It’s a gold for Kate Gould at this year’s RHS Chelsea 2022, who took time out last month to speak with us in the lead up to the show.
She has in fact been awarded three awards (including Best Sanctuary Garden) for her contemporary, wellness and lifestyle-themed RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022 Sanctuary Garden, ‘Out of the Shadows’. The award-winning, London-based designer caught the attention of the judges with her post-pandemic inspired garden design which packs a huge punch in terms of the lifestyle it delivers, in a perfectly tranquil and harmonious way. Her impressive wins includes Best Sanctuary Garden, Best Construction in the Sanctuary Garden category and Gold.
‘Out of the Shadows’ is a small, contemporary garden which features a state-of-the-art Jacuzzi® Swim Spa for exercising, spaces for seating and relaxation, climbing bars, and a yoga/ meditation space all elegantly situated amongst dramatic and exotic, tropical-style planting. ‘Out of the Shadows’ is a lesson in how brilliant garden design can seamlessly incorporate modern lifestyle demands into a beautiful and inspirational garden space to be enjoyed year-round.
Of her award win, Kate Gould added; “I am beyond thrilled and want to thank my amazing team who have been working tirelessley with me on creating this sanctuary garden. I wanted to showcase a garden design that responds to people’s needs and wish list as we come out of the pandemic. Now, more than ever, people expect their homes and gardens to deliver so much – they are looking to entertain, exercise, relax and be soothed all in the same space. And the reality is, that so much can be achieved in our gardens – even if they are small – with some creativity and careful planning.
“Out of the Shadows” shows how you can have a swim spa, a yoga and meditation space, and fire pit, at the same time as having an incredibly beautiful garden. It should not be a choice between function or aesthetics. Gardens can work on so many different levels and clever design choices can marry up lifestyle needs.”
Picture Caption: Kate Gould, award-winning garden designer, Keith Chapman MBE, project manager at Kate Gould Garden Design and Sue Biggs, Director General at the RHS. Photography by Helen Fickling.