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RHS Chelsea Flower Show With Andrew Martin

Written by Jenna Jones on . Posted in Latest.

The art of designing a statement exhibition

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is back again this May for its annual floral extravaganza. For 2024, global design brand Andrew Martin is set to make a triumphant return to the prestigious event, in partnership with Pinewood Studios, captivating visitors with a spectacular stand showcasing the latest outdoor furniture, fabrics, and cushions.

Bringing theatrical drama to the design landscape

Located at stand RBG113, the Andrew Martin exhibit is inspired by Scottish writer, Robert Louis Stephenson’s and French painter, Paul Gauguin’s journeys to the South Seas. The design conjures up that 19th century fantasy for an idyllic desert island. Both men, when at the height of their creative powers, took the enormous risk of travelling halfway around the world – exiling themselves from their homelands and setting up in the South Seas. They had set out in search of restorative conditions, exotic inspiration, and a healthier place to live. Both banked on the receptivity of their established audiences, who appreciated the novelty of the work they delivered from such remote shores.

Designed and built in collaboration with Pinewood Studios, renowned for their movie-making magic, Andrew Martin brings cinematic enchantment to the world’s most prestigious flower show with its spectacular display which will feature a waterfall with over 12,000 litres of water and an ancient wooden rice barn at its centre, promising to be one of the most theatrical and immersive stands at this year’s show.

Immersive Experiences

Since 1978, Andrew Martin has been at the forefront of global interior design, shaping furniture, fabric, and wallpaper trends through the decades. Founder Martin Waller is often described as ‘the Indiana Jones’ of interior design, known for his adventurous spirit, endless curiosity, and innovative approach. A trip to the brand’s showrooms in London has been likened to ‘stepping into Aladdin’s Cave’, offering a beautiful mix of new furniture designs, exotic objects, and antiques that create a memorable shopping experience.

Andrew Martin’s impressive stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show promises to deliver the same sense of adventure – celebrating creativity, global influences, and the effortless integration of interior-inspired design into outdoor living spaces. Visitors are invited to embark on a sensory journey, where imagination knows no bounds and every corner reveals a new world of possibilities.

New Collections

The stand will showcase Andrew Martin’s newest fabric and cushion collection, Argonaut, alongside the brand’s best-selling outdoor range. Inspired by legendary tales and faraway lands, Argonaut comprises three outdoor fabric designs available in a variety of colours.

Argo: Named after the ship from Greek mythology, built by the gods to help Jason and the Argonauts sail from Lolcos to Cochis, Argo features a vertical stripe design with an irregular stitch effect in rich spice colours, fresh denim blues, and smart faded greys.

Trojan: Drawing inspiration from the ancient city of Troy, Trojan boasts an ornate geometric pattern and highlighted stitch. Available in warm colours, fresh white with denim blues, and neutral greys, Trojan adds a touch of timeless elegance to any outdoor setting.

Azorus: Transporting you to the beautiful beaches of North Africa, Azorus is a Moroccan-inspired textile with a faded ground and intricate printed stitch motifs. Available in faded denim and grey, Azorus evokes a sense of exotic charm and sophistication.

London Events Florists To Know

Written by Amira Hashish on . Posted in Events, Latest, Lifestyle.

By Amira Hashish

Sourcing the perfect florist is an integral part of making an event pop. From tablescape arrangements to displays that double as works of art, this selection of London-based floral design studios will help elevate your special occasion…

Embrace the Space

This floral design studio is the creative vision of Krystal Mead who has a knack for making her botanical arrangements look like sculptural works of art. Embrace the Space works with private clients, brands, and events with statement centerpieces, full tablescapes and everything in between.

Visit: embracethespace.net

SAGE Flowers

Inspired by all aspects of design, from textiles to architecture, SAGE brings a contemporary approach to its creations. The freshest flowers, sourced from Britain whenever possible, are used to build arrangements that feel truly unique. Press days, runway shows, dinners, brand activations and weddings are all within SAGE’s remit.

Visit: sageflowers.co.uk

Ronny Colbie

Having started his career as the Lead Floral Designer for the Soho House Group. Ronny Colbie and his expert team of talented florists now create their imaginative yet timeless floral displays for corporate events and weddings. Featuring the finest seasonal blooms, they understand that it’s the small details that make their surroundings extra special. Register for BBB Membership today to receive 15% off orders!

Visit: ronnycolbie.com

Wild at Heart 

Founder Nikki Tibbles is something of a doyenne of luxury floristry. Gracing the entrance to Liberty and Westbourne Grove’s Turquoise Island, her Wild at Heart brand has been paving the way for fabulous florals for 25 years. With an A-List following that counts celebrity weddings and five-star hotels amongst its client base, you know you are in sumptuous hands.

Visit: wildatheart.com 

Grace & Thorn

East End rule breakers Grace & Thorn have garnered a reputation for off-beat floral and plant styling. The flagship store in Hackney is full of wonderful fresh and dried flowers, houseplants, and pots. It is a great starting point for exploring what scheme may suit your event. Both small and large scale events services are offered.

Visit: graceandthorn.com

Scarlet & Violet

This Kensal Rise institution was founded by Vic Brotherson, the woman behind Kate Moss’s wedding bouquet. It sources suppliers from New Covent Garden Market throughout the year whilst independent growers and farmers are championed. Individual requests are happily catered for and there is a personal approach so pop in or give the shop a buzz to talk through what you have in mind.

