Taking inspiration from the versatility of Burlington’s stone in both the internal and external environment – widely apparent at the company’s new and recently opened Stone Studio located in Kirkby-in-Furness – creators Damson Design delivered a garden scheme that echoed the theme of the one created for the studio and which speaks of permanence and movement.
As Nicola Hills, Director of Damson Design stated: “In part, the Burlington Garden at Holker centred on continuing the theme that I adopted at the studio - one where dimensional and standard landscaping product sets fuse effortlessly with more random materials.
“The end result was a courtyard garden that is itself an outdoor room: a space that presented an invitation for visitors to relax in a tranquil environment enveloped by two curving walls. Equally, it was designed to prove the versatility and durability of Burlington’s natural stone, whilst demonstrating its alignment to all types and sizes of landscape design schemes, from restricted area urban courtyards to expansive spaces that suburban location often present.”
Occupying an area of 9 metres x 9 metres, the Burlington Garden featured new-to-range, standard landscaping products, as well as bespoke pieces. Dissecting and flowing through the garden was a meandering river of lavender, bridged at one point by a honed stepping stone produced out of Burlington blue/grey Kirkby material.
Providing access to two distinct garden areas, the stepping stone featured Burlington’s new corporate identity/branding gritblasted into it.
The ‘lavender river’ was shadowed on alternating sides by a path that took visitors to the larger of two circular paved patio areas. Finished in planks of random honed olive green Bursting Stone, the path from both directions terminated at a 13sq m paved patio constructed out of mid-green Broughton Moor stone, also randomly laid but with radiuses to its edgings.
Partly enclosed by a low stone wall that was constructed from Burlington blue/grey weathered walling featuring riven radial capping stones with plucked edgings and interspersed by slate seating areas, this part of the garden was complemented by ornamental grasses to deliver a further sense of movement, whereas Lime tress were used to offer areas of shade.
Promoting Burlington’s recent introduction of standard patio sets into what is already an expansive landscaping product portfolio, was a smaller and raised circular patio finished in contrasting Baycliff limestone. The radial and dimensional look of this patio contrasted with the random appearance of its neighbour and was surrounded by a productive kitchen garden, interplanted with perennials such as lettuces and herbs.
On two sides of the Burlington Garden, the overall scheme was contained by a further low natural stone wall which, whilst having a traditional appearance externally, featured a contemporary split face finish on the inside.
Commenting on behalf of Burlington, Sales & Marketing Director, Nick Williams said: “Having seen the dramatic and inspired landscaping scheme that Damson Design delivered at the site of our new Stone Studio, everyone at Burlington was extremely excited about the reception the Burlington Garden received at this year’s festival. Our aim was to drive home how serious Burlington is when it comes to the landscaping market, both domestic and commercial, and our garden at this year’s festival supported this.”
Established six years ago, Damson Design – situated in Levens Hall, Kendal – is becoming increasingly recognised for delivering award winning landscape designs of distinction. Having received a Silver Guilt award at Hampton Court last year, director and founder, Nicola Hills, has inspirations to build on this success at many other internationally recognised events moving forwards. 