There are many ingredients one needs to create a great garden. The design and build skills are essential but often overlooked, especially by amateurs, is the hardware that will compliment their creation.
It is worth spending time discovering what is on the market but I have a little short cut up my sleeve by the way of Claudia de Yong to help you with the process.
Claudia is going to share some of her knowledge and help you source materials - Metalwork and especially arbours and gazebos gets us started.
Claudia says: I am often asked as a designer to look for something ‘different’ for clients to put in their garden. I also like to try and find local craftsmen so that I can support their work but also have something truly hand made .
I hope you find the following suggestions useful as you won’t find them in any garden centre and I hope the companies listed give me a discount!
Richard Heanley at Studio Forge in Lewes East Sussex produces lovely ironwork which include obelisks, benches and arbours which can be painted in a variety of colours.
Their website: www.studioforge.co.uk
Tramway Forge of Hereford were opposite me last year at Hampton Court and make a wonderful range of metal work arbours, benches and gates and railings in a wonderful blue grey tone.( see picture)
Their website: www.tramwayforge.co.uk
Garden Requisites in Bath make delicate iron trellis, arbours and plant supports.They now do a range of colours to complement different schemes.
Their website: www.garden-requisites.co.uk
Look out for Reclamation yards too.Every county has one and there is always a good selection of metalwork to be found.
Claudia de Yong
Garden Designer
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