your surroundings, both to understand your garden in its wider environment<\/a> but also to work out what were the key aesthetic factors that first drew you to the house. Often, your home\u2019s architecture and the local vernacular will inspire your choices for the garden. For example, the dominant materials of the building, be they timber, brick or stone, could influence what materials you choose for the garden.<\/p>
Use colour in moderation so it doesn\u2019t overpower the garden<\/p><\/blockquote>
Carrying materials from the interior space works incredibly well in smaller gardens. <\/a>Smaller, more enclosed spaces are more forgiving, and will give you more freedom to establish the garden\u2019s character without having to worry so much about its surroundings.<\/p>
If you do decide to use a distinct material, such as Corten steel,<\/a> within your garden, be bold and make a feature out of it. Choose furniture that will both complement it and form the design language of the garden.\u00a0<\/p>
Make the garden that suits you<\/strong><\/p>
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This garden design was inspired by its owners\u2019 travels and passion for antiques, and used contemporary materials, cosmopolitan plants and eclectic collectors\u2019 items.<\/figcaption><\/figure> Another way of starting a garden is to think of it as an extension of your home, a space full of potential, with room to play, dine, rest and, above all, reconnect with nature. A garden will always work best if it ties in well with your lifestyle; how much time you spend outdoors and how you want to use the garden.<\/p>
Whether your priority is a kitchen garden<\/a>, a dining<\/a> space, or a specific sport-related area, you need to identify key dedicated function areas that are important to you and your family. The more practical and useful the spaces you create in your garden, the more likely it is you\u2019ll feel encouraged to tend and nourish that garden.<\/p>
Assess whether the size of garden paths relate to the scale of their surroundings<\/p><\/blockquote>
However, if you have a lifestyle that doesn\u2019t allow you to spend much time outdoors, then you may be better to concentrate on creating beautiful views that will be visible from the windows you look out the most.<\/p>
Think about how your garden can enrich your lifestyle. Could you benefit from a quiet space to relax<\/a> or an area to dine and entertain<\/a>? By partially enclosing such a space with a structure such as a pergola<\/a>, you\u2019ll be able to enjoy your garden on days when harsh sun or rain might otherwise keep you indoors.<\/p>
Keep things simple<\/strong><\/p>
![\"RHS](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/05\/Web-Use-Hampton2019_KOS0426.jpg\")
This sanctuary garden designed by Ula Maria has a stripped back palette of materials and was inspired by the idea of a \u2018hortus conclusus\u2019 or enclosed garden. – Photo: RHS\/Joanna Kossak<\/figcaption><\/figure> Simplicity is pure, elegant and timeless, and simplicity does not equal simpleness. The simpler and more refined the material palette from the outset, the more cohesive the garden will look. One of the most common habits of garden enthusiasts, myself included, that often leads into a restless garden is \u2018overdoing it\u2019 with the variety and mixture of plants. Like with everything, we should follow the rule of less is more.<\/p>
When plant beds feel too small, enlarge them, or replant plants where beds appear too flat<\/p><\/blockquote>
- Discover Ula Maria’s award-winning garden at Chelsea <\/a><\/li>
![\"Ula](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/05\/ula_maria_northampton_479_preview-scaled.jpg\")
![\"Ula](\"https:\/\/c02.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/40\/2024\/05\/Ula_bw-scaled.jpg\")