Gardens in Essex – Make it modern

Although we recently moved offices to Essex, we have been creating gardens in Essex for some time. With large gardens and an adventurous clientele, the county has proved to be a great place to create something a little different, so I am always on the lookout for inspiration for bold and contemporary spaces.  This modern garden design takes it sweeping lines and simple bold shapes from a mantle by designer Paul Poirot. This garment is made of bright yellow wool and lined with black chiffon. Based on a deconstructed kimono, it is composed of two rectangles folded on the shoulders and joined on one side with a stylised bow. It illustrates how Poiret was able to combine with rare harmony the bold colours of Fauvism, the vision of Cubism and the exoticism of Eastern garments.

The bold and confident design the mantle inspires is not for the fainthearted with its strong architectural lines. In the right garden it could be a real talking point. Thematically the deep folds of the mantle give scope for layering up the space with multiple screens to replicate the creases .

Strong arcs of block planting in evergreen shrubs and grasses emanate from an offset timber pergola. A sandstone sett pathway sweeps across the space culminating in a paved area beneath the pergola. This pergola has a central cube structure  with a trapezoid form on two opposite sides. One side supports a hammock while the other would feature plastic coated white lines hung from stainless steel tension wire, to echo the pleats of the fabric and add movement and interest to the space.