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Star of the show: How George Saumarez Smith's design for Country Life wowed visitors at the Chelsea Flower Show
The Garden Lover’s Library, created by George Saumarez Smith for Country Life, dazzled visitors at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
This has been a busy year for George Saumarez Smith. Alongside his ongoing restoration of Tottenham House in Wiltshire — one of the most ambitious projects of its kind — he has been working on a third book, The Romance of Classicism, which will be published by Rizzoli in the autumn. At the same time, he conceived the Garden Lover’s Library for Country Life's stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, inspired by his passions for classicism, antiques, drawing and his fiancée Jane Kennerley’s love of plants.
Three hand-drawn elevations by Mr Saumarez Smith — including wallpaper, a collection of paintings and a garden view seen through a window — were printed at room-size proportions on paper-backed linen by Watts 1874, the historic specialist in fabrics, wallpapers, murals and passementerie.
The decorative scheme created the perfect setting for the furnishings of the room, which was focused on a fire- place that he designed and complemented by a magnificent floor of hexagonal hard blue-black Crawford limestone from southern Ireland, interspersed with triangles of grey-cream Taddington limestone from Derbyshire. Both fireplace and floor were made by the Somerset specialist in British stone, Artorius Faber.
Plants were chosen by Jane Kennerley.
In a bookcase was a collection of vintage garden books he had sourced espe- cially for this project as he prepared for the show. The space was also furnished with both the architect’s own furniture (including a desk from HMS Orion that took part in the Battle of Trafalgar and was commanded by an ancestor of Mr Saumarez Smith) and pieces from Munder Skiles.
A collection to enchant: every book on the tall shelves was published before 1986.
A tented ceiling in fabric by Manuel Canovas at Colefax and Fowler, upholstery in Nina Campbell at Osborne & Little and curtains in fabric by Pierre Frey and Andrew Martin added both pattern and texture. As well as gaining significant attention at the show, the Garden Lover’s Library was awarded five stars by the judges of the trade stands.
Find out more at adamarchitecture.com.
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Inspired by the past: How Munder Skiles blended old and new for Country Life's stand at the Chelsea Flower ShowOn Country Life's stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, two striking designs by Munder Skiles demonstrated the exciting possibilities of combining inspiration from the past, artisanal skills, high-quality materials and cutting-edge engineering to create furniture suited to inside and out.
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House of the Dragon: The Elizabeth mansion protected by a fire-breathing beast — until it wasn'tMelanie Bryan recounts the fascinating story of Drakelow Hall.
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Inspired by the past: How Munder Skiles blended old and new for Country Life's stand at the Chelsea Flower Show
On Country Life's stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, two striking designs by Munder Skiles demonstrated the exciting possibilities of combining inspiration from the past, artisanal skills, high-quality materials and cutting-edge engineering to create furniture suited to inside and out.
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Reader event: The art of the country house garden at DaylesfordWhat are the ingredients of the perfect country garden in the 21st century? At this Country Life event, five leading experts will share their wisdom on achieving pleasing good looks, creating comfortable spaces for relaxation, manageable maintenance and how to make a garden your own.
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Art underfoot: How Artorius Faber brought to life the stone floor of Country Life's stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower ShowGeorge Saumarez Smith’s design for the floor of Country Life's stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been brought to life by Artorius Faber.
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The best of British: How home-grown stone will be one of the stars on the Country Life stand at the Chelsea Flower ShowCountry Life's stand at RHS Chelsea will celebrate the beauty of Artorius Faber’s home-grown stone.
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The art of the hand: George Saumarez Smith's design for Country Life at ChelseaGeorge Saumarez Smith will demonstrate the power of pen and pencil when Country Life unveils his hand-drawn design for its stand at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
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Reader event report: An eye to the future at DaylesfordThe magnificent Heritage Barn at Daylesford in the Cotswolds was the setting for an event at which five specialists with a deep understanding of country properties shared their expertise.
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Reader Event: An eye to the future at Daylesford Heritage HouseWhat changes to a house do most to enhance its aesthetics, function, comfort, sustainability and longevity? On March 24, leading experts in architecture, interior design, craft and restoration will share the secrets to maximising possibilities and protecting value at Daylesford’s magnificent Heritage House in Gloucestershire.
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Reader Event: Super women at London Design WeekWhat can be learnt from the achievements of the world’s greatest female designers and antique dealers? Which has created the most valuable legacy? What are the secrets of their success? Come and find out at an inspiring event on the first day of London Design Week at 10.30am on Monday, March 9, at the London showroom of luxury lighting brand Hector Finch.
