Tim Matcham Garden Design

When you meet an iconic person from your chosen field it is difficult to know what to expect. When that designer has won a prestigious RHS Gold Medal at Chelsea flower show for the stunning Champagne Laurent-Perrier Garden you have a real sense of anticipation.

Joy then when Luciano smiles in a totally relaxed greeting. Here is a man who has met his demons and come to terms with them in a measured and philosophical way. Chelsea clearly marked a turning point and saw the culmination of nearly 15 years experience in designing beautiful, bold gardens that I suspect will be held up as examples of garden design for many many years. His gardens are not for the faint hearted and perhaps don’t meet everyones idea of what a garden should be.

Here is a man so dedicated to his art that nothing stands in his way in seeking the ultimate in garden design.

Born in Sienna, Ital he studied garden design at Inchbald and was heavily influenced by the scene in London in the early 1990′s. Every single element of his designs has importance and are more than just lines on the drawing paper. His two fascinations are light and food, with his gardens becoming an extension of the kitchen, which he explains, are frequently the main living areas in contemporary London houses. They display a simplicity in form, light and shade, however this simplicity masks a truly in depth knowleedge of the materials and plants that he is working with.

He is keen to point out that his designs are a collaboration between all the people that he works with, from architects and sculptors to specialist furniture makers, plant nurseries and many others. He spends time researching the elements that will help make his designs work on many levels, not only during the day but also at night where discreet lighting gives his gardens a whole new dimension.

This business of collaboration and working together is important and we encourage members of The Garden Network to do just exactly that, and to maintain their integrity in solving the garden design problems that face them. This can be quite a challenge, but as Luciano explained – many of his gardens take up to 4 years to create and he now has a time awareness that means he can choose who he works with and for. I guess when you reach these heights that becomes important but it is very clear from the outset that he very much intended to be the very best he could be.

It was great to meet Luciano and learn from him. I can certainly see ways in which he can influence the work that I undertake for my clients so really glad I made the effort to attend his garden design masterclass.

Luciano Giubbilei website - take a look at more of his stunning work. 

ps: This was one of a series of Garden Design Masterclasses held at the Oxford College of Garden Design

Tags:   aspirational · garden design · imagination · Inspiration · lifestyle · opportunity1 Comment