Living Architectural Elegance

As autumn slowly drifts into winter, we’ve been unearthing some treasures from the photo archive to celebrate the quieter kind of magic that comes with the changing seasons.

Teardrop bespoke contemporary sculpture with blue and tan mosaic stands before tall, golden grass in sunlight.

Abstract Florio sculpture made from verdigris copper patina and 24-carat gold leaf stands among tall grasses near the water.

As the colour-rich floral displays of summer die back, seedheads and grasses step into the spotlight. Always in motion, their soft, architectural elegance and shifting silhouettes guide the garden into a tapestry of filtered light and muted hues.

Mantle II in bronze and gold leaf, a contemporary abstract sculpture, stands near a field of tall, dry yellow grass.

“Grasses are the perfect sculpture companion and a brilliant addition to any planting scheme. I like to call them wind catchers, as this is exactly what they do. Their graceful foliage picks up the slightest breeze, making them dance. For me, Miscanthus is a favourite; I enjoy the height and longevity of seasonality. From the fresh green shoots of spring and towering verdant swords in summer, to the myriad of warm colours through autumn and into winter. Whether planted at the back or front of a border, their height brings interest and contrast. Personally, I favour planting them with space around them, in gravel, to allow their vase-like form to become clear.”

Garden Designer, Andrew Duff

A Mantle II in bronze and gold leaf contemporary abstract sculpture sits on a grassy path amid tall grass and green trees.

Matrix stainless steel sculpture set in tall grass with green bushes and trees on a sunny day.

Introducing sculpture into these naturalistic landscapes creates moments of poised stillness. They work in harmony with the designed architectural structure of the planting, grounding the vibrancy of the ever-changing garden.