Visit: scarletandviolet.com

McQueens Flowers

Another London floral icon, McQueens has been doing its thing for 30 years with clients including Claridge’s and the Berkeley. It even runs its own flower school with courses such as installation design and ikebana in the calendar, as well as a four-week vocational course. A timeless choice.

Visit: mcqueensflowers.com

The Allotment Florist

Helena Willcocks grows her own wildflowers in a North London allotment. Flying the flag for sustainability, she picks and arranges her stems into rustic bunches to create a plucked straight-from-the-garden look. As well as drumming up quite the following for her workshops and letterbox deliveries she takes on big projects including weddings.

Visit: theallotmentflorist.co.uk

Rebel Rebel

Mairead Curtin and Athena Duncan left a career in television to pursue their botanical dreams in 2000 and have never looked back. Their shop in Mare Street Market is open seven days a week whilst events let their creative streak run wild. With clients ranging from the BAFTAs to Sketch, they are seasoned curators of large scale floral displays.

Visit: rebelrebel.co.uk

Bramble & Moss

With the shop front of dreams in Richmond, Bramble & Moss is a feast of inspiration. British favourites such as roses, peonies and hydrangeas are always in the mix alongside some more unusual finds.

Visit: brambleandmoss.co.uk

JamJar Flowers

This floral design studio is based in a Dickensian Yard in Kennington. Fabulous displays are made for events, weddings and creative projects. It is also a treat to pop into the studio and pick from an eclectic collection of bottles, jars and charming flea market finds.

Visit: jamjarflowers.co.uk

Getting Your Garden Ready For Spring

Written by Anya Cooklin-Lofting on . Posted in Interiors, Latest, Lifestyle.

By Anya Cooklin-Lofting

Nurturing a garden of which to be proud is no small feat. It involves months of pre-planning, consistent attention and dedication to detail. However, the benefits of nailing your garden design, from layout to colour, function to fragrance, is one of the most rewarding domestic pleasures. Whether you’re creating an oasis for entertaining friends and family, a peaceful enclave for getting in touch with nature, a kitchen garden or a florist’s paradise, now is the time to start prepping. 

Getting Started

As an artist preps their canvas, a great gardener gives themselves the best chance of success with a clean slate. Tidying up the garden will give you a sense of clarity about what you want to achieve, how you’ll use your space and what the possibilities are for switching things up. Remove fallen leaves and branches using a rake or a leafblower, cut the grass and neaten up perennials that have sprawled over the winter. While this task won’t be quite as satisfying as picking bouquet flowers for friends or a few veggies to roast for dinner, it will definitely feel like an accomplishment by the end of the day.

On a more technical level, you can look at improving your soil quality. This may sound complicated, but there are actually a few simple ways do to this. Initially, you need to test your soil. The best way to do this, according to Old Farmer’s Almanac, is to dig up one cubic foot of soil, break it apart and search for earthworms. You should find at least 10 earthworms if your soil is healthy. If you find fewer than 10, the advice is to add organic matter into the mix throughout your planting areas, which could include compost, aged manure and leaf mould using a spading fork.

You can also take this opportunity to declutter your shed or gardening toolbox. A clean, tidy shed will help to preserve your gardening equipment and, of course, reduce the stress associated with chaotic, messy spaces, making for a more enjoyable gardening experience. It’s also advisable to clean and sharpen tools like secateurs and trowels for not just easier, but safer usage. 

Design Ideas

Getting to grips with how you want your garden to function is the first important step. Work out where you might like to establish dining or lounge spaces, a section for games or play and beds for flowers, fruit or vegetables. Are there any specific features towards which you’d like to draw the eye, such as a pond, an outdoor sculpture or a particularly beautiful tree? There’s no right or wrong way to do this, but giving consideration to these decisions will give you some structure to work to. 

Light-touch design ideas could include adding colour in unexpected ways. Paint fences or structures like trellising with bright colours that complement the colours of the flowers you might want to grow. Personally, I love the way paint weathers outside, chipping in places for a rustic feel. Another less intensive design idea is to use colourful pots in varying glazes, textures and sizes to bring different dimensions and layers to patios or decks. 

What to Plant Now

Classic spring flowers will thrive in your garden right now. Opt for daffodils and crocuses, fragrant hyacinths and decadent dahlias. Now is the time to lean into tulip varieties, too, which make delightful displays at home, especially using the TikTok-famous tulip petal hack. 

Getting ahead of the game on your vegetable garden will bring great rewards right the way through the summer. While it’s best to plant most vegetables in warm weather, vegetables including broccoli, cabbages, kale, Swiss chard, kohl rabi and lettuce can be planted in March for quick results. You can keep sowing seeds throughout the season to extend the harvest period. 

Windowsill Gardeners

For those without the privilege of a garden, windowsill options are still rewarding, and there is something charming about miniature gardening. While planting bouquet flowers might be tricky because of the height and space they require, lower-lying plants like hyacinth can be grown in bowls in bright spots around the home very easily. Where your indoor kitchen garden is concerned, growing salad items like microgreens and herbs is a manageable place to start. If you have a bright enough window, the opportunities are endless. Last year, I grew cherry tomatoes all the way through until November!