Louise Irving Fine and Decorative Art

Eden

The forgotten space

It is often the case that the outdoor area is overlooked when creating space. A beautiful corner, a small water feature, scented plants, comfy chair, - hidden behind a large plant or two. All the better to remain at peace in your space. Be ambitious for yourself, claim any unclaimed space, clear some land if you have to. Land is valuable, make the most of it,

Feng Shui and the outdoors

Same principles as indoors. Flow, harmony without symmetry, shape, colour, space, suitability, beauty. Size doesn’t matter; the window ledge as art form is a beautiful thing. The most important thing to consider is where your eyes rest naturally from indoors. They are great places to create extra beauty or drama.

My approach

Most often a re-jig rather than a clean sweep. Gardens evolve organically and anything that wants to grow there is encouraged. Just like indoors a small private space or two is worth carving out. Ask yourself what you want from a garden, how much time you’d spend maintaining it and how you would see yourself using it. This will determine the details as the principles stay the same. Below are a few case studies which illustrate these principles.

Conrad - Switzerland

Case study

A beautiful chalet on a fairly steep slope with a rushing stream to one side. Lots of plants, many in pots, a build up of ambition colliding with a lack of clarity had left Conrad disillusioned with his progress. We concentrated on tidying and sweeping the are immediately surrounding the house. Triaged all the pots using the old soil to boost the vegetable garden, clearing the lawn, deadheading and removing any dead vegetation. Placed the palm trees for planting up. Framed the French doors and view to the mountains with flowering shrubs. Weeded swept and generally created order from chaos

Solution

Case study

I encouraged Conrad to achieve what was immediately available to hI’m, prioritising key elements of Feng Shui such as de cluttering, tidying and cleaning. Focusing on views, flow and ambience. It just needed fresh eyes and organising. The difference in feel at the end of a few days was remarkable with the rejuvenated flow framing the superb mountain view. We concentrated in what we had there and now - without spending any more money. He was heartened and re-invigourated about his super garden