PRODUCTS
Do you have a design background?
"At 16 I was accepted into Leeds College of Art. I always made my own clothes and wanted to be a stage set designer, but I became a secretary at the British Steel Corporation – and hated it with a passion, so I spent some time as a window dresser and then worked for Thomson newspapers in advertising – creative work that helped with the landscape design I would end up doing."
How did you become a garden designer?
"Having an interest in architecture, I renovated three cottages and built two houses; the last one broke the camel's back and I was left with a building site for garden.
This is a bit of a cliché, but there I was - a woman of a certain age, with a mess for a garden and a grown up family of three kids – and I went on a garden design course in 2005. The reason was because I couldn't find a designer to create a garden that 'felt right,' so by going on a course I could ask the right questions and learn how to achieve a garden that was slightly off piste and suited our family's personalities. I loved learning, was fast tracked onto the Garden Art & Design BA course at Leeds Met and achieved a First.
I can't describe myself as 'into gardening' and rarely read gardening magazines. But I devour anything on architecture and get my inspiration from design exhibitions. I enjoy creating 'outdoor stories' and do lots of research before any design goes down on paper."
Why Chelsea?
"I am hooked on creating show gardens and started entering competitions to fulfil a dream of going to Chelsea to build a large show garden and to mix with the big boys. I'm nearly there with the urban garden this year. I have entered five competitions and won five. Everything is crossed for number six. "
