Journal

oin Matt and a panel of industry experts for an exciting and informative conversation and networking event centred on the transformative power of textures, materials, and finishes in interior design and architecture. At this event, leading industry figures will share their insights on how a deep understanding of the best materials and finishes can drive more creative, dynamic, and functional design solutions. Learn how carefully selected textures and products can elevate your designs, enhance functionality, and inspire new approaches to interior design and architecture.

A lighthouse is a beacon. A pillar of the local community, guiding people through smooth and difficult journeys. A familiar marker and comforting sight. We believe that the arts can be a force for change; inspiring, nurturing, and guiding. Lighthouse Poole is the largest multi-arts venue outside of London and it really is an asset to the South West. The purpose of this garden is to raise awareness of Lighthouse’s charitable status and the work they do in and for the community. More than just an amazing venue, their charitable arm does incredible work in the community supporting, guiding and empowering people through access to the arts across the region. A place of refuge, somewhere to take stock, a supportive and creative environment- different every day. Across the show weekend, we welcomed a group of artists, The Leisure Painters, who sketched and painted the garden both from within and around our exhibition. The Beacon Garden, designed by Matt Evans will also provide a hint of what’s to come at Lighthouse as we will be helping plan, design, and construct the outdoor extension to the Beacon café. We hope the Beacon Show Garden informs and ignites conversation around this exciting future project. A huge thanks to the Beacon suppliers/partners: The Garden Room Studio Lighthouse Poole Immediate Live - in particular Bob Sweet and Lucy Tremlett for their incredible on-site support. Elliots Builders Merchant - materials supply & logistics Stone Lovell Stone Group Landscapeplus - water feature Stark and Greensmith - pergola Nth Degree Clerkenwell - furniture Millboard - decking Tala X Farrow & Ball - table lamps

The Beacon Garden has been created by Matt, a Lighthouse Development Ambassador, and will be seen by thousands of visitors in tribute to the work Lighthouse does promoting the creative industries in Poole and the wider region. “It’s a coastal garden that, like Lighthouse, is different every day,” . like Lighthouse, it has been designed to promote and provide a nurturing platform for creative arts and culture to be showcased and thrive.” He hopes visitors will not only want to spend time in The Beacon Garden, but will also be inspired to find out more about Lighthouse. Representing Lighthouse and its work in developing artists in the community, members of Poole Leisure Painters – who meet every week at Lighthouse – will be setting up and working in The Beacon Garden, responding in paint to the garden and interacting with visitors. “Lighthouse is extremely grateful to Matt and the Garden Room Living & Landscape Studio for their support,” says Sue Lloyd, Head of Development & Partnerships at Lighthouse. “The involvement of our communities, and the work we do to engage them is very important to us, and we hope visitors to Matt’s wonderful show garden will want to know more about what we do. “The Leisure Painters are only a snapshot of the groups who interact with us over and above our artistic programme, and we look forward to seeing their interpretations!” The Beacon Garden, sponsored by Elliots, will also provide a hint of what’s to come at Lighthouse as Matt will be helping plan, design and construct the outdoor extension to the Beacon café. The BBC Gardener’s World Live Spring Fair is an immersive gardening experience, with a mix of design ideas, planting inspiration, garden shopping, and accessible horticultural knowledge from top gardening experts including celebrity guests Adam Frost (Friday), Carol Klein (Sat/Sun) and Arit Anderson (Sunday). It runs from 2 to 4 May at Beaulieu.

Do you have a layout that requires a re-think ? Do you need help with materials and styling of furniture and accessories ? Have you inherited a shady corner and do you need planting advice ? Has life forced upon you a children's play area that's become the focal point ? WE CAN HELP!

We are delighted to have conceptualised, planned and be handling the local authority planning application for this conservation area Garden Scheme.

We're super pleased to announce that we are now accredited members of The British Association of Landscape Industries. BALI are the leading Trade Association for UK landscape professionals and have proudly been setting the bar for industry standards for 50 years - so it was a club we definitely wanted to be a part of!

The technicalities of installing your chosen paving are best left to the professionals - Lets face it, it’s hard graft and you need the right kit. That said, an inspired material selection to partner other hard landscaped elements such as planting and lighting can bring a scheme to life.

We have been instructed by clients in Branksome Park to design a pool side garden space to accompany the installation of a luxurious outdoor swimming pool.

The image used in this post is called 'Hey! I miss you' by Daniel Barreto and was submitted for the United Nations Global Call to Creatives to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Gardening is cool. There’s a statement you might not agree with, but indulge me for a moment…

Just a day after World Mental Heatlth Day we're delighted to announce that we are working with 'Altogether Better' and the team at Shore Medical's Lilliput Surgery and Lilliput Health on a Community Garden Scheme.

As May drew to a close, we made our annual visit to SW3 for the spectacular Chelsea Flower Show.

Wow- what a crazy couple of month's it's been for us both. We've been slightly off the radar, with numerous trips up and down the M3 to London, and barely a spare minute to catch our breath...

When you get the email to say that Rock my Wedding would like to feature your styling its super exciting. Throw in a splattering of the best wedding band in the business, a delicious menu, two insane photographers, an amazing group of friends and family and the hottest summer since 1976 and you know you're in for a good day!

As we write this post on the shortest day of the year at the point of the winter solstice , we've been casting our minds back to Summer 2018- What a summer it was as you can see from the photo above!

We don't know about you, but our Christmas and New Year flew by. Travelling up from Dorset to rural Essex where fortunately both our families reside makes life easier, and so began our festive pilgrimage to visit family and friends.