I had the most wonderful day last Friday, started off with a quick dash up to London to meet with one of our developer clients at St George, to discuss further the designs for the Chelsea Creek rooftop gardens.  Then met up with a couple of gorgeous TV lovelies (can’t say who they are of course) who we are in discussion with regarding a possible new TV series. Finally arrived at the Millenium Hotel early evening, for the first ever Society of Garden Designers Awards ceremony.  It was a stunning glittery event, crammed wall to wall with some of the most accomplished garden designers in the country including John Brookes, Andrew Wilson, Ian Kitson, Andy Sturgeon and John Wyer  and loads more.)

I plucked up the courage to go and chat with John Brookes, to say thank you for such a lovely comment (I’m sure he didn’t recall it) that he made about our Show Garden at Chelsea Flower Show this year (Rooftop Workplace of Tomorrow).   It felt like high praise in deed to have John say that he liked our garden very much, in print, in the Telegraph. When finally my name was called, and we were awarded as the Winner of the Small Residential category, I was totally elated and almost ran to the stage to collect my award. Unfortunately I was in such a hurry that I didn’t notice I didn’t have my shoes on – unfortunately, James Alexander Sinclair, who was hosting the event did, and announced to the room ‘but Pat where are your shoes?’  Embarrassing or what?

This garden is one of my favourites that I have designed, it is a gorgeous Victorian Town house garden in Chelmsford called ‘Maltese Road’.  Paul Edwards, our client, has been the most wonderful  client and it is possibly the most collaborative approach that we have ever taken with a client and their garden. Perhaps this is one of the reasons for its underlying success? I’m already looking forward to next year’s event, just need to figure out which garden and which category, can’t imagine we’ll be so fortunate next year, but it’s certainly worth a try.

Patricia

For info on all SGD winners please go to http://www.sgdawards.com/#/finalists-winners-pg-3/4570727